Oregon Professor Missing During Day Hike

I dont think it is necessary to carry a full survival pack on a day hike(although I do) But at least carry some essentials like water, and a fire starting device.
 
mjdukefan23 said:
I dont think it is necessary to carry a full survival pack on a day hike(although I do) But at least carry some essentials like water, and a fire starting device.
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... and a knife, a whistle, a signal mirror, and a few LARGE garbage bags for shelter.

A small headlamp would be helpful for night-time signalling and shelter setup.


Doug Ritter's (Equipped.org) Suggestions:
1. Navigation - a mapping GPS w/ spare batteries, or secondarily a map & compass, AND the knowledge to use them together
2. Knife - one-hand opening
3. Fire starter & Tinder
4. Water & water purification
5. Whistle
6. Signal Mirror
7. Duct Tape
8. Shelter - large garbage bags or AMK Heat Sheet
9. Flashlight or Headlamp - LED, lithium battery, with constant-on switch
10. Sunscreen and/or Insect Repellent
11. Personal Locator Beacon


Less Stroud's (Survivorman) Suggestions:
1. Sure-fire way to get a fire
2. Really strong belt knife - "like a good Buck"
3. Orange garbage bag to use as a tarp
4. Something to boil water in
5. Good amount of rope
6. Axe
 
God knows profs are disorganized! Hope he keeps his head and makes it out.
 
mjdukefan23 said:
I dont think it is necessary to carry a full survival pack on a day hike(although I do) But at least carry some essentials like water, and a fire starting device.
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You need survival gear on a day hike as you don't have a tent, sleeping bag, stove, etc.
 
Let's see:

63 years old
No water
No compass
No cell phone
No survival skills (according to his daughter)
Missing since Sunday

Yep, I don't see this one ending well. Talk about being completely unprepared.
 
kgd said:
God knows profs are disorganized! Hope he keeps his head and makes it out.
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As a fellow professor, I hate to see anyone making us look bad:o. Fortunately, a few of us do have common sense.
 
Sounds like Natural Selection at work again. Seems like that happens quite a lot in the Northwest, doesn't it?
 
AustinTXShooter said:
Let's see:

63 years old
No water
No compass
No cell phone
No survival skills (according to his daughter)
Missing since Sunday

Yep, I don't see this one ending well. Talk about being completely unprepared.
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It's hard to relate to people like that. except to say they shouldn't be let out without a keeper. I'm 63 and I don't go for a half-hour walk down the trail to the lake in my neighborhood without more than that.
 
Dr. Mudd said:
Sounds like Natural Selection at work again. Seems like that happens quite a lot in the Northwest, doesn't it?
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Northeast too. Older people less fit have survived more than what he is dealing with so there is always hope. The human body and spirit never cease to amaze me.

Just when you are thinking the worst on SAR ops sometimes they genuinely surprize you.

That said guys like him belong on a treadmill indoors and removed from the food chain.

Skam
 
Like Skammer Said people like this will Sometimes surprise you and do alot better than you would think, they survive by luck and determination, making beds of leaves and drinking out of puddles that kind of thing.

Either way he is costing resources and I hope he is found so that he can pay for all the expenses he is costing taxpayers.


I think we need to start issuing Hiking Licenses, or having disclaimers at trailheads like "If you go past this point you need the skills and gear to get yourself back"
 
That's a very good idea. Rescue operations are very expensive, particularly if they involve helicopters, etc.

And if you do get yourself in a jam, it will do wonders for your mindset if you know there will be a well-funded rescue party out there looking for you./
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
...Either way he is costing resources and I hope he is found so that he can pay for all the expenses he is costing taxpayers...
I think we need to start issuing Hiking Licenses, or having disclaimers at trailheads like "If you go past this point you need the skills and gear to get yourself back"
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It bothers me to see this type of response to such a situation. I worked SAR for some time as a volunteer. No one paid for my gas. Or the expenses involved in upkeep and training of my bloodhounds. I didn't ask for it. It was just a service I proudly provided to my community. Just like my work as a volunteer fireman. I never thought of charging the community or the individuals a fee.

The idea of issuing hiking licenses... well, yes, let's turn a right to travel into a priviledge. Then the issuing authority can decide who meets their criteria to be allowed to buy the priviledge license. And raise the fee to whatever they decide it should be and put the money into whatever fund they want. In fact, it is already required that one get permits in many areas to go for a hike or a canoe trip. Sometimes without a fee, but often with.

Codger (climbing off my soapbox now);)
 
Well, I have to disagree.... I have no problem paying a fee towards the upkeep of wild places.

If not in the form of a 'hiking licence' then what about an entry fee to the park? We have a fee to access our parks here and nobody complains.

If it means you have a permanent crew of SAR people on call as a result, with good equipment at their disposal, then surely everyone benefits.

I had an incident in wildlife park a few years back and the only way to access the area was by chopper. I was told subsequent to my rescue that they had almost cancelled the chopper service, due to a lack of funding.

Luckily, they had found the money to keep it going. Let me tell you, I would have been happy to contribute to the fund, rather than face being carried out of there with a fractured sternum./
 
Right on Codger I can think of many types of waste of taxpayers money butsaving someones life is not one of them. The old habit of pulling S&Ls out of the fire due to mismanagement is one the abuse of the welfare system is another we had a 18 year old autistic lost in the Dolly Sod wilderness was the use of all that rescue resorces an waste? I don't think so that is why those resorces are there and most in the search are vollenters. We already pay for for any thing the goverment does when funding is the problem it usually is allocation of that is the problem why should we pay twice. Someone has decided that rtescue is a low priorty any you have to reimburse the goverment. Perhaps people on welfare should reimburse the goverment when they get on their feet.
 
Buffalohump said:
Well, I have to disagree.... I have no problem paying a fee towards the upkeep of wild places.

If not in the form of a 'hiking licence' then what about an entry fee to the park? We have a fee to access our parks here and nobody complains.

If it means you have a permanent crew of SAR people on call as a result, with good equipment at their disposal, then surely everyone benefits.

I had an incident in wildlife park a few years back and the only way to access the area was by chopper. I was told subsequent to my rescue that they had almost cancelled the chopper service, due to a lack of funding.

Luckily, they had found the money to keep it going. Let me tell you, I would have been happy to contribute to the fund, rather than face being carried out of there with a fractured sternum./
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IMHO, South Africa has a bit different political system and history than the U.S. In fact, in these areas, I believe the U.S. may actually be a bit unique. I realize that it doesn't allways appear to be so, but here, the people are intended to rule the government, not the other way around. Likewise the people own the property administered by the governments (National, State, County or Parish, Township or city and local). Thus at least a few of us old Codgers have a different perspective on what we perceive as intrusions on our freedom. This subject of rescue touches on basic premise of personal responsibilities for our actions, and our personal obligations to our fellow citizens. Both are important worldwide and likewise viewed differently worldwide. I do have a problem with being charged a fee, buying a license or permit, or submitting to anyone's examination of my abilities and preparedness for travel outside the cities.

Codger (I promise I won't do this again as it edges too close to political diatribe. My apologies.)
 
Codger_64 said:
I do have a problem with being charged a fee, buying a license or permit, or submitting to anyone's examination of my abilities and preparedness for travel outside the cities.

Codger (I promise I won't do this again as it edges too close to political diatribe. My apologies.)
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Hear, hear!

I do hope he's alright, too, but the length of time is getting a little disconcerting. I think lots of folks have a chance at surviving, since most of keeping alive is just using common sense (ex. 'I'm cold, better go and make a shelter and lay under some dry leaves...'). I guess common sense is necessarily common though.
 
Codger, good stuff!!! I have to agree....it is already to much money to do everything else for me...if I have to pay to hike...I'd be all done completely.
 
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