I'm just some dude that spent much of my life in the mountains. I enjoy hiking cross-country and backpacking. Every year, I read about people that have gotten lost and disappear forever - just look at the recent news below. I believe nearly all of those could be prevented with a little knowledge and skill practice with compass and map - plus a bit of uncommon sense.

I'm also one of a group of Outdoors Dudes that are working on putting together a bunch of outdoors skills sites to hopefully help spread good information. We figure that will help all of us enjoy the great outdoors more and be safe doing it.

I hope you find time to explore my pages and then go explore the real world out there.

All who wander are not lost!

(think about it)

 

Seems like everyone has a cellphone, but no one has a map and compass - or knows how to use them.   Search Google News for more 'Lost Hiker' news items.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_129953.asp CHATTANOOGA, TN June 17, 2008 - A man was rescued from Bakewell Mountain after getting lost and calling 911 on his cellphone.

http://www.sandypost.com/news/story.php?story_id=121302231140629500 SANDY, OR June 9, 2008 - A 33-yr-old man was rescued from Mt. Hood wilderness after getting lost and calling 911 on his cellphone. He had no flashlight and jsut a little water.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=35282 FORT OGden, FL July 12, 2006 - Four men rescued around midnight after getting lost in gator country and then calling on the cellphone. They burned all their money trying to start a fire.

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_054100912.html PROVO, UTAH Feb. 23, 2006 - A man was rescued from Y Mountain Thursday morning at 1:45am. He could see city lights from where he was but couldn't find his way back. So, he called 911 on his cellphone at 8:17pm. He didn't have a flashlight with him. A Life Flight helicopter spotted him and then rescuers on ATVs brought him out.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060220-1447-hikerrescue.html BORREGO SPRINGS, CAL Feb. 20, 2006 – A 52-year old hiker was rescued at 1pm after he took a 'shortcut' to climb a nearby mountain. He had a backpack with emergency blanket, tarp, flashlight, signal mirror and snacks (no compass or map???). He called for help on his cellphone. Rescuers retrieved him from a narrow canyon and gave first aid for cuts and bruises.

http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO14192/ TAMWORTH, NH Feb. 12, 2006 - a 22-year old hiker and his dog went out hiking with his dog. He lost the trail around midnight and then used his cellphone to call for help. Rescuers found him at about 5am. He had frostbite on his hands.