Puts into perspective how a hiker recently got lost for 8 days on the lost mine trail due to fog, props to her for being able to survive that long. Thanks for the great video as always!
Hi LittleGreenFire, yes it's easy to see how she would've gotten lost, especially if she thought she was following the trail. I've been up there, and from what I remember it's a lot of solid rock, and I'm sure there are offshoots that probably look like trails. The fog really disorients you though, at least it did for me. That is pretty good to be able to survive for that long. You're welcome, and thanks for watching!
I got lost hiking in the swamps of Florida it was lush with lots of greenery and everything looks the same I had to call the forest service to find me, even they got lost trying to find me! It was a lesson well learned, now I am always checking my bearings every time I hike!
Hi Mike, I can see how everything would look the same in that kind of environment, plus I'm sure it's all flat so that doesn't help. At least you made it out alright and the lessons do help. Fog + forest would be even worse. It's definitely a good idea to check your bearings often, and something I need to do more of!
At almost 60 I’ve been hiking, backpacking and riding dirtbikes in the Arizona desert my whole life. It’s an immense area and surprisingly easy place to get turned around. I’ve always carried a map of whatever area in, a compass, first aid, some food and an excess of water. I would love to brag and say I’ve never been lost, but that would be a lie. It’s what you do and how you handle the situation. Common sense is the best tool in your arsenal! Be safe, and Happy Hiking!
Hi Steve, you've probably been thought a lot out there then. It's definitely easy to be turned around, and you're right about common sense being the best tool. Sometimes I feel like need some more of that! But yes, it's always important to be prepared with tools and extra supplies because you never know. Thank you, thanks for watching, and happy hiking to you too!
I’ve been on the Lost Mine Trail with my family early one very foggy morning and no other hikers on the trail at all. We went past the end of the trail onto the bare rock of that ridge to Crown Mountain West. It was not difficult to find the way back but I was familiar with the terrain generally and the direction of the trail. I don’t think I used a compass but may have had one. That’s a trail I would not normally take gear on. Her failure from what I surmise from the reports is she didn’t have an understanding of the terrain features or direction of the trail and it sounds like she just started descending. My guess is to the east as west I have a hard time believing she wouldn’t see people at the saddle where the trail heads toward Lost Mine peak and switchbacks rather than Casa Grande. Fog is a definite risk, but so is tree cover or heavily undulating terrain. Thumbs up for her fortitude.
Hi Piece Train, I can see how she got lost. Who knows how thick the fog really was too. You[re right, she probably went to the east. I've been up there twice, and kind of remember the end. You probably weren't concerned at all, since you knew the terrain and where the trail was. But if the fog was really thick and she thought she was on the trail then she easily could have been confused. I wonder if anyone else was in the vicinity at the time she got lost? At least she was able to stick it out and survive. It's crazy how long she was up there.
Hi Jamie, did you watch the video? I filmed the compass and showed my GPS track. If you're going to comment about something, watch the video to see if your comment is addressed.
Puts into perspective how a hiker recently got lost for 8 days on the lost mine trail due to fog, props to her for being able to survive that long. Thanks for the great video as always!
Hi LittleGreenFire, yes it's easy to see how she would've gotten lost, especially if she thought she was following the trail. I've been up there, and from what I remember it's a lot of solid rock, and I'm sure there are offshoots that probably look like trails. The fog really disorients you though, at least it did for me. That is pretty good to be able to survive for that long. You're welcome, and thanks for watching!
If you get lost - find a fence or a road and follow it. If you are in a hilly/mountainous area find a fence or a road and follow it downhill.
Hi Charles, yes, that's definitely a good idea if you can find one.
I got lost hiking in the swamps of Florida it was lush with lots of greenery and everything looks the same I had to call the forest service to find me, even they got lost trying to find me! It was a lesson well learned, now I am always checking my bearings every time I hike!
Hi Mike, I can see how everything would look the same in that kind of environment, plus I'm sure it's all flat so that doesn't help. At least you made it out alright and the lessons do help. Fog + forest would be even worse. It's definitely a good idea to check your bearings often, and something I need to do more of!
At almost 60 I’ve been hiking, backpacking and riding dirtbikes in the Arizona desert my whole life. It’s an immense area and surprisingly easy place to get turned around. I’ve always carried a map of whatever area in, a compass, first aid, some food and an excess of water. I would love to brag and say I’ve never been lost, but that would be a lie. It’s what you do and how you handle the situation. Common sense is the best tool in your arsenal! Be safe, and Happy Hiking!
Hi Steve, you've probably been thought a lot out there then. It's definitely easy to be turned around, and you're right about common sense being the best tool. Sometimes I feel like need some more of that! But yes, it's always important to be prepared with tools and extra supplies because you never know. Thank you, thanks for watching, and happy hiking to you too!
I’ve been on the Lost Mine Trail with my family early one very foggy morning and no other hikers on the trail at all. We went past the end of the trail onto the bare rock of that ridge to Crown Mountain West. It was not difficult to find the way back but I was familiar with the terrain generally and the direction of the trail. I don’t think I used a compass but may have had one. That’s a trail I would not normally take gear on. Her failure from what I surmise from the reports is she didn’t have an understanding of the terrain features or direction of the trail and it sounds like she just started descending. My guess is to the east as west I have a hard time believing she wouldn’t see people at the saddle where the trail heads toward Lost Mine peak and switchbacks rather than Casa Grande. Fog is a definite risk, but so is tree cover or heavily undulating terrain. Thumbs up for her fortitude.
Hi Piece Train, I can see how she got lost. Who knows how thick the fog really was too. You[re right, she probably went to the east. I've been up there twice, and kind of remember the end. You probably weren't concerned at all, since you knew the terrain and where the trail was. But if the fog was really thick and she thought she was on the trail then she easily could have been confused. I wonder if anyone else was in the vicinity at the time she got lost? At least she was able to stick it out and survive. It's crazy how long she was up there.
No kidding. The park is big but not that big especially from that trail.
That's why you bring a GPS and a compass
Hi Jamie, did you watch the video? I filmed the compass and showed my GPS track. If you're going to comment about something, watch the video to see if your comment is addressed.