Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bryan burke" wrote:

> First, never count on rescue from an external source. While I have a high regard for the

Coast Guard and the Air Force PJs, I can't say the same for the average county SAR team, unless you happen to crash in Yosemite National Park. Most SAR teams are just like the people they are going after: fat, out of shape, and none too skilled. I know members of SAR teams in areas where I hike or ride. They are generally locals who know every nook and cranny of the area and have been there. They may not be particularly skilled when it comes to things like first responder medical assistance and such, and certainly they're not master athletes or anything (most are older people who work for themselves), but if you're in a reasonable location (i.e. on or near a trail), and they have a fix on your general area from a PLB, they'll find you and if they can't provide assistance themselves, will be able to get people to you who can.

> While traveling with a partner or two is nice, the fact is that if you are adventurous, you

can't wait for other people to get the gear, skills, and time to go on trips or you'll never get them done. So don't be intimidated by solo travel, but respect the risks. Indeed. I went over Steele Pass (in Death Valley National Park) in my Jeep and met a caravan coming up-canyon. The leader asked me about conditions (they were fine on that day, no ice or snow on the road, no new washouts or anything that would present a problem for his vehicles), and then asked, curious, "are you alone?" I replied "Yes." He said "That's sort of dangerous." I shrugged. "Not in this vehicle", I said (note that I had a week's water and food as well as full camping gear), "besides there's someone a couple of hours behind me who could provide assistance if I had broken down." But the deal is, I did not stray from the "main" trails (there were side trails I would have liked to investigate, I avoided the temptation), it was a holiday period when I knew there was a lot of people traversing the area, I had gotten the current weather conditions and predictions from the ranger station before setting out on that two-day excursion through Saline Valley, so I accepted the (relatively minimal) risks. No PLB, btw. Not necessary.

> When I'm riding remote areas I always plan to walk up to 50 miles out and carry

appropriate water and gear. For example, I ride in hiking boots with a steel toe, wearing With me it's 6 miles. That means I don't ride really remote areas solo. (Shrug). I can live with that.

> In my own opinion, our culture of safety has gotten a little out of hand. People seem to

think rescue is just the touch of a button away, but it just isn't so. For example, I'm sure the Reverend could tell you exactly why his helicopter won't launch on a mere cell phone call. Indeed. Which is why I was amused at the caravan leader asking me "isn't that dangerous? ". Because I'd taken every precaution to minimize the risk, and accepted the risk remaining. But not having rescue immediately available (from his caravan-mates) was something that simply appalled him.... -E