+briansnat Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Hike turns into ordeal for mother, daughter Friday, September 9, 2005 By RICHARD COWEN STAFF WRITER, (Bergen) Record Diane Battersby figured it would be the perfect way to spend the last day of summer vacation with her 7-year-old daughter Lorian, on a morning hike to Wyanokie High Point in Norvin Green State Forest on Wednesday. "I thought it would be a nice mother-daughter day to mark the end of summer," the Riverdale mom said. It was a lot more than that. Battersby's mother-daughter day evolved into an ordeal that lasted deep into the night when they got lost on the trail and their dog, Shane, injured a paw - forcing them to hunker down on the chilly forest floor. It wasn't until a search and rescue team reached them about 3:30 a.m. Thursday that the three weary hikers were headed home. "We were on the blue dot trail and made it to High Point," the 48-year-old Battersby said. "Then on the way back, somehow we ended up on the yellow dot trail. I don't know where we missed the turnoff, but then all of a sudden we were on the white dot trail and we were lost." Lost in the mountains of northern Passaic County, without a cellphone and without any water. Nothing to eat except some crackers and half a peanut-butter sandwich. And a dog that had rubbed its paw raw on the rough terrain. As dusk descended, Battersby decided it was safer to stay put than to wander the woods in the dark. So she and Lorian found a flat piece of ground, hung their backpacks on tree limbs to keep them away from wild animals and got ready to spend the night. Battersby said she began to shiver from the cold and that Lorian began to wonder if any bears would attack. "We said our prayers and sang our songs," Battersby said. "Then we listened for animal noises. But all we heard are owls." Lorian had a sweater in her backpack and put it on. But her mother had nothing but the layer of clothes on her back. So she told her daughter about hypothermia, a dangerous loss of body heat. "I told her if mommy wasn't moving, then she should just stay here until the rescue team arrived," Battersby said. "I figured it was better if she knew rather than not know." Battersby had told her husband she was going to Norvin Green State Forest, and she figured he would contact authorities when she didn't come home. Around 8:30 p.m., her husband, David Gish, phoned Ringwood police. By 11 p.m. a search and rescue team numbering about 100 people was combing though the forest, which is primarily in Bloomingdale. Capt. Bryan Enberg of New Jersey Search and Rescue said it's not unusual for hikers to get lost in Norvin. "It's not a huge park, but it has a lot of trails," he said. "It can get pretty complicated." Lorian fell asleep, but Battersby stayed wide awake. To her relief, the search and rescue team arrived around 3:30 a.m. and they began the one-hour trek out of the forest. Her husband was waiting at the entrance with a big hug for the two of them. Quote Link to comment
+AuntieWeasel Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Buy her a cellphone. Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 and a cigarette lighter. Quote Link to comment
+GPS Guy Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 And a flashlight and map and jacket. At least she told her husband where she was going, and knew to sit tight in one place. Quote Link to comment
+Packanack Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 I seem to recall reading somewhere that Norvin Green has the highest number of lost hiker reports of any State Park. Due in part to its bumping up against open areas that do not have marked trails. Quote Link to comment
+reveritt Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 So what was the husband doing all that time? Quote Link to comment
+GeoKender Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 So what was the husband doing all that time? The husband is the one who notified the authorities. I am glad they came out OK. Thanks to the S&R teams! Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted September 14, 2005 Author Share Posted September 14, 2005 I seem to recall reading somewhere that Norvin Green has the highest number of lost hiker reports of any State Park. Due in part to its bumping up against open areas that do not have marked trails. I know they get a lot. A local ranger told me Norvin Green and the Brushwood Pond area of Ringwood State Park are the worst spots for lost hikers. They recently posted signs at all the trail intersections in Norvin Green to help the situation. Quote Link to comment
+GeoKender Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 I seem to recall reading somewhere that Norvin Green has the highest number of lost hiker reports of any State Park. Due in part to its bumping up against open areas that do not have marked trails. I know they get a lot. A local ranger told me Norvin Green and the Brushwood Pond area of Ringwood State Park are the worst spots for lost hikers. They recently posted signs at all the trail intersections in Norvin Green to help the situation. Perhaps a "YOU ARE HERE." kiosk would be helpful for some. Quote Link to comment
Captain Chaoss Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 Perhaps a "YOU ARE HERE." kiosk would be helpful for some. That was a good one. LOL. It would make a great Saturday Night Live skit. "Look mommy, we must be a hundred miles from civilization !!! " From off screen, " actually little girl, about 38.4." Camera pans to David Spade sitting there with his earphone headset, and a laptop. Quote Link to comment
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