+JDan150 Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 "Hiker OK after being lost 4 days in Smokies Ohio man finds way to Cades Cove Loop Road By MORGAN SIMMONS, simmonsm@knews.com February 21, 2003 An Ohio hiker who got lost Monday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park emerged from woods Thursday on the Cades Cove Loop Road. Mike Gourley, 42, of Kettering, Ohio, flagged down a car about 5 p.m., said park spokeswoman Nancy Gray. The motorist gave Gourley a Coke and a ride. Gourley had a Global Positioning System unit, but the batteries wore down on the first day. But a report by the park said:"When he turned on his GPS (Thursday), the batteries provided enough power for him to get his bearings and navigate back to the Loop Road." Gourley was dehydrated and suffering pains in his back and feet. He was taken by private vehicle to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Park officials said Gourley's clothes - Gore-Tex pants and gaiters, a fleece sweater and a Gore-Tex jacket - proved a "significantfactor" in his survival. Gourley had been wandering continuously in the backcountry since Monday afternoon, moving up and down ridges during the day and making temporary shelters at night. He slept only an hour at a time, for fear of getting too cold, Gray said. Gourley had planned to spend a couple days hiking a series of off-trail routes in the park before returning to work Tuesday afternoon. On Monday he hiked over a mile to Cobb Ridge, became disoriented because the hike was so rough, and "ran out of daylight hours," according to a statement the park issued after Gourley was found. Gourley set up a temporary shelter using part of a space blanket, but he abandoned that camp after about an hour and began moving in an effort to keep warm. He had no flashlight or water and drank from streams. Park rangers located his 2001 Ford Focus Wednesday morning, after his ex-wife became concerned. The vehicle was parked at the Tipton Oliver Place on the south side of the Loop Road. According to Gourley's journal found in the vehicle, he completed a 4.5-mile cross-country hike earlier on Monday in Cades Cove and planned another hike in the cove later that afternoon. After searching for several hours Wednesday, a tracking team member found some of Gourley's hiking gear on Cobb Ridge at the eastern fork of Cades Branch, just over a mile from the Loop Road. Items found at the site included Gourley's video camera, which had footage of him narrating how he felt he had gotten turned around. Park spokesman Miller described Gourley as an experienced hiker who frequently visits the Smokies to do cross-country, off-trail hikes. " http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/gs_news/article/0,1406,KNS_392_1759674,00.html Quote
3fros Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 "Gourley had been wandering continuously in the backcountry since Monday afternoon, moving up and down ridges during the day and making temporary shelters at night." My dad taught me that if I ever get real lost and can't figure out which way to go, always go downhill. You'll eventually come to a stream, which will run into a river, which will eventually come to a town or road. It sounds like good advice. Quote
gm100guy Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 quote:Park spokesman Miller described Gourley as an experienced hiker who frequently visits the Smokies to do cross-country, off-trail hikes. " I always like these types of quotes from officials, But the guy still didn't bring the basics like a map and compass with him. gm100guy http://members.rogers.com/gm100guy/cachepage.htm Quote
+poksal Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 I have seen posts where some joke about those of us that always keep a well prepared pack ready. This guy had a space blanket, kept a log and was hiking frequently, signs of at least some experience. I think he got too secure in his habits and figured nothing would ever happen to him. We never know when we will break a leg or get caught in a freak weather pattern. ..... BE PREPARED... not just for yourself but for others like him you may meet on the trail. I carry a pack... if I am going anywhere I would not be instantly found if something goes wrong. .. it is better to be smart than kool. ** The worst suggestion of a life time may be the catalyst to the best idea of the century, don't fail to listen to suggestions. Quote
dsandbro Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 There's a reason they are called the 'Ten Essentials'. This hard-earned lesson has a happy ending. Not all finish this way. ======================================== Friends don't let Friends geocache drunk. Quote
+Prime Suspect Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 http://www.leesmovieinfo.net/special/Gerry.php Quote
+Bjorn74 Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 I have a friend who decided with his wife to backback their honeymoon. A day into the hike, he had started to dehydrate and became confused while, of all things, looking for water, ending up an entire county away from where they had camped the first night of their hike. It's amazing what can happen even if you are prepared. They were to both blow their whistles if they couldn't see the other, but he didn't think he'd need it for a quarter mile hike to a spring they hiked by the day before. What a honeymoon story. Quote
+arrowroot Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 On my one backcountry trip so far (southern Indiana in July is more humid than you can imagine), we were happily hiking, when we saw a trail marker, indicating the trail we thought we were on ran perpendicular to the track (old log road) we were hiking. This was only an hour or so into the hike. We had a compass, a topo map (no GPS -- they weren't reasonably priced then)... but it still took us fifteen minutes or so to figure out where we were on it, and which way we should take on that perpendicular trail. The sun was inivisible behind clouds, there were numerous ridges making it difficult to gauge our exact location, and it didn't help that the log road wasn't marked on the map. What had happened? We were seduced by the easy walk of the road which had begun at the trailhead, and missed a turnoff. With the GPSr, I would have known exactly where I was, but still might have missed the turn. So don't be too hard on him... but take extra batteries. Which reminds me... has anyone tried hand-cranked or solar rechargers for long trips? I can't imagine how many AAs I'd have to carry for an AT through-hike. I am Arrowroot, son of Arrowshirt. I have many names, you know Quote
+Possum Posse Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 I had the exact same thing happen Arrowroot, many years ago while camping in Indiana at Versailles State Park. We arrived at the campsite late in the afternoon After setting up camp we decided to get a quick hike in before dinner. We had a map of the trails and a compass, but started in the middle of the trail. While hiking we missed one of the markers and ended up on a old backpacking trail. By the time we figured out our mistake it was getting dark. I had a small flashlight, we were going to use for a small cave that was on the trail, and we used it to find our way back. I still remember the feeling of relief when we saw the lights of the campground up ahead. I have always been cautious when going out since that time. One of life's lessons. "Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us" - Thomas Paine Quote
cwoper Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 Always carry extra batterys and always take water.At least this story has a happy ending. Quote
RangerDanger Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 The 'go downhill' thing is still around, sadly. Most times that will work, but often you end up in a swamp. You can also get wet that way, which is the worst thing to do. Remember the acronym STOP to Sit, Think, Observe, then Plan your way out. Use your noggin. Also, using a compass seems to make closing on a cache a lot easier: you get the bearing and distance when you're really close, and then you go to it. How can anyone geocache without a compass? And how can anyone go off trail without a map to go with the compass? It just isn't sensible, sets a bad example for the youngins, too. Quote
+georgeandmary Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by RangerDanger: Also, using a compass seems to make closing on a cache a lot easier: you get the bearing and distance when you're really close, and then you go to it. How can anyone geocache without a compass? You'd be amazed how many caches you can find without a compass. george Pedal until your legs cramp up and then pedal some more. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.