Vibe-Fall-2024 - Flipbook - Page 40
Headed Out for a Hike?
FIVE REASONS
YOU MAY NEED
TO BE RESCUED
By Mike Cherim, Redline Guiding
Hikers are quite a varied bunch, coming from many walks of life and having many personalities, but they do
have one thing in common: the reasons they sometimes need to be rescued. Here are 昀椀ve of these reasons.
T
he mountains are inviting to many
people. “They call to me,” many will
say. They are beautiful from afar—a
majestic backdrop to any scene. And for
those able, they’re even more stunning up
close. To be on and among them, of course,
is the ultimate way to get to know them,
and to many, this experience is quite sublime. Or “amazing,” “breathtaking,” even
“otherworldly,” some will exclaim. Getting
close to these mountains, however, is a
doubled-edged sword. To the uninitiated,
they can be deadly. Even to the experienced, this statement can hold true. Up
close, you get to admire them in the most
intimate way possible, but there are risks,
especially to those who hike them instead
of using the alternative means available on
some mountains.
The people who hike them, have one
40
thing in common: the reasons they
sometimes need to be rescued. And the
reasons are oft repeated. Five of these
reasons—in no particular order—follow.
BEING STUCK AFTER DARK
What happens, exactly?
The title is a literal description in this
case. If you think it’s possible to hike in
the dark, think again. It’s very dangerous
and near impossible, except in certain
conditions. When above tree-line in the
winter, for example, hiking by the light of
the full moon may be perfectly adequate,
but the vast majority of the time, forget
about it.
How does it happen?
This is a gear issue, or lack thereof. People don’t think they will be out after dark,
so they don’t prepare accordingly, but
obviously some are wrong. Some end up
trying to use their phone’s flashlight. This
is barely adequate, and that’s not even
considering the really limited battery life.
Packing right is key.
What are the consequences?
Being caught in the woods overnight will
probably not be a lethal experience—
though it can easily become one—but it
will very likely be a crappy, scary experience. If it will be cold, a call for rescue may
be required, and if it is, being this is an
inadequate gear issue, a fine could result.
How can someone remedy/avoid it?
Carry a headlamp. While a flashlight
satisfies the letter of the law, a headlamp
that turns with your head and allows
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