And another one (lost hiker)....

[Waumbek]

With a good ending, again thankfully. To answer SAR-EMT's question in another post, what is "lost?," in the operative sense, you're "lost" when either you or your family or friends call in to authorities. At this time of year, late winter with overnight temps in the 20s and below last night, it's still too early to leave people reported overdue out there on their own overnight. Later, in the summer, maybe, but not now.

Hiker found in Albany, hours after straying off trail

ALBANY, N.H. (AP) _ A 23-year-old hiker is safe today, after spending several hours lost in the White Mountains around Albany (New Hampshire).
Fish and Game officials say Brendan Murphy got separated from two friends around 6 p-m yesterday. He had no back pack or flashlight, and got soaked in a boggy area.
Hiking companions called for help after reaching their car and seeing no sign of Murphy.
Conservation officers found him after midnight, about two miles from the trail. He was not injured.
Murphy is from Wayland, New York. He is a teacher at Nature's Classroom, an outdoor school in Freedom (New Hampshire).

 

[Woody]

I'm sure he's not teaching map and compass skills at his school. That's a tough way to learn a lesson, as many of us discussed in another thread. Fortunately, this inexperienced hiker was fine.

 

[kerry13]

Waumbek, looks like you are chumming the waters again. I see the sharks a circling and the drums are a beating. I will certainly stay tuned for this one. Sounds like he is very, very lucky. Glad he is ok.

 

[MadRiver]

I’m glad the guys ok, yet to be honest, I do find it just a tad ironic.

 

[NH_Mtn_Hiker]

...yet to be honest, I do find it just a tad ironic.

Yea, especially since they do teach map and compass skills there.
Nature's Classroom site

 

[Stan]

Yes, but they are hiring teachers, not outdoor guides, and this incident happened on a personal outing, not a class trip. Don't be too hard on him or the school, after all, their job description does not stipulate map and copmpass or hiking experience.

Perhaps their "first requirement" might humble many of us.

"Our first requirement for a job at Nature's Classroom is that you have a love for children. Children are the reason for our program's existence.
You must have the desire to help them learn -- learn about themselves, other people, the reason why they’re in school, and the environment around them. If you cannot stand your nieces and nephews, the kids next door, or the kids you student taught, forget it! Perhaps education isn't your field (don't give up, try something else)."

 

[Mike P.]

God point Stan, we can help them outdoors.

 

[Mike P.]

Okay that should have been good point Stan

As far as analysing my bad decisions Darren definitely does not have the bandwidth to cover just mine...

 

[MadRiver]

I guess I will not be applying.

 

[amstony]

Theres gotta be something in the water or the air with the rate that this stuff has been happening..........

 

[Grumpy]

This one reads like a classic "separated party" story. What's that old rule for hiking with partners? "Start together, stick together, finish together."

G.