Rescues In The Mt. Washington Area - 10/06/2007

[Raymond]

Hey, Earl, we were also up on Mount Washington on Saturday. On the other side of the mountain from you — my son and I went up Huntington Ravine Trail and down Tuckerman Ravine Trail — but I also wondered about all the folks still heading up in the rain. I even mentioned to a couple women that I thought they were crazy to be heading up, but one of them said that they could probably take the shuttle down. I just replied, ‘‘Maybe’’ to that, but privately thought that the shuttle probably wouldn’t keep running if the weather was lousy, which it was becoming.

We were on top from about 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. We didn’t get back to the visitors’ center until 5:30 p.m., and it really began to pour shortly after that, so those folks could have really found themselves in trouble. But, as I hadn’t heard of anyone dying, I assumed everything must have worked out all right. I hope it did.

 

[BIGEarl]

Raymond,

I recall speaking with a number of people between the Lakes Of The Clouds Hut and Gem Pool. Some were asking the usual “are we there yet” questions and others were indicating their target was Washington, not just the hut or Monroe. In each case I suggested it might be a little late for their hike and the conditions were changing fast – not for the better. As it has been discussed many times before, there’s no law against stupid. Not one person that I spoke with turned around.

I was back to my truck around 4:00pm. Soon after a quick stop at Fabyan’s Store the rain really started to come down. I didn’t notice the cars in the tram lot as I passed but the lots on both sides of Franconia Parkway at Lafayette Place Campground and OBP/FW Trailhead were overflowing. Dozens of cars were parked along both sides of the road. In pouring rain and no people in sight I could only conclude these folks must still be on the trail somewhere. Not good!

My interest was to learn more details about the anecdotal reports I heard concerning problems on Mt. Washington and nearby mostly because, as was the case with you on the east side of the mountain, I had seen first-hand the developing situation. The Union Leader report clearly indicates these activities were spread across the area but there was nothing reported from Washington.

Perhaps the F&G, SAR teams, AMC Hut staff, and others focused in joining this type activity got a break on the Presidentials. Clearly, they had their hands full in other areas.

 

[dr_wu002]

Ferget fines! I think a few days in the slammer would cure these people of their flashlight-phobia. Nuthin' but a flashlight and some bread dough fer food in a cell for a coupla weeks and they'll never be unprepared in the woods again.

There's nothing a few months in jail won't cure.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Breeze]

Big Earl,

I only heard of one episode on MW over the weekend, and that was early Saturday afternoon.

It was a dehydration incident, a 10 year old hiking with his Dad, and help was readily available to them as they were within 100 yards of the State Park building. They had seemingly prepared for weather ( dressed quite adequately) but neglected to bring a drop of water, and there was a significant language barrier.

The young man was re-hydrated, rested and then the two elected to take the hiker shuttle downbound.

Other than that, there was an extra hiker shuttle added to the late day schedule both Saturday and Sunday with folks getting up top late in the day, some extra runs were made. That is nothing unusual at all.

Other than that, I didn't hear a peep about any trouble on MW, nor on any of the close summits.

Considering the numbers of people, the weather..... everyone I have talked to has said it was a rather "uneventful" day on the Rockpile.

Breeze

 

[Andrew]

You would really be surprised. Even at staffed trailheads where rangers are trying to hammer in the reality of available daylight versus minnimum round trip time, it is most often answered with "Well I have a cell phone if anything happens or I get caught in the dark."

Which has been often answered with, "Well why don't you just leave your phone in the car and carry a flashlight instead so you don't get caught in the dark and have to call for my help." This is a true conversation I hear repeated hundreds of times.

Yes S&R folks actually do get tired of the long nights of Fall and early Winter until the early darkness reality sinks-in to the less experienced. A lot is done to prepare for and anticipate long nights out, and it has a major effect on ones personal life. The answer to most social/ family engagements is "No, No, Sorry." But S&R folks become flashlight experts as a bonus!

Cell phones are a double edge. At least you can speak with the subjects and get more detailed information and get them to start some pre care. It used to be that every fall was reported as a broken leg, etc... Often a team would go up a trail and not find the patient since the original report was over dramatized and the person rested and got up and walked. One bonus is you can now advise self care that may work itself out, or know for sure if the subject will need to be carried and exactly where they are (if they have a clue).

An interesting thing about the false sense of security with cell phones. Many of these folks leave the phone on for business and social obsession during a hike. Then when an emergency happens the battery is almost dead. I find this more often than not, to the tune of hundreds of cases.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I've carried mine in the past in case of an "Oh Sh$t" but what I have found is that IF I get a signal, it's pretty darn weak and all that searching (presuming you leave it on) sucks down the battery. I tried calling home from Mt. Washington to tell my wife to show my son the web cam photo with me in it -- no signal. None of the cog riders had one either.

I've bitten my tongue on this many times, as I know it's not popular, but I feel it is important to be said:

I am from the old-school New Hampshire, self-reliant, personal responsibility world. If I made my own bed, I will lie in it. So, if person X (persons X,Y,Z) ignore the warnings, well, that's Darwin at work.

Thanks in part to threads like these, I never leave home unprepared any more. My wife always wonders why my pack is so heavy and why she can't stick her water bottle and jacket in there

Tim

 

[Mike P.]

Signal may be affected by wind but for version i have got a signal before on some parts of the observation deck for having kids see Dad on the webcam It's spotty up there so if you move at all you lose it.

if teh buildings are open I believe they have pay phones

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Speaking of rescues, I did the Lincoln/Lafayette loop the previous weekend (9/29), and the place was mobbed - a ranger later told me that he'd counted 297 who'd passed him, and he didn't go beyond Little Haystack. In any case, when we got back to the parking lot F&G had just completed a carry-out. Turns out the injured hiker decided she didn't need medical care afterall and declined a ride in the ambulance... The good news was I got a chance to see Guy Jubinville who I'd not seen in a couple of years - Guy's a longtime SAR volunteer.

On cell phones - yup, I always carry one. No apologies. It's the 11th essential. Have yet to see a SAR organization that doesn't recommend people carry them.

Edit: Mike - I'm no expert on cell phone reception, but I believe the reason reception seems spotty on many summits is not the LACK of signal but the ABUNDANCE of it. In other words - on the summits you're in line-of-sight of many towers, so the slightest movement can sometimes change which signal your phone deems strongest. The solution is often to descend slightly, even a few feet off the summit, which narrows the range of competing signals.

 

[DougPaul]

Signal may be affected by wind but for version i have got a signal before on some parts of the observation deck for having kids see Dad on the webcam It's spotty up there so if you move at all you lose it.

Mike - I'm no expert on cell phone reception, but I believe the reason reception seems spotty on many summits is not the LACK of signal but the ABUNDANCE of it. In other words - on the summits you're in line-of-sight of many towers, so the slightest movement can sometimes change which signal your phone deems strongest. The solution is often to descend slightly, even a few feet off the summit, which narrows the range of competing signals.

Kevin is essentially correct. The wind has virtually no effect on cellphone signals. When you are on a mountain peak, the cellphone system can become confused because the phone can contact too many towers and blocking some of the signals can help. (The cellphone system expects a phone to only be in range of a small number of closely spaced towers. This is also why the FCC prohibits airborne use of cellphones.) GSM also has a built-in range limitation--it will not work beyond a certain range no matter how strong the signals. (Not sure about the other protocols.)

FWIW, I'm glad I had my cellphone when I broke my leg in the Waterville backcountry. (It saved 1-2 hrs off my evacuation time and allowed my helper to stay with me while waiting.) If you don't need it or it doesn't work, it is only a few ounces of dead weight. If you do need it, it can be worth its weight in gold.

Doug

 

[--M.]

If you don't need it or it doesn't work, it is only a few ounces of dead weight. If you do need it, it can be worth its weight in gold.

Now I don't know but I been told
it's hard to run with the weight of gold
Other hand I heard it said
it's just as hard with the weight of lead

[With a tip o' the keys to Garcia & Hunter]


I have used my cell phone plenty in the WMNF & ADK, always with many provisos & mixed results. Glad I have it (and it stays OFF 'til needed).

I marvel at how few people (for example, out of 297) need rescue given how foolish we are on a statistical basis. And a broken ankle can be entirely irrespective of judgment.

Thanks, Doug, for reminding me of that favorite bit of Jerry,

--M.

 

[Grandaddy]

I will always carry my cell phone with me. It allows one to potentially contact help if in trouble. It's much better than breaking up a group to find help, though it may be required if a signal can't be found.

I have found a signal on Lafayette Ridge, good enough to send a couple of pictures to my wife...while she was at work

There are alot of people (like me) that travel long distances to hike. With all of that time invested in just getting to the mountains, they are not going to be quick to turn around until they are ready. That point is either reached by knowledge or fear. Those that don't observe thier surroundings or heed the advise of others set themselves up for the latter. No one can be forced to listen...but they can be forced to pay up!

 

[dvbl]

...There are alot of people (like me) that travel long distances to hike. With all of that time invested in just getting to the mountains, they are not going to be quick to turn around until they are ready...

This is a great point. I've felt the pull of this a few times..."I drove so far just to get here. I ain't turning around just for this..." It takes some common sense, good judgement, discipline, fear, potential angry wife, or whatever to do the smart thing.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

My cell phone provider (AT&T) has pretty lousy coverage on NH4s in the Whites, with the exception of Waterville Valley. So, over the last two weeks, I have received two calls to assist with SAR (litter carries) while hiking. First, on Tecumseh's summit the Sunday before Columbus Day, no problem, as I was able to get down from the summit to my vehicle in time to join PVSART buddies on Sandwich Notch Road for a little carry off Mount Israel. However, yesterday I was in the middle of making a tricky move on icy rock about half way up North Tripyramid Slide when the cell phone rang. Oopsie, can I hold onto the rock with one hand and take the cell phone call with the other, with both feet not all that secure? I managed that, but it was obvious that I would not be able to get to Lafayette Campground in time to be much help with a litter carry down the Bridal Path. But, I will continue to carry my cell phone in the on mode while hiking, just on the chance that I can be of some help in SAR.

Great thread; thanks for sharing all of the ideas, everyone.

 

[DougPaul]

This is a great point. I've felt the pull of this a few times..."I drove so far just to get here. I ain't turning around just for this..." It takes some common sense, good judgement, discipline, fear, potential angry wife, or whatever to do the smart thing.

Experience helps too--one learns (or gets used to) that sometimes you make it, sometimes you don't or shouldn't try. And if you retreat now, you can make another try later.

Some feel that if success is certain there is no challenge. If you are of this mindset, knowing when to retreat is essential.

Reaching a specific peak on the first try is rarely all that important. (And in the NE, everything is so accessible that it is rarely difficult to try again.)

Doug

 

[Mac]

Cell phones

IMHO

A cell phone is o.k. as long as all other necessary equipment is also carried.

As discussed frequently in this thread, good planning and a willingness to turn back (if necessary) are equally important.

 

[thuja]

I wonder if Fish and Game is actually charginbg some of these people for being lost.

Not these incidents in particular, but reading reports in the Union Leader about folks hiking and getting lost after dark, and then calling to get "bailed out" by F and G is intriguing.

Do they know the days are shorter in late October, I just don't know.......

They should be charged for the cost of the "rescue"!

One possible response to the "I don't have a light but I do have a cell phone" callers: arguably if the night is not expected to be a very cold one, they should just be left out there overnight. Nothing teaches as well as the burned hand. "Call us back in the morning if you're still lost". Or they could be charged. Ask them for a credit card number before agreeing to rescue them. That would be pretty funny. So delightfully heartless...