BWCA On going alone Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Group Forum: Solo Tripping
      On going alone     

Author

Text

OBX2Kayak
distinguished member(4401)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/10/2015 09:45PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Here's a good article about going alone when most advise against it.

On going alone ...
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next
gkimball
distinguished member(655)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/10/2015 10:08PM  
A very sad story.

When I led trips back in the 1970's we often discussed what were called objective hazards. Think of them as 'givens.' They are always there ready to wreak havoc if you forget them.

Every trip, whether alone or with companions has objective hazards. It sounds like she overlooked those hazards, perhaps blinded by her drive to reach her goal. Big, big mistake.

Today I am always am aware of objective hazards. I learned a long time ago to never let my ego push me into situations I can't handle, alone or with others. I will gladly change my plans the moment I sense these hazards are too great in a given situation.

The BWCA doesn't care if I live or die. I have only myself to keep me safe, not technology.
 
03/10/2015 10:43PM  
Going alone in IMO had nothing to do with her death based on the short linked article and everything to do with poor risk assessment and likely a lack of skills and knowledge of that environment. A tragedy.
 
OBX2Kayak
distinguished member(4401)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/10/2015 11:44PM  
quote brux: "Going alone in IMO had nothing to do with her death based on the short linked article and everything to do with poor risk assessment and likely a lack of skills and knowledge of that environment. A tragedy. "


Lack of knowledge of that environment? I understand that she grew up in Siberia.

I think she died doing something she loved. Who can do better than that?

To me, the best approach comes from the quote in the blog:

“I would be the first to admit that it can be dangerous, almost as dangerous as driving your car down the highway at 50 mph and passing within six feet of another car going in the opposite direction at 50 mph. Driving a car is one of the most dangerous things we do, yet we drive every day without giving it a second thought. I’ll take my chances in a canoe anytime…”
 
03/11/2015 07:28AM  
My thought was how the winds blew her off the trail. I thought about the blowdown of "99. And I remembered while those big events increase risk, the sudden gusts of wind can create rogue waves and themselves tip a canoe. I am reminded to be alert and believe that when I am tired and that alertness is waning it is time to stop.
The article acknowledged the risks and the benefits. I still plan on solo tripping.
 
03/11/2015 09:07AM  
This was discussed in the General Forum.
She was apparently quite experienced and well equipped for the hike planned, carried emergency communications gear.
Discovered, she was well dressed, her PLB did function in spite of conditions beyond design specifications. Her big mistake was an inability to decide not to go knowing the conditions, then not turning back when difficulties rose past her abilities.
Ego and pride can be a persons worst enemies, either in groups or solo.

butthead
 
jeepgirl
distinguished member (436)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/11/2015 09:12AM  
I was on Gaskin during the July storm in 2014. It was probably one of the most terrifying moments of my life. I heard the wind, I felt my tent on my face, and I heard trees snapping. It has not stopped my desire to solo trip. I am probably more cautious when I am alone.
 
yellowcanoe
distinguished member(4984)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/11/2015 09:23AM  
She was IMO not prepared. The distance was overly ambitious with a ten thousand foot vertical.Had she ever stopped to check in at Pinkham she would have seen a weather forecast for a blizzard.

People even in the summer do NOT do a round trip from Rt 2 over Madison to Washington. Its over 15 miles as the crow flies.

I think ego got in the way.. being experienced from a cold climate..she had met with Siberia again. The winds were over 140 mph and the wind chill near minus 85. The SAR team had trouble even the next day negotiating chest high drifts.

It will be interesting when the accident is analyzed and published in the techical AMC journal Appalachia.

People come to the Presidentials all the time underestimating the difficulties of what they think is such a piddling little mountain range. There is a reason Everest teams train there and there are several noted mountaineering schools in North Conway.

Her death is just well publicized.. It happens to someone every year. Overconfidence and lack of local knowledge.

I watch the Mount Washington website often. I can see Mt Washington from the comfort of home. Its amazing how often its weather and mine are in two different seasons. We had summer in Oct and it was snowing 6000 feet up.
 
bwcasolo
distinguished member(1921)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/13/2015 09:48PM  
quote yellowcanoe: "She was IMO not prepared. The distance was overly ambitious with a ten thousand foot vertical.Had she ever stopped to check in at Pinkham she would have seen a weather forecast for a blizzard.


People even in the summer do NOT do a round trip from Rt 2 over Madison to Washington. Its over 15 miles as the crow flies.


I think ego got in the way.. being experienced from a cold climate..she had met with Siberia again. The winds were over 140 mph and the wind chill near minus 85. The SAR team had trouble even the next day negotiating chest high drifts.


It will be interesting when the accident is analyzed and published in the techical AMC journal Appalachia.


People come to the Presidentials all the time underestimating the difficulties of what they think is such a piddling little mountain range. There is a reason Everest teams train there and there are several noted mountaineering schools in North Conway.


Her death is just well publicized.. It happens to someone every year. Overconfidence and lack of local knowledge.


I watch the Mount Washington website often. I can see Mt Washington from the comfort of home. Its amazing how often its weather and mine are in two different seasons. We had summer in Oct and it was snowing 6000 feet up."

good to have your bird's eye view!
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next