Getting Lost and Staying Found, Alive

It starts as that sick feeling inside, the realization that you're lost. Whether the feeling comes as a result of losing track of where the car is parked in the Disneyland parking lot, or trekking down a strange canyon with trees blocking the horizon, or a tumble off a chute in the backcountry. The feeling's the same -- pure panic initially -- followed by a notion that you can get yourself out of the predicament.

No one plans to get lost, but it happens a lot more often than one would imagine when the outdoors are involved. There are degrees of being lost, and even the experienced backcountry enthusiast has had to admit to themselves, "I'm lost." Sometimes after finding their way back, individuals will still maintain "I wasn't lost, just turned around."

No one plans on getting injured or killed in the backcountry either. But headlines such as, "Lost Snowboarder Found Dead in Backcountry" or "Missing Snowboarder Found at Tahoe," or "Skier Found After Two Days," turn up weekly during the ski season in newspapers across the country.

Countless individuals have gone into the woods, gotten turned around, panicked, realized they were lost, and -- as nightfall approached -- found themselves in a tough spot. With no flashlight, water, food, matches or lighter, and perhaps injured, a person's chances of being rescued alive greatly diminish.

Essential Things That Save Lives, No Matter What Time of Year

These "Essentials" are highly recommended items that should be taken on every outing away from civilization, even the short ones, says Mono County Search and Rescue (SAR). Carry a map and compass, water, extra clothing, extra food, flashlight (with extra bulb and batteries), matches or lighter, knife, first aid kit, plastic trowel and toilet paper, whistle, and a mobile phone with fully charged battery.

Here are some things to do to improve your chances of survival if you get lost while skiing or snowboarding:

• Be sure someone will report you missing if you don't check in by a certain time (before dark)
• Leave a note in your car indicating where you are going and when you will be back
• Always have these things in your ski jacket or pants:
  • a lighter for starting a fire
  • a whistle to attract searchers
  • a small mirror for signaling aircraft
  • some energy bars
  • a wool stocking cap
  • small first aid items in a zip lock bag
  • and a pocketknife
• Don't forget water if you know you are leaving the ski resort boundaries, and civilization.

The Cause and Time of Death, Undetermined

Getting lost in the backcountry, no matter what season it is, is serious business. It is especially life-threatening during the winter, with extremes that test body and mind.

The song of fresh snow sounds loudly for snowboarders and skiers in search of deep powder. Too loudly, in fact, because the same snow that draws these thrill-seekers in, also kills them. In increasing numbers, people are leaving the relative-safety of the ski slopes for a cruise through the backcountry. Bored with the groomed slopes, and with advanced ski and snowboard gear available (increasing the learning curve of slope skiing), people are heading for the unpatrolled areas. Sometimes with little awareness, preparation, and no survival skills at all.

Search and rescue personnel see more and more missions every year to Mammoth Mountain's backside, and June Mountain's surrounding backcountry. Many of the rescues involve skiers and snowboarders who have no training in how to survive if they get caught in an avalanche.

Jeff Holmquist, of Mono County's Search and Rescue team, advises developing a feel for the land, and getting acquainted with the area-before heading off into the wilds. Practice compass, map and navigation skills in familiar surroundings under good conditions, not while the blizzard is howling. He also recommends that if an individual is thinking about jumping off into the unpatrolled backcountry, take a partner, don't ride alone.

If Chris Foley, 63, had a partner with him on January 6, Foley might have lived to tell about his skiing adventure this year. But, Foley skied alone that day, and when Mono County's SAR team finally found Foley, on February 1 (after nearly two weeks of searching), all that was left were his skis, poles, ski pass, some parts of his clothing, and his ski boots.

Not known to be a daredevil, but known to ski alone, Foley turned up at the bottom of the backside of Mammoth Mountain, near Pumice Flats campground. He had failed to pick up his car, and after weeks his disappearance was noted. The police were notified, and an investigation began as to his whereabouts. With no immediate family nearby, his disappearance was a mystery.

The last scan on his ski pass was January 6, from Chair 1, at about 12:30 p.m. That was the last time anyone knew where Foley was, alive.

SAR searched the ski area, but it was a very cold trail, and not a trace of Foley was found for another two weeks. What led Foley, considered a "conservative" skier, to head off course and end up thousands of feet below the ski area is unknown. He was disoriented and didn't realize how far he really was from the ski area. After that his demise is purely speculation.

Maybe he fell and died of hypothermia. Or maybe he lived with an injury for a few days before falling into a four-foot-deep ditch, and dying. Foley's death and identification remain "circumstantial," undetermined at this time.

Avoid Getting Lost, and Stay Found

Alright, it's happened. Despite being careful, and coming prepared, you're lost. You don't know how to get back to the trail, camp, ski area or home.

Holmquist advises:

• Staying put, take it easy, calm down, take a look around, and see if you recognize landmarks.
• If the weather is changing, or darkness is descending, start seeking shelter. Try to either find shelter, or begin making a shelter, and stay close by.
• Stay together, unless there is a compelling reason to split up.
• Protect yourself from immediate danger and the elements.
• Try to provide clues to assist searchers.
• Don't keep walking around thinking you'll find your way out (if you absolutely don't know where you are).
• Unless you are in immediate danger, such as sitting in an avalanche chute, the most important thing you can do to help searchers is to stay put.
• Make clues that point to your location.
• Obviously yelling or blowing a whistle could provide searchers, within earshot, with something to attract their attention.

Build shelters, place clues, but again, be very reluctant to travel. A lost person is better off staying put and waiting to be found.

Missing Snowboarder Found After Seven Nights

Eric Lemarque, 34, left the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area alone on February 6, and went in search of powder on the Mountain's backside. The former Olympic hockey player, who became lost that evening, spent a week in the snowy wilderness, waiting to be rescued. He survived on pine nuts, and built a make-shift igloo for shelter.

Lemarque was found on February 13, dehydrated, with mild hypothermia, and suffering from frostbite to his left foot. He had wandered more than nine miles from the approved snowboard runs at the Mountain, and didn't have any food or gear with him. He had attempted to build a fire pit nearly three miles from where he was located. He had traveled during the day, moving in a direction he thought was southeast, and back to the ski area. However, he was completely disoriented, traveled in exactly the opposite direction (southwest), and further into the wilderness.

The day Lemarque was rescued, a Blackhawk helicopter and SAR team members, located Lemarque's tracks, and followed them to Rainbow Falls (near Fish Creek). Then he was airlifted to the local hospital, and later on to a Los Angeles area burn center.

Perhaps with more awareness of the backcountry's inherit risks, Lemarque would have gone better prepared for his life-and-death adventure.

Spring Danger

Mono County's SAR personnel warn that as spring arrives, the change in the weather results in everyone digging out the summer gear, and heading out hiking. Remember that this is also the time of year to be careful around swift water, rotten ice, and collapsing snowbanks.

Watch where you're walking, and don't try any slopeside snow-field crossings without proper mountaineering equipment. Holmquist highly recommends owning a copy of "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills," by The Mountaineers. The book contains a wealth of wilderness survival skills, orienting and navigational tips, and an overview of mountaineering techniques for the backcountry. Available from www.mountaineersbooks.org and others.

Also heads-up for the ice on the lakes, SAR reminded. In many places the ice may be rotten, so stay on the shore around the lakes. Watch for dogs and little children around the ice, as they tend to run out without thinking. Make sure someone knows where you're going, and take along a friend for the day-in case someone needs to go for help, and to help you stay found. -MT