Update on Missing Climber

SISTERS, Ore. -

A break in the weather Saturday allowed search teams to resume the hunt for an avid Bend mountain climber who fell, possibly hundreds of feet, while descending the Middle Sister late Wednesday night.

Lane and Deschutes County search and rescue units asked the public to stay out of the area for now, as high-resolution aerial and satellite photography was being coordinated to identify the best areas to search for Ben Newkirk, 39, who has not been heard from since his climbing companion called for help around 10 p.m. Wednesday.

To read the rest of this post go here.

Mountain Climber Lost in the Central Oregon Cascades Range

An party of two climbed the Middle Sister mountain in Oregon's Cascade range.  Both were experience climbers.  Sadly one climber stumbled and slid hundereds of feet downt the mountain.  Degrading weather halted search efforts.

To read the post from KTVZ go here.

What Map Datum Do I Use?

What is the best Map Datum to use with your GPS receiver?

I was questioned about this recently in a GPS class.  What is the best datum?

It just depends on what the hiker is going to do.  If one is going to plot coordinates on a map then the datum (in the  USA) to use is NAD27 CONUS (Continental United Sates.)  This matches the map best.

Receivers come from the factory set to WGS 84.  WGS 84 isn't the best datum to use with older maps.  That said, mapping software (Terrain Navigator PRO) and www.caltopo can shift to WGS 84.  Day hikers can feel comfortable using WGS 84 anytime.  Cell phones use WGS 84 too.

For more information about map datum go here.

Adventures in Stoving

This is one web site you need to bookmark.

Jim has a dozens of reviews on stoves for the hiker.

Find adventures in stoving here.

Wolves in Washington State

The following is from the Washington Department of Fish and Game's Web Site.

" Rp (Reporting Party) was hunting with several other people when he saw a wolf skirting along the brush headed in the same direction he was going.  He yelled and shot into the air and the wolf left.  He then saw three additional wolves about 25 yards ahead of him, and they ran in the same direction as the first wolf.  Rp then heard a noise in the brush, yelled to see if it was his hunting partner and got no response. A black wolf then appeared within 15-20 yards of him and approached him.  Rp shot at the wolf, believes he hit it, and the wolf ran off.  Fish and Wildlife officers responded and investigated and found the Rp to be within his lawful rights."

To visit the web site go here.

The Hiker's Trip Plan

Leave a Trip Plan with a responsible person when you head out. Consider this to be the hiker's flight plan.  As a minimum The Trip Plan is your backcountry itinerary.  

I started my version of the of the Hiker's Trip plan back in 2006 after James Kim and his family became lost in step terrain of the Oregon coastal range.

I have learned that when people fail to return from a trip those calling for Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance generally have little knowledge  of the details of the hiking party's plan.  The Trip Plan gives the searchers more information.  The Trip Plan provides the specifics.  The Trip plan provides the details to begin an effective search.

To use the plan down load the document here.  Write in as much information as possible.  Attach a topo or Forest Service map of the planned route and identify the area to be traveled.

Do make sure your responsible person knows what you expect from them.  Importantly as soon as the hiking  party fails to return or check in - 911 is called.


To read another post on your personal outdoor plan go here.
 

The Best Compass

Frequently people will ask what is the best compass a hiker can buy?  It really does make a difference.

My answer is that first I'll eliminate all the small ball and wrist watch compasses.  Those models just cannot provide accurate azimuth/bearing information.  They will provide a trend of direction but that is about it.

I'll then eliminate the inexpensive base plate models that can't be adjusted for declination.  The small Silva models come to mind here.  Some maybe suitable as a backup compass. 

I find that the Silva "Ranger" style is my pick.  It is accurate and keeps my navigation simple.  Importantly, this model can be adjusted mechanically for declination, has a decent sighting system and is simple to use.  Prices for this model will range from about $38 - $50.  Suunto makes a similar model too that is just fine.

Unique to this style of compass is the sighting system.  It's similar to sighting a hunting rifle. The compass box offers two methods (the notch on top and one at the hinge.)  Read the manual about using the mirror's line that is scribed/etched into the surface.

Adjusting for declination keeps things simple.  Just preset the declination value with the set screw (provided) for the area the hiker will be operating in.  This eliminates the need to remember the rhymes associated with declination (East is least &west is best.)

For tips on sighting with a compass go to my blog post.