This story was shared by our friends over at Grand County Search and Rescue and it illustrates why it is so important to be properly prepared every time you head out into the wilderness. Can you name any of the errors she made?
Today's rescue page was typical of the problems SAR teams have had recently with novices venturing into the backcountry unprepared. This is the narrative.
A 20 year old Colorado Springs woman went for a short snowshoe from the top of Berthoud Pass. The woman was dressed in yoga pants, a sports bra and a light jacket. She had a water bottle, maybe a light sweater. Her Husky type dog accompanied.
She became disoriented and, after calling her boyfriend, called 911. Her 911 coordinates put her at the top of an avalanche zone north of Berthoud Pass. She was advised to stay put and wait for rescue. Her cell phone then lost service - either low battery, or no service.
GCSAR started a full response.
The woman, accompanied her dog, decided to abandon her snowshoes and poles (because they caused her to trip and fall) and head downhill. She traveled down a known avalanche chute that has killed at least one person.
At the bottom of the chute she encountered waist deep snow. She was able, somehow, to travel uphill to a switchback on Highway 40.
A passerby picked her up and brought her back to the top of the pass just as SAR members were gearing up to head into the field.
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The errors made here are too obvious to enumerate.
Please - educate yourself on backcountry hazards, travel with a partner and carry the proper clothing and equipment for the environment.
