I've been watching the weather radar and forecasts. Seems you 'mericans are about to get hit hard.

Up here this would be a P.I.T.A but we are prepared and would push through, grousing and cursing. Just another winter storm.

Down there, it seems life threatening to many. Everyone okay?

I just wanted to share this solo hiker quicksand Survival Story with our community, in addition to the article in the New York Times about it ...

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/us/hiker-quicksand-rescue-utah.html?searchResultPosition=1

... the reader comments are also interesting. NOTE -- for anone who does not have a subscription -- I think they let people read up to three articles for free.

... the hiker also posted his own account on Reddit ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/backpacking/com...ke_trail_today/

I hope this posting helps to re-awaken this community as it feels like there hasn't been much activity here lately.

This is a fascinating video about using grape vines and a cypress branch to filter swampy water.

I'll add a bunch of warnings about trying this yourself.

https://youtu.be/nSBwJNDDUfc?si=wGfIPf8ZvdpoEs4E

We're back again! Thanks Doug!



chaosmagnet

Here is a link to the survival story of a hiker who made some bad decisions that caused him to fall, lose most of his gear, and break several bones. He managed to survive a week near a Norwegian Glacier before being spotted by rescuers..

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/world/europe/alec-luhn-missing-hiker-norway-found-interview.html

... it is worthwhile to click on the "comments" button that appears at the end of the article. Perhaps you may want to contribute your thoughts to the comments.