Yeah.... I sort of thought they were clueless and I also wonder how one cop found a way out and the others were still lost - shouldn't you stick together? As for the helicopter, the state patrol is the only agency around that has one so maybe they were up for something anyway and could swing by - otherwise it would always be a good exercise for them so I am not as worried about taxpayer dollars on that count.

If I had been one of the cops going in I would have ensured I had a way to find my way back out - if nothing else use a cell phone GPS or take a compass with when going in. The trails are twisty and the place is 'big' but it still strikes me as unreasonable that it got this far.

The other point is that it can happen to anyone and anywhere. The 'lost' cops will get a real ribbing and I'm sure they will find maps, toy compass key chains and other "helpful" items in their car and/or lockers for some time to come. I also will bet that dispatch will ask them a lot about their 10-20 (location) to snickers over the radio for some time as well. Good thing is everyone came out ok and hopefully learned something.

Paul -