Besides the fairly obvious "failings" leading up to the photographers' rescue, I was struck by something this event has in common with the couple recently rescued in the Waterton Lakes National Park area (BruceZed's Sept. 9th post: 31 Hours Stranded on Akimina Ridge).

A quote from that narrative: "I had foolishly taken out my fire starter the night before to start a fire where we were camping and had not put it back in my pack."

And similarly, the photographers "...accidentally left their camp stoves in their vehicles."

And the missing couple mentioned towards end of photographers'-rescue article: "The couple were well equipped, but didn't have a map or compass." Strictly speculation: How did authorities know this information? Did they find the map and compass left behind in hikers' vehicle? If so, suggests this gear might have been forgotten. Most seemingly-experienced hikers wouldn't have left behind on purpose.

Consider aviation's all-important preflight checklist to ensure all is as it should be and that nothing is overlooked prior to take-off ... all in the interest of safety.

The importance of a pre-hike checklist can't be stressed enough.