Good advice, Russ. She's a great blanket, too.

Thanks to ETS I literally don't go anywhere without a number of items on my person. My house key for dog walking is on a lanyard with a Fox whistle and e-Pico light. My car key chain includes a firesteel, scraper and e-Pico light. My rucksack for routine longer walks in my neighborhood and on the National Mall holds more survival gear than probably the vast majority of day hikers in the woods. My wallet contains a tiny firesteel, scraper and Ritter MK5.

Because this forum has made me paranoid... er, prepared.

I'm from the area (Hood River/Mt. Hood National Forest) where the woman went missing and have hiked a great deal around there. Don't think I'd have ever walked more than a few dozen yards from all my gear/wallet, etc.

As with most survival stories, especially at the outset, we have only a partial sketch of the facts in this situation involving this Oregon woman. Some early news reports included references to an argument the woman and her boyfriend had which preceded her walking (stomping?) off by herself.

KGW reported that Essig told Salant's employer he had a conversation with Salant that "disgruntled" her and the two decided to walk in opposite directions for a little time to cool off.

http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/UPD...r8mpH_Vy3w.cspx


In any event, good that she's alive and perhaps others will learn from her mishap.