This event took place during the weekend of 2/7-2/8 2004. Things could have been much worse. This took place in south central Idaho.

BURLEY (AP) - An Inkom man lost in the Cotterel Mountains in southeast Cassia County survived the weekend without food or water in freezing weather. John Davis, 56, an Idaho Public Television engineer, snowshoed Friday to a transmission tower to make repairs. He spent the night in a building there, according to an Idaho Public Television news release. Saturday he tried to snowshoe back to his car, near Idaho Highway 77, but got lost in a snowstorm. Members of the Mount Harrison Snowmobile Club found Davis Monday morning. He was suffering from dehydration but did not have frostbite, Cassia County Sheriff Higens said. Higens said Davis survived because he was wearing warm clothes and was in good shape. The man made several 9-1-1 cellular calls to neighboring Power Co. who in turn relayed to Cassia Co. Pomerelle Ski Area to the west of the Cotterels reported 16 inches of new snow over the weekend along with blowing and drifting snow. Searchers were hampered in their efforts to find Davis due to weather. It was just plain luck they found him at all said one searcher.

I noticed the technician was only wearing warm clothing and did not carry any provisions including water. The story does not mention anything about shelter other than the building. Temparature was between 5 and 10 degrees F. This area has an elevation of between 7,000 and 9,000 ft. There is almost always a wind (being considered for wind power generation) between 10 and 20 mph. I know of some of the rescuers. They felt certain they would never find this guy until the Spring thaw. He told me they average betrween 2-6 similar rescues each year. Simple preparations such as water should be minimally carried. I submitted this for your thoughts and comments?

Stargazer
ASAP = Always suspicious, Always prepared.

The gentleman had 4 things in his favour, and one against; warm clothing, cellphone, snowshoes and a shelter to advantage, complacency or familiar trust with his local region to disadvantage. One of my favourite quotes from Peter Rattenberry's Kyak club is (paraphrased) " Allways assemble the best possible equippment, but never make a decision based on it's possession." Snowstorms can bedevil the best prepared expedition. The number of hikers , hunters and field workers lost yearly tells me 2 things; We need better weather savvy and attention to local broadcasts and people with appropriate gear and the common sense to err on the side of caution. There are very few true crisis that require blind action.

Y'know, if he'd had a REALLY big handgun with him, he would have been out of trouble in no time. Ain't that right, "biljack"??
<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

.....CLIFF

Cliff, Your sarcasm here was greatly appreciated. I almost fell out of the chair laughing so hard. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Take care,
Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared

You're welcome.

I believe that the best response to people like 'biljack' is a healthy application of "Brooks Law". Mel Brooks, that is. Laughter is great medicine. And when creatively used, a greater weapon.

Now, back to the critical issues at hand - what's your take on on the WAVE?....... <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

.....CLIFF

The wave, well I haven't used one only looked and drooled a little over them in the stores. I had the original leatherman, but it seemingly sprouted legs and walked away on its own. I replaced it with the smaller squirt P-4. I like the size and so far what limited use I have used it, I like. Then again, I don't try and remove a 3/4" nut from a FORD tractor transmission either. I actually know someone who did this, instantly breaking both plier tips. I supplement the P-4 with a 4" long chan-nel-locks, or some call them arc joint pliers, which I bought years ago from Sears. I also have the usual SAK my model is the Huntsman, but without the "hook."

Stargazer

Stargazer:

Hereabouts in Milwaukee, WI, the home of "bubblers" and "soda" ("water fountains" and "pop" to you neophytes.) we call them "Plumbers or Slipjoint" pliers.

Considered one of the "must have" tools and you should also have a "micro adjusting machinists tool" sometimes known as a two pound ball pein hammer.

Bountyhunter

BountyHunter:

Well, yes they have been called those names as well and I have heard a couple others. In these parts as well they are a definate must have item for any tool kit. When I was in high school and I had bought my first car (73 Volkswagon Baja) My dad gave me my first tool kit with some words of wisdom. The tool kit was made up of the following:

1 set of regular Pliers
1 Flatblade Screwdriver
1 Phillips Blade Screwdriver
1 set of Channel Locks
1 Adjustable Wrench

The advice was, "Carry these and your knife, shovel and a hammer (Already had the SAK) and you will find most repairs can be done easy enough to get you home." How true that still is today. The Channel Locks refers to the actual brand name, mine are similar to these. Coincidently, the hammer I carried in that car was indeed a ball peen hammer. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared

Wow, my father carries the exact same tools in his truck <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Along with those he carries 2 road flares, jumper cables, trailer hitch, and a tow strap (oh, and his fishing bat under the seat, hehe). Seems to have worked great for him over the years.

Paul810:

Is it legal to bat fish while driving on the main roads, or do they restrict fish batting to forest fire lanes? Is there a special license involved, or will a regular fishing license suffice? Is there a minimum length on the fish you are allowed to bat? <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />