Appalachian Mountain Club reports spotty compliance with 10 essential wisdom here.

I have limited experience in NH, but the White Mountains seem much more challenging than the Greens or Adirondacks. I guess the doomsday prepper/zombie apocalypse/ survival TV initiatives have not performed well in educating the young folks.

I think you would get similar results out here in the far West. The results might also vary with the type of trips taken from the trail head - those giving access to longer trips might find users more fully equipped.

Actually, 20% more or less fully equipped isn't too bad. I have seen victims miles back along a trail with absolutely nothing.

One thing that i find helps is keeping a day pack packed with equipment -- just add water.

Teacher

Aslo, classes help...

oddly the least important (extra food) seems to be the most commonly carried item.

personally, I have never been completely sold on the ten best type lists.

Bob,

Although I agree with you on "BEST" lists, the 10 essentials (especially in the latest, groupings instead of items version) is the distillation of many years of group thought. Although you may not agree with all the choices specifically, as a whole, the availability of these ten AND the knowledge of how to use them, they will see you through the night. They are IMHO also an excellent marker of the preparedness of a hiker and the attitude they carry with them. Particularly if you count them with some acceptance of differences in approach, which this study did.

What I think they were looking for was an indication of the approach of the "average" hiker toward preparedness, not the presence or absence of any specific item. I agree with you food is the least important.

Respectfully,

Jerry

I would agree that food is the least important physiologically, at least. Psychologically, in terms of an individual's comfort level, food is pretty important.At least, I don't believe I have ever found a victim who did not accept food gratefully, no matter what length of time they had been out. There is probably a social aspect as well - "the breaking of bread together" thing.

It is most important to emphasize that one needs the knowledge, as well as the gadgets - good point.

On the way up mount marcy, in the adirondacks, a forest ranger used to hang out to quiz hikers on the trail on their preps for the trip. Marcy can change from sunny 80's to rainy 40's any month of the year. rangers are friendly folk, but impressive, and the ranger was usually successful in preventing summit attempts by the guys in t-shirts and flip-flops. Maybe the state should sell or rent rucks with the essentials for the trip up, and discount the rescue service charges for purchasers.

In cold weather, when hypothermia is an issue, I would argue that food can be rather important. Sugar and other simple carbs are best for a quick warm up.

have a hunch that the reason that food was carried more commonly than other essentials was that a sixpack of beer and a bag of cheetoes counts as 'food'.

+1 on food being an important part of the hypothermia arsenal. Also, a great way to stay warm on a cold night, is to eat a carb + fat snack or small meal before bed and stoke the internal furnace.