this could have turned out much worse.

Lost Hikers Found

I was just about to post that same story. Not to sterotype, but they do mention the vehicle they were driving. I'm surprised they didn't have a laptop with them on the trail. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

LMAO.. I think in this case, you can probably stereotype...they are going to hike somewhere to have a picnic...but leave the picnic in the car...there was some pre-trip planning lacking here. I would be curious if they built..or rather tried to build a shelter of any kind.

Ok, so they did a few things wrong. They also did a few things right. GPS and a decent map & compass might have been a good idea. Explaining to them that WHEN IN DOUBT, TURN BACK! might be a good idea. And they rescued themselves. They are now both older and a lot wiser. They survived. That constitutes a pass in anyones book.

And what if they got lost while trying to find their way back?Then they would have a serious problem. They should STOP!

And about the candy part: They didn't survive for three days bacause they ate that candy.
Candy is just a moral booster so it doesn't fight of hunger very long. In a 3-day situation you don't need food, only water and they had that.

Why they survived? Just very lucky to be found I guess....... Had they survived much longer without help: I don't think so......

Very likely not. But in this case we didn't have to find out. The story suggests to me that they knew they where in trouble but didn't panic. I wouldn't underestimate that pair's resourcefulness.

I posted this info in a similar thread in "Around the Campfire." The local papers here describe the couple as having a "mental disability." The pair told the papers that as they started back from the waterfall (which really is quite pretty), they got confused and followed the trail in the wrong direction. Having been there myself, I can't see how, but my mental disability is more neurotic than cognitive! In any case, they followed the trail upstream until it ran out then followed the ravine until it crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway. They did take shelter under cliffs and rock overhangs, cool huh!?

The falls is only a couple of miles from the picnic area, so lots of folks will see the falls first then come back and picnic after the invigorating walk.

Depending on the extent of their "mental disability" it may be miraculous that they were found at all. At least they had the presence of mind to move in the same direction following the stream/ravine - even if it was in the wrong direction!

Randy

How severe a disability? It's getting the point that everyone has a disability. "You are a unique and valued individual. Just like everyone else."

I'm not sure I buy it.

The reports did not characterize the disability.

RP