I am the organizer of the Seattle backpackers Meetup Group we have over 470 members and go on more than 12 trips/get togethers a month. I have been a member of Equipped for a few years. My original membership was a few years ago and I updated a couple years ago. I have posted a few personal things on the forums and have always received down home answers….that said please help.

As mentioned we have about 12 trips a month and we also have about 8 organizers helping out with that.

Today for the first time we lost a member in the typical scenario. I wasn’t on this hike but 2 of the other organizers were. She got separated from the group when she went off trail to relieve herself. All other hikers from the group passed her by. When she came to a fork in the road she took the wrong turn. It was raining and cold…40’s. She was lost for about 2 hours. Everyone else made it back to the parking lot from this day hike and she was no where to be found.

The organizers did the right thing. Tried her cell, called the S&R to put them on notice and started trying to figure it out. After an hour they finally got through to her cell and generally located her position by dumb luck.

I received a call a few minutes after the group realized she was lost. I looked at her hiking history with our group and realized she has been on more than 15 trips with us and many overnights. This was my first sigh of relief. At least I knew she wasn’t a newbie. By conformation of the organizers at the trail head I knew she was dressed VERY well for conditions.

By conversation with her and others after she was found she was very scared. Again very well equipped (thank god) and scared just the same.

So to the point. We have 8 organizers as well as 470 members the majority of which are fairly new to the backpacking sport. Winter is coming up so I would like to do a few things and am asking all of you very knowledgeable people for help.

What sort of winter (cascade and rocky) safety do you think I should introduce to these people?

I am personally very capable of starting a fire in most conditions but please help me outline a course or help me point these people in the right direction for starting a fire basics.

Do you know any good story web sites I can send out that outline the dangers of hiking in cold/wet weather?

I really am just at a loss as to where to start on educating 470 people on proper safety this winter and actually having them pay attention.

Please help.

I don’t want to be a jerk and post my web site but if you google “Seattle backpackers” we are the first link and I am Cameron.

Thanks for any advice on keeping 470 people safe.

Cameron Ownbey