It's not a matter of missing a turn or not - it's a matter of missing a turn, going oh heck, and not being able to turn back to get to the correct turn, or, as I've found with my in-car GPS, missing a turn. but seeing an alternate route just ahead anyway, so no biggie, right? I'd be stunned if there was NOT a GPS in that vehicle.
But at this point, I think the game is over - they found his PANTS - which is a very, very bad sign.

If true then this is very grim news indeed.

posted by JohnN:


i know exactly what you mean. i've been meaning to repack my FAK, adjust my daypack for cooler weather, etc, for a few weeks now. its so easy to put it off, but you're so right, this is a good reminder to keep your gear ready.

I'm with you, brother. I flew back from Houston last week, so my on-person EDC and man-purse got completely turned upside down due to flying restrictions.

Regarding the James Kim situation:

1. It is easy to say "stay with the car/plane wreck" and it is usually true but there are situations where you either walk out or die. For example the Stolpa family, and that Air Force guy & his son lost on the snowy mountain in Turkey.

2. When I heard the news about SAR finding Kim's pants, the story also mentioned that they were using thermal detection devices. My immediate reaction was "won't matter, because his body temperature is now matching the ground temperature".

3. I have been studying real-life survivor accounts lately via "I Shouldn't Be Alive" DVDs and books like "Adrift". I really feel for the plight of the survivors in an expanded way because you begin to sense how iffy every decision can be. In "Adrift", Callahan describes how every decision he made had an upside and a very real potential downside.

There are few easy decisions in these situations. I pray the Kim family will find peace through all of this.

Looks like a body was just found.
I wish the best for his family after this terrible loss.

Perhaps SOME good might come of this, as it may bring to light the potential for tragedy and the ened to be prepared...even if you're just driving home.

One of the Seattle TV stations just had a gal from REI do a segment on winter travel and goodies to have. She included AN (as in one) energy bar for food. Anyone think that you can stretch one energy bar into any length of time at all???

A sad ending. Condolences to the family, and sincere thanks to all of the searchers.

This is very sad news Izzy, although we were all expecting it here. I don't have much experience in the outdoors but reading 98.6 by Cody Lundin was an eye opener where he stresses so much the importance of thermo-regulation.

The avg american could actually benefit from missing a meal or two or ten.

My condolences to the Kim family, really sad.

For those who are unfamiliar with the area, take a look at the slide show Here. The ruggedness of the terrain is beautiful to see when you're driving through on I-5 in a nice warm car. Check out the shots of the helo.


(AP Photo/Oregon State Police/HO)

The terrain is very rugged, not an area to get lost in and start breaking a new trail.