Woman rescued after 4 days in remote desert.

GARFIELD COUNTY – A woman from Maine was found safe in remote Garfield County after spending four days with a broken leg and no food.

59-year-old Victoria Grover of Wade, Maine, was hiking near the Sand Creek area of Garfield County on Tuesday. She’d been planning on going on a short day hike, but didn’t make it back to her car before dark, so she decided to spend the night in the desert.

The next morning, Grover jumped off a 4-foot ledge and broke her leg just above her ankle.

Rest of story:

http://fox13now.com/2012/04/28/woman-rescued-after-4-days-in-remote-garfield-co/

Saved by the anti-theft GPS in a rental car? Hadn't thought of that one. But a win is a win. Glad she made it out.

If she hadn't made it to the creek, there could have been a different ending.

As we often see, a few simple items would have made her a lot more comfortable, and improved her odds dramatically.

The other consideration: I think experienced solo hikers tend to be very, very conservative in taking risks. You build a safety margin into your every action. I can't think of a scenario where I would deliberately jump off a ledge.

Same thing I was thinking. As a soloist I am extremely careful not to risk an impact that would cut my mobility.

My reaction also. A four foot jump off a ledge is asking for trouble even when you are not by yourself.

It sounds like she kept her head and made the best of her few resources. I wonder if she had a cell phone with her, and if so, if there was a signal. Even leaving a note with the hotel desk on where she was hiking and when she expected to be back would have helped.

At least she had taken a survival course in the same spot, albeit 40 years earlier. Sounds like she got pretty lucky. Since she did have a bit of training it's somewhat puzzling that she wasn't better equipped to handle a possible night out.

Many people I know seem to think that these things happen to other people, you see.

Apparently, 40 yrs ago they didn't teach the concept of preparing one's itenerary to help someone find you, either.

Glad she's ok, but had she died, it would have been her own fault.
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I would venture to say that everyone on the forums has made mistakes, many of which could have resulted in injury or death. Hopefully, we can learn from the mistakes of others and not repeat the same. I know I will continue to make mistakes and can only hope they can be minimized.

Pete

And people that should know better. I am always surprised how many first responders (fire, ems, law enforcement) are among these people. Or scoff at those that are prepared.

Ditto!

Yep, I'm a member of that club.

Count me in that club too.

Lee