Oregon hiker found alive after 17 days

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hiker-found-oregon-17-nights-survival-story

I'd love to chat with that guy for an hour!

Think this popped up in another thread on here

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...wilderness.html

Whilst unprepared, seems to have quite a bit of experience and built multiple shelters.

I started reading the Fox News article with an expectation that it would actually describe his situation and how he survived, but none of that was shared.

He admits that he didn't plan properly, and he knew how to build shelters.

Glad he was rescued!!!

Once agin, even a basic plan* and packing the ten essentials would have helped.

Yeah, I read a more complete article about the ordeal. At one point he said he drank his urine to stay alive which seems weird since he also discusses fishing. Whatever he was fishing in had to be preferable to urine! Of all the things he lacked it sounds like a lighter and a water bottle were the things he needed most (short of a compass, map & PLB, natch).

While it's true that you could lose your pack or other gear it's astonishing how many folks hit the trail without any gear at all! In the course of my daily living I rarely get more than ten paces away from a water bottle or other beverage container. I always have a cold drink sitting by my chair at home and most of the time I have a drink in the car (especially lately as it's been 90-100 degrees for weeks.

This goes doubly for when I'm in the woods! I can't fathom hitting the trails without a water bottle. My basic minimum kit is a water bottle bag kit with a 1 liter of water and a miniature version of the "10 Cs" in the carrier.

Yes.
Even a small pack makes a big difference. (outdoors, but also traveling, at a mall, festival, etc.)

PS everyone carries a cell phone but few carry a spare or external battery

Lot more details.

https://www.nrtoday.com/news/public_safe...4d2ba6a891.html

"Stacy Burleigh was under the impression that she had to wait 48 hours to report her husband as missing, so she waited two days to make the call. She later learned she only had to wait to 24 hours."

Doh.

Seems he always carried a plastic magnifying lens, (presumably a fresnel) which he started a fire with.

Just for contrast: our SAR deputy received a call from a lady reporting her overdue son. "He was supposed to be home by 5 o'clock". It was 5:20PM. Chuck told her to hold on just a bit longer and he did not activate us.

On the other hand, having an arbitrary deadline is poor practice. There are plenty of circumstances where a quicker than average response might be required

After reading the full details in the last article, Ive come to some conclusions about my own preps for the wilds which have been spot on…

1. Always wear proper foot protection!
2. Layers are best, even for short jaunts! Including something for the head!
3. Firestarters, multiple, are to be carried at all times.
4. A water container is essential, metal is best!

Just four items would have helped him tremendously!

It reminds us to remember the basics of survival and not to leave them behind!

A great use of a two way plb -- send a "I'm running late" note.