2 hikers missing found in mountains

Greensboro News and Record ^

[Adder]

2 hikers missing found in mountains

ROARING GAP (AP) — Two hikers from Miami survived three nights in the rugged mountains of North Carolina on hard candy and creek water before finding the Blue Ridge Parkway on Monday and waving down a maintenance truck.

The hikers found the parkway about 9:15 a.m., said Charlie Peek of the state Division of Parks and Recreation.

"It's extremely rugged territory, particularly off trail," Peek said.

Search teams spent part of the weekend combing parts of the more than 13,000-acre park in Wilkes and Alleghany counties for Craig Patterson, 44, and Julia Martinez, 35, Peek said.

The couple was at Patterson's vacation home in Alleghany County and went to the park to hike to a waterfall a couple of miles from the parking lot and have a picnic. Their 2000 Mercedes Benz was found Friday afternoon with the picnic lunch inside. About 30 searchers looked Sunday for the pair and a Highway Patrol helicopter swept the area.

"They said they got confused and instead of going back down the trail they kept going up," Peek said. "The trail ends in that area and they kept gaining in elevation."

Peek said neither person was injured and that they survived in the woods with simple rations.

[chris_ab]

"In their case, perhaps a long rope tied from their waists to the car door would be a better "guidance system". "

What you refer to is called Orienteering and, specifically, a String Course for those 4 to 7 years of age.

The string course is a short orienteering course which is marked by a continous ribbon or yarn.

Same link: http://www.us.orienteering.org/OYoung/StringO.html

Anyhow, I've done some of this, Orienteering, it's fun, trying and a good exercise...

What is really cool about the sport is it can be done while running or walking. Also, people of all ages do it - I've had a 65 year old guy run by me at a full sprint.

[Redcloak]

Actually, I was thinking more of something more along the lines of a long leash so that they could only wander off a short distance. Hopefully, they could follow the rope back to their vehicle on their own. Otherwise, "rescuers" could simply pull on the rope and drag them back to safety.

[Adder]

That would be a good idea.

They obviously can't be trusted to be alone in the woods.

Wonder if they will charge them for the search...sort of a stupid tax.