Missing Hikers in Maine Possibly Spotted

AP ^ | Mon, Dec 08, 2003

[Conspiracy Guy]

Hope the Stripped ones aren't like the Stripped ones at the nekked beach. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

[in the Arena]

That's the ones...must be the same crew...

[in the Arena]

That's the ones...must be the same crew...

[in the Arena]

That's the ones...must be the same crew...

[dirtboy]

"Why they ever decided to do this when the storm's been on advisory for the last three or four days, I do not know," said warden Lt. Nathan Berry.

This happens every major storm. Remember those hikers during the Blizzard of '93 who decided to go backpacking in the mountains of North Carolina? Heck, just last year, five miles from where I used to live on South Mountain in south-central PA, a group decided to hike into a shelter on the Appalachian Trail right before the President's Day storm - and rescuers had to go in on snowmobiles in the middle of the night to get them out. I have outdoor training, winter camping gear and snowshoes and I wasn't about to go out in that storm. What a bunch of maroons.

[Stentor]

The search for Moose sometimes makes people do strange things. At least they brought plenty of cheese.

I find that only French Burgundy is suitable for the Moose/cheese combination. I haven't had any, therefore since the France-U.S. diplomatic dust-up. The bizarre thing though is that my last Moose/cheese meal was on a snowy day in a clearing in Maine.

[dirtboy]

Tressler campers kept going

By John Hilton, February 18, 2003

TresslerCare officials say a group of hikers trapped in the snowstorm Sunday had been told of the blizzard forecast and decided to continue.

TresslerCare officials say a group of hikers trapped in the snowstorm Sunday had been told of the blizzard forecast and decided to continue.

The group of eight youths and three counselors were attempting to complete the 31-day Wilderness Challenge Course when they were overwhelmed by the snow. By 10:30 p.m., they were holed up at a shelter in Pine Grove Furnace State Park along the Appalachian Trail.

One of the youths reportedly had a cellular phone and was able to direct rescuers to their location. Two of the teenage boys were transported to Carlisle Regional Medical Center with hypothermia. One of them also had a minor case of frostbite on his foot and was held overnight for observation.

The remaining six youths sustained no injuries and were transported to the TresslerCare Wilderness School campus near Boiling Springs.

TresslerCare officials say the counselors were first-responder trained and all were equipped with snow gear, food and shelter. Course administrators spoke with the group by phone Sunday morning and advised them of the forecast of 12-18 inches of snow.

The group decided to continue and later constructed tarp shelters on pads and surrounded them with snow for additional insulation. As the snow piled up, the weight collapsed the tarps and the group was forced to move to the park's three-sided wooden shelters, which provided less protection from the cold. Help was summoned shortly after.

The wilderness challenge is an adventure-based program designed to help court-adjudicated youths develop self-esteem, take responsibility for their actions, work cooperatively with others to achieve goals and understand the value of helping others.

It has been provided to youths across the state since 1981 and is a program of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries.

----------------

Tarps? TARPS? For a forecast 18-inch snowfall? (We actually got nearly 30 inches). And this was a "wilderness school?"

[green iguana]

Spotted Hikers are pretty rare in the north too - I mean, look at all the attention these are getting! Mostly the north has a lot of Flannel Hikers.

[presidio9]

[ErnBatavia]

10 kids, 2 adults, and not even one cell phone?

Confirmation, alone, that this is not a California event.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Barrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrff

[Conspiracy Guy]

Are they endangered. Call PETA.

[gura]

How about a RPV that can orbit remote disaster and search areas to provide "filler" cell coverage? It seems to me it would greaty enchance communication especially with volunteer search teams.

Maybe even some thermal imaging sensors for tracking wildfires....

[talleyman]

We do get some plaid hikers down here every now & then...

[AZLiberty]

If they had a phone, I think it would be Dr. Darwin calling. Do they not have weather forecasts in Maine?

[azhenfud]

"Why they ever decided to do this when the storm's been on advisory for the last three or four days, I do not know," said warden Lt. Nathan Berry.

Aw shucks, he's just trying to be nice. They're too dumb to realize the danger.

[A. Patriot]

They found them. Everyone OK.

http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/2689961/detail.html

[ridesthemiles]

You obviously haven't driven the road into Soldier Meadows north on Gerlach, Nevada. Bot I will take your word for the anaylsis of 113 and where it goes.

[ridesthemiles]

The Park's website says: "Always plan your trip well enough in advance to be prepared for whatever you might encounter and learn to be a 'no-trace' hiker."

Guess they were doing just what they were ordered to do. That must mean the Park Service cannot bill them for the search....