<Me neither. The search for Moose sometimes makes people do strange things. At least they brought plenty of cheese.
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."
They were apparently doing the latter part right.
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.
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.
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Tarps? TARPS? For a forecast 18-inch snowfall? (We actually got nearly 30 inches). And this was a "wilderness school?"