Camper Lost in New Mexico Rescued Two Weeks After Search for Her Was Called Off

FOX/AP ^ | January 14, 2007

[nuconvert]

Camper Lost in New Mexico Rescued Two Weeks After Search for Her Was Called Off

January 14, 2007

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A camper who became stranded nearly five weeks ago in a national forest because she could not cross a swollen river was rescued Sunday, more than two weeks after the search for her was called off.

A New Mexico National Guard crew waded across the icy Gila River to rescue a dehydrated and weak Carolyn Dorn of South Carolina, who entered the Gila National Forest alone on Dec. 6 for a two-week camping trip.

Two brothers found her Friday evening while hiking, said search and rescue coordinator Frankie Benoist of Silver City.

"They were walking along the river and heard a call for help," she said. "They would not have seen her if she had not called out. By that time she was very weak. She is extremely lucky."

Dorn was too weak to cross the river, so the brothers left food, water and wood for a fire and went for help, Benoist said. It took them a day to hike out and contact rescuers, who called in the National Guard.

"We needed a large helicopter ... one with night vision and a hoist, and we also needed a medic on board because of her condition," Benoist said.

Dorn was hospitalized in Silver City and should be fine, Benoist said. Her condition was unavailable.

Dorn, who travels often to Silver City, had planned to camp for two weeks. But five days into her trip, it rained and snowed and the Gila River rose, trapping her, Benoist said.

"The river got big, as she put it, so she did not want to cross it again," Benoist said. "It had become too dangerous and also she did not want to

[NorthWoody]

One of the cardinal rules of any outing off the beaten path is to let someone reliable know where you'll be and when you'll return. Even if it's just an afternoon hike and you won't be more than a mile from civilization, it's still a good idea to tell someone where you'll be. Fifty feet can seem like a hundred miles if you should happen to break a bone anywhere below your waist.

If you don't know anyone in the area, inform the nearest Forest Service office and ask them to look for you if you don't call in by such and such a day/time.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Usually a national forrest is monitored for fires. Creating some smoke would bring someone to investigate.

But it had just rained and snowed (hence the swollen river). Fire monitoriing was probably called off for the season.

[UpAllNight]

--But it had just rained and snowed (hence the swollen river). Fire monitoriing was probably called off for the season.--

Good point. I wasn't thinking about that since some of the earlier threads were talking about high fire risks.