Hikers end up lost on cold, dark and rainy trail without flashlights or map, cops say
Two hikers spent hours on a cold and rainy Oregon trail after becoming lost without a compass, map or flashlights, deputies said.
The women from Northern California set out on a short day hike Oct. 2 to see Ramona Falls, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said in an Oct. 15 Facebook post.
They began their trek at the Top Spur Trailhead and planned to hike an 8-mile loop, deputies said.
Once they reached the halfway mark of their hike, they missed “a critical trail junction,” deputies said.
At one point, they crossed the Upper Sandy River on the Pacific Crest Trail.
When they realized they were lost, they hiked to find cellphone service and called a family member, deputies said.
Rescuers started search efforts at about 8 p.m. and found them shortly after midnight. They helped the women cross the river. Then they had them rest around a fire before hiking back to their car at about 3 a.m., deputies said.
They were cold, wet and exhausted, deputies said.
“This successful rescue offers a nice teachable moment: Even day-hikers should prepare for the worst,” deputies said in the post.
Ramona Falls has a 120-foot waterfall, according to AllTrails. The popular hike takes an estimated 3.5 hours through a thick forest. It also includes a river crossing.
Ramona Falls is about 50 miles southeast of Portland.
What to do if you get lost while hiking
If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.
“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.
You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”
There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:
Have more than enough food and water with you.
Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”
This story was originally published October 17, 2023 at 12:56 PM with the headline "Hikers end up lost on cold, dark and rainy trail without flashlights or map, cops say."
