The summer backpacking journeys are all organized.
Permits
have been obtained, itineraries worked out through and through.
Gear has been sorted and repaired and when
repair not possible, replaced. There
have been a few replacements of gear that is not damaged. I can’t help
myself. The search for better, lighter,
more durable gear must go on.
I must
contribute to it.
As I consider these things, preparation for my family also
begins. Already there have been several search
and rescue crews on the trails, in the backcountry and on the riverbanks nearby
my home.
It is not enough to leave family with an itinerary and a GPS
tracking web site.
Consider for a
moment, what it might be like should you, as family, realize something wasn’t
right.
Consider that someone you cared
about was not on track. What if they
were overdue, injured, missing, or lost?
Consider the confusion that might surround such a
realization.
We would all like to think
we would rise to the occasion. Of
course, we would like to believe ourselves organized, resilient, and methodical
about our tasks to find our loved one.
It may not be like that. Fear, anger, stress and confusion are all too
common.
Why not make things easier?
Why not provide some essential guidance before embarking on
a backcountry journey?
Why not have a plan, tools and necessary information
together in one place?
Have an agreed upon time-frame for your family to consider
your missing status.
When do they take action? Is it 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours?
What would they need?
Should you go missing, things need to be simplified for
whomever is in charge of connecting with Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue and
any persons who may be able to aide in recovery.
Of course necessary things could be saved on a computer, a
flash drive or in the cloud. This is all
well and good and should definitely be one method of leaving necessary
information.
But what if your family can’t access those? Many take passwords, many require power
and/or internet connection.
A simple packet in a manila folder should be part of any
backcountry preparation.
The folder should be clearly labeled so as not to be
overlooked by those who may be feeling panic.
Instructions and information to consider putting inside the
folder:
Contact 911/Local Law Enforcement. Provide a written list description of your height,
weight, hair and eye color, any scars/tattoos. Instruct
them to provide information as to where you were last known to be.
If you carry a GPS tracker, the website and
contact information for that company. Provide the unit number/Log-information/password
for that site (in case unit is found).
If you carry a cell phone: Provide the cell number and password (in case phone is found).
Social Media:
List any active social media pages used/passwords.
Leave instructions for family to post on your behalf that you
are missing and in need of help.
Leave backpacking forum web page information for posting requests for help locating your loved one.
Leave off-road forum web page information
for posting requests for help.
Provide any social media links that
may be helpful in the search for you.
Provide a complete itinerary of your journey with dates.
Include any possible alternate routes, even if you are only entertaining the
possibility of taking those routes. Any
day trip plans from base camp that you may take should be listed as well.
Provide recent printed photographs of yourself from more than one angle.
Provide recent printed photographs of your base gear: Backpack, tent, cookware, bear canister,
water canister.
Provide printed photographs of the clothing/ shoes/boots you
are taking on this specific journey.
Provide printed photographs of any jewelry, i.e. wedding ring, necklaces
never removed.
Include a list of medical conditions/medications
currently taking, Doctor’s name/number and Dentist’name/number.
List any family/friends and their phone numbers
who are important to you.
Provide a copy of our medical insurance card.
Include in the folder a flash drive containing
items listed above and to provide law enforcement/search and rescue
Hopefully this information will never be needed, but in the
event you are injured or go missing while doing what you love, those that love
you will have the tools they need to make their job easier.
Now go out and have a safe and rewarding Journey.
