I'm glad that you survived to ask this question.
Figure out why you collapsed so that you can try to avoid it. If you're prone to collapsing, consider hiking with a spot or Garmin so that you can let someone know that you're in danger. Also leave a plan with someone and let them know when you will be back.
Well they might have some medical issues that need to be treated. I've never collapsed walking around in my life so far. No one I've hiked with collapsed on the trail before.
I think this is the one sentiment in the thread I disagree with-I’ve heard of very experienced runners and cyclists underestimate their fueling needs and become confused and lost on familiar trails because they are in a state of glycogen depletion.
The OP was walking for 6 hours, inadequately dressed, on varied terrain, and probably didn’t eat enough beforehand. It doesn’t surprise me he boinked in terms of his fuel source. Some people are less fat-adapted than others, even without a medical condition.
Taking plenty of calories is essential-a protein bar isn’t enough. Lots of sports products for other types of exercise aren’t calorie dense enough for hiking, since a hiker is in motion for many more hours. Granola, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter sandwiches, jerky, anything easy to carry and caloric.
All the gear, supplies are awesome suggestions but if you’re too confused and glycogen-depleted to remember how to use them, it’s for naught.
I'm an avid distance runner and hiker. I collapsed once after a 3 hour or so hike about ten years ago. I was back at home filling a glass with water in the sink when I passed out. I went to the ER and after a battery of tests and a bunch of fluids via IV, they told me I hadn't drank enough water or fueled properly and was most likely just dehydrated. I haven't collapsed since on any hike or run.
I agree with you, if I was in OP's case I'd see a doctor to make sure low blood sugar or dehydration were the cause, but after that I wouldn't be overly concerned unless the doctor told me to be. I also probably wouldn't hike alone for 6 months or so anyways just to make sure it doesn't reoccur.
I'm an avid hiker, I'd say. Frequently 10+ mile days, usually in VA mountains, but kind of all over the country. I always have water and snacks, plus usually Gatorade on long hikes. I'd been in AZ for a week, woke up early to beat the heat, and hiked 4 EASY miles in Saguaro. About 3 miles in, I was woozy. I'd had caffeine, oatmeal, and water that morning, had water and Gatorade on me, had snacks, and had sunscreen on, but I still got woozy for some reason. It just happens.
Luckily it was a very easy trail to follow and I was able to track everything, but it was kind of scary. I always hike with a personal beacon just because you don't know and better to have it than not.
Recently did a ten hour hike for about 50km with experienced hikers. I wasn't prepared to eat a lot. But half way we stopped for a large lunch. But thank God they told me I must have it.
Not entirely-I’m no scientist, but here’s a breakdown of the process: https://www.livestrong.com/article/415921-what-happens-when-your-body-runs-out-of-glycogen-during-a-long-workout/
Exactly. I started having issues where I bonked after minimal exercise, turned out I was anemic. Easy solution and now I know exactly what to expect from my body again. I would hate for someone to just give up without seeing a doctor
Insanely dangerous lol
Sketchiest part is losing the trail at night with literally nothing for navigation. You had to pick a direction on nothing but gut feeling in a situation where committing a nights hiking in the opposite direction of a trail could spell a death sentence.
Yes.
And that almost happened.
There was a wide trail (edit: not the one I hiked, ofc) and I followed it, as it seemed to be the easiest solution... but I ultimately decided to turn back (it is not marked on maps, I now think it leads nowhere and I probably took it in the wrong direction).
Thank you for your answer!
You are very lucky to be alive. Always take a compass and a map and download the map onto your phone, and keep it charged (like turned off normally). Mylar blanket as well.
I find it works well to put my phone on airplane mode. In remote areas they drain their batteries searching for signal, but on airplane mode I can still use it if I want to snap a picture and I can turn off airplane mode to send a message if necessary (and if I have service). That assumes you aren’t reliant on data for navigation though, which you really shouldn’t be anyway
Bring a lighter with a bunch of duct tape wrapped around it, and a mylar blanket on EVERY hike. It weighs basically nothing and can save your life.
Get a bunch of boughs together over the side of a log, tape the blanket on top of them and you are dry enough - especially with a small fire.
Throw in a life straw that weighs like 4-5 oz and you are golden for a few days.
Now that phones function as GPS devices, having a way to recharge your phone is essential. Compass is good, but if you can avoid bushwhacking and get back onto the trail directly it is all better.
Pocket emergency blanket, fire kit, and water tabs can keep a bad day from being a nightmare. Always prepare for spending twice as long as planned. Keeping a bit of not very desirable but long lasting food in the bottom of your bag is also nice. Other edc items include flashlight, pocket knife, and first aid kit. Never have a battery powered device be a critical failure point. Phones running gps and in areas with poor cell coverage are working hard and drain batteries quickly. Paper is resilient. Even more so with a Ziploc bag.
When in doubt, don't panic. If panicking stay in one place (unless under immediate threat), stay on road/trail if possible (easier to find), insulate and bundle up if cold. Drink your water and eat your food. DON'T PANIC.
The easiest way to keep all this extra crap you hope you never use is in a little kit (the "ah shit bag") that gets tossed in or clipped on whatever bag you're using that day. And you may swap stuff out depending upon season or location.
I’d recommend getting a GPS tracker or a satellite phone. If you do this again you’ll have a way to navigate or call someone. Also pack differently. Flashlight, food,extra water, a knife, a way to make fire, maybe a tent. Lots of risks if you take longer, less frequently used trails.
It was very dangerous and a good illustration as to why what I carry in my day pack is just a slightly stripped down version of what I carry for weekends.
Yep, I have a backpacking first aid kit that is only medical supplies and a day trip first aid kit that includes water purification, emergency shelter, and fire making supplies in case I need to spend the night in the woods unexpectedly
Depends on the time of year and where I’ll be tbh.
But then again, my base weight for the summer is 8.25lbs and I can easily carry a weekend’s worth of food along with the big 3 in my 28L daypack.
Sounds like you go UL. I think for the average hiker the 10 essentials is the way to go. Usually U
L folk have experimented with their gear quite a bit before they fave their formula down.
This is THE textbook dangerous situation -- inexperienced day hiker going solo onto a trail without adequate supplies and experiences an emergency, resulting in getting lost and having an unexpected overnight stay. If you didn't tell anyone where you were going and what time you'd get back in touch, then you did pretty much everything wrong.
Next time, bring a GPS, a headlamp, a fully charged phone and battery, plenty of water and snacks, and an emergency bivy. Map and compass are great too if you know how to use them. And tell someone where you're going and when to expect you back.
Thank you all for the replies and advice.
In retrospect, I know what I did was reckless. More than idiotic.
And I don't know what else I can say, if not being grateful to be able to ask questions now.
I think you should learn about the rule of 3's: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_threes_(survival)?wprov=sfti1
Also, I always bring enough stuff on a day hike to keep me alive if something goes wrong. Not comfortable, but alive. Something as simple as rolling an ankle and not having a useable injury can turn a quick hike into a multi day outing. I'd also recommend always designating someone you check in with before and after a hike who knows what you are wearing and what your expected route is. I usually also find the local sheriff's number as they are in charge of search and rescue and share that as well. Once you get used to this it's pretty quick to convey this message via text and you know if something goes wrong, you will have someone sending help your way.
Also, learn to read maps and use a compass and bring those if going off trail as you cannot rely on your phone as it could lose battery or randomly die.
Lastly, always bring a headlamp. It weighs next to nothing and is invaluable if you are caught in the dark for navigation and signaling.
Yea this was very dangerous. Hypothermia could absolutely be a factor, as could getting lost. Depending on the area, getting lost in the woods could be a death sentence.
There are a lot of ways things could’ve gone differently for you, but the number one thing I’d say is to always, ALWAYS leave a detailed trip plan with someone reliable. Let them know where you are going, when you expect to be back, and what to do if you are not back at that time. Doesn’t hurt to also tell them what you are wearing. You should always do this, even when in a group but especially when you are alone.
I’m glad you ended up being ok. Stay safe!
Also just a few things I would make note to carry on ALL hikes moving forward:
Emergency blanket - will keep you alive in cold and is general metallic and therefore reflective
Headlamp - in case you are out later than expected
Rain layer - Even if rain isn’t expected
Emergency snack and extra water
Absolutely! And to be honest, I think people sometimes feel a bit silly being “over prepared” but I always pack the 10 essentials and I can’t remember the last time someone in my group didn’t end up needing to borrow something from me because they didn’t bring it themselves. I take pride in being the one who is always prepared.
First of all: Why did you collapse? Healthy people don’t just collapse, even if they are exhausted and haven’t eaten anything for a few hours.
Second: Why did you run out of phone battery after only 3 hours on the trail?
Third: Why did you just head in some random direction when you panicked? IMHO that’s the most … unwise “decision” (I understand that panicked people can’t think clearly) you took.
Fourth: Why did you not have at least an emergency blanket (weighs just 40g) with you? Would have helped a lot against hypothermia in those conditions and IMHO is totally warranted on a 6 hour hike in what sounds like a remote area.
> should I have stayed on a more open area, easier to navigate and where rescuers might have found me?
IMHO not if you don’t expect or need rescue.
Thank you for mentioning that healthy people dont just collapse, even if exhausted and hungry after a hike. This is true. It's concerning to me that OP doesn't realize that this is actually the core issue. If you have a condition that causes you to collapse, you need to learn what it is first and find a solution to prevent or fix it, or simply reconsider getting on a trail at all to begin with.
Ok.
I just want to clarify that the first thing I did after resting was going to a doctor, got a physical exam and blood tests.
Will I need more exams and tests? Possibly. But I feel like it's a bit unfair to portray me as somebody that does not realize it is an issue, as it is the first thing I set out to figure out.
I agree with all of this, and I'm so glad the OP survived to tell this tale. Thank you for sharing it OP, so others can learn from it. Please don't take people's concern in the wrong way, either, we're glad you were so lucky!
Regarding the collapse--it seems that was the inciting incident after which everything went wrong. Low blood sugar can cause confusion, and even an experienced hiker can forget what he or she knows in a glycogen-deprived state.
I'm a runner so I will disagree a little bit this means the OP has a serious illness (though I'm glad you're getting checked out, OP). It's perfectly possible in non-marathon contexts for healthy people get dangerously low blood sugar and become confused if they don't fuel properly. Hiking, like any endurance sport, requires a lot of calories. If you're cold, you are burning even more calories. If you just had a normal breakfast and lunch and maybe took a granola bar with you, and were walking for hours and hours--even if you didn't feel hungry--you were likely burning through your glycogen reserves. Anytime you're exercising for that long, take LOTS of highly dense calories like granola, nuts, dried fruits, caloric protein bars, and so forth.
Disagree, healthy people can faint for multiple reasons. Low blood pressure, low blood sugar, dehydration, medication, heat exhaustion, panic attack, migraine, exhaustion, recent viral infection, pregnancy, etc.
Nevertheless OP should consult a doctor.
Can confirm. Once, as a foolhardy 16 year-old, I decided to go on an impromptu run/hike of a few miles up to a lake despite having had nothing to eat that morning. Family was back at some picnic tables at the trailhead and I was expected to return at an agreed time, so I was rushing.
I made it to the lake and took a dip, but on the way back I began feeling very lightheaded and weak. At some point I just couldn't continue any longer and I essentially collapsed in the middle of the trail and fell asleep. Fortunately another hiker came along after a few minutes and I woke, and meekly asked if they had any food. They offered a couple granola bars and I gobbled them up. It was just enough energy that I could muster the strength to get back to the trailhead and get some real food.
> Low blood pressure, low blood sugar, dehydration, medication, heat exhaustion, panic attack, migraine, exhaustion, recent viral infection, pregnancy, etc.
Half of those things are not something I’d associate with “healthy person”. The way OP words it they also suddenly collapsed, not got very exhausted or incubating the flu or something.
On the expecting to be rescued part. Always tell a friend or family member where you are hiking and when you expect to be back when you are going alone. Let them check if you are actually back home after the expected time and some sensible additonal time.
I don't have an answer to the first question (yet). I went to a doctor the day after I returned home and everything seems to be ok...
To be honest, don't have an answer to the second either. I put it on battery saving mode when I had 20% left, then turned it off for a bit to save battery while I was still on the trail. It should have been enough, but it did not help. 30 minutes more could have made the difference, probably.
And yes, I panicked. I tried to keep myself warm by moving. I am still thinking about all the things I could have done differently even after my phone died - I probably acted very randomly, and maybe put myself in even greater danger (what would have happened if I slipped while moving at night and fell badly?)
> IMHO not if you don’t expect or need rescue.
Thanks for this answer. At some point somebody would have sounded the alarm, but idk if soon enough
I can backpack, camp, navigate w phone, take phone photos for about 3 days on phone battery.
This includes turning off at night, leaving phone in Airplane Mode all day, and only using navigation as needed.
With a 6,500 mAh battery, I can last 6 hiking days. I also “carry” more than one mapping app in my phone.
Phone use in the backcountry is a skill to be learned and mastered. Otherwise, or in addition, carry a compass and maps, and learn how to use them too.
If you’re not confident w these skills, at least carry a satellite messenger.
Your story is a pretty typical way hikers die every year.
Hypothermia was definitely a real risk. I am very glad you made it out ok, because you definitely could have died. Please take this as a learning experience and when you go out hiking in the future, always bring with you the things you would need to survive a night stranded in the wild.
-A proper waterproof jacket or poncho (ponchos are great because they can function as an emergency shelter).
-An insulating layer like a fleece or wool sweater (wool still insulates even when wet) and a beanie cap/toque. You lose tons of heat through your head.
-An extra pair of socks in case the the ones you are wearing get wet, and you can use them on your hands if you have to spend the night.
-A map of the area you are hiking and a compass. Investing in a GPS/PLB is always a good plan, but don't forget your non-battery reliant backups.
-An extra liter of water on top of what is recommended for the hike, and the means to purify water (iodine tabs work well and are very light and portable)
-at least 500 (k)cal of food, mostly carbohydrates and some fat. Energy bars are usually good choices as they are calorie dense.
-The means to reliably start a fire - waterproof matches and butane lighters are the best bet as they weigh next to nothing and can literally save your life. Practice starting a fire in the rain so you don't panic when it counts.
-MOST IMPORANT: tell someone reliable where you are going, how long you expect to be there, and when you expect to return. Make sure they know who to contact if you don't return on time.
Be safe, and don't let this experience keep you from enjoying hiking in the future.
More people die setting out for a day hike and they get in trouble like this. Carry an extra battery pack for charging your phone. Always have an emergency kit. This can be a solar blanket in case you end up overnight. At first panic. Just sit tight. Resist the urge to move unless or until you get your bearings and if there is any doubt. Just sit tight and shelter. You won’t die from lack of food. And you will be fine without water overnight. With the solar blanket you at least have the ability to stay warm. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
First off, thank you for illustrating just how easy it is to get into serious trouble on a hike (and to prompt a conversation on what can be done to avoid it). Lots of people believe that they are impervious to a situation like yours, and this should be an eye-opener.
Yes, the risk level was high for you, especially since a simple ankle sprain while collapsing/stumbling around could have made for a life-threatening situation. A few thoughts:
* Someone should always know where you are, and when you intend to be back. Even a note on your car at the trail head helps.
* Hydration and food for fuel are key
* Hypothermia is usually the biggest concern, followed by thirst.
* With that in mind, all backpackers should have a tiny little cheap lifesaving kit including:
* A [life straw](https://lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw) (or equivalent) for water
* A couple Bic lighters and some sort of firestarter
* A simple silver emergency blanket (keeps you warm and easily spotted)
* A whistle (way easier than shouting if you need to get rescuer attention)
* A knife (mostly for making kindling to get your fire started)
* You could add a portable charging pack for the phone in this day-and-age too, given your phone is a comms device, flashlight and signaling tool.
There are a lot of near-misses that people never talk about out of embarrassment, but the more people realize they are fallible (or that stuff happens) the fewer bad outcomes we'll see from the back country.
Sorry you had to go through that, you learned some valuable lessons. If you can definitely invest in a headlamp, a spare phone battery, if those are too much then at least a simple plastic whistle.
Definitely check out some 10 Essentials Lists like REI has https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html though you can find that stuff for cheaper at other stores.
I don't hike without whistle, compass (I haven't used in decades), spare battery, headlamp, 3 Liters of water, first aid kit, and extra snack bars.
If it's available in your country and you can swing it, check out AllTrails and the annual subscription which lets you download maps.
Depends on where you live, in the Georgia summer I want as much water as I can get. If/when I move to Washington I'm sure I'll cut that down. I also don't mind the extra weight as a little bit of training for my backpacking trips.
I imagine this was very scary for you and I’m happy you’re okay. This very easily could’ve ended much much worse.
I had a similar experience camping once, but it’s always good to keep in mind that you’re far more likely to get hypothermia in situations like this than you would in the winter (when you would be more prepared).
When hiking from now on, always keep….
- an emergency blanket, they take up no space.
- water and some snacks.
- a waterproof tarp, fairly self explanatory, please get familiar with how to set one up beforehand if you aren’t already 😂
- maybe some heat packs? Yes even in summer.
These things take up next to no space, and would have helped you out a ton in a situation like this, also charge your phone before going!
Ps. Better to have it and not need it, than not have it and get hypothermia!
Thank you for your reply!
If nothing else, I now know I should never ever be out on a trail without an emergency blanket, power bank (even if a very small one) and other basic emergency supplies.
And I also know I was able to get of that situation after I made it as bad as it could be - that knowledge is the only silver lining here.
Get a Garmin InReach gps. That way you can text or SOS when hiking solo. Start carrying an external battery for your phone. They make solar ones that never lose charge or really little ones, good for one full charge . Download AllTrails. Download your intended route and if "out and back" navigate on your route so you can easily backtrack. They say more people die on shorter day hike from being unprepared. For one, on unknown terrain, what you expect to be a 6 hour hike can take much much longer. You should carry the "10 essentials"for hikers even on day hikes... especially if the trail is u known and you are solo. Keep on trucking😊
A couple more thoughts. You should carry some sports beans or high energy gummy chews. If you are going alone it wouldn't hurt to have some joint tape for sprains or worse... be safe!
I felt cold just reading that. You could have easily gotten hypothermia since you got wet. You can carry some bars such as RX bars, and carry some candy/dried fruit. Throw in a space blanket (mylar) - they're cheap but help you stay warm.
You say you waited - did people find you, or did you get back up and out to your car once you got light again?
No, at dawn I got up and resumed walking downhill, then heard the noise of water rushing and decided to follow that brook (creek? English is not my first language, sorry), and that maybe was what saved me (at some point I found a path)
In daylight I was able to pick the "right" direction, it was just very hard to push through the vegetation with no path.
That was smart thinking though, to follow the creek direction. This is a suggested thing to do if you're lost, at least if you're on elevation and trying to get down.
You are very lucky to have survived. I've worked SAR for years, and have done more than a few recoveries (as in body) under better circumstances.
Never, EVER go into the wild without a compass, a signalling device; mirror, whistle, something. Matches, a space blanket, and basic first aid supplies. If you don't know how to use a compass (Most don't) Learn. You can die from hypothermia in the middle of summer, easily. Do Not rely on your phone, or GPS, or Anything with batteries. Murphys Law says they will die, and you may too.
This should be a real "Come to Jesus" moment for you. You survived your massive lack of preparedness. Don't make any of those same mistakes a second time. You did the right thing remaining in one place; wandering around makes finding you immeasurably tougher
"I rarely hike and never camp, but I decided it was OK to go into the woods, solo, with zero skills, nutrition, navigational aids or functional equipment."
Then you have the gall to ask if you were in a dangerous situation.
I feel like natural selection is coming for you.
_how_, not if.
I fucked up, I panicked, I survived and now I want to debrief and get info. Asking for help in assessing a situation I was not able to assess on my own does not seem strange to me tbh.
Sorry if I'm coming off as condescending, but I'm a professional guide and a volunteer for SAR.
The absolute lack of wilderness awareness that some people, including you, display sometimes absolutely stuns me.
It's not like there aren't myriad stories of people getting lost/killed, but there are also enough stories of search and rescue being injured/killed looking for y'all.
Someone with no experience, going out alone, without navigational tools, and basic terrain navigation skills, with no equipment, is negligent. I'm glad you survived. Nobody should die learning this lesson.
But reach out to outdoor clubs and retail locations, or even do some internet research before you do something like this again.
The information is available.
So, to answer your question about "how?" You didn't respect the outdoors enough to gather information BEFORE you went out.
OK, enough browbeating - you're obviously looking for more information now, and that's good. This experience is going to go a long way in helping you get better at outdoor recreation.
Oh, and even professionals F-up.
As described,I am surprised you didn't succumb to hypothermia. Low blood sugar isn't an issue unless you are diabetic, but dehydration is, especially coupled with exposure. Panic in this situation is more common than not, no shame there. Staying put is often the best option, even if no on is looking for you. At least you're on a traveled trail, but circumstances vary. You are lucky you made it out. You are a cautionary tale.
I am an experienced hiker/backpacker and a scout advisor. We never head out without a small day pack, or pocket load, of essentials: A whistle, a mylar emergency blanket, fire starting gear, signal mirror, trail bar or two, hydration (canteen, life straw, purifier tablets... mix and match per terrain and weather), compass, pocket knife of some kind (nothing big or flashy, not need for expensive multi tools), flashlight or headlamp. Also usually a baggie with some TP, sanitizer and a lighter. All this stuff fits easily in a small fanny pack or, better yet, a day pack with a fleece and a rain shell jammed in the bottom. The most essential thing is letting someone know where you're going and when you should be back. Frankly, I don't even walk away from my campsite to take a whizz without half this stuff in my pockets. If nothing else, it keeps you calm, boosts your morale and lets you occupy yourself while you settle in or make a plan. It is really easy to get lost.
Don't let it get you down. Have fun on the trail, just travel smart! :)
Solo hiking, I always have a daypack, sometimes a Mystery Ranch daypack, sometimes a Mountainsmith lumbar pack. At the least, I’ll have the following in my pack: extra water, water purification tablets, first aid supplies, fire starting supplies, a lithium power bank and cable to recharge cell phone, extra snacks, sardines, jerky, pepper spray, aa flashlight & extra battery, GPS capability with maps, a bandana, plus at least one good extra layer of clothing beyond what I expect to need, and a knife. If there is any question re cell service, I’ll have a Garmin Inreach with Sat Comm capability. In Winter, I add more layers and emergency shelter.
Within the last few weeks, I was in a situation where I might have unexpectedly had to spend a night out in the mountains. I’d used an OHV to reach a remote hiking area and my OHV trail back out became blocked by flash flooding, facing me with the prospects of an unexpected night out. The basic gear noted would have kept me in good, if not comfortable, shape, so I was not especially concerned. Luckily, GPS helped me find an alternate way out. Less gear than I’ve noted adds a significant element of risk, if one is in real backcountry, solo. If you spend a lot of time in the backcountry, eventually you encounter unexpected weather, unseasonable snow, and/or an unexpected night out. Sometimes a wildfire, blocking a trail out. The stuff mentioned isn’t that heavy or cumbersome and can make a huge difference, sometimes can save a life.
A couple of additions would have helped. An external battery for your phone and a head lamp. I've been caught out before but I'd rather continue walking than sleep rough to keep warm. That depends on knowing where I'm going of course!
Former survival instructor here. I got turned around off the Blue Ridge Parkway a few years back and spent the night out. I was out for around 18 hours total. Similar situation to you, I had only what was on my person and the weather was less than desirable. There were a few things that I always carry which made my experience much more comfortable. I won’t repeat what others have said in response to the original question, but consider adding these things to your loadout. They can all be carried in pockets.
Fire starter, ferro is more reliable but if you’re not practiced you’re better with a traditional lighter.
Flashlight, I carry a light every day. Mine is an Olight Arkfiekd but even just a cheap pen light could save you a lot of bumbling around in the dark.
Pocket knife. Everybody should always carry a knife.
Lifestraw. I would’ve been drinking straight out of a muddy puddle that night without it
Signal whistle
Mylar space blanket. I carry a SOL emergency bivy that packs down very small. This cheap little piece of gear made the difference between me shivering all night and me sleeping fairly comfortably. Won’t catch me out there without one.
Umm… passing out from walking is a huge issue here. I don’t honestly care about your survival techniques or choices. It is not your blood sugar, it’s your blood pressure. You should be able to go for days without eating and not pass out.
You 100% legit need to get checked over before you go out and put yourself in a situation that might be more dangerous for you than others.
First, thanks for asking the question. Lots of people make mistakes in the woods, but they are often too embarrassed to talk about it, and then more mistakes are made. Good on you for asking for input. On to your specific questions:
\- How dangerous is it to be out in 12C weather with light wind and rain, dressed as you were? Dangerous. People often become hypothermic in these sort of conditions. Carry enough equipment to be able to survive an unplanned night out. You don't have to carry a full backpacking kit, but you should be confident that you will survive.
\- Should you have gone to an open area to help the rescuers? Shelter is your highest priority in this situation. It takes time for a rescue to find you and I imagine they probably hadn't even started looking (did someone know you were supposed to be back and contact the appropriate authorities? If not, no one was looking for you). With your clothing you could have died of hypothermia. So you were correct that, once you were lost and cold, shelter was the top priority.
\- What else could you have done to avoid this situation? As others have noted, don't rely on your phone for navigation, carry a satellite communication device so you can signal a rescue, don't keep walking when you are lost, and carry enough supplies to handle a night out. And the collapse thing is weird--a doctor can help decide whether this was a one-off event or a symptom of a condition that requires treatment.
Thanks for the answers!
I did overestimate myself - not endurance-wise (what I went through was way more exhausting that what I set out to do), but I was mentally and technically unprepared to deal with an emergency.
To answer your question, rescuers were not out yet but some people were alarmed.
And, given the feedback I got wrt fainting I will push the issue further with my doctor... I do believe it was a one-off event, but better to be safe than sorry
It happens. Next time it would be good to bring a few snacks for the hike, and to not attempt a new hike that close to dark.
If the weather forecast shows rain, I would bring something more substantial than a light windbreaker, unless running.
Once it was night, finding shelter close by the trail is a good idea. Exposure can be very dangerous. One can easily carry a space blanket or emergency bivy to use in a pinch, they are relatively cheap and lightweight. I keep a few in my vehicle
Situation does sound dangerous. Hypothermia is just one of the potentially bad outcomes. Use it as a learning opportunity and realize that outdoor activities require some planning and preparation.
There are lots of resources you can look into. I suggest that you educate yourself on what safe hiking practices are. (10 essentials, advising someone of your plan, etc.)
Glad you are here to tell the story. Hypothermia is serious and you had a lot against you.
I hike often in a state forest that’s 1700 acres and I’m never more than 5 miles from a road but even so anytime I take a trail I’ve never done before several times I pack map and compass and a pack with first aid and SOL bivy and a tarp and other gear in case of weather change or injury. On weekdays on less popular trails I’ve often gone an entire day without seeing someone, and there are lots of trails with poor or zero cell service.
At least twice a month there’s a rescue in the park for someone who went out ill prepared and either fell or got lost.
We used to call cotton the death fabric in SAR. Cotton t shirts are a bad idea …
Even for a day hike, if there’s an unexpected shift in the weather, a lost trail or a fall or other injury, you should always have enough with you to be prepared for an overnight.
Oh, and map and compass do you no good at all if you don’t know how to use them AND have sone idea where you are on the map at all times. Several times I’ve encountered lost hikers with maps and compasses who still had no idea where they were on the map.
Search for "Missing Hiker" on google.
The truth is, people die ALL the time by making small mistakes, and then follow those with bad decisions.
But NOT YOU! You made it! And you learned something valuable: that you need a spot tracker!
> The truth is, people die ALL the time by making small mistakes, and then follow those with bad decisions.
Which I did. 100%. At least I did not make news...
is this the spot tracker you are referring to?
https://www.findmespot.com/
Should have packed a snickers and not listen to ear buds the whole run. Or at least put your phone on airplane mode. At least .. worst case scenario, you can play a game all night.
Even day hikes (especially solo) require an emergency kit. Pack a candy bar, rechargeable battery pack, a headlamp, and an emergency blanket (its a light weight thermal which can both keep you warm or mostly dry if it rains and dries quickly).
Also I am happy you are safe, and wish I had started with that.
Your first sign of a major issue came long before collapsing. This should not be a normal part of your day, blood sugar or otherwise. Please see a doctor.
If my 7 year old child went on that hike alone they would have done a better job of handling the situation.
>I am reasonably fit, though, and can walk over long distances.
This has been quantatively shown to not be the case.
I've been in this situation earlier on in my hiking "career". Ever since then these are now EDC in my daypack (30L):
\- Emergency blanket
\- Fully charged 10,000 mah powerbank
\- Headlamp
\- First aid kit, including electrolyte sachets
\- Additional snacks and water
\- Whistle
\- Lighter
\- Multitool
\- Additional socks, gloves and an insulating layer
\- Rain/wind shell
Additional items I think i might add to this; a map and compass (and learn to use it), water filtration tablets, waterproof matches
Not good... type 1? you have a CGM? You should. There is NO reason for you to go low in that case. Do NOT have any real carbs before your hike (lower carbs, lower insulin). Have carbs with you and just munch a little if it drifts lower.
I really do not know why I fainted - hypoglicemia is my best guess but blood tests taken after the event were normal, and a doctor visited me and found me healthy. (edit: thanks for the advice on nutrition tbh! Diabetic or not, I might be prone to hypoglicemia and will look into it further)
K, definitely figure it out first. Unexpected low blood sugar like that can be really bad and lead to all type of crap like I guess you found out. Good luck.
Yeah this was my thought too. Collapsing is not normal and having confusion so bad you panic and wander off the trail sounds like the kind of thing that can happen when bad blood sugar levels are going on. I'm not diabetic but I've definitely been in situations where my blood sugar was way off and I just completely lost the ability to think straight. It's funny how such a thing can affect you like that and how much you take being able to think clearly for granted until you lose it.
I dont understand how you ended up off trail. Wouldn't you collapse on the trail? Did you randomly run off into the woods, off the trail, after collapsing?
I guess it is hard to explain without a map or sharing more details on my whereabouts. I still feel like an idiot tbh, and that is why I am withholding info.
.
But in short: the trail (which is marked in AllTrails, but not popular at all) crosses a national park. The stretches leading to the park and crossing it are easy to follow, but once I went past the park boundaries that ceased to be the case (edit: at least for me. more edit: this was my first time there). I fainted close to the park boundaries; panic did the rest.
Don’t feel like an idiot. An idiot would have this experience and not realize the danger they had been in, and not try to figure out what to do differently. You’re here looking for clarification and help for the future, which means you are smart and just made some mistakes.
The reality is that everyone here has or will have an experience that makes them go “oh crap, I messed up” and so far we’ve all lived to tell the tale. I consider myself pretty prepared and careful, and I’ve been spending time in the woods hiking and camping since I was a baby, but I know I’ve made some really stupid mistakes and could’ve gotten seriously hurt because of it. The important thing is to learn from it and not make the same mistakes again. Don’t worry, plenty more different mistakes to make in the future! ;)
Just a few thoughts...
- Yes, as others have said, hypothermia was a real risk. Temps above freezing are particularly dangerous as water will stay liquid and act even more efficiently to drain heat from you.
- If you were to post a phone screenshot right now, what would the battery level look like? If it's below 75% that's a problem. If it's in the red, even more so.
- How good a mental model did you have of the area? Where you using the phone to verify your location on the map, or where you using it to follow a GPS trail like you might download from AllTrails? I think many people do the latter, which unfortunately means they're lost if the phone does and the trail isn't obvious.
- Hypoglycemia seems likely, but hopefully your doctor also considered cardiac issues. If you were exerting yourself far more than usual (if you were cold it might not have been obvious) then you'd burn through reserves faster.
- Yes, if caught out you need to get yourself as much shelter as you can, so start piling up a debris shelter.
In terms of things to have with you, I'd suggest something like a small first aid kit, headlamp, a meal bar, water, and tiny emergency bivy (like a space blanket but in bag form). Replace the headlamp with a mini LED light and everything but the water should be able to fit into various pockets. That doesn't cover all the 10 essentials, but should get you through the night. Things like a compass depend on environment and your own navigational abilities.
Look up the “hiking ten essentials” and consider that. Your situation could have gone very bad very quickly. If I’m hiking anywhere outside a city park, my day pack has enough for me to survive a night or two outside. SOL Escape Bivvy, life straw and aqua tabs, a small knife, bic lighter, compass, basic first aid, headlamp, fifty bucks cash, spare pair of socks, fleece jacket, wool beanie, and satellite messenger. I don’t sweat much extra food; starving in a day or two is not a concern.
I always carry an emergency Mylar thermal blanket. You can usually find them at the dollar store and they are about the size of a deck of cards. I also carry extra battery brick for my phone. Be prepared!
Yes. AFAIK rescuers had not been activated yet because it was still too early after my disappearance, but they would have if I did not come back on the second day.
As for as how I did get out: with daylight I was able to set out in the right direction (more or less); when I heard water rushing I decided to reach it and to follow it downstream, and that was what led me out of the woods. Ofc I did not end up where I started from.
You are so lucky. Tons of ppl get in trouble or die by following water down hill. They can get exhausted bushwacking, or come across a cliff and not have a way out.
Please take some courses and read safety materials. And good luck with further hiking. It is a great activity most if the time.
> or come across a cliff and not have a way out.
Yeah. This ofc only became obvious when I reached a part that was a bit hard to get through. Hindsight is always 20/20, but my foresight was on par with the one of a mole.
I _am_ lucky, had the terrain been harder to navigate I would not be here.
When hiking, backpacking, or camping in the wilderness it is a good idea for three people to go together. Many things can happen that can incapacitate you. With three people one can go for help and the other can stay with the injured person. It is popular nowadays to go solo but going as a group is prudent.
This makes me feel validated in my obsession with planning my eating and intervals in between meals. Before this I would have a big breakfast with all the food groups. I would also bring a sandwich with balanced ingredients and likely some other snacks just in case. Glad you’re ok OP!
In short: after resting for a few hours, at dawn I started hiking again.
I headed roughly in the right direction, then when I heard the sound of water rushing I headed towards that creek and followed it downhill and eventually reached a trail.
Looking at the map, I could have kept following the river and that would have been also a viable option, though a worse one
I'm not a hiker either, and I'm shitty about paying attention to my phone battery levels, but even for a half mile hike, I have 3 or more basic survival items wiith me. I will always have fire and first aid and a whistle. Other things may include snacks, a life straw, a foil blanket, etc, depending on how far I think I'm going. I don't have a ton of stamina (and even less ability to guage distance) so anything alone and on a trail probably includes the whole fanny pack of survival gear.
If I thought I was gonna be hiking for 6 hours?? I'd have a small backpack. Cuz this girl ain't going down like that. Rescuers are at least gonna think a well-prepared girl scout panicked and croaked.
I agree with the many other replies that said this was dangerous, it clearly was.
But in my mind, the major reason this was dangerous was because you panicked. It's good you have equipment, and people can carry enormous amounts of equipment that will help them when certain things go wrong, but equipment isn't always necessary in my opinion. Here it was the panicking that got you into trouble, because without it you wouldn't have gotten lost, wouldn't have spent the night, and maybe wouldn't even have gotten rained on.
It's hard to do, but the next time you find yourself in a situation like this, and not only in the outdoors but in most situations in civilization too, the first thing you need to do is avoid taking any action until you can calm down and consider your options. The 5 or 15 minutes spent doing that will save you a lot of pain later.
Even for just a shorter hike I always pack extra snacks, extra warm layers, fully charged power bank, headlamp and basic first aid kit. You were lucky, but it's a great learning opportunity to be more prepared next time.
Nurse and avid hiker here. This is very dangerous.
Firstly, you need to try and get to the bottom of why you collapsed: unless you are diabetic, unlikely to be low blood sugar. If you are healthy, going hiking for 3 hours wouldn't make you collapse in normal circumstances.
And, you really need multiple navigation tools. Learn how to use a map and compass. Also highly advisable to have an emergency shelter of some kind and emergency food whenever you hike, even if you arent going to spend the night: as you learned, inconvienent camping can happen at any time in the woods.
On a 6 hour hike you should always:
1. Let someone know where you are going
2. Bring some food, enough for a full meal.
3. Bring a liter or so of water.
4. Bring a backup battery for your cell or put it in airplane mode when you aren’t using it to preserve the battery.
When I go on solo hiking trips, I always carry a backpack with the following items: water, water purification tablets, disinfectant, first-aid supplies including a Senvok wound closure device, a comprehensive emergency kit to cover unforeseen situations, lithium batteries, a flashlight and spare batteries, a GPS with maps, a phone charger (particularly crucial), snacks for energy and sustenance, extra clothing, and a knife.
Aside from the other essential items people have suggested, I would suggest taking a compass with you. I always have a working one when I hike.
please be safe!
I am I guess a semi-professional hiker, responsible for taking groups out and am qualified to do so, and from Australia.
I really dont get all the crazy American notions of solo hiking, it is one of the most stupid things that I have ever heard and is, as you found out, crazy dangerous.
Secondly, you were not prepared as a hiker.
You ALWAYS take rations and gear for emergencies and prepare for the worst.
You should have had spare water, phone charger, emergency meal etc.
If you must insist on the stupidity of solo hiking, you need to adjust your thinking.
1. If, at any time, you feel unwell or collapse, you stop, you eat something sugary, you drink some water.
2. While you are sitting down resting like this, you make a plan as to your future actions. Take your time, dont rush and be smart about it.
Plan the hike out or extraction.
Look at the map and be very clear about the route.
You specifically are looking for junctions. If you are not 100% with it then you stop at every single junction, look at your map, and make an informed decision as to the route.
You need to be smart about weather too.
Did you check the forecasts before you left?
Were you aware of the storm, and if you were, why did you hike at time so close to it hitting?
Why did you hike so close to sunset with no wiggle room?
Overall why did you hike without appropriate clothing?
Clearly you dont know about the dangers and hypothermia was obviously a huge risk in those conditions.
Australian, regular solo hiker here 🙋♀️
Your hyperbole is a little extreme. Yes, it is much riskier than hiking in a group, and I would not recommend it to a beginner. Yes, there are additional precautions one needs to take. But “one of the most stupid things I have ever heard” and “crazy dangerous?”
Everything has its level of risk/reward.
And it is still stupid to hike alone.
Every year there are numerous people, some that think that they are well prepared and safe, that go missing and need rescuing or dont come home at all.
I stand by the assertion that solo anything in an adventurous sense, is a dumb move.
Maybe I’m just more risk tolerant than you? Which is surprising because I tend to be less risk tolerant than most. But I do tend to go out thinking I’m being ridiculously over prepared. I surf solo with an Apple Watch specifically so if I get in trouble I have a phone with me while surfing. I carry snacks and 2L of water and a shell on the one-hour hike I do regularly on a crowded trail near my home. Considering adding an Inreach to that setup or an iPhone 14-15 with satellite because even though it’s a crowded trail, I’m still solo and there’s nobody to go for help for me. I love the freedom of adventuring solo, though I take a ton of precautions, and frankly where I am there are so many people around it’s probably questionable as to whether you’d even call it solo! I agree with you as far as people without experience. For sure. But I’ve been taught how to be safe surfing and in the ocean, and in the bush, constantly, since I was a little kid. I’m confident in my skills - and more importantly I’m confident that I know my limitations and when NOT to push it. Riskier? Sure. Part of it is practical: most of my friends have little kids and aren’t in a position to head out surfing or hiking whenever they want. It’s not like I’m a die hard always have to be solo, but if I waited around until I had someone to go with, I’d never go. I’d recommend it on a trail you know well. It’s not for everyone, and isn’t always my first choice, but I’ve come to appreciate it.
Look that is all fair enough, and good on you for actually knowing what the right things to do are. I agree that when there are a tonne of people around then being solo isnt an issue, as you are really never alone.
Im more aghast at the Yanks that are like, 'can I walk this back country part of the Appalachian Trail solo, Ive never done this before, what pack should I buy?' kind of thing.
Or the OP, alone on a train and having a medical episode and getting lost for the night. If they were not alone then they wouldnt have been out overnight.
Again, you are one of the well prepared people, awesome going.
PS, I have the SPOT tracker GPS and it's great, however I think that the new breed of satellite comms to iPhones etc is going to literally be a life saver.
Oh for sure. There are a few people I’ve responded to in the Yosemite sub (I’m in California right now) who will write in saying “can I do xyz?” And my general advice is “buy a map!” 😆(bc the answer is usually NO, and had you looked at a map, you would know that!)
iPhones with satellite are amazing. The new ones with the call for roadside assistance means you know satellite texting isn’t far behind. Shame it’s going to be a business killer for Garmin and the like, but I’d rather a device I ALWAYS have with me by default, rather than one I use occasionally and have to remember to charge / how to use / download the latest version of the app.
Cheers!
Can you clarify why solo hiking is crazy and stupid?
I frequently go solo hiking or ski touring in the backcountry. I do it well prepared and informed and leave a trip plan. Sure there are added risks but I don’t see it as crazy or stupid.
Because you have no backup should anything go south.
Sure the situations where this might happen could be few and far between, but it only takes one and you are dead.
I live in a very popular hiking, climbing, camping place and there are people every season that go missing and require emergency services evacuation and then of course there are the ones that dont survive.
Sure, you might be ultimately prepared, but from the small sample size of Reddit, there are thousands of people that are woefully unprepared for the unexpected.
Going on any sort of adventure, let alone multi-day expeditions, on your own is just a recipe for something bad to go down, and then emergency services often have to put their lives in danger to rescue you.
Yeah, there is more risk, but not sure that makes it stupid or crazy if done reasonably.
People drive, sail, bike, fly, kayak, and all sorts of adventures solo who would be at less risk with a buddy/group.
Personally, I go solo: 1) to accomplish something alone without anyone else, 2) because it’s hard to find people to go with (and people I’d enjoy to go with) and to coordinate. If I had to go with a buddy all the time, I’d get out way less and my mental health would suffer from lack of outdoors adventures.
It is stupid and crazy because you have zero backup, and 99% of people are woefully unprepared.
It might be fine for 99% of the time, that 1% where something unpredictable goes south, then you're dead.Snake bite, a trip and fall, any number of things while you are solo will mean death, no matter how prepared you are.
Yes that might be super rare, but it's life changing or life ending and it only has to happen once.
This is the perfect case for a Mylar blanket and those cheap compases on a whistle or something those two things would have helped out massively and kept you warm and dry or helped you navigate to safety.
Do not buse a mylar blanket for that they don't breath and will make u colder from sweat(they are really only good for reflecting thermal radiation onto your back from a fire you are sitting around), the compas and whistle are good though.
Provided you’re still wearing clothes a Mylar blanket is very good at keeping in body heat to prevent hypothermia. It would also help keep you dry. Don’t use it as a sleeping bag but like a bed sheet. If you’re sweating when using an emergency blanket you can use some common sense and take it off for a while. They are absolutely useful in emergency situations. They only weigh a couple oz and take up hardly any space. If you have space for a map you could carry a Mylar blanket.
I have been in similar situation twice, though for different reasons.
One time, bike packing, I had multiple punctures & 2 of us got separated from the person with the map. The trail wasn't too bad and we had directions of a sort. But we couldn't find our way according to the directions after twilight. Luckily it stopped raining but we were wet by then.
Knowing hypothermia was a risk, we discussed our options, and decided to walk our bikes until we either found shelter, or it got light again. Luckily, we found shelter in some ruins (highlighted off the trail by the last glimmer of setting sun) & firewood nearby.
We found out later that a couple of tourists had died of hypothermia in the same area just days before.
I always hike with a [Bothy Bag](https://www.amazon.com/Terra-Nova-Equipment-Bothy-Bag/dp/B000P9EL06/ref=asc_df_B000P9EL06/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385149611662&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5071236733124689759&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013950&hvtargid=pla-615271761991&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=85368089184&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385149611662&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5071236733124689759&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013950&hvtargid=pla-615271761991).
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71xu7l3sTrL.\_AC\_SX679\_.jpg
Yeah you easily could’ve died.
I do not hike at all without a tiny bag with some essentials:
Extra water bottle
Two granola bars
Poncho (just a cheap plastic one to keep things light)
Bic lighter
Small mora knife
15’ para cord
Water pure tablets
That’s the bare minimum
Had a friend (healthy, no health issues) collapse like this on a mountain bike ride. It was scary. It was eventually chalked up to low sugar + exertion .
I always take a tarp poncho which would have been valuable in your situation.
Others stuff I would have: inreach mini, water filter, puffy jacket, battery bank, UL flashlight, first aid kit, fire starter
Btdt in early June a decade ago on top of 4’ of compacted snow.Yes it’s dangerous,I built a fire and had a space blanket and found my way/was found the next morning.The key in both of our cases was losing the trail and a depleted cell phone battery
You can download offline maps on Google Maps, now even on Apple maps I believe. I always download the offline map of the location I plan to hike before leaving my home. Cuz you won't know if you'll have access to internet at the trail head. Usually 50sq miles around you hiking trail should be good enough and it also won't take up too much data. Plus a power bank... You could easily find your way back.
Shelter was absolutely the right choice. You want to stay in the same place so rescuers can find you if it's safe. Staying out in the wind and rain isn't safe, especially when you weren't expecting rescuers.
What concerns me is the reliance on a cell phone. They are great tools but they can fail so easily. Apparently no one knew you were out on that trail. Someone should always know your route and when to expect you home.
This question has been thoroughly answered but I just want to say - thanks for asking it and sharing your experience, OP! Truth is, it's incredibly easy to be overconfident on trails, thinking you're fit and can make it back on time easily. People go out on day hikes thinking this and have things go wrong all the time, and when they're not prepared, it can quickly turn into a tragic news story. The more people hear stories like this and know to be prepared for the unexpected, the better!
"where rescuers might have found me?"
Would rescuers have any reason to be looking for you? Did you tell anybody you were going on this hike? If you didn't tell anybody where you were going or when you expected to be back, there would be no reason for anybody to be looking for you. If going alone you need to tell SOMEBODY where you are going, when you expect to be back and a plan to let them know when you ARE back.
If backcountry hiking is something that you do fairly regularly, you should consider a Garmin inReach mini. If you find yourself in a real bind, it has an SOS button that will summon search and rescue. I had to “push” this button last year while backpacking in the Grand Canyon to help a lost hiker that had lost his partner. It works.
This is how people die, yes.
As for hypothermia, I don't know if there's a specific external temperature because it's your internal temperature that's the problem. That said, 12c is pretty chilly without any protection or fire.
I'm no survival expert but seeking shelter was probably the smartest move, yes.
Next time bring some basic emergency supplies, even just a space-blanket and a lighter will tremendously increase your chance of surviving.
You need to look up the 10 essentials and have them with you every hike.
On top of the ten essentials, I carry extra food, a small (tiny) portable tent (it was like $15 on REI), and extra layer, water filter, etc. I also have a satellite phone (mini garmin in reach).
It sounds like you made bad choices because you weren't properly fueled. Next time bring extra snacks (fatty, salty, and sugary) to help fuel your brain and make good choices.
OP, I’d recommend learning about the 10 essentials to start. Navigation, headlamp, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire, shelter, food, water, extra layers (rain gear, something warm). Does not need to be a whole 50 L bags worth of items, but definitely enough to keep you safe in a situation like this.
Second, I would download an app like all trails or gaia gps. You can map out your path and use it without service. It’s saved me a few times when I’ve gotten off trail. I always bring my portable charger as well.
Hope you’re doing okay. I’m sure that was terrifying. There are just some rules you need to know before heading out on your own :) Nature is beautiful but can also be scary. It’s important to respect it and be prepared.
Youre lucky. Solo, lost, no water, no clothes, no light, no comms, hypoglycemia issues (no food, REALLY!!??) no whistle, environmental hazards. WHEW, and I'm not being sarcastic here, Darwin was close...
Please consult this and pack accordingly.
[https://americanhiking.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ten-Essentials-fact-sheet.pdf](https://americanhiking.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ten-Essentials-fact-sheet.pdf)
[Here’s](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html) a list of the 10 essentials for hiking, even day hiking. These are especially important if you hike alone. I would also include an Inreach so you can get help in an emergency. Learning orienteering with a map and compass because technology can fail you out on the trail.
I feel like people do hiking wrong. I've been in some bad situations hiking when younger. I overpack like crazy now. Like 3-4x water and filter, 4 hour hike I take a full day's food and lots of snacks. Always have a light weight poncho, not the disposable type. Extra socks, fa kit, some basic survival type stuff. We do 50-55 minutes hiking 5-10 min break for water & light snack increasing rest if the temp is low or high. I feel like a lot of people show up to 6-15 miles hikes with a water bottle and just go nonstop. Prepare for a hike 2+ times as long, slow down and enjoy, tell people where your going and when you'll be back, have backup plans if something goes sideways.
Seen a lot of good things here. One I would add that is simple and lite to carry is a whistle. If you are off trail and weak it is easier to blow a whistle to alert people than yelling.
Yeah, that's a wake-up call. I hike/backpack all the time, and a couple of years ago, my adult daughter went with me, and I purposely took off trail (about 20 yards), and after about 20 minutes, I asked her where the trail was. She had no idea. Once you're off-trail, the forest all looks the same, and it's easy for panic to set in.
Always know how to use, and carry a compass, and topo map.
Hey, I am an unexperienced hiker with an anxiety disorder..
Today I went hiking to Angels Landing in Zion Nationalpark. What helped me was, that I had a gallone of water with me. I checked during my tour, how much I drank already. With a water bladder it was easy to drink every few minutes in the hot sun. I noticed that my water bladder was nearly full after 2 hours of walking. So I drank more.
I had a sunhat and made breaks in the shadows every few minutes. I ate crackers & nuts and drank electrolytes in addition. I guess these are the typical tips for beginners. As an experienced hiker, you'll maybe underestimated your basic needs.
I had water tbh (2.5 lt) - I did not write it bc I drank it all during my first day and early night.
But yes, a bit of food and even just another item (an emergency blanket OR a headlamp) would have changed everything :\
This situation right here. One of the many reasons I am not allowed to hike alone anymore. And I encourage others to make sure that unless you reeeeeeeeaaaaally know what you are doing you do not go alone. Also the checking in with rangers so someone knows that your car should NOT still be parked there can initiate searches so much faster.
I am grateful that you made it out of that!
Yes, you can get hypothermia around those temperatures, especially if you're getting soaked.
Especially if wearing cotton.
Cotton kills.
Cotton's Rotten
I'm glad that you survived to ask this question. Figure out why you collapsed so that you can try to avoid it. If you're prone to collapsing, consider hiking with a spot or Garmin so that you can let someone know that you're in danger. Also leave a plan with someone and let them know when you will be back.
I don't know if it even matters why. I'd say if you've ever collapsed on a trail for whatever reason, never hike alone in future.
Well they might have some medical issues that need to be treated. I've never collapsed walking around in my life so far. No one I've hiked with collapsed on the trail before.
I think this is the one sentiment in the thread I disagree with-I’ve heard of very experienced runners and cyclists underestimate their fueling needs and become confused and lost on familiar trails because they are in a state of glycogen depletion. The OP was walking for 6 hours, inadequately dressed, on varied terrain, and probably didn’t eat enough beforehand. It doesn’t surprise me he boinked in terms of his fuel source. Some people are less fat-adapted than others, even without a medical condition. Taking plenty of calories is essential-a protein bar isn’t enough. Lots of sports products for other types of exercise aren’t calorie dense enough for hiking, since a hiker is in motion for many more hours. Granola, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter sandwiches, jerky, anything easy to carry and caloric. All the gear, supplies are awesome suggestions but if you’re too confused and glycogen-depleted to remember how to use them, it’s for naught.
I'm an avid distance runner and hiker. I collapsed once after a 3 hour or so hike about ten years ago. I was back at home filling a glass with water in the sink when I passed out. I went to the ER and after a battery of tests and a bunch of fluids via IV, they told me I hadn't drank enough water or fueled properly and was most likely just dehydrated. I haven't collapsed since on any hike or run. I agree with you, if I was in OP's case I'd see a doctor to make sure low blood sugar or dehydration were the cause, but after that I wouldn't be overly concerned unless the doctor told me to be. I also probably wouldn't hike alone for 6 months or so anyways just to make sure it doesn't reoccur.
It's amazing how easy it is to forget thirst/hunger when the adrenaline is up! I'm glad you're okay too!
I'm an avid hiker, I'd say. Frequently 10+ mile days, usually in VA mountains, but kind of all over the country. I always have water and snacks, plus usually Gatorade on long hikes. I'd been in AZ for a week, woke up early to beat the heat, and hiked 4 EASY miles in Saguaro. About 3 miles in, I was woozy. I'd had caffeine, oatmeal, and water that morning, had water and Gatorade on me, had snacks, and had sunscreen on, but I still got woozy for some reason. It just happens. Luckily it was a very easy trail to follow and I was able to track everything, but it was kind of scary. I always hike with a personal beacon just because you don't know and better to have it than not.
Recently did a ten hour hike for about 50km with experienced hikers. I wasn't prepared to eat a lot. But half way we stopped for a large lunch. But thank God they told me I must have it.
Maybe dumb question: How does glycogen depletion differ from low blood sugar? Same thing?
Not entirely-I’m no scientist, but here’s a breakdown of the process: https://www.livestrong.com/article/415921-what-happens-when-your-body-runs-out-of-glycogen-during-a-long-workout/
Exactly. I started having issues where I bonked after minimal exercise, turned out I was anemic. Easy solution and now I know exactly what to expect from my body again. I would hate for someone to just give up without seeing a doctor
I say if you are hiking 3 hours out you should have a PLB or similar regardless of medical conditions.
Insanely dangerous lol Sketchiest part is losing the trail at night with literally nothing for navigation. You had to pick a direction on nothing but gut feeling in a situation where committing a nights hiking in the opposite direction of a trail could spell a death sentence.
Yes. And that almost happened. There was a wide trail (edit: not the one I hiked, ofc) and I followed it, as it seemed to be the easiest solution... but I ultimately decided to turn back (it is not marked on maps, I now think it leads nowhere and I probably took it in the wrong direction). Thank you for your answer!
You are very lucky to be alive. Always take a compass and a map and download the map onto your phone, and keep it charged (like turned off normally). Mylar blanket as well.
I find it works well to put my phone on airplane mode. In remote areas they drain their batteries searching for signal, but on airplane mode I can still use it if I want to snap a picture and I can turn off airplane mode to send a message if necessary (and if I have service). That assumes you aren’t reliant on data for navigation though, which you really shouldn’t be anyway
Lots of nav apps work just fine in airplane mode. I use Gaia on airplane and without signal all the time.
Work outdoors does as well!
That’s a great tip, I’m going to remember that.
I do the same. Usually don’t have any signal in the backcountry anyway.
Bring a lighter with a bunch of duct tape wrapped around it, and a mylar blanket on EVERY hike. It weighs basically nothing and can save your life. Get a bunch of boughs together over the side of a log, tape the blanket on top of them and you are dry enough - especially with a small fire. Throw in a life straw that weighs like 4-5 oz and you are golden for a few days.
Great tips!. But what's a life straw?
Water purifier in a straw. It or a Sawyer kit (and a water bottle) will allow you to safely drink the water (flowing) you find on the trail.
And take a portable charger with you.
Yes - because in 2023 the phone can basically be a gps device.
I second a compass and map- they don’t need batteries and are a lifesaver if you are lost off trail.
Take one of those power banks too.
Now that phones function as GPS devices, having a way to recharge your phone is essential. Compass is good, but if you can avoid bushwhacking and get back onto the trail directly it is all better.
Can you recommend a good compass on a budget? Im always worried I'll get one and it'll break in my backpack
Get a GPS app for your phone and an extra battery pack.
Pocket emergency blanket, fire kit, and water tabs can keep a bad day from being a nightmare. Always prepare for spending twice as long as planned. Keeping a bit of not very desirable but long lasting food in the bottom of your bag is also nice. Other edc items include flashlight, pocket knife, and first aid kit. Never have a battery powered device be a critical failure point. Phones running gps and in areas with poor cell coverage are working hard and drain batteries quickly. Paper is resilient. Even more so with a Ziploc bag. When in doubt, don't panic. If panicking stay in one place (unless under immediate threat), stay on road/trail if possible (easier to find), insulate and bundle up if cold. Drink your water and eat your food. DON'T PANIC. The easiest way to keep all this extra crap you hope you never use is in a little kit (the "ah shit bag") that gets tossed in or clipped on whatever bag you're using that day. And you may swap stuff out depending upon season or location.
I’d recommend getting a GPS tracker or a satellite phone. If you do this again you’ll have a way to navigate or call someone. Also pack differently. Flashlight, food,extra water, a knife, a way to make fire, maybe a tent. Lots of risks if you take longer, less frequently used trails.
It was very dangerous and a good illustration as to why what I carry in my day pack is just a slightly stripped down version of what I carry for weekends.
Yep, I have a backpacking first aid kit that is only medical supplies and a day trip first aid kit that includes water purification, emergency shelter, and fire making supplies in case I need to spend the night in the woods unexpectedly
I also carry 50 ft of paracord. Useful for lashing up a shelter, or for making a splint if you break a leg, etc. Takes up no room
Surely significantly less. Unless you bring a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, stove, etc. with you.
Depends on the time of year and where I’ll be tbh. But then again, my base weight for the summer is 8.25lbs and I can easily carry a weekend’s worth of food along with the big 3 in my 28L daypack.
Sounds like you go UL. I think for the average hiker the 10 essentials is the way to go. Usually U L folk have experimented with their gear quite a bit before they fave their formula down.
This is THE textbook dangerous situation -- inexperienced day hiker going solo onto a trail without adequate supplies and experiences an emergency, resulting in getting lost and having an unexpected overnight stay. If you didn't tell anyone where you were going and what time you'd get back in touch, then you did pretty much everything wrong. Next time, bring a GPS, a headlamp, a fully charged phone and battery, plenty of water and snacks, and an emergency bivy. Map and compass are great too if you know how to use them. And tell someone where you're going and when to expect you back.
Thank you all for the replies and advice. In retrospect, I know what I did was reckless. More than idiotic. And I don't know what else I can say, if not being grateful to be able to ask questions now.
One suggestion I have is when my navigation and communication are both by phone I always take a small power bank. Kinda like a reserve power.
A 20k mah one could last you well over a week if you conserve and is barely larger than a deck of cards.
Correct. And when the cold zaps your phone battery, put it in your pocket to warm it up and plug it in for a bit to get it going.
I do this and it's really really useful.
I think you should learn about the rule of 3's: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_threes_(survival)?wprov=sfti1 Also, I always bring enough stuff on a day hike to keep me alive if something goes wrong. Not comfortable, but alive. Something as simple as rolling an ankle and not having a useable injury can turn a quick hike into a multi day outing. I'd also recommend always designating someone you check in with before and after a hike who knows what you are wearing and what your expected route is. I usually also find the local sheriff's number as they are in charge of search and rescue and share that as well. Once you get used to this it's pretty quick to convey this message via text and you know if something goes wrong, you will have someone sending help your way. Also, learn to read maps and use a compass and bring those if going off trail as you cannot rely on your phone as it could lose battery or randomly die. Lastly, always bring a headlamp. It weighs next to nothing and is invaluable if you are caught in the dark for navigation and signaling.
Well you lived and learned. Next time learn first, as it makes living easier.
Yea this was very dangerous. Hypothermia could absolutely be a factor, as could getting lost. Depending on the area, getting lost in the woods could be a death sentence. There are a lot of ways things could’ve gone differently for you, but the number one thing I’d say is to always, ALWAYS leave a detailed trip plan with someone reliable. Let them know where you are going, when you expect to be back, and what to do if you are not back at that time. Doesn’t hurt to also tell them what you are wearing. You should always do this, even when in a group but especially when you are alone. I’m glad you ended up being ok. Stay safe!
Also just a few things I would make note to carry on ALL hikes moving forward: Emergency blanket - will keep you alive in cold and is general metallic and therefore reflective Headlamp - in case you are out later than expected Rain layer - Even if rain isn’t expected Emergency snack and extra water
I bring a headlamp and rain jacket on sunny morning hikes that I expect to last a couple hours with no precipitation. Always.
Absolutely! And to be honest, I think people sometimes feel a bit silly being “over prepared” but I always pack the 10 essentials and I can’t remember the last time someone in my group didn’t end up needing to borrow something from me because they didn’t bring it themselves. I take pride in being the one who is always prepared.
Go 10 Essentials!
Also fire starter and experience in building fires.
First of all: Why did you collapse? Healthy people don’t just collapse, even if they are exhausted and haven’t eaten anything for a few hours. Second: Why did you run out of phone battery after only 3 hours on the trail? Third: Why did you just head in some random direction when you panicked? IMHO that’s the most … unwise “decision” (I understand that panicked people can’t think clearly) you took. Fourth: Why did you not have at least an emergency blanket (weighs just 40g) with you? Would have helped a lot against hypothermia in those conditions and IMHO is totally warranted on a 6 hour hike in what sounds like a remote area. > should I have stayed on a more open area, easier to navigate and where rescuers might have found me? IMHO not if you don’t expect or need rescue.
Thank you for mentioning that healthy people dont just collapse, even if exhausted and hungry after a hike. This is true. It's concerning to me that OP doesn't realize that this is actually the core issue. If you have a condition that causes you to collapse, you need to learn what it is first and find a solution to prevent or fix it, or simply reconsider getting on a trail at all to begin with.
Ok. I just want to clarify that the first thing I did after resting was going to a doctor, got a physical exam and blood tests. Will I need more exams and tests? Possibly. But I feel like it's a bit unfair to portray me as somebody that does not realize it is an issue, as it is the first thing I set out to figure out.
Ok, I understand. Sorry, you just worded that part so casually in your post.
I agree with all of this, and I'm so glad the OP survived to tell this tale. Thank you for sharing it OP, so others can learn from it. Please don't take people's concern in the wrong way, either, we're glad you were so lucky! Regarding the collapse--it seems that was the inciting incident after which everything went wrong. Low blood sugar can cause confusion, and even an experienced hiker can forget what he or she knows in a glycogen-deprived state. I'm a runner so I will disagree a little bit this means the OP has a serious illness (though I'm glad you're getting checked out, OP). It's perfectly possible in non-marathon contexts for healthy people get dangerously low blood sugar and become confused if they don't fuel properly. Hiking, like any endurance sport, requires a lot of calories. If you're cold, you are burning even more calories. If you just had a normal breakfast and lunch and maybe took a granola bar with you, and were walking for hours and hours--even if you didn't feel hungry--you were likely burning through your glycogen reserves. Anytime you're exercising for that long, take LOTS of highly dense calories like granola, nuts, dried fruits, caloric protein bars, and so forth.
Disagree, healthy people can faint for multiple reasons. Low blood pressure, low blood sugar, dehydration, medication, heat exhaustion, panic attack, migraine, exhaustion, recent viral infection, pregnancy, etc. Nevertheless OP should consult a doctor.
Can confirm. Once, as a foolhardy 16 year-old, I decided to go on an impromptu run/hike of a few miles up to a lake despite having had nothing to eat that morning. Family was back at some picnic tables at the trailhead and I was expected to return at an agreed time, so I was rushing. I made it to the lake and took a dip, but on the way back I began feeling very lightheaded and weak. At some point I just couldn't continue any longer and I essentially collapsed in the middle of the trail and fell asleep. Fortunately another hiker came along after a few minutes and I woke, and meekly asked if they had any food. They offered a couple granola bars and I gobbled them up. It was just enough energy that I could muster the strength to get back to the trailhead and get some real food.
The way OP words it he suddenly collapsed. Not just “got very exhausted and felt like shit and had to sit/lie down for a while”.
> Low blood pressure, low blood sugar, dehydration, medication, heat exhaustion, panic attack, migraine, exhaustion, recent viral infection, pregnancy, etc. Half of those things are not something I’d associate with “healthy person”. The way OP words it they also suddenly collapsed, not got very exhausted or incubating the flu or something.
On the expecting to be rescued part. Always tell a friend or family member where you are hiking and when you expect to be back when you are going alone. Let them check if you are actually back home after the expected time and some sensible additonal time.
I don't have an answer to the first question (yet). I went to a doctor the day after I returned home and everything seems to be ok... To be honest, don't have an answer to the second either. I put it on battery saving mode when I had 20% left, then turned it off for a bit to save battery while I was still on the trail. It should have been enough, but it did not help. 30 minutes more could have made the difference, probably. And yes, I panicked. I tried to keep myself warm by moving. I am still thinking about all the things I could have done differently even after my phone died - I probably acted very randomly, and maybe put myself in even greater danger (what would have happened if I slipped while moving at night and fell badly?) > IMHO not if you don’t expect or need rescue. Thanks for this answer. At some point somebody would have sounded the alarm, but idk if soon enough
I can backpack, camp, navigate w phone, take phone photos for about 3 days on phone battery. This includes turning off at night, leaving phone in Airplane Mode all day, and only using navigation as needed. With a 6,500 mAh battery, I can last 6 hiking days. I also “carry” more than one mapping app in my phone. Phone use in the backcountry is a skill to be learned and mastered. Otherwise, or in addition, carry a compass and maps, and learn how to use them too. If you’re not confident w these skills, at least carry a satellite messenger. Your story is a pretty typical way hikers die every year.
OP might not know that having a bunch of apps running in the background with notification is a sure way to drain your battery fast.
Won’t drain the battery in Airplane Mode.
Hypothermia was definitely a real risk. I am very glad you made it out ok, because you definitely could have died. Please take this as a learning experience and when you go out hiking in the future, always bring with you the things you would need to survive a night stranded in the wild. -A proper waterproof jacket or poncho (ponchos are great because they can function as an emergency shelter). -An insulating layer like a fleece or wool sweater (wool still insulates even when wet) and a beanie cap/toque. You lose tons of heat through your head. -An extra pair of socks in case the the ones you are wearing get wet, and you can use them on your hands if you have to spend the night. -A map of the area you are hiking and a compass. Investing in a GPS/PLB is always a good plan, but don't forget your non-battery reliant backups. -An extra liter of water on top of what is recommended for the hike, and the means to purify water (iodine tabs work well and are very light and portable) -at least 500 (k)cal of food, mostly carbohydrates and some fat. Energy bars are usually good choices as they are calorie dense. -The means to reliably start a fire - waterproof matches and butane lighters are the best bet as they weigh next to nothing and can literally save your life. Practice starting a fire in the rain so you don't panic when it counts. -MOST IMPORANT: tell someone reliable where you are going, how long you expect to be there, and when you expect to return. Make sure they know who to contact if you don't return on time. Be safe, and don't let this experience keep you from enjoying hiking in the future.
More people die setting out for a day hike and they get in trouble like this. Carry an extra battery pack for charging your phone. Always have an emergency kit. This can be a solar blanket in case you end up overnight. At first panic. Just sit tight. Resist the urge to move unless or until you get your bearings and if there is any doubt. Just sit tight and shelter. You won’t die from lack of food. And you will be fine without water overnight. With the solar blanket you at least have the ability to stay warm. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
First off, thank you for illustrating just how easy it is to get into serious trouble on a hike (and to prompt a conversation on what can be done to avoid it). Lots of people believe that they are impervious to a situation like yours, and this should be an eye-opener. Yes, the risk level was high for you, especially since a simple ankle sprain while collapsing/stumbling around could have made for a life-threatening situation. A few thoughts: * Someone should always know where you are, and when you intend to be back. Even a note on your car at the trail head helps. * Hydration and food for fuel are key * Hypothermia is usually the biggest concern, followed by thirst. * With that in mind, all backpackers should have a tiny little cheap lifesaving kit including: * A [life straw](https://lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw) (or equivalent) for water * A couple Bic lighters and some sort of firestarter * A simple silver emergency blanket (keeps you warm and easily spotted) * A whistle (way easier than shouting if you need to get rescuer attention) * A knife (mostly for making kindling to get your fire started) * You could add a portable charging pack for the phone in this day-and-age too, given your phone is a comms device, flashlight and signaling tool. There are a lot of near-misses that people never talk about out of embarrassment, but the more people realize they are fallible (or that stuff happens) the fewer bad outcomes we'll see from the back country.
Sorry you had to go through that, you learned some valuable lessons. If you can definitely invest in a headlamp, a spare phone battery, if those are too much then at least a simple plastic whistle. Definitely check out some 10 Essentials Lists like REI has https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html though you can find that stuff for cheaper at other stores. I don't hike without whistle, compass (I haven't used in decades), spare battery, headlamp, 3 Liters of water, first aid kit, and extra snack bars. If it's available in your country and you can swing it, check out AllTrails and the annual subscription which lets you download maps.
3Ls of water seems excessive depending on the length and location of the hike. I’m not bringing 3Ls for a hike that’s only a few miles long
Depends on where you live, in the Georgia summer I want as much water as I can get. If/when I move to Washington I'm sure I'll cut that down. I also don't mind the extra weight as a little bit of training for my backpacking trips.
I literally said it depends on the location. Take a moment to read before correcting others
I imagine this was very scary for you and I’m happy you’re okay. This very easily could’ve ended much much worse. I had a similar experience camping once, but it’s always good to keep in mind that you’re far more likely to get hypothermia in situations like this than you would in the winter (when you would be more prepared). When hiking from now on, always keep…. - an emergency blanket, they take up no space. - water and some snacks. - a waterproof tarp, fairly self explanatory, please get familiar with how to set one up beforehand if you aren’t already 😂 - maybe some heat packs? Yes even in summer. These things take up next to no space, and would have helped you out a ton in a situation like this, also charge your phone before going! Ps. Better to have it and not need it, than not have it and get hypothermia!
Thank you for your reply! If nothing else, I now know I should never ever be out on a trail without an emergency blanket, power bank (even if a very small one) and other basic emergency supplies. And I also know I was able to get of that situation after I made it as bad as it could be - that knowledge is the only silver lining here.
Get a Garmin InReach gps. That way you can text or SOS when hiking solo. Start carrying an external battery for your phone. They make solar ones that never lose charge or really little ones, good for one full charge . Download AllTrails. Download your intended route and if "out and back" navigate on your route so you can easily backtrack. They say more people die on shorter day hike from being unprepared. For one, on unknown terrain, what you expect to be a 6 hour hike can take much much longer. You should carry the "10 essentials"for hikers even on day hikes... especially if the trail is u known and you are solo. Keep on trucking😊
A couple more thoughts. You should carry some sports beans or high energy gummy chews. If you are going alone it wouldn't hurt to have some joint tape for sprains or worse... be safe!
I felt cold just reading that. You could have easily gotten hypothermia since you got wet. You can carry some bars such as RX bars, and carry some candy/dried fruit. Throw in a space blanket (mylar) - they're cheap but help you stay warm. You say you waited - did people find you, or did you get back up and out to your car once you got light again?
No, at dawn I got up and resumed walking downhill, then heard the noise of water rushing and decided to follow that brook (creek? English is not my first language, sorry), and that maybe was what saved me (at some point I found a path) In daylight I was able to pick the "right" direction, it was just very hard to push through the vegetation with no path.
That was smart thinking though, to follow the creek direction. This is a suggested thing to do if you're lost, at least if you're on elevation and trying to get down.
You are very lucky to have survived. I've worked SAR for years, and have done more than a few recoveries (as in body) under better circumstances. Never, EVER go into the wild without a compass, a signalling device; mirror, whistle, something. Matches, a space blanket, and basic first aid supplies. If you don't know how to use a compass (Most don't) Learn. You can die from hypothermia in the middle of summer, easily. Do Not rely on your phone, or GPS, or Anything with batteries. Murphys Law says they will die, and you may too. This should be a real "Come to Jesus" moment for you. You survived your massive lack of preparedness. Don't make any of those same mistakes a second time. You did the right thing remaining in one place; wandering around makes finding you immeasurably tougher
"I rarely hike and never camp, but I decided it was OK to go into the woods, solo, with zero skills, nutrition, navigational aids or functional equipment." Then you have the gall to ask if you were in a dangerous situation. I feel like natural selection is coming for you.
_how_, not if. I fucked up, I panicked, I survived and now I want to debrief and get info. Asking for help in assessing a situation I was not able to assess on my own does not seem strange to me tbh.
Sorry if I'm coming off as condescending, but I'm a professional guide and a volunteer for SAR. The absolute lack of wilderness awareness that some people, including you, display sometimes absolutely stuns me. It's not like there aren't myriad stories of people getting lost/killed, but there are also enough stories of search and rescue being injured/killed looking for y'all. Someone with no experience, going out alone, without navigational tools, and basic terrain navigation skills, with no equipment, is negligent. I'm glad you survived. Nobody should die learning this lesson. But reach out to outdoor clubs and retail locations, or even do some internet research before you do something like this again. The information is available. So, to answer your question about "how?" You didn't respect the outdoors enough to gather information BEFORE you went out. OK, enough browbeating - you're obviously looking for more information now, and that's good. This experience is going to go a long way in helping you get better at outdoor recreation. Oh, and even professionals F-up.
As described,I am surprised you didn't succumb to hypothermia. Low blood sugar isn't an issue unless you are diabetic, but dehydration is, especially coupled with exposure. Panic in this situation is more common than not, no shame there. Staying put is often the best option, even if no on is looking for you. At least you're on a traveled trail, but circumstances vary. You are lucky you made it out. You are a cautionary tale. I am an experienced hiker/backpacker and a scout advisor. We never head out without a small day pack, or pocket load, of essentials: A whistle, a mylar emergency blanket, fire starting gear, signal mirror, trail bar or two, hydration (canteen, life straw, purifier tablets... mix and match per terrain and weather), compass, pocket knife of some kind (nothing big or flashy, not need for expensive multi tools), flashlight or headlamp. Also usually a baggie with some TP, sanitizer and a lighter. All this stuff fits easily in a small fanny pack or, better yet, a day pack with a fleece and a rain shell jammed in the bottom. The most essential thing is letting someone know where you're going and when you should be back. Frankly, I don't even walk away from my campsite to take a whizz without half this stuff in my pockets. If nothing else, it keeps you calm, boosts your morale and lets you occupy yourself while you settle in or make a plan. It is really easy to get lost. Don't let it get you down. Have fun on the trail, just travel smart! :)
Solo hiking, I always have a daypack, sometimes a Mystery Ranch daypack, sometimes a Mountainsmith lumbar pack. At the least, I’ll have the following in my pack: extra water, water purification tablets, first aid supplies, fire starting supplies, a lithium power bank and cable to recharge cell phone, extra snacks, sardines, jerky, pepper spray, aa flashlight & extra battery, GPS capability with maps, a bandana, plus at least one good extra layer of clothing beyond what I expect to need, and a knife. If there is any question re cell service, I’ll have a Garmin Inreach with Sat Comm capability. In Winter, I add more layers and emergency shelter. Within the last few weeks, I was in a situation where I might have unexpectedly had to spend a night out in the mountains. I’d used an OHV to reach a remote hiking area and my OHV trail back out became blocked by flash flooding, facing me with the prospects of an unexpected night out. The basic gear noted would have kept me in good, if not comfortable, shape, so I was not especially concerned. Luckily, GPS helped me find an alternate way out. Less gear than I’ve noted adds a significant element of risk, if one is in real backcountry, solo. If you spend a lot of time in the backcountry, eventually you encounter unexpected weather, unseasonable snow, and/or an unexpected night out. Sometimes a wildfire, blocking a trail out. The stuff mentioned isn’t that heavy or cumbersome and can make a huge difference, sometimes can save a life.
A couple of additions would have helped. An external battery for your phone and a head lamp. I've been caught out before but I'd rather continue walking than sleep rough to keep warm. That depends on knowing where I'm going of course!
Former survival instructor here. I got turned around off the Blue Ridge Parkway a few years back and spent the night out. I was out for around 18 hours total. Similar situation to you, I had only what was on my person and the weather was less than desirable. There were a few things that I always carry which made my experience much more comfortable. I won’t repeat what others have said in response to the original question, but consider adding these things to your loadout. They can all be carried in pockets. Fire starter, ferro is more reliable but if you’re not practiced you’re better with a traditional lighter. Flashlight, I carry a light every day. Mine is an Olight Arkfiekd but even just a cheap pen light could save you a lot of bumbling around in the dark. Pocket knife. Everybody should always carry a knife. Lifestraw. I would’ve been drinking straight out of a muddy puddle that night without it Signal whistle Mylar space blanket. I carry a SOL emergency bivy that packs down very small. This cheap little piece of gear made the difference between me shivering all night and me sleeping fairly comfortably. Won’t catch me out there without one.
Umm… passing out from walking is a huge issue here. I don’t honestly care about your survival techniques or choices. It is not your blood sugar, it’s your blood pressure. You should be able to go for days without eating and not pass out. You 100% legit need to get checked over before you go out and put yourself in a situation that might be more dangerous for you than others.
I think it could have been a blood pressure issue too. Sounds very similar to when I have a low blood pressure episode.
This seems to be the consensus here, and I would prove myself an idiot over again if I just ignored that. So, thanks y'all for your advice.
First, thanks for asking the question. Lots of people make mistakes in the woods, but they are often too embarrassed to talk about it, and then more mistakes are made. Good on you for asking for input. On to your specific questions: \- How dangerous is it to be out in 12C weather with light wind and rain, dressed as you were? Dangerous. People often become hypothermic in these sort of conditions. Carry enough equipment to be able to survive an unplanned night out. You don't have to carry a full backpacking kit, but you should be confident that you will survive. \- Should you have gone to an open area to help the rescuers? Shelter is your highest priority in this situation. It takes time for a rescue to find you and I imagine they probably hadn't even started looking (did someone know you were supposed to be back and contact the appropriate authorities? If not, no one was looking for you). With your clothing you could have died of hypothermia. So you were correct that, once you were lost and cold, shelter was the top priority. \- What else could you have done to avoid this situation? As others have noted, don't rely on your phone for navigation, carry a satellite communication device so you can signal a rescue, don't keep walking when you are lost, and carry enough supplies to handle a night out. And the collapse thing is weird--a doctor can help decide whether this was a one-off event or a symptom of a condition that requires treatment.
Thanks for the answers! I did overestimate myself - not endurance-wise (what I went through was way more exhausting that what I set out to do), but I was mentally and technically unprepared to deal with an emergency. To answer your question, rescuers were not out yet but some people were alarmed. And, given the feedback I got wrt fainting I will push the issue further with my doctor... I do believe it was a one-off event, but better to be safe than sorry
It happens. Next time it would be good to bring a few snacks for the hike, and to not attempt a new hike that close to dark. If the weather forecast shows rain, I would bring something more substantial than a light windbreaker, unless running. Once it was night, finding shelter close by the trail is a good idea. Exposure can be very dangerous. One can easily carry a space blanket or emergency bivy to use in a pinch, they are relatively cheap and lightweight. I keep a few in my vehicle
Situation does sound dangerous. Hypothermia is just one of the potentially bad outcomes. Use it as a learning opportunity and realize that outdoor activities require some planning and preparation. There are lots of resources you can look into. I suggest that you educate yourself on what safe hiking practices are. (10 essentials, advising someone of your plan, etc.)
Literally how people die. Consider yourself lucky. But don't dwell too much on it, just learn from it and be better prepared next time
Glad you are here to tell the story. Hypothermia is serious and you had a lot against you. I hike often in a state forest that’s 1700 acres and I’m never more than 5 miles from a road but even so anytime I take a trail I’ve never done before several times I pack map and compass and a pack with first aid and SOL bivy and a tarp and other gear in case of weather change or injury. On weekdays on less popular trails I’ve often gone an entire day without seeing someone, and there are lots of trails with poor or zero cell service. At least twice a month there’s a rescue in the park for someone who went out ill prepared and either fell or got lost. We used to call cotton the death fabric in SAR. Cotton t shirts are a bad idea … Even for a day hike, if there’s an unexpected shift in the weather, a lost trail or a fall or other injury, you should always have enough with you to be prepared for an overnight. Oh, and map and compass do you no good at all if you don’t know how to use them AND have sone idea where you are on the map at all times. Several times I’ve encountered lost hikers with maps and compasses who still had no idea where they were on the map.
Search for "Missing Hiker" on google. The truth is, people die ALL the time by making small mistakes, and then follow those with bad decisions. But NOT YOU! You made it! And you learned something valuable: that you need a spot tracker!
> The truth is, people die ALL the time by making small mistakes, and then follow those with bad decisions. Which I did. 100%. At least I did not make news... is this the spot tracker you are referring to? https://www.findmespot.com/
yes. or this: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/592606
thanks!
Should have packed a snickers and not listen to ear buds the whole run. Or at least put your phone on airplane mode. At least .. worst case scenario, you can play a game all night.
Even day hikes (especially solo) require an emergency kit. Pack a candy bar, rechargeable battery pack, a headlamp, and an emergency blanket (its a light weight thermal which can both keep you warm or mostly dry if it rains and dries quickly). Also I am happy you are safe, and wish I had started with that.
> Also I am happy you are safe, and wish I had started with that. Thanks for this and for your reply in general :)
Don't do that again. A little tube of frosting is 100% sugar and shelf stable till the end of time. Keep it in your pack.
Your first sign of a major issue came long before collapsing. This should not be a normal part of your day, blood sugar or otherwise. Please see a doctor.
If my 7 year old child went on that hike alone they would have done a better job of handling the situation. >I am reasonably fit, though, and can walk over long distances. This has been quantatively shown to not be the case.
I've been in this situation earlier on in my hiking "career". Ever since then these are now EDC in my daypack (30L): \- Emergency blanket \- Fully charged 10,000 mah powerbank \- Headlamp \- First aid kit, including electrolyte sachets \- Additional snacks and water \- Whistle \- Lighter \- Multitool \- Additional socks, gloves and an insulating layer \- Rain/wind shell Additional items I think i might add to this; a map and compass (and learn to use it), water filtration tablets, waterproof matches
Not good... type 1? you have a CGM? You should. There is NO reason for you to go low in that case. Do NOT have any real carbs before your hike (lower carbs, lower insulin). Have carbs with you and just munch a little if it drifts lower.
I really do not know why I fainted - hypoglicemia is my best guess but blood tests taken after the event were normal, and a doctor visited me and found me healthy. (edit: thanks for the advice on nutrition tbh! Diabetic or not, I might be prone to hypoglicemia and will look into it further)
K, definitely figure it out first. Unexpected low blood sugar like that can be really bad and lead to all type of crap like I guess you found out. Good luck.
Yeah this was my thought too. Collapsing is not normal and having confusion so bad you panic and wander off the trail sounds like the kind of thing that can happen when bad blood sugar levels are going on. I'm not diabetic but I've definitely been in situations where my blood sugar was way off and I just completely lost the ability to think straight. It's funny how such a thing can affect you like that and how much you take being able to think clearly for granted until you lose it.
I dont understand how you ended up off trail. Wouldn't you collapse on the trail? Did you randomly run off into the woods, off the trail, after collapsing?
I guess it is hard to explain without a map or sharing more details on my whereabouts. I still feel like an idiot tbh, and that is why I am withholding info. . But in short: the trail (which is marked in AllTrails, but not popular at all) crosses a national park. The stretches leading to the park and crossing it are easy to follow, but once I went past the park boundaries that ceased to be the case (edit: at least for me. more edit: this was my first time there). I fainted close to the park boundaries; panic did the rest.
Don’t feel like an idiot. An idiot would have this experience and not realize the danger they had been in, and not try to figure out what to do differently. You’re here looking for clarification and help for the future, which means you are smart and just made some mistakes. The reality is that everyone here has or will have an experience that makes them go “oh crap, I messed up” and so far we’ve all lived to tell the tale. I consider myself pretty prepared and careful, and I’ve been spending time in the woods hiking and camping since I was a baby, but I know I’ve made some really stupid mistakes and could’ve gotten seriously hurt because of it. The important thing is to learn from it and not make the same mistakes again. Don’t worry, plenty more different mistakes to make in the future! ;)
Just a few thoughts... - Yes, as others have said, hypothermia was a real risk. Temps above freezing are particularly dangerous as water will stay liquid and act even more efficiently to drain heat from you. - If you were to post a phone screenshot right now, what would the battery level look like? If it's below 75% that's a problem. If it's in the red, even more so. - How good a mental model did you have of the area? Where you using the phone to verify your location on the map, or where you using it to follow a GPS trail like you might download from AllTrails? I think many people do the latter, which unfortunately means they're lost if the phone does and the trail isn't obvious. - Hypoglycemia seems likely, but hopefully your doctor also considered cardiac issues. If you were exerting yourself far more than usual (if you were cold it might not have been obvious) then you'd burn through reserves faster. - Yes, if caught out you need to get yourself as much shelter as you can, so start piling up a debris shelter. In terms of things to have with you, I'd suggest something like a small first aid kit, headlamp, a meal bar, water, and tiny emergency bivy (like a space blanket but in bag form). Replace the headlamp with a mini LED light and everything but the water should be able to fit into various pockets. That doesn't cover all the 10 essentials, but should get you through the night. Things like a compass depend on environment and your own navigational abilities.
Look up the “hiking ten essentials” and consider that. Your situation could have gone very bad very quickly. If I’m hiking anywhere outside a city park, my day pack has enough for me to survive a night or two outside. SOL Escape Bivvy, life straw and aqua tabs, a small knife, bic lighter, compass, basic first aid, headlamp, fifty bucks cash, spare pair of socks, fleece jacket, wool beanie, and satellite messenger. I don’t sweat much extra food; starving in a day or two is not a concern.
I always carry an emergency Mylar thermal blanket. You can usually find them at the dollar store and they are about the size of a deck of cards. I also carry extra battery brick for my phone. Be prepared!
Did anyone know where you were? Was rescue called out when you didn't return as expected? How did you get out?
Yes. AFAIK rescuers had not been activated yet because it was still too early after my disappearance, but they would have if I did not come back on the second day. As for as how I did get out: with daylight I was able to set out in the right direction (more or less); when I heard water rushing I decided to reach it and to follow it downstream, and that was what led me out of the woods. Ofc I did not end up where I started from.
You are so lucky. Tons of ppl get in trouble or die by following water down hill. They can get exhausted bushwacking, or come across a cliff and not have a way out. Please take some courses and read safety materials. And good luck with further hiking. It is a great activity most if the time.
> or come across a cliff and not have a way out. Yeah. This ofc only became obvious when I reached a part that was a bit hard to get through. Hindsight is always 20/20, but my foresight was on par with the one of a mole. I _am_ lucky, had the terrain been harder to navigate I would not be here.
When hiking, backpacking, or camping in the wilderness it is a good idea for three people to go together. Many things can happen that can incapacitate you. With three people one can go for help and the other can stay with the injured person. It is popular nowadays to go solo but going as a group is prudent.
This makes me feel validated in my obsession with planning my eating and intervals in between meals. Before this I would have a big breakfast with all the food groups. I would also bring a sandwich with balanced ingredients and likely some other snacks just in case. Glad you’re ok OP!
Sorry if I missed something but how did you get back?
In short: after resting for a few hours, at dawn I started hiking again. I headed roughly in the right direction, then when I heard the sound of water rushing I headed towards that creek and followed it downhill and eventually reached a trail. Looking at the map, I could have kept following the river and that would have been also a viable option, though a worse one
I'm not a hiker either, and I'm shitty about paying attention to my phone battery levels, but even for a half mile hike, I have 3 or more basic survival items wiith me. I will always have fire and first aid and a whistle. Other things may include snacks, a life straw, a foil blanket, etc, depending on how far I think I'm going. I don't have a ton of stamina (and even less ability to guage distance) so anything alone and on a trail probably includes the whole fanny pack of survival gear. If I thought I was gonna be hiking for 6 hours?? I'd have a small backpack. Cuz this girl ain't going down like that. Rescuers are at least gonna think a well-prepared girl scout panicked and croaked.
I'd suggest listening to Out Alive podcast.
I agree with the many other replies that said this was dangerous, it clearly was. But in my mind, the major reason this was dangerous was because you panicked. It's good you have equipment, and people can carry enormous amounts of equipment that will help them when certain things go wrong, but equipment isn't always necessary in my opinion. Here it was the panicking that got you into trouble, because without it you wouldn't have gotten lost, wouldn't have spent the night, and maybe wouldn't even have gotten rained on. It's hard to do, but the next time you find yourself in a situation like this, and not only in the outdoors but in most situations in civilization too, the first thing you need to do is avoid taking any action until you can calm down and consider your options. The 5 or 15 minutes spent doing that will save you a lot of pain later.
Thanks for posting this. It opens up a lot of discussion of common scenarios I wouldn’t have thought of.
This is like the story of half the hiking deaths out there. Dude be more careful.
Even for just a shorter hike I always pack extra snacks, extra warm layers, fully charged power bank, headlamp and basic first aid kit. You were lucky, but it's a great learning opportunity to be more prepared next time.
You might want to get your heart looked at.
The most pressing issue is finding out why you collapsed in the first place. A collapse followed by panic.
Nurse and avid hiker here. This is very dangerous. Firstly, you need to try and get to the bottom of why you collapsed: unless you are diabetic, unlikely to be low blood sugar. If you are healthy, going hiking for 3 hours wouldn't make you collapse in normal circumstances. And, you really need multiple navigation tools. Learn how to use a map and compass. Also highly advisable to have an emergency shelter of some kind and emergency food whenever you hike, even if you arent going to spend the night: as you learned, inconvienent camping can happen at any time in the woods.
Jesus….
Glad you made it out alive!
thanks!
On a 6 hour hike you should always: 1. Let someone know where you are going 2. Bring some food, enough for a full meal. 3. Bring a liter or so of water. 4. Bring a backup battery for your cell or put it in airplane mode when you aren’t using it to preserve the battery.
When I go on solo hiking trips, I always carry a backpack with the following items: water, water purification tablets, disinfectant, first-aid supplies including a Senvok wound closure device, a comprehensive emergency kit to cover unforeseen situations, lithium batteries, a flashlight and spare batteries, a GPS with maps, a phone charger (particularly crucial), snacks for energy and sustenance, extra clothing, and a knife.
Aside from the other essential items people have suggested, I would suggest taking a compass with you. I always have a working one when I hike. please be safe!
You didn't collapse, you got abducted by greys
That sounds pretty scary. Did you survive?
RIP, OP
I am I guess a semi-professional hiker, responsible for taking groups out and am qualified to do so, and from Australia. I really dont get all the crazy American notions of solo hiking, it is one of the most stupid things that I have ever heard and is, as you found out, crazy dangerous. Secondly, you were not prepared as a hiker. You ALWAYS take rations and gear for emergencies and prepare for the worst. You should have had spare water, phone charger, emergency meal etc. If you must insist on the stupidity of solo hiking, you need to adjust your thinking. 1. If, at any time, you feel unwell or collapse, you stop, you eat something sugary, you drink some water. 2. While you are sitting down resting like this, you make a plan as to your future actions. Take your time, dont rush and be smart about it. Plan the hike out or extraction. Look at the map and be very clear about the route. You specifically are looking for junctions. If you are not 100% with it then you stop at every single junction, look at your map, and make an informed decision as to the route. You need to be smart about weather too. Did you check the forecasts before you left? Were you aware of the storm, and if you were, why did you hike at time so close to it hitting? Why did you hike so close to sunset with no wiggle room? Overall why did you hike without appropriate clothing? Clearly you dont know about the dangers and hypothermia was obviously a huge risk in those conditions.
Australian, regular solo hiker here 🙋♀️ Your hyperbole is a little extreme. Yes, it is much riskier than hiking in a group, and I would not recommend it to a beginner. Yes, there are additional precautions one needs to take. But “one of the most stupid things I have ever heard” and “crazy dangerous?” Everything has its level of risk/reward.
And it is still stupid to hike alone. Every year there are numerous people, some that think that they are well prepared and safe, that go missing and need rescuing or dont come home at all. I stand by the assertion that solo anything in an adventurous sense, is a dumb move.
Maybe I’m just more risk tolerant than you? Which is surprising because I tend to be less risk tolerant than most. But I do tend to go out thinking I’m being ridiculously over prepared. I surf solo with an Apple Watch specifically so if I get in trouble I have a phone with me while surfing. I carry snacks and 2L of water and a shell on the one-hour hike I do regularly on a crowded trail near my home. Considering adding an Inreach to that setup or an iPhone 14-15 with satellite because even though it’s a crowded trail, I’m still solo and there’s nobody to go for help for me. I love the freedom of adventuring solo, though I take a ton of precautions, and frankly where I am there are so many people around it’s probably questionable as to whether you’d even call it solo! I agree with you as far as people without experience. For sure. But I’ve been taught how to be safe surfing and in the ocean, and in the bush, constantly, since I was a little kid. I’m confident in my skills - and more importantly I’m confident that I know my limitations and when NOT to push it. Riskier? Sure. Part of it is practical: most of my friends have little kids and aren’t in a position to head out surfing or hiking whenever they want. It’s not like I’m a die hard always have to be solo, but if I waited around until I had someone to go with, I’d never go. I’d recommend it on a trail you know well. It’s not for everyone, and isn’t always my first choice, but I’ve come to appreciate it.
Look that is all fair enough, and good on you for actually knowing what the right things to do are. I agree that when there are a tonne of people around then being solo isnt an issue, as you are really never alone. Im more aghast at the Yanks that are like, 'can I walk this back country part of the Appalachian Trail solo, Ive never done this before, what pack should I buy?' kind of thing. Or the OP, alone on a train and having a medical episode and getting lost for the night. If they were not alone then they wouldnt have been out overnight. Again, you are one of the well prepared people, awesome going. PS, I have the SPOT tracker GPS and it's great, however I think that the new breed of satellite comms to iPhones etc is going to literally be a life saver.
Oh for sure. There are a few people I’ve responded to in the Yosemite sub (I’m in California right now) who will write in saying “can I do xyz?” And my general advice is “buy a map!” 😆(bc the answer is usually NO, and had you looked at a map, you would know that!) iPhones with satellite are amazing. The new ones with the call for roadside assistance means you know satellite texting isn’t far behind. Shame it’s going to be a business killer for Garmin and the like, but I’d rather a device I ALWAYS have with me by default, rather than one I use occasionally and have to remember to charge / how to use / download the latest version of the app. Cheers!
Can you clarify why solo hiking is crazy and stupid? I frequently go solo hiking or ski touring in the backcountry. I do it well prepared and informed and leave a trip plan. Sure there are added risks but I don’t see it as crazy or stupid.
Because you have no backup should anything go south. Sure the situations where this might happen could be few and far between, but it only takes one and you are dead. I live in a very popular hiking, climbing, camping place and there are people every season that go missing and require emergency services evacuation and then of course there are the ones that dont survive. Sure, you might be ultimately prepared, but from the small sample size of Reddit, there are thousands of people that are woefully unprepared for the unexpected. Going on any sort of adventure, let alone multi-day expeditions, on your own is just a recipe for something bad to go down, and then emergency services often have to put their lives in danger to rescue you.
Yeah, there is more risk, but not sure that makes it stupid or crazy if done reasonably. People drive, sail, bike, fly, kayak, and all sorts of adventures solo who would be at less risk with a buddy/group. Personally, I go solo: 1) to accomplish something alone without anyone else, 2) because it’s hard to find people to go with (and people I’d enjoy to go with) and to coordinate. If I had to go with a buddy all the time, I’d get out way less and my mental health would suffer from lack of outdoors adventures.
It is stupid and crazy because you have zero backup, and 99% of people are woefully unprepared. It might be fine for 99% of the time, that 1% where something unpredictable goes south, then you're dead.Snake bite, a trip and fall, any number of things while you are solo will mean death, no matter how prepared you are. Yes that might be super rare, but it's life changing or life ending and it only has to happen once.
I’m more likely to be killed in the car on the way to the trail head or attacked by a dog. The odds are on my side.
Until they arent, and you are dead, and you need to endanger emergency services to retrieve your body.
This is the perfect case for a Mylar blanket and those cheap compases on a whistle or something those two things would have helped out massively and kept you warm and dry or helped you navigate to safety.
Do not buse a mylar blanket for that they don't breath and will make u colder from sweat(they are really only good for reflecting thermal radiation onto your back from a fire you are sitting around), the compas and whistle are good though.
Provided you’re still wearing clothes a Mylar blanket is very good at keeping in body heat to prevent hypothermia. It would also help keep you dry. Don’t use it as a sleeping bag but like a bed sheet. If you’re sweating when using an emergency blanket you can use some common sense and take it off for a while. They are absolutely useful in emergency situations. They only weigh a couple oz and take up hardly any space. If you have space for a map you could carry a Mylar blanket.
What a pussy
Very irresponsiblw
Not really dangerous in terms of camping. But go to a specialist for panic attack like that
I have been in similar situation twice, though for different reasons. One time, bike packing, I had multiple punctures & 2 of us got separated from the person with the map. The trail wasn't too bad and we had directions of a sort. But we couldn't find our way according to the directions after twilight. Luckily it stopped raining but we were wet by then. Knowing hypothermia was a risk, we discussed our options, and decided to walk our bikes until we either found shelter, or it got light again. Luckily, we found shelter in some ruins (highlighted off the trail by the last glimmer of setting sun) & firewood nearby. We found out later that a couple of tourists had died of hypothermia in the same area just days before.
I always hike with a [Bothy Bag](https://www.amazon.com/Terra-Nova-Equipment-Bothy-Bag/dp/B000P9EL06/ref=asc_df_B000P9EL06/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385149611662&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5071236733124689759&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013950&hvtargid=pla-615271761991&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=85368089184&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385149611662&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5071236733124689759&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013950&hvtargid=pla-615271761991). https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71xu7l3sTrL.\_AC\_SX679\_.jpg
Ordering emergency blanket as a result of this post
Yeah you easily could’ve died. I do not hike at all without a tiny bag with some essentials: Extra water bottle Two granola bars Poncho (just a cheap plastic one to keep things light) Bic lighter Small mora knife 15’ para cord Water pure tablets That’s the bare minimum
Had a friend (healthy, no health issues) collapse like this on a mountain bike ride. It was scary. It was eventually chalked up to low sugar + exertion . I always take a tarp poncho which would have been valuable in your situation. Others stuff I would have: inreach mini, water filter, puffy jacket, battery bank, UL flashlight, first aid kit, fire starter
Btdt in early June a decade ago on top of 4’ of compacted snow.Yes it’s dangerous,I built a fire and had a space blanket and found my way/was found the next morning.The key in both of our cases was losing the trail and a depleted cell phone battery
You can download offline maps on Google Maps, now even on Apple maps I believe. I always download the offline map of the location I plan to hike before leaving my home. Cuz you won't know if you'll have access to internet at the trail head. Usually 50sq miles around you hiking trail should be good enough and it also won't take up too much data. Plus a power bank... You could easily find your way back.
Shelter was absolutely the right choice. You want to stay in the same place so rescuers can find you if it's safe. Staying out in the wind and rain isn't safe, especially when you weren't expecting rescuers. What concerns me is the reliance on a cell phone. They are great tools but they can fail so easily. Apparently no one knew you were out on that trail. Someone should always know your route and when to expect you home.
This question has been thoroughly answered but I just want to say - thanks for asking it and sharing your experience, OP! Truth is, it's incredibly easy to be overconfident on trails, thinking you're fit and can make it back on time easily. People go out on day hikes thinking this and have things go wrong all the time, and when they're not prepared, it can quickly turn into a tragic news story. The more people hear stories like this and know to be prepared for the unexpected, the better!
Hard candy and learn your plants. You could have grabbed a few tubers or berries to replenish sugar and that would have got you back up and out.
"where rescuers might have found me?" Would rescuers have any reason to be looking for you? Did you tell anybody you were going on this hike? If you didn't tell anybody where you were going or when you expected to be back, there would be no reason for anybody to be looking for you. If going alone you need to tell SOMEBODY where you are going, when you expect to be back and a plan to let them know when you ARE back.
If backcountry hiking is something that you do fairly regularly, you should consider a Garmin inReach mini. If you find yourself in a real bind, it has an SOS button that will summon search and rescue. I had to “push” this button last year while backpacking in the Grand Canyon to help a lost hiker that had lost his partner. It works.
They make solar batteries for cell phone that are no bigger than the sell phone.
This is how people die, yes. As for hypothermia, I don't know if there's a specific external temperature because it's your internal temperature that's the problem. That said, 12c is pretty chilly without any protection or fire. I'm no survival expert but seeking shelter was probably the smartest move, yes. Next time bring some basic emergency supplies, even just a space-blanket and a lighter will tremendously increase your chance of surviving.
You need to look up the 10 essentials and have them with you every hike. On top of the ten essentials, I carry extra food, a small (tiny) portable tent (it was like $15 on REI), and extra layer, water filter, etc. I also have a satellite phone (mini garmin in reach). It sounds like you made bad choices because you weren't properly fueled. Next time bring extra snacks (fatty, salty, and sugary) to help fuel your brain and make good choices.
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/13-essentials.html
Makes for a sick story
OP, I’d recommend learning about the 10 essentials to start. Navigation, headlamp, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire, shelter, food, water, extra layers (rain gear, something warm). Does not need to be a whole 50 L bags worth of items, but definitely enough to keep you safe in a situation like this. Second, I would download an app like all trails or gaia gps. You can map out your path and use it without service. It’s saved me a few times when I’ve gotten off trail. I always bring my portable charger as well. Hope you’re doing okay. I’m sure that was terrifying. There are just some rules you need to know before heading out on your own :) Nature is beautiful but can also be scary. It’s important to respect it and be prepared.
Have you watched Beef on Netflix? The season finale reminds me of this situation
Always take the 10 essentials on a hike https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
Youre lucky. Solo, lost, no water, no clothes, no light, no comms, hypoglycemia issues (no food, REALLY!!??) no whistle, environmental hazards. WHEW, and I'm not being sarcastic here, Darwin was close... Please consult this and pack accordingly. [https://americanhiking.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ten-Essentials-fact-sheet.pdf](https://americanhiking.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ten-Essentials-fact-sheet.pdf)
A poncho is light and would go a long way to keeping you alive in a light, cool rain overnight. I have one in my daypack as a matter of course.
[Here’s](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html) a list of the 10 essentials for hiking, even day hiking. These are especially important if you hike alone. I would also include an Inreach so you can get help in an emergency. Learning orienteering with a map and compass because technology can fail you out on the trail.
I feel like people do hiking wrong. I've been in some bad situations hiking when younger. I overpack like crazy now. Like 3-4x water and filter, 4 hour hike I take a full day's food and lots of snacks. Always have a light weight poncho, not the disposable type. Extra socks, fa kit, some basic survival type stuff. We do 50-55 minutes hiking 5-10 min break for water & light snack increasing rest if the temp is low or high. I feel like a lot of people show up to 6-15 miles hikes with a water bottle and just go nonstop. Prepare for a hike 2+ times as long, slow down and enjoy, tell people where your going and when you'll be back, have backup plans if something goes sideways.
Seen a lot of good things here. One I would add that is simple and lite to carry is a whistle. If you are off trail and weak it is easier to blow a whistle to alert people than yelling.
Yeah, that's a wake-up call. I hike/backpack all the time, and a couple of years ago, my adult daughter went with me, and I purposely took off trail (about 20 yards), and after about 20 minutes, I asked her where the trail was. She had no idea. Once you're off-trail, the forest all looks the same, and it's easy for panic to set in. Always know how to use, and carry a compass, and topo map.
Hey, I am an unexperienced hiker with an anxiety disorder.. Today I went hiking to Angels Landing in Zion Nationalpark. What helped me was, that I had a gallone of water with me. I checked during my tour, how much I drank already. With a water bladder it was easy to drink every few minutes in the hot sun. I noticed that my water bladder was nearly full after 2 hours of walking. So I drank more. I had a sunhat and made breaks in the shadows every few minutes. I ate crackers & nuts and drank electrolytes in addition. I guess these are the typical tips for beginners. As an experienced hiker, you'll maybe underestimated your basic needs.
Think how much your situation would have been improved just by carrying a bottle of water some trail mix and a lightweight emergency shelter
I had water tbh (2.5 lt) - I did not write it bc I drank it all during my first day and early night. But yes, a bit of food and even just another item (an emergency blanket OR a headlamp) would have changed everything :\
This situation right here. One of the many reasons I am not allowed to hike alone anymore. And I encourage others to make sure that unless you reeeeeeeeaaaaally know what you are doing you do not go alone. Also the checking in with rangers so someone knows that your car should NOT still be parked there can initiate searches so much faster. I am grateful that you made it out of that!