Be careful out there…
I was all ready to criticise the hiker, then read the details.
The hiker did fuck up a fundamental - don’t go down a path unless you know for sure you can do it. But it seems like at least in this case, the hiker wasn’t looking for something above his abilities, just got misdirected. That’s at least an actual accidental thing, unlike people who go out unprepared and with insufficient info.
Also, this hiker “had plenty of food and water”. Kudos!
Also, never hike alone! (Glad his cell worked there, one reason I hike with radios - combo GMRS and HAM handheld - where I hike generally has GMRS repeaters in range).
I do hike with a Garmin satellite communicator, but I disagree on hiking alone. I do that all the time, and have for decades. Just let someone know your itinerary, so SAR will know where to go, is all.
And these days, every new iPhone allows for emergency SOS satellite texting.
Cheers.
Agree to disagree on hiking alone. Guess it depends - you know your hike and circumstance, my goal is to never need SAR.
If I ever need SAR, I’ve fucked up, majorly.
¯_(ツ)_/¯ Sure, you do you. I’ve backpacked solo for just over forty years now, and far prefer it. Technology makes it easier these days, so it’s easier than ever before.
