How Complacency Kills

[Tradewind]

Amen to that. I did roughly the same thing last year. On my own. Ran out of water mid aft. Shot an elk late. Wrestled with it in the dark getting it quartered. Got the quarters hung up. Exhausted, soaked from sweat. Too tired to take anything back to the truck.. Left the pack and all survival gear. I took two lights and a gps I thankfully put fresh batteries in. My over shirt and rifle. Headed for the truck. An easy mile to the forest service trail. Right. I hit the far slope and got nailed with a 15-20 mph wind. temp had dropped to 30 but I had not noticed til the wind hit. Thot abt going back across the valley to get the pack. Nah.
Put the shirt on but still freezing. Coouldn't find the forest service trail. Garmin said I had already passed it. Everything looks the same in the dark. Even with lights. Finally put garmin on 'compass' and walked in a circle to make sure it was working. Then headed sw as I knew I would hit the trail at some point. Finally crossed it. The 3 'easy' miles to the truck from the trail became very tough. Dexterity gone. Not sure when hypo sets in but it felt like it. Shivering uncontrollably Fished the keys out of my pocket. turned on the truck and the elec seats and swore I would NEVER leave my pack again.

 

[Bulldog0156]

Great reminder to always be overprepared!

 

[marksjeep]

Thanks for sharing, and glad it all turned out OK.

 

[Dan O]

I think most of us have left their gear in the truck because your not going very far "right" Anymore I feel paranoid if I even think of leaving my pack. Normally I take more than needed but I like the extra insurance. Years ago I took my compass and that sold me on carrying one, I got fogged in on a fairly level ridge and I knew the area. I started heading back to the camper and thought heck I'll just confirm my direction and boost my ego. Well good thing I did I was headed directly away from camp. That day woke me up!!!!
Glad everything worked out for you. Thanks for the reminder it's a good thing for all of us to hear.

 

[mtmuley]

Take it all, every time. Thanks Ben, glad you are safe. mtmuley

 

[Dinkshooter]

No way, not me. I don't leave the truck without rain gear and fire stuff.

A few years back my father had a co-worker that lived in a little camper at the homestead during the week while traveling for work.

He was old enough for retirement but was still working. One of his biggest bills was a helicopter bill for flight time while looking for his son that got lost while hunting. It was a gut wrenching kind of story. Hypothermia and a working cell phone to call home to tell his ma the important stuff.................

He sat in that camper all night in what appeared to be a plan to smoke himself to death with cigs.

It left an impression. Don't be a douche bag, it's no different than killing yourself on purpose.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Not that I'm judging that kids predicament that day.

 

[Corax]

Ben - thanks for the reminder. This issue needs to stay fresh in my mind.

My brother jokes about Hyperthermia, killer of the overprepared, but we try to bring the essentials each time we leave the truck.

 

[Joe Hulburt]

Yep, I never step off the road without my full day pack. I'm not smart enough to make decisions about what might be needed on each adventure so I just take everything I might need.

 

[Nameless Range]

A good reminder. Glad you kept a cool head. Good to note that this happened on a chunk of country you sound very familiar with. It can happen to anyone.

 

[hank4elk]

Glad you made it OK & for the reminder of why I always carry my pack with most everything in it.

 

[Festus]

This post and these stories make me feel better about my obsession to always have more than I think I need with me. Even in familiar territory.