This winter's unseasonably mild weather has left many hikers itching to hit the trails. And as the number of hikers has gone up, so has the number of missions performed by the Snohomish County Search and Rescue (SAR) team.
SAR was deployed on three separate occasions in early March, rescuing two hikers with moderate injuries and one who was unable to navigate the downward trail with her two large dogs.
It is important for both novice and expert hikers to remain safety-conscious when planning any excursion into the woods. Even experienced hikers not intending to travel a great distance can be stymied by accidental injury from a slippery rock or an obstruction in the pathway. Injuries, like a twisted ankle or a sprained knee, can transform a short .5-mile hike into an insurmountable task.
Snohomish County SAR is a nonprofit agency headquartered near the city of Snohomish. SAR is organized into seven area-specific units with seven specialty teams: Helicopter Rescue, K9, Man Trackers, Mountain Bike, Water Rescue, Four-by-Four and Project Care. Mike Loney, who has served as an SAR volunteer for 14 years, recently offered several recommendations for staying safe throughout the hiking season. In addition to serving on the Marysville Search and Rescue Unit and the Everett Mountain Rescue Unit, Loney is a certified swift-water rescue technician.
After 14 years of rescue work, Loney explained that the No. 1 issue he sees with hikers is that they are ill-equipped for their chosen adventure. Whether they are ill-equipped with equipment or knowledge of the area and terrain, being underprepared is a common problem.
The 10 essentials
Even on short-term day hikes, Loney explained, carrying along the 10 hiking essentials is always a good idea. The list of the 10 essentials includes navigation materials (map and compass), sun protection (sunscreen and sunglasses), extra clothing, lighting equipment (headlamp or flashlight), first-aid supplies, fire starter, extra food, extra water, a repair kit with tools (knife or a multi-tool like a Leatherman) and emergency shelter.
The 10 essentials help to equip hikers for any eventuality. A hiker setting out at midday during the summer months might not consider carrying additional, warmer clothing. However, if they were to become injured and unable to make it out of the forest before nightfall, warmer clothing would make all the difference in the world.
"If you had the 10 essentials and got lost, you'd be a lot more comfortable when we show up,GÇ¥ Loney said.
For more information on the 10 essentials, visit www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html.
Navigation
While the age of GPS is upon us, it's important to remember when embarking on an outdoor adventure that cell phones aren't always totally reliable.
"Some of the mountain areas do have cell service,GÇ¥ Loney said, "but you don't want to rely on that as your emergency notification.
"In the old days, it was all map and compass, and then GPS came alongGÇ¥ he continued. "It's gotten more and more reliable, but you can be under heavy tree canopy and not get a signal.GÇ¥
Other complications can occur with cell phones, including dead batteries and damage from being dropped. So it is always crucial to leave word with someone you trust about exactly where you are planning to go and what time you expect to return. Set up parameters so that your emergency contact knows if you haven't returned by a certain time, they should call 911.
And once a hiker has identified where they're going and shared that information with a spouse or loved one, it's important to stick with the plan. In the case of an emergency, SAR volunteers will begin to strategize their search based on that preliminary location information; so the more accurate it is, the easier it will be to find the hiker.
SAR recommends that hikers complete a comprehensive hiking plan before embarking on their journey. The form includes all the relevant information that an emergency contact would need to provide to SAR in the event that their loved one didn't return as scheduled. The two-page hiking plan, can be obtained from the SAR website: www.scvsar.org/documents/HikingPlan.pdf.
Personal locator beacons are becoming increasingly popular. ACR personal locator beacons, made by Artex, are one option; SPOT Personal Trackers are another. The devices come equipped with the ability to send out an emergency signal with the push of a button. Personal locator beacons can be purchased at retail establishments like Cabela's and REI.
Arm yourself with knowledge
In addition to familiarizing yourself with the types of equipment and devices that can be helpful in the case of an emergency, it is also important to study the area that you hope to explore. Look at maps, read hiking websites, study the terrain and seek input regarding the level of difficulty. The Washington Trails Association website (www.wta.org) is a good place to start.
Research the area thoroughly before you go, and don't be afraid to contact experts and ask questions.
Pet Safety
When hiking with dogs, it is critical to research the area in which you want to hike. Websites like the Washington Trails Association will stipulate whether leashes are recommended or required. If you have any concerns as to whether your pet will remain at your side without straying, then it's always best to keep them on a leash.
"We do get missions because of animals from time to time where somebody's dog fell over a cliff or something and got stuck somewhere where it was unable to get out,GÇ¥ Loney said. "And then the owners will do dangerous things on their own to save their pet because they love their pet.GÇ¥
It can also be helpful to outfit canines in brightly colored safety gear, like jackets or harnesses, which can make it easier to spot the dog. There is a host of safety equipment designed for canines, including GPS collars, safety vests and lighted collars.
Sultan resident Breanna Findley hikes Sky Valley trails frequently with her two dogs, Lily Mae and Cooper.
"My dogs have safety vests, backpacks, lights, even their own first-aid kits,GÇ¥ Findley said.
For more information on Snohomish County Search and Rescue, visit www.scvsar.org/scvsar.htm.-á
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