Body of missing hiker found at Mt. Rainier (Would a PSK have saved him?)

U

ultrajr

Joined
Feb 23, 2007
Messages
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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/355601_hiker20.html

"Ossman had gone hiking wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, coat, scarf and a cap. He is not believed to have had any equipment for an overnight stay."

Longtime reader of this forum, first time poster. Just curious to your opinions on this.
You have provided me with a lot of ideas to prepare my home and my family for various situations, thank you all.
 
A PSK definetly would have helped him, however, he would have needed to know how to use it, for example you may have the means to start a fire but couldn't do it due to wet conditions. I feel that a lot of practice is needed to go along with a PSK.

Relating to the story, its sad to hear how many people die only a mile or so from the trail or the parking lot.
 
This may sound cruel, but that was natural selection at work. He went out completely unprepared (it sounds like) in an area that is well known for its often very cold and wet weather.
 
Depend what you call a PSK.
He could have had stuff to start a fire an keep it running all night, but honestly I think right clothing would have been more useful than any altoid tin.
 
It's sad really. I see people on the trail all the time that are not dressed for it, and don't even have any water. I guess they just figure, I'm just going for a walk, what could happen?
 
I agree with Ravaillac, sounds like he was dressed largely in cotton.
 
Dr. Mudd said:
This may sound cruel, but that was natural selection at work. He went out completely unprepared (it sounds like) in an area that is well known for its often very cold and wet weather.
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lol.

Thats cold man.

however true.
 
I believe panic can play a key role in survival situations.Finding himself in the dark,high up and with limited clothing must have panicked him.The realization of being ill prepared could have brought on shock or hyperthermia. If only the poor man had taken better clothing,a basic pack with blanket,compass and drinks he would probably have made it. Having at least some basic gear gives people HOPE and hope is a vital factor.
 
What a shame. I'd like to see the google map of the trail he was on and where he departed from it. What was he doing? When the wife reported him missing in Mulilteo, was she aware he had gone to Mt. Rainier? Sounds like more could be going on here.

-- FLIX
 
If he knew to have a PSK he would have known to be dressed properly. I think he wanted to wander away. He lives up here and knows what the weather is like.
 
Sounds like anything could've helped this soul. He went out less prepared than I go when I run out for smokes. Another case of someone underestimating mother nature.
 
Ottoshot said:
lol.

That's cold, man.

However true.
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So, unfortunately, is Rainier.

I remember when I first saw that mountain--plane flew right past it when I was on the way to Seattle--just happened to look out the window and catch it, surprisingly close, through a break in the clouds. Quite a formidable sight.

It's a good reminder. A couple of years back, here in the desert, there was an unexpected winter storm very late in the season, after a lot of the local vegetation had started in on its spring growth. A local scout group got out into the mountains (in shorts and T-shirts, or other spring-weather clothing), only to find themselves stranded by snow. We had snow down well into the low desert, for the first time in years that it'd been that far down. I took my boys out for a drive, just to see the stuff.

It got me thinking: what if something unexpected happened, and I got stuck out there with them?

I later found out about the Scout troop. No harm to them--they were rescued, and did just the right thing after realizing they were stuck. The news accounts gave enough information about the search-and-rescue outfit that went and found them that I was able to call the commander and debrief him in a little more detail.

That conversation was a real source of great information. He's the one who put me on to Cody Lundin and his 98.6 Degrees book. He also said that 75% of their survival situations involve injuries. He also told me, as I recall, that your typical survival-situation subject isn't a clueless city-slicker: it's a seasoned hiker / fisherman / hunter who's off for a "little day hike", when something goes wrong.
 
mother nature is neutral, and she does not tolerate fools. if you do foolish things like go out unprepared and she catches you well i guess it will just the way it goes.

a psk is not a substitute for being aware of the dangers and having a working knowledge of survival skills. i fi have my choice i would rather have skills , equipment you can lose, skills stay with you forever.

alex
 
FLIX said:
What a shame. I'd like to see the google map of the trail he was on and where he departed from it. What was he doing? When the wife reported him missing in Mulilteo, was she aware he had gone to Mt. Rainier? Sounds like more could be going on here.

-- FLIX
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Mukilteo is approx 20 air miles north of Seattle and approx 70 air miles northwest of the park. By road I'm not sure how far his home town and the park is. I grew up in and live in Southwest Washington and it is very damp and cool around here in the winter. I personnally don't venture out in the woods year round with out the proper clothing and equipment. I for one would never wander that far from home without the proper equipment.

I agree with Flix. There is something not right here. Without knowing his outdoor experience level it is hard to say if he knew what he ws getting himself into or if there is some kind of suicide/homicide aspect to the story.
 
While it certainly is possible this guy died from lack of responsible preparation in a survival situation gone bad, the actual cause of death has not be made public yet.

He could just have well died from a heart attack, or stumbled and cracked his skull. Hell, maybe a tree fell on him, right now we just don't know. It would have to be one hell of a PSK to say you from those types of events.
 
This story got me to thinking...(I hate when that happens:D)...unfortunately, you fine folks have to bear the brunt of my rambling. Now that it's on the interweb thingy, it's forever:

Personally, a psk is really for peace of mind - always carried but never meant to be opened. Don't get me wrong, I lived out of mine for a few days last summer. But that was because I just can't put much faith in something I haven't used personally.

The whole trick to survival (IMO as always) is having the awareness to prevent problems while they're still small, just like anything else. Dayhikes = daypacks. I realize it's easy to say, but I wouldn't feel comfortable even in my own 'backyard' on the west slope (within sight of town) without some basic gear. During yesterday's trip (pic thread) I was in an area of maybe 10 or 15 sq km surrounded by town and ocean. Even so, I had 3l of water, redundant steel, and a keyring kit with the usual:firesteel, fatwood, light, Fox40, Gerber Clutch, etc....mindset

I don't say that to toot my own horn or anything like that, but out of realization that a single misplaced step can make an otherwise benign day out into something critical. When it's just me and the dog (99%), I'm careful about route selection, foot placement, etc......mindset

I was out roving with my bow a couple weeks ago. Because it's easier to pull arrows out of rotten stumps than tree trunks, I went to an area of old-growth that was logged a long time ago. Every step looked great, but there were a lot of places where the hefty log you're stepping on has the weight bearing capacity of a piece of spaghetti. No rush, just test your footing for each step....mindset

Before the daylight savings change, it would have been too dark for most folks to head up where I was yesterday, say...to walk their dog after work. Had I been lying off trail somewhere with a bone sticking out of my shin, I would have had the tools to make the (recently discussed) 'free minute' worth something. Even if all I did was lean on that Fox40 with every breath, I was close enough to help that it could have made the difference. If not, the next step would have been to try and round up some stuff to burn. All that aside, Mrs Lefty would have the cavalry out if I wasn't home 3 hours after I said I would be. If nothing else, SAR knows what a repetitive triple blast on a whistle means....mindset

Not trying to get preachy, but whether one 'survives' or not happens in one's attitude long before the boots even get dirty.
 
Forget the Altoids tin...if this guy had gone out with only a couple of 42 gal trash bags in his pocket, and some rudimentary knowledge of heat loss mechanisms, he probably would have been just fine. This sounds alot like an incident in NY's Adirondack mtns quite a few years back, except they never found the body. The guy was descending and thought he could cut cross country and pick up the trail further down. He missed it.
 
andrew7978 said:
A PSK definetly would have helped him, however, he would have needed to know how to use it, for example you may have the means to start a fire but couldn't do it due to wet conditions. I feel that a lot of practice is needed to go along with a PSK.

Relating to the story, its sad to hear how many people die only a mile or so from the trail or the parking lot.
Click to expand...

Hit the nail on the head!! It's not just having the kit, but knowing how to use it. From the sounds of it, somebody could have given him all the kit in the world and he still would have died.

One thing to remember though.... Even up here in the Pacific North WET, there is ALWAYS dry firewood. You just have to know how to get to it.
 
James 61 said:
There is something not right here. Without knowing his outdoor experience level it is hard to say if he knew what he ws getting himself into or if there is some kind of suicide/homicide aspect to the story.
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WHATEVER!!! What do you know!!:rolleyes::rolleyes:


:eek:


Just kidding bro... You know I love ya!! :D:D

Still on for paintball Saturday?:thumbup:
 
This is why we need Lions and Elephants.

They eat and stomp people all the time in Africa, and no one blinks.

We seriously live in Disneyland.
 
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