High Sierra Topix

i agree with climbing as an excuse to be seen.. even loved ones.. still.. I know where I drop my pack and there I am. as for foggy/crappy conditions, you do what you think you need to do. color means nothing after 50' in a bad fog..

I know of a local SAR operation that found their intended missing person when someone saw something blue among the boulders. Had he been wearing gray that day...

HJ

rlown wrote:how much do you really feel you'd need to be found?

I need to be found. Not sure why I would not want to be found. Still have things to do other than becoming biomass in the mountains.

had my time in the military doing the opposite thing. Am still compensating for those silly years in camo.

Some more splash. Although after receiving my gaiters, I did wish I would've picked something not so loud. Headlamp is also 277 lumens.

I like muted colors for my tent so my solo camps can be as inconspicuous as possible. When hiking solo I wear the most god awful combination of red checked shirt and faded orange shorts. Anyone who crosses my path will remember in case I turn up missing. When in more populated areas and with others I become a little more muted. The only other "off color" thing I bring (other than my sense of humor) is my blue poncho. But I also take a "spot locator." If I can't make that work I am probably beyond rescue anyway.

When day hiking in Central Oregon during hunting season I wear a florescent orange shirt. Have drawn some interesting comments until I point out it is hunting season. Every year in Oregon someone gets killed by a hunter, usually another hunter. When within a mile of trailheads I am pretty nervous but further away I figure that most hunters who go to that effort will be a little more skilled and conscientious about their shooting.

mike

There was a time....

I can remember an incident back in the mid 80's(?), at a convention of outdoor gear manufacturers a representative from the Forest Service gave a presentation on this same topic -- muting the color choices to help reduce the visual impact as backcountry use increases.

He basically got booed from the podium.


I carry a single item of bright day-glo as a just in case. Otherwise I go for earth tones and dark clothing.

oldranger wrote: Every year in Oregon someone gets killed by a hunter, usually another hunter. When within a mile of trailheads I am pretty nervous but further away I figure that most hunters who go to that effort will be a little more skilled and conscientious about their shooting.

mike

It's in every state.. If you're hiking, even in a wilderness area, put on the orange! Know the hunting season for the area you hike (usually opens mid sept'ish).

Mike, you should be nervous even 5 miles out.. As I hunt, and a day in's hike is actually a blessing, please wear something bright. No antlers please..

I do wear my bright stuff Russ!

Mike

oldranger wrote:I do wear my bright stuff Russ!

Mike

It wasn't for you!! I've seen you in "bright" stuff.. It's painful.

If you are going solo, or if you have children that are at possible risk of straying and getting lost-- bright clothing provides a major safety advantage precisely because it so visible. I learned this firsthand in SAR - someone wearing bright orange is maybe 100x more visible than from the air than someone wearing drab colors.