OK, I'll abstain from pointing out the obvious here, such as being totally unprepared, despite having taken a survival course.
Instead, I'd like to point out how all of this could easily have been avoided.
So I'll let you all start, if for no other reason than to remind us all, we could easily and foolishly find ourselves in their predicament.

Something similar happened to me 40 years back, where a friend wanted to go Jeepin, so we grabbed our wallets and water and headed out for an afternoon ride in the foothills, so I thought.
He changed his mind at the last minute and headed to what is now, my neighborhood, the wilderness, not a place for an unprepared day trip.
We get about 10 miles back in off a side road and he breaks his transfer case, and yes, we're not going anywhere, and I'm in shorts and a tank top.
completely unprepared, we hiked for miles on into the dark till we finally saw a car which picked us up and gave us a ride.
Point is, it could have been much worse, but suffice it to say, it can happen to all of us, even those of us that generally prepare.

So what are the ultimate basics one should carry? Let's stick to winter.

The Northampton Community College professor who survived more than a day exposed to Grand Canyon snow and freezing temperatures made it in part by eating pine tree twigs and drinking her urine, her twin sister said Sunday.

Karen Klein, who will turn 47 on New Year's Eve, was in stable condition in an intensive care unit at a Utah hospital, her sibling, Kristen Haase, said Sunday.

Haase, who lives in Narberth, Montgomery County, and also teaches at Northampton, said her sister has taken wilderness survival training. But all the preparation undoubtedly couldn't have prepared Klein, her husband Eric, 47, and their 10-year-old son Isaac for the rigors of a vacation out West that turned nearly deadly. The Palmer Township family's rescue took place in a remote area of the Grand Canyon's north rim, near the Utah-Arizona border.

Searchers from Utah's Kane County Sheriff's Office tracked Karen Klein through the forest and found her at a closed entrance cabin. Rescuers from the Coconino County, Ariz., Sheriff's Department on vehicle-sized snow machines joined them after coming down the highway, which the Arizona Department of Transportation had partly plowed to let all the rescuers move faster, Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll said.

The Kleins were on a weeklong trip to Las Vegas and were driving from Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah to the Grand Canyon National Park's north rim for sightseeing — approximately 150 miles. The road they were riding became snow covered, and as they were turning their rental car around to head back, the car got stuck in a ditch.

Karen Klein, who her sister said is 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 105 pounds, decided to walk to the main road, about 10 miles away, and flag someone down for help or to get a cellphone signal. When she reached the main highway, it was closed due to snow. She spotted a highway sign indicating a Grand Canyon park entrance was 14 miles away, so she continued on.

By that time, Klein had run out of food and water, so she consumed the twigs and drank her urine, as eating snow can hasten hypothermia.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Lehigh-Valley-woman-ate-twigs-drank-urine-to-survive.html

Quote from: Solar on December 26, 2016, 01:39:04 PM
OK, I'll abstain from pointing out the obvious here, such as being totally unprepared, despite having taken a survival course.
Instead, I'd like to point out how all of this could easily have been avoided.
So I'll let you all start, if for no other reason than to remind us all, we could easily and foolishly find ourselves in their predicament.

Something similar happened to me 40 years back, where a friend wanted to go Jeepin, so we grabbed our wallets and water and headed out for an afternoon ride in the foothills, so I thought.
He changed his mind at the last minute and headed to what is now, my neighborhood, the wilderness, not a place for an unprepared day trip.
We get about 10 miles back in off a side road and he breaks his transfer case, and yes, we're not going anywhere, and I'm in shorts and a tank top.
completely unprepared, we hiked for miles on into the dark till we finally saw a car which picked us up and gave us a ride.
Point is, it could have been much worse, but suffice it to say, it can happen to all of us, even those of us that generally prepare.

So what are the ultimate basics one should carry? Let's stick to winter.

The Northampton Community College professor who survived more than a day exposed to Grand Canyon snow and freezing temperatures made it in part by eating pine tree twigs and drinking her urine, her twin sister said Sunday.

Karen Klein, who will turn 47 on New Year's Eve, was in stable condition in an intensive care unit at a Utah hospital, her sibling, Kristen Haase, said Sunday.

Haase, who lives in Narberth, Montgomery County, and also teaches at Northampton, said her sister has taken wilderness survival training. But all the preparation undoubtedly couldn't have prepared Klein, her husband Eric, 47, and their 10-year-old son Isaac for the rigors of a vacation out West that turned nearly deadly. The Palmer Township family's rescue took place in a remote area of the Grand Canyon's north rim, near the Utah-Arizona border.

Searchers from Utah's Kane County Sheriff's Office tracked Karen Klein through the forest and found her at a closed entrance cabin. Rescuers from the Coconino County, Ariz., Sheriff's Department on vehicle-sized snow machines joined them after coming down the highway, which the Arizona Department of Transportation had partly plowed to let all the rescuers move faster, Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll said.

The Kleins were on a weeklong trip to Las Vegas and were driving from Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah to the Grand Canyon National Park's north rim for sightseeing — approximately 150 miles. The road they were riding became snow covered, and as they were turning their rental car around to head back, the car got stuck in a ditch.

Karen Klein, who her sister said is 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 105 pounds, decided to walk to the main road, about 10 miles away, and flag someone down for help or to get a cellphone signal. When she reached the main highway, it was closed due to snow. She spotted a highway sign indicating a Grand Canyon park entrance was 14 miles away, so she continued on.

By that time, Klein had run out of food and water, so she consumed the twigs and drank her urine, as eating snow can hasten hypothermia.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Lehigh-Valley-woman-ate-twigs-drank-urine-to-survive.html

Why'd she drink her urine? She had snow.

Oh, it hastens hypothermia.  Wasn't there a way to melt the snow? Or perhaps you could eat just so much snow at a time? Like say a mouthful every couple of hours?

Quote from: Ghoulardi on December 26, 2016, 03:31:17 PM
Why'd she drink her urine? She had snow.

Oh, it hastens hypothermia.  Wasn't there a way to melt the snow? Or perhaps you could eat just so much snow at a time? Like say a mouthful every couple of hours?

See, this is the reason I posted it. Despite her survival training, she either left without water or threw her only bottle away, which she could have filled with snow and tucked in her coat to melt.

I'm guessing hard headed woman that insisted she was man enough to do it.

On one of these survivor programs they were saying drinking your urine will last only so long: the more you recycle the higher you raise the toxin levels in the urine until its poisonous.

Quote from: Solar on December 26, 2016, 03:49:14 PM

See, this is the reason I posted it. Despite her survival training, she either left without water or threw her only bottle away, which she could have filled with snow and tucked in her coat to melt.

I'm guessing hard headed woman that insisted she was man enough to do it.

I like sandwich bags myself as they can be use for a lot of thing and don't that up much room.

Quote from: Ghoulardi on December 26, 2016, 04:01:11 PM
On one of these survivor programs they were saying drinking your urine will last only so long: the more you recycle the higher you raise the toxin levels in the urine until its poisonous.

Exactly! Not only that, but it tastes like crap and doesn't really quench your thirst.
She was only gone for a day, yet resorted to drinking her own urine? This chick has serious issues.

Quote from: Solar on December 26, 2016, 04:38:19 PM
Exactly! Not only that, but it tastes like crap and doesn't really quench your thirst.
She was only gone for a day, yet resorted to drinking her own urine? This chick has serious issues.

Yeah, I could understand having to do that down here where it is 105 in the summer and the sweat can run right through you, but come on, in the winter you can not go a day without drinking your urine? Or a day without eating? Article states she at least had something in the beginning,("By that time, Klein had run out of food and water") so it implies it was not even a whole day to survive a 14 mile walk? I understand the article is trying to show the importance of being prepared and I fully support that and the article should also warn about the importance of concealed carry, there are worse things that can happen whem someone is lost than drinking your own urine in the snow.

Quote from: s3779m on December 27, 2016, 12:29:54 AM
Yeah, I could understand having to do that down here where it is 105 in the summer and the sweat can run right through you, but come on, in the winter you can not go a day without drinking your urine? Or a day without eating? Article states she at least had something in the beginning,("By that time, Klein had run out of food and water") so it implies it was not even a whole day to survive a 14 mile walk? I understand the article is trying to show the importance of being prepared and I fully support that and the article should also warn about the importance of concealed carry, there are worse things that can happen whem someone is lost than drinking your own urine in the snow.

Yep. Here she is, hiking, very active, she could very easily have grabbed a handful of snow and munched on it every five minutes and never suffered the ill effects of hypothermia.
She's proof a little knowledge can be a bad thing. "I took a survival class for a day, I can do anything a man can do".

Illustrates the reason for always keeping a case of bottled water in your vehicle... and at home, work, etc., never know when you'll wish you had it.

Another essential for ANY road trip, "Payday salted nut rolls" - buy a case/box of them and keep 'em handy for quick energy (sugar and peanuts, 240 calories in a compact package).  Plus, they're not effected by heat - I have them in my vehicles, and munch them now and then -  just replace the case when it gets low.  Chocolate does not keep, heat or cold turns it into something awful.

http://conservativehardliner.com/preparing-walk-out

That situation could have been completely different if they had a HAM radio, or taken some of the basics outlined in the article, Bottled water, beach towel(s), Salted Nut rolls, etc., like Solar suggested, If it's happened to you, you'll prepare for the potential of a repeat.

One question though... did they TELL ANYONE WHERE they were going, and for how long?


So, they put 100% of their trust in a vehicle to take them in, and bring them out - stupid.

Quote from: Hoofer on December 27, 2016, 07:31:39 AM
Illustrates the reason for always keeping a case of bottled water in your vehicle... and at home, work, etc., never know when you'll wish you had it.

Another essential for ANY road trip, "Payday salted nut rolls" - buy a case/box of them and keep 'em handy for quick energy (sugar and peanuts, 240 calories in a compact package).  Plus, they're not effected by heat - I have them in my vehicles, and munch them now and then -  just replace the case when it gets low.  Chocolate does not keep, heat or cold turns it into something awful.

http://conservativehardliner.com/preparing-walk-out

That situation could have been completely different if they had a HAM radio, or taken some of the basics outlined in the article, Bottled water, beach towel(s), Salted Nut rolls, etc., like Solar suggested, If it's happened to you, you'll prepare for the potential of a repeat.

One question though... did they TELL ANYONE WHERE they were going, and for how long?


So, they put 100% of their trust in a vehicle to take them in, and bring them out - stupid.

Same here, I keep several Snickers with other supplies in the truck including a well stocked bugout bag, but the sugar and salt restore electrolytes, essential to fend off weakness and cramping.

Quote from: Solar on December 27, 2016, 08:32:14 AM
Same here, I keep several Snickers with other supplies in the truck including a well stocked bugout bag, but the sugar and salt restore electrolytes, essential to fend off weakness and cramping.

Like I said, if it's happened to you once, most people go prepared for those scenarios - or at least don't go driving out into the wilderness in inclement weather... blah, blah.   

When I drove out to Colorado in the 1970's (winter), in my little VW Squareback, I packed a tent, mummy bag, junk food and a bag of dog food for weight (and emergency food, or for traction).   Turned out I needed the tent & mummy bag when the interstate closed due to a deep freeze & heavy drifting snow in Nebraska.

Also had a CB Radio, and it was quite active with road and weather conditions.

Everytime I've gotten stopped because of weather it's been returning to home - roads were closed by the state patrol... and I've been by myself, but with the usual stuff mentioned above.   It's happened several times in the distant past.  The only thing I've forgotten to take is Toilet Paper.... everytime.

Quote from: Hoofer on December 27, 2016, 03:22:19 PM
Like I said, if it's happened to you once, most people go prepared for those scenarios - or at least don't go driving out into the wilderness in inclement weather... blah, blah.   

When I drove out to Colorado in the 1970's (winter), in my little VW Squareback, I packed a tent, mummy bag, junk food and a bag of dog food for weight (and emergency food, or for traction).   Turned out I needed the tent & mummy bag when the interstate closed due to a deep freeze & heavy drifting snow in Nebraska.

Also had a CB Radio, and it was quite active with road and weather conditions.

Everytime I've gotten stopped because of weather it's been returning to home - roads were closed by the state patrol... and I've been by myself, but with the usual stuff mentioned above.   It's happened several times in the distant past.  The only thing I've forgotten to take is Toilet Paper.... everytime.

TP always goes in first for me, it always was in all my cars 24/7.  I have travel most of the road West of the Mississippi.  That the first thing I check for in bathroom. You don't have to go out in the wilderness for a oh no moment.  LOL 

Quote from: Hoofer on December 27, 2016, 03:22:19 PM
Like I said, if it's happened to you once, most people go prepared for those scenarios - or at least don't go driving out into the wilderness in inclement weather... blah, blah.   

When I drove out to Colorado in the 1970's (winter), in my little VW Squareback, I packed a tent, mummy bag, junk food and a bag of dog food for weight (and emergency food, or for traction).   Turned out I needed the tent & mummy bag when the interstate closed due to a deep freeze & heavy drifting snow in Nebraska.

Also had a CB Radio, and it was quite active with road and weather conditions.

Everytime I've gotten stopped because of weather it's been returning to home - roads were closed by the state patrol... and I've been by myself, but with the usual stuff mentioned above.   It's happened several times in the distant past.  The only thing I've forgotten to take is Toilet Paper.... everytime.

LOL!!! My friends always gave me shit for carrying Milkbone biscuits, but the one time I pulled them out, no one bitched.

We broke down on the lake, it was dark before we made it back to shore, hiked another 3 miles with the flat bottom racer in tow to the boat ramp, must have been around midnight and none of us had eaten since around noon.
No one ever said another word about that damn dog food again. When you're starving, even a damn dog biscuit can taste good.
Oh, they were the large dog size, some guys even ate 3 a piece.

Quote from: Solar on December 27, 2016, 06:46:47 PM
LOL!!! My friends always gave me shit for carrying Milkbone biscuits, but the one time I pulled them out, no one bitched.

We broke down on the lake, it was dark before we made it back to shore, hiked another 3 miles with the flat bottom racer in tow to the boat ramp, must have been around midnight and none of us had eaten since around noon.
No one ever said another word about that damn dog food again. When you're starving, even a damn dog biscuit can taste good.
Oh, they were the large dog size, some guys even ate 3 a piece.

My father told me, when he was in boot camp, they told him if it ever got to where he was starving, he should boil grass and eat it--he wouldn't care.

Quote from: Ghoulardi on December 27, 2016, 07:46:21 PM
My father told me, when he was in boot camp, they told him if it ever got to where he was starving, he should boil grass and eat it--he wouldn't care.

Tis true, google north Koreans picking grass to survive. If it's all there is, eat it.
This chick should have stayed in class a bit longer and learned about root harvesting in winter months, at least they don't make you sick from all the acid in pine.

We were taught that boiled maggots of any kind were an excellent source of protein, even showed slides and people eating them.
Took me months to eat rice again.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2055658.stm