Motorist stuck in snow on backcountry Road 18, phones 911 for rescue

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Motorist stuck in snow on backcountry Road 18, phones 911 for rescue

MEDIA RELEASE
MOTORIST STUCK IN SNOW
Finley Butte Road, mile marker 20.
2-3-07, 3:00pm
BY: Sgt. Joe Deluca

Driver: Smith, Tara Lynn 21 YOA
Bend

On 2-3-07 at approximately 3pm, Tara Smith was driving her car towards LaPine on Finley Butte Road (Forest Service Road 18) from China Hat Road (Forest Service Road 22) when she became stuck in the snow. Smith had her 14 month old daughter with her and an adult friend. Smith had a cell phone and called 911.

Smith directed Deputies with the Deschutes County and Lake County Sheriff’s Office to her location. A law enforcement officer with the Deschutes National Forest also responded. Another motorist arrived prior to law enforcement and became stuck when he attempted to pull Smith out of the snow. A deputy also became stuck when he arrived. After approximately 1 hour, all vehicles were dug out and had to back out of the area. Smith had warm clothing, food and almost a full tank of gas. There were no injuries.

Winter travel on snow covered roads can become extremely dangerous when the weather warms and packed snow that may have been driven on during freezing temperatures becomes soft. Motorists are reminded to prepare if visiting the outer areas by having warm clothing or blankets, food, cell phones and plenty of gasoline.

What can be learned from this recent event?
The primary purpose of these TraditionalMountaineering experience reports (and the American Alpine Club's fifty eight Annual Report's of Accidents in North American Mountaineering) is to aid in the prevention of accidents.

Follow the Four Basic Responsibilities of the backcountry traveler:
1. Tell a Responsible Person where you are going, where they plan to park, when they will be back and to make sure that person understands that they are relied upon to call 911 at a certain time if the backcountry traveler has not returned.
2. Wear clothing appropriate to the forecast weather and carry the Ten Essential Systems.
3. Always Stay Found with map, compass and GPS so that you know where you are on your map and can see what is located nearby.
4. Carry a cell phone or citizens band radio.

Do not try to find your way until you are exhausted and/or wet. Wait for rescuers sent by your Responsible Person.
People have survived for weeks in the relative safety of their vehicle stocked with the simple Ten Essential Systems.
--Webmeister Speik

A suggested minimum standard news advisory for all backcountry travelers

"We would like to take this opportunity to ask our visitors to the backcountry of Oregon to plan for the unexpected. Each person should dress for the forecast weather and take minimum extra clothing protection from a drop in temperature and possible rain or snow storm or an unexpected cold wet night out, insulation from the wet ground or snow, high carbohydrate snacks, two quarts of water or Gatorade, a map and compass and optional inexpensive GPS and the skills to use them, and a charged cell phone and inexpensive walkie-talkie radios. Carry the traditional personal "Ten Essentials Systems" in a day pack sized for the season and the forecast weather.

Visitors are reminded to tell a Responsible Person where they are going, where they plan to park, when they will be back and to make sure that person understands that they are relied upon to call 911 at a certain time if the backcountry traveler has not returned. If you become lost or stranded, mark your location and stay still or move around your marked location to stay warm. Do not try to find your way until you are exhausted, or worse yet - wet. Wait for rescuers.

THE MISSION of TraditionalMountaineering.org

"To provide information and instruction about world-wide basic to advanced alpine mountain climbing safety skills and gear, on and off trail hiking, scrambling and light and fast Leave No Trace backpacking techniques based on the foundation of an appreciation for the Stewardship of the Land, all illustrated through photographs and accounts of actual shared mountaineering adventures."

TraditionalMountaineering is founded on the premise that "He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught", that exploring the hills and summitting peaks have dangers that are hidden to the un-informed and that these inherent risks can be in part, identified and mitigated by mentoring: information, training, wonderful gear, and knowledge gained through the experiences of others.

The value of TraditionalMountaineering to our Friends and Subscribers is the selectivity of the information we provide, and its relevance to introducing folks to informed hiking on the trail, exploring off the trail, mountain travel and Leave-no-Trace light-weight bivy and backpacking, technical travel over steep snow, rock and ice, technical glacier travel and a little technical rock climbing on the way to the summit. Whatever your capabilities and interests, there is a place for everyone in traditional alpine mountaineering.

WARNING - *DISCLAIMER!*
Mountain climbing has inherent dangers that can, only in part, be mitigated

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Your Essential Light Day Pack
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What does experience tell us about Light and Fast climbing?
What is the best traditional alpine mountaineering summit pack?
What is Light and Fast alpine climbing?
What do you carry in your day pack?    Photos?
What do you carry in your winter day pack?     Photos?
What should I know about "space blankets"?
Where can I get a personal and a group first aid kit?    Photos?

Carboration and Hydration
Is running the Western States 100 part of "traditional mountaineering"?
What's wrong with GORP? Answers to the quiz!
Why do I need to count carbohydrate calories?
What should I know about having a big freeze-dried dinner?
What about carbo-ration and fluid replacement during traditional alpine climbing? 4 pages in pdf
What should I eat before a day of alpine climbing?

About Alpine Mountaineering:
The Sport of Alpine Mountaineering
Climbing Together
Following the Leader
The Mountaineers' Rope
Basic Responsibilities Cuatro Responsabiliades Basicas de Quienes Salen al Campo
The Ten Essentials Los Diez Sistemas Esenciales

Our Leader's Guidelines:
Our Volunteer Leader Guidelines
Sign-in Agreements, Waivers and Prospectus     This pdf form will need to be signed by you at the trail head
Sample Prospectus    Make sure every leader tells you what the group is going to do; print a copy for your "responsible person"
Participant Information Form    This pdf form can be printed and mailed or handed to the Leader if requested or required
Emergency and Incident Report Form    Copy and print this form. Carry two copies with your Essentials
Participant and Group First Aid Kit    Print this form. Make up your own first aid essentials (kits)

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