Lost hunter wanders 8 hours before rescuers find him on dark, foggy trail, WA cops say
A lost hunter wandered eight hours before rescuers found him on a dark, foggy and cold trail in Washington, deputies said.
The man called for help at about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, from the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail near Cheney, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
He told authorities he became “disoriented” in the dark and lost his way, deputies said.
Deputies were able to get hisapproximate location while his cell phone was at 5% battery life.
When deputies first got to the area, they weren’t able to get far because of downed trees and “limited access to the trail.”
Rescuers said they later arrived on ATVs and found him on the trail near the intersection of S. Mullinix Road and S. Harmony Road.
He was cold and tired, but declined medical attention, deputies said.
The Columbia Plateau State Park Trail runs along the Snake River and is 130 miles long. It was constructed on an abandoned railbed.
Cheney is about 15 miles southwest of Spokane.
What to do if you get lost while hiking
If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.
“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.
You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”
There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:
Have more than enough food and water with you.
Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”
This story was originally published November 16, 2023 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Lost hunter wanders 8 hours before rescuers find him on dark, foggy trail, WA cops say."
