Accident strand Arizonaa backpacker who survives

“Injured hiker survives 6 days stuck in Superstitions
Michael Ferraresi and Steve Yozwiak
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 20, 2007 10:43 AM

Lon McAdam of Apache Junction had hiked in the Superstition Wilderness, often alone, for 32 years without a hitch.

But on the third day of a nine-day trek this month, along a creek bed at the bottom of aptly named Rough Canyon - just after he had scrambled past the worst of the boulders - McAdam slipped.

"It was not like a big tumble. It was just a simple little trip," he said.

McAdam's left kneecap cracked against a protruding rock, leaving McAdam unable to walk, helpless and alone in the middle of nowhere, and with no one expecting him back home for six more days.

The 56-year-old building manager for Apache Junction's Gold Canyon Elementary School had a satellite phone, but it wouldn't work. During his fall, his water pouch burst, soaking the phone and leaving it dead.

"In 15 minutes, I broke my knee, drenched my phone and pretty much realized I was screwed," McAdam said.

He had talked to his wife, Toni, earlier that day, letting her know everything was going well.

"My biggest concern was there are bears out there," said McAdam, recovering this week at a Scottsdale hospital.

He had plenty of food in the wilderness, but no way of hoisting it up to store it in a tree, out of reach of wildlife.

The remote area near the Superstition Mountain's Reavis Ranch, about 30 miles east of Mesa, was littered with bear scat. McAdam said he knew the bears were close, so he spent much of his time gripping a can of bear repellent and yelling into the woods to frighten any animals away.

At the same time, McAdam knew he needed to get to a spot where a rescue helicopter could spot him in the narrow gorge.

"I was scrambling on my butt for three days," he said.

Only 100 feet away, he eventually made to a clearing where he set up a large blue tarp with an X on it. Then he waited.

"I knew I'd have to be patient."

Somehow, McAdam remained calm. He knew someone would eventually come looking for him. As always, he had left a detailed itinerary with Toni.

With his kneecap split in two, McAdam gathered himself, eased through the extreme pain and eventually reached for his camera.

McAdam, a photographer published in Arizona Highways magazine, passed the time doing something he knew well.

He took photos, including some of himself.

McAdam also had plenty of time to think. He thought of Aron Ralston, the Aspen, Colo., man who in 2004 cut off his lower right arm to save his life after an 800-pound boulder pinned him for five days in southern Utah's Blue John Canyon.


Relatives fear worst
Late on April 15, eight days after McAdam went exploring, Toni was feeling desperate. Her husband had not returned on time.

At daybreak on April 16, Toni called the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. She also called the satellite phone company to get a location of Lon's last phone call.

"I thought he was dead," Toni said, tears welling up again at the thought of something terrible happing to Lon.

Lon's 78-year-old mother, Georgianna McAdam, flew in from Anaheim, Calif. "I'm going to cry. This was so scary," she said, recalling the uncertainty while Lon was missing.


Helicopter rescue
After six days injured and alone, McAdam saw an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter hovering over Rough Canyon.

He signaled it, reflecting the sun with a small, hand-held mirror. Rescue personnel saw it. McAdam was lifted out with the help of the Pinal sheriff's Superstition Search and Rescue squad, and within hours Lon was reunited with his family.

Recovering from surgery this week in a hospital bed at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn, McAdam received a surprise visit from Brenda Farris, principal of Gold Canyon Elementary School. Farris carried a giant get-well card, signed by many of the school's students.

"We told them he broke his knee; kept it in as simple terms as possible," Farris said.


Will hike again
Reflecting on his ordeal, McAdam said he enjoyed the view of the Superstitions from the rescue chopper. With the unspoiled wilderness below, he realized the trip - despite the "little trip" that nearly killed him - was worth it.

"This was just for the pure adventure and experience," McAdam said. "I knew I was going to get out."

And he plans to go back. But next time, he said, he's bringing a personal locator beacon.

http://www.azcentral.com/commphotos/azcentral/1224/1/0/”

“Wow- That is the best ending you could hope for.”

“Relying too much on technology to save you. Seems he didn't learn the lesson since he intends to do it again with another technology.”

“Pa. resident dies in fall on Shawangunk Ridge

The Trapps hiking and climbing area in the Mohonk Preserve along Routes 44/55. A 69-year-old man was found dead in the area by hikers on Thursday evening.
By Paul Brooks


Times Herald-Record
April 21, 2007

Gardiner — A Philadelphia-area man fell from a cliff on the Shawangunk Ridge and died in an apparent accident Thursday.

Two hikers found the body of Peter R. Cummins, 69, of Springfield, Pa., in a wooded area off Routes 44/55. The call came in at 6:15 p.m.

Ulster County sheriff's deputies are still investigating the incident, but it appears that Cummins slipped and fell while hiking, according to Undersheriff Frank Faluotico Jr. An autopsy is planned.

It was unclear when Cummins fell or when he arrived in the area, among other unanswered questions. Springfield is a suburb just west of Philadelphia, a drive of at least three hours. He was not listed among the guests at either the Mohonk Mountain House or the Days Inn. The area has several other hotels and motels and a number of bed and breakfasts as well.

A neighbor on Duncan Lane in Springfield said Cummins lived alone. His wife had died and his children had grown and moved away, the neighbor said. Police have notified Cummins' next of kin.

Officials at the Mohonk Preserve refused to provide information about the accident and referred questions to the sheriff's department. The accident was on preserve land, an official did confirm.

Hank Alicandri, the chief ranger at the preserve, declined to answer questions yesterday. The preserve's rescue team responds to an average of 45 climber accidents a year on the private preserve, which has about 50,000 annual climber visits. Deaths are not unheard of.

Hikers on the undercliff trail yesterday said they had seen emergency and rescue crews Thursday evening near where the trail bridge spans Routes 44/55.”

“Body recovered from Sullivan County lake

Fallsburg – The body of a man missing and presumed drowned Friday in Pleasure Lake in Fallsburg was recovered by divers shortly before noon today.

Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty said search dogs from the Ramapo Rescue Dog Association were brought in to aid in the search. One was placed on a boat and was able to pick up a scent in the water.

The Port Jervis Rescue Squad used under water cameras to locate an image and divers recovered the victim’s body.

The victim and a male companion were canoeing on the lake Friday afternoon when it capsized. The other man was able to swim to shore, but the victim went under.

A search yesterday was called off and resumed this morning.”

““Relying too much on technology to save you. Seems he didn't learn the lesson since he intends to do it again with another technology.”
USA
1:56:54 PM
4/21/07

I know its your intention to always be the biggest @ss you can be, but it seemed to me the technology was a back up. More a convenience, and not what he was relying on for rescue. He gave his wife a detailed itinerary. He had pepper spray. He had provisions. He moved to a clearing and waited. He put up a tarp with an X on it. He signaled the rescue chopper with a mirror (or something similar).”

“If this Arizona hiker wants to go it alone, fine. Be responsible for yourself and don't expect an instant rescue to come as soon as you screw up.”

“dude, he wasn't rescued for 6 days. I didn't hear any complaints from him in the story.”

“"And he plans to go back. But next time, he said, he's bringing a personal locator beacon."

Need Rescue, ASAP.”

“He has a family...I would put odds on that being the reason for a PLB...”

“The superstitions are beautiful, but quite rugged off trail. I hope to get back to them soon.”

“I don't know what makes you say he is taking the PLB so he can be rescued ASAP. He is taking it so the rescue people know where to find him and won't need a full scale search to locate him. Sounds responsible to me. If everyone had a PLB then rescues might be more common, but they wouldn't be so massive. Which would be cheaper in the long run? One is little more than a training mission, the other is not only expensive but has to be hard on the backcountry to have that many people beating the bushes, not to mention the over use of resources and manpower.”

“It was my understanding the PLB is only noticed if it is being looked for. Am I wrong about that? If that is the case, they won't be looking until the guy is reported overdue. So likely any rescue attempt would not be made ASAP, just much more efficiently.”

“It's a beacon, it sends out a distress signal to GPS satellites that help is needed and has your name and phone number in the message to reduce false alarms.

http://www.rei.com/product/48142632.htm
last edited: 4/21/07 10:47:07 PM”

“My coworkers son was diving about 18 miles offshore when their boat flooded and capsized. Their PLB went off and when the satellite passed over it read the beacon message and sent the information to the local coast guard station. Since his brother and mother worked for the Coast Guard they didn't even wait for verification. They sent out a boat immediately.”

“"if everyone had a PLB then rescues might be more common," hyway

That's the problem, more people will go into the wilderness with a false sense of security that if something goes wrong, they can just request a rescue.”

“USA, your arguement don't fit with this guy whatsoever. Did you even read the article?”

“USA, I am not disagreeing with that at all. But is it cheaper to send one team on foot to show someone the way out or maybe one chpter to haul someone out, than it it to mobilize a search with every resource you have in a 500 mile radius?”

“chpter = chopper”

“Please explain yourself, naked ape.”

“Hyway, I'm not disagreeing with your assertion that that type of rescue would be less costly. My point is that these PLBs will draw more inexperienced people, and solo hikers into remote situations where they are relying on technology to save them. I have heard of cases when people have used these to request rescue because they were too tired to hike out.”

“I am more worried about Redford-Newman making "A walk in the woods" into a movie than I am about the existence of PLBs influencing inexperienced people to go for a walk in the woods.”

“USA, were you not inexperienced before you began hiking? The way one garners experience is by starting as a novice and doing the trial and error thing. Darwin claims a few of the unfortunate, but that's part of the deal too. So it is with life.”

“Besides, this rescue argument is silly. You slip and fall in your bathtub, the rescue squad comes out. You let the chicken oil splash on the curtains and set the place on fire, out comes the fire department. Your neighbors are having a party but are a little loud, you call 911 and out comes the cops. A hurricane is approaching and you refuse to evacuate and end up stranded on your roof. Out come the rescue choppers. Why should hiking be any different”

“Relying too much on technology to save you. Seems he didn't learn the lesson since he intends to do it again with another technology.”
USA
12:56:54 PM
4/21/07

Stay in your hidey hole and you will be nice and safe. I did a nice solo this weekend with my PLB.”

“USA, I read your criticism, but I don't think I understand your full opinion. What do you think he did wrong and what should he have done instead? What should he do in the future?”

“Clearly, he should consult USA before venturing into the dangerous outdoors.”

“Bottom line: hiking alone brings with it inherent risks.

Good on the guy from the first story using the rescue mirror. It didn't mention him doing any first aid for his split knee?? Also, was thinking, bet he wished he had a bear can...

But hiking alone, you fall, you knock yourself out, you're in a world of hurt.”

“Mmmmm... Chicken oil. Mmmm... steamed oysters... mmmmm. shrimp.”

“"But on the third day of a nine-day trek this month, along a creek bed at the bottom of aptly named Rough Canyon - just after he had scrambled past the worst of the boulders - McAdam slipped."


Scrambling is the first level of climbing and involves no climbing protection. Soloing into a remote area where obviously nobody else goes (since nobody else came along for six days), engaging in risky scrambling, expecting to be rescued by technology, and then saying I'd do it again because I'll have a better technology to save me, well that's what I would say he did wrong, Ruby.”

“Geez, USA, technology did not save him. Giving his wife an itinerary is what saved him.

You know, the water is only waste deep here. Stop splashing around wildly and you'll see you can wade easily. Or put another way, you know you posted before thinking it through and that this guy did everything right. Now you find yourself defending a position that doesn't fit the situation. Just let it go.”

“USA- Lon McAdam is my father, I just want you to know that he did not expect an instant rescue, nor does he in the future. It is my family and I who insisted on him using any technology. He has the survival skills to make it as proven. I was there when he was rescued, and have listened to his oral journal. He did not rely on the satelite phone. The detailed map he generated on the computer with his exact route made his rescue possible. He has been doing this along time. It is hard for people to find to go with him, he has a passion, he cant stop now. Regardless of the risk my dad would not be who he is without his time exploring, and photographing. Please be kind, my dad is a good man, and a survivor. He is a not a whiner, he has a passion. Thanks for reading my rambling.”

“Princess, thanks for posting. I agree. I also have a hard time finding anyone to accompany me on my hiking forays, but it probably has more to do with personal hygiene;)”

“We're with you, Princess. Glad everything turned out well for your family. That was a story with a happy ending :)”

“"He has a family...I would put odds on that being the reason for a PLB...”
Mataharihiker
2:18:26 PM
4/21/07"

I thought all along this was the reason for him getting a PLB...thank you for posting, princessvk...your Dad seemed extremely capable to me when I saw him interviewed and hardly the careless sort...there are always one or two here that feel the need to go after anyone who has anything go wrong on a trip...I usually go solo myself and it is also my passion...I was really impressed by your Dad which is why I posted his story in the first place...”

“I went hiking, misstepped, fell and dislocated my shoulder. It popped back in and I was able to walk out.
Am I going again? Dang straight!

Now USA hates me. 8^(”

“Cool to hear from this guy's daughter. I enjoyed the story because the guy obviously knew what he was doing and kept his head waiting to be rescued. One rescue in 32 years is not bad.”

“Hello BackCountry Friends,
I enjoyed the messages that you have posted and I appreciate all of you that have defended my backcountry decisions.
As far as relying on technology, this is the first time I have taken an electronic device into the backcountry, other than a camera or a voice recorder.
Of course I'll return to the wilderness on solo treks, I call it Livin'. I call it square mile livin', no square foot buildings, no controlled environment. The real threats are on the freeway, at the mall, downtown at night. My only threat in the backcountry looks me in the mirror everyday. I trust that reflection as do any of my backcountry sons and friends.
Personal Locator Beacon: Activate it and it instantly makes contact with a satellite overhead and pinpoints your position and alerts authorities that you are in need of help. They are waterproof too.
USA: False sense of security? My confidence and sense of security come from the knowledge and skills I've acquired over a lifetime of Square mile Livin. Fitness and knowledge are the keys to a successful trek in the wilderness. My pre-hike preparations are meticulous, every meal, everyday is planned. USA, Obviously you've spent many moons in the backcountry as I have and I would think that you would identify with my infatuation and love with the the wild places. My wife is my closest link to security, I've been posting my itineraries and route's on our refrigerator for over thiry years and she obviously considers it a life saver. PLB's and phones are a back up plan,knowledge,fitness, itineraries, routes, information are keys to successful treks and happy endings.
Personal Locator Beacon: Bottom line is that if I had a waterproof PLB I'd have only spent one day nursing my kneecap.
USA: I never said I'd do it again because I'll have better technology to save me. This is a canyon that I have explored over the last three years on six treks. This canyon is as deep in my heart as any I've ever explored or gazed upon. It's not the most spectacular canyon but it's a wild place that I've found that words nor photographs can express my love and appreciation for. What I do know is that when I'm in this canyon I'm Livin' as High as any individual ever has on this big ol' Blue Rock.
Thank you for your interest,with respect and Happy Trails to all!
Lon”

“Right on brother!”

“If this was the first time you've taken a life-saving technology with you and never had problems before, did you take on additional risk this time feeling a little more secure? And just how risky was the scrambling you were doing? First time taking a satellite phone and having an accident - might cause someone to be a little "superstitious." *grin*

As you might guess from my photo albums I have taken risks in mountain climbing in the past. But I was single at that time. Now that I am married and am responsible to support a family, I no longer take unnecessary risks even though my heart is still in the mountains. I love my wife and would not make her worry by going out solo in risky situations.”

“"Personal Locator Beacon: Bottom line is that if I had a waterproof PLB I'd have only spent one day nursing my kneecap.
USA: I never said I'd do it again because I'll have better technology to save me."

You just did. What guarantee do you have that a PLB would have saved you 5 days earlier? What's to say that your fall would not have disabled the PLB?”

“usa give it up”

“he won't. he's dug in now and thinks this is a fuego thread. He knows in his heart that he was wrong and is still wrong, but its his nature to keep digging when he feels cornered.

Kneecap (and princessvk), everyone posting to this thread with the exception of USA understands what you are saying and respects how you handled yourself in an emergency. If you enjoy the backcountry and have a thick skin, stick around and join in on some of the other threads.

I am one of those guys who never goes anywhere yet still posts on a backpacker forum, but most people here are very active backpackers. You should have no problem finding hiking partners if you want one.

Unlike many forums I visit, you can find a wide range of opinions, styles, politics, religeons, etc here and everyone coexists somewhat reasonably. I think its because almost everyone that posts here has been on a backwoods trip with someone else from this forum. So even if someone is a total jerk, we still know he is a human jerk and not just some outsider stirring up trouble. Its like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon. I bet it wouldn't even take seven degrees for everyone here to link themselves through other people they have hiked with to everyone else on this forum.”

“Great post, Hyway. You impress me.”

“Finally, now I can die with my life complete.”

“Okay, now get on with it; just don't do one of those long winded posts on the life and times of Hyway before hand:)”

“{puts away his tanto} say, that's not such a bad idea. I'll put off the hara kiri until I write my death poem. be right back.”

“Oh God, I did it, now there's going to be a "terminally disabled" thread.”

“Hyway, I posted on this thread about responsibility. Your first post on the thread was an insult toward me and ever since your MO has been an obsession to insult and discredit. If anyone is a jerk, it has to be you.”

“Hike on kneecap.”