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Hiker rescued off B.C. cliffside after taking non-existent Google Maps trail
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this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2023
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Maps - digital or analog - are by definition only approximations of reality. When the two disagree in any way, reality wins every time.
When you are going off into the forest where nobody in the world knows exactly where you are, and you have to depend on your own wits to get back to civilization, you'd better damned well have a light, as well as a lighter.
Should mapping services correct these kinds of errors? Absolutely. Is it their fault when some dingus with no gear whatsoever goes walking into the forest where no path is? No.
I have a dedicated hiking bag with two flashlights, a headlamp, and two backup batteries. All use the same 18650s.
I also have an airtight container with zippo fluid, and a ferro rod/striker on the side, a solar charging arc lighter, a regular Bic lighter, and a magnifying glass. I want to put a large ferro rod and a small tin of waterproof matches in there as well.
I also have three mylar blankets, a camp knife, length of paracord and twine, and a first aid kit with splint and tourniquet added.
It sounds bulky, but it all fits in it's own pouch that hangs off the main bag, and weighs about 2lbs without the knife. Idk if that's considered bulky or not, but I've never had issue with it. Most of my hiking weight comes from water.
That anyone goes out without at least a snack, water, flashlight, and something to catch others attention like a whistle, blows my mind.
I came across 5 people in flip-flops/sandals and gym attire carrying nothing but phones and one or two Nalgene bottles several miles into hilly, winding trails that takes about 3 hours to get to the main landmark, and handed out a couple bottles for their return. Chill dudes, just didn't plan well. Hopefully they tried again with better planning.