White Sands Nat. Monument Dangers...

[aries63]

Originally Posted by joqua

l was making a comparison between the obvious dangers of walking the rim of the Grand Canyon and walking on a sand dune.

They are both very seductive, can trick you and draw you in (sometimes for good!).

I have been out cross-country skiing in the Jemez and once as the afternoon wore on I realized that I had made a big circle and couldn't figure out how to get back out the way I came in. And yes, the sun was getting lower and my knees were killing me because the snow was sticking and clumping on the bottom of my waxless skis, so I had to keep stopping to scrape them smooth. I started to freak out but I eventually found my way back just as the sun started to go down. That was one of my scary wilderness moments, since I wasn't at all prepared to spend a winter's night in the mountains!

[joqua]

The only time I was ever truly lost (knock wood) was in deep woods in the deep south while on a hunting trip with friends. It was a foggy morning with no hint of direction since there were no shadows. I knew if I walked far enough I'd eventually hit either the river or a hiway. At some point I came upon a house with cars parked around it and headed there to ask directions. It wasn't until I was right up to the house that I realized I'd actually stumbled my way right back to our hunting camp!

That experience taught me just how easy it is to become disoriented in an unfamiliar place.

Having once been a volunteer with the local Search and Rescue organization, I also saw how easily people get lost when they wander from a well-worn trail and strike out on their own.