Sorry if I upset/ pissed you off. Tissue? :-)
It's not arrogance mate, and I am not a git. I do understand this issue quite well however. I merely
think that your suggestion to Gordoste was self limiting. It was also illogical, considering the topic of
this thread.
Yes, it is '2 hours', seriously man!... based on whatever method of transport that you were using before
the accident. I know plenty of day hikes in Vic that are much farther than two hours from towns. I
know many that are closer than two hours too!
Why would you be dragging/carrying your unconscious mate? It was hypothetical - I am sure you knew
that. Who knows, perhaps those canyoners sadly tried to do something similar when helping their
friend?
I also know I am in the minority when it comes to carrying a PLB - I am well aware of that. And, yes,
my approach is not always the right approach. It's a darn sight better than your empty suggestion. I
also acknowledge the other important factors that you mentioned...for sure. The thing is, saying
beacons are not necessary for day canyoning is inappropriate, considering the topic of this thread, and
considering they were missing for days. To make it worse, it took emergency crews over a day to
locate them due to bad weather. If one person went for high ground, activated the beacon (such as
those with GPS), then perhaps they would have been located days earlier. Perhaps. It is the realm of
the 'perhaps' scenario that decisions should be made toward preparedness.
Tidal River? You probably get phone reception there, so a beacon would not be necessary. Happy
camping!
I'm trying to understand your rationale, but I am struggling...."seriously man". You contradicted
yourself, saying that minor mishaps can spiral out of control when there is cold water involved. Can
they? Too bloody right it can. A drop in core body temperature of only 1 degree, in a traumatic
scenario, can increase mortality by up to 60%. I am sure you knew that though happy camper. But
hey, as you say, canyon accidents don't have time for beacons.
I too find that the majority of hikers that I meet, even on multi-week hikes do not carry beacons! Cool.
Whatever.
I don't think that a thread relating to a deceased person belonging to a group of missing canyoners is
the place to be saying that canyon accidents don't have the time for beacons.
Beacons always have been a great topic for discussion/argument. Perhaps the issue needs to be
visited more often - considering the annual increase in numbers hikers, climbers, canyoners and
related accidents, maybe they have a place?
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