Crazy story. Waiting on my wife to finish reading it so we can talk about it...

I'm glad she made it out and I'm sad her grandparents did not.

gptc wrote: Best hedge is an IR. I got mine as soon as I finished my PPL. I don't fly IFR often (enough practice approaches to stay current) but it has been a life saver more than once.....

I agree, IF you make an on-going effort to stay current and at least somewhat proficient (or is it proficent and somewhat current?). But someone expecting the instrument rating they got 10 years ago and haven't used for 9 to save their bacon in a VFR-into-IMC situation, is sort of like carrying a unloaded gun for self-protection. It might make you feel better, but when the chips are down it won't help. If you expect your instrument skills to save you, keep the rust knocked off them.

Everything about that story was upsetting, but this first statement upset me extra:

'Autumn Veatch stood on the side of Highway 20, hoping someone would pull over and help her. For an hour, vehicles traveling across the North Cascades whizzed by her.'

WTF is it with people???

I have always picked up hitchhikers. The choices are trust in God or live in fear.

Shakespeare didn't understand the media. The evil that men do makes the news. The good is oft interred with the bones.

The choices are trust in God or live in fear.

AMEN to that!

My operating principle.

Fear God so you need fear nothing else.

Maybe she looked like Charlie Manson or something?
#1) don't be so quick to believe the media, they have been known to sensationalize things once or twice.
And #2) don't be too eager to condemn others. I find it hard to believe any of you have picked up every hitch-hiker you've ever seen. I'll admit that I've blown by most of the ones I've seen-- but if I'd thought they were in real trouble I'd have stopped.

When alone, yes. My wife didn't allow that except on the Navajo Reservation with sober Navajos and LDS missionary boys.

Mountain Doctor wrote: 'Autumn Veatch stood on the side of Highway 20, hoping someone would pull over and help her. For an hour, vehicles traveling across the North Cascades whizzed by her.'

If I were in Autumn Veatch's situation, I would have stepped in to the road and flagged down the first car that I saw and explained the magnitude of what was going on. There is a time to stand roadside with your thumb out hoping for a ride and a time to say "I'm in desperate need of help right now". To me it sounds like her case was the latter.

Scolopax wrote:If I were in Autumn Veatch's situation, I would have stepped in to the road and flagged down the first car that I saw and explained the magnitude of what was going on. There is a time to stand roadside with your thumb out hoping for a ride and a time to say "I'm in desperate need of help right now". To me it sounds like her case was the latter.

Of course- but let's remember she was hypothermic, shocky, low blood sugar, likely dehydrated, physically exhausted, injured, emotionally traumatized, and probably quite scared. And despite some very brave, strenuous and resourceful actions on her part, still basically a kid. I doubt many of us would be thinking entirely clearly in her shoes.

denalipilot wrote:

Scolopax wrote:If I were in Autumn Veatch's situation, I would have stepped in to the road and flagged down the first car that I saw and explained the magnitude of what was going on. There is a time to stand roadside with your thumb out hoping for a ride and a time to say "I'm in desperate need of help right now". To me it sounds like her case was the latter.

Of course- but let's remember she was hypothermic, shocky, low blood sugar, likely dehydrated, physically exhausted, injured, emotionally traumatized, and probably quite scared. And despite some very brave, strenuous and resourceful actions on her part, still basically a kid. I doubt many of us would be thinking entirely clearly in her shoes.

I agree 100%. Totally impressive that she made it. I have spent quite a bit of time in that country and it is not very forgiving. I was just making a point to counter the "shame on you humanity" for not picking her up sooner position.

I've given a few rides but not many. I had a black seventh grade teacher from South Carolina that told us kids to never pick up hitchhikers. They found her brother in pieces in the ditch after he picked up somebody. Some things you remember.