Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a scenic hike around the edge of one of the few lakes in this area. This is an easy hike, about 5 miles round trip on a mostly flat trail in a natural setting with herons. Bring water and lunch. Optional vineyard wine tasting after the hike. Meet Jan 27 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (about 90 minute drive). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact John at 432-5158 or johnwasser@hotmail.com.
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BACKTRACK - Fort Bowie
Braving government lockdown, wind and rain forecast warnings seven hikers met for what turned out to be a sunny if windy hike. Our journey started on the trail in Syphon Canyon where we followed faint trail marking of the Butterfield Overland Express as it traveled through Apache Pass. Apache Pass was not only a natural low point through the Dragoon and Dos Cabezas mountain ranges but also the source of Apache Springs making it a gathering place for travelers throughout the area. A fatal meeting between Lt Bascom and Cochise in 1861 led to 30 years of turmoil between the US Army and the Chiricahuas. We relived a bit of history as we visited the remains of Fort Bowie constructed in 1868. -Guy
Guy has more photos on the Muleteam shutterfly page, and here are 360 photos:
https://rebrand.ly/fortb5120
https://rebrand.ly/fortb1696
https://rebrand.ly/fortb3427
https://rebrand.ly/fortb7909
SIDETRACK - Getting Lost
Here is an article submitted by Guy (who is leading a lot of hikes lately...hmmm).
Getting Lost While Hiking - Plan Ahead and Know What To Do If You Get Lost
by Matt Jaffe Updated March 17, 2017
Getting lost while hiking is one of the worst feelings in the world. The combination of fear, confusion, and loneliness can be overwhelming and often makes an already bad situation even worse.
BEFORE YOU GO
Have a plan. Everyone loves to be spontaneous but you really should make a decision about your day and then take the necessary steps to make that happen.
Know where you're going. Pick a trail, then check a map and familiarize yourself with the terrain where you'll be hiking.
Are there stream crossings? Are there multiple junctions or intersecting trails that could be confusing?
Charge your phone. There's no guarantee that you'll have cell coverage on the trail. But you definitely won't if your battery is dead.
Bring the essentials. Make sure that you've packed food, water, an extra layer of clothing, flashlight, compass, maps, fire starter, and whistle (more on that later).
Tell someone where and when you're hiking. Let a friend or family member know your itinerary. Some people also leave a note inside their car at trailheads to help rescuers.
Check the weather forecast. Changing weather conditions can create problems on the trail. Rain swells rivers and makes crossings more difficult. Lightning is a major danger and by attempting to find a safe location, you might stray off the trail. And In cooler months, sudden snows can obscure trails and cause you to get lost too.
Don't go out too late. If you're hiking in the afternoon, check to see what time the sun will go down. Fading daylight can lead to a feeling of panic if you start becoming disoriented and will increase the risk of making bad decisions.
ON THE TRAIL
If in a group, keep the person ahead of you in sight. Pay attention to the topography and your surroundings.
Keep yourself oriented. Trails can look remarkably different depending on which way you're hiking. Turn around frequently and take note of prominent landmarks and try to identify them on maps to keep track of your location. When you do get lost, your ability to recognize landmarks will help you determine that you're actually on the right course back.
Pay attention to boot prints. You'll often end up in areas where short-cutting hikers have created side trails and also spots where you arrive at a junction that you hadn't anticipated.
The main trail will typically show more wear and foot traffic. If any junctions are particularly confusing, create a small marker from rocks or branches to help with directions and then remove it on your return.
Avoid extended side trips. While responsible hiking means that you should always stay on established trails, many hikers do end up straying off to take photos, catch a view, or to find a place to sit. Don't travel too far off the main trail and always keep track of where it is.
Trust your gut. You can often avoid getting lost by paying attention to your anxiety level. If you begin to sense that you're losing your bearings, stop before you wander even further off course and try to reorient yourself.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE LOST HIKING
Follow the STOP Rule. Easy to remember: Think Stop.
Observe. Plan.
Stay calm. Panic is the enemy and will lead to bad decisions and wasted energy. Find a comfortable spot, drink some water, have something to eat, and center yourself before taking any action.
Take inventory of your resources. Determine how much food and water you have and limit your intake to avoid depleting your stocks. There's no need to start foraging for berries and grubs or drinking from streams until you absolutely have no choice.
Assess your situation. Take note of the location of the sun. And assuming you brought a map, look for landmarks and use your compass to see if you can figure your out your approximate location before making any moves.
Try to retrace your steps. Don't go any farther down the trail and try to determine where you were last aware of your exact location. Assess whether you can work your back to that spot. If you can get there, you might then get reoriented and can hike back out on your own.
Check for phone coverage. If you've determined that you're truly lost and can't hike back out, see if you have cell phone coverage and call the authorities. And make sure that you're not running any apps that could drain your battery.
Use your whistle. Other people in the area are more likely to hear a whistle than yelling, plus you'll save your voice. Blow three distinct whistle blasts (a recognized distress signal), then wait a few minutes and repeat.
Make yourself noticeable. Find a clearing where can be spotted from the air. If you have any brightly colored objects or clothing, take these items out to provide additional visual cues for rescuers.
Start a small, contained fire. Smoke, even from a small fire, can draw attention to your location. But carefully tend the fire because lost hikers and hunters have sometimes accidentally started large wildfires. Which is a whole other problem.
SPENDING THE NIGHT
Find a sheltered spot. You may reach a point when you realize that you're going to have to spend the night outdoors. Plus if you try to push on after dark, you're only likely to make things worse. Even in fairly mild conditions, hypothermia is a danger, so put on any extra clothing and locate a spot that's out of the wind and any rain. Remember too that cold air sinks to the bottom of valleys.
Keep all of your senses engaged. Don't wait until it's already dark to find your spot. Gather wood for a fire and assemble some kind of shelter while you can still see. And avoid setting up camp near running water. The sound of a river may make it impossible for you to hear any rescuers.
CALENDAR
Feb 3 - Red Rock Canyon in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Feb 10 - Brown-Ramsey loop in the Huachucas with Gary
Feb 17 - San Pedro hike & riverside picnic with Doug
Feb 24 - Rucker's Gate in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Mar 3 - Joe's Canyon/Coronado Peak in the Huachucas with Sandy
Mar 10 - Heart of Rocks in the Chiricahuas with Brad
Mar 17 - Art Stairs hike in Old Bisbee with Larry
Mar 24 - ?
...??
April 20-21-22 - Silver Peak camp-hike in the Chiricahuas with Brad
...??
Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry
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Muleteam archive photos - muleteam.shutterfly.com
Muleteam & Bisbee gifts - cafepress.com/bisbeegear
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