Originally posted by DSettahr
The couple from Quebec who lost their way atop Marcy were fit enough to post-hole 2000 feet down into Panther Gorge, build an all-night fire, and get rescued the next day with all body parts intact.
The triathlete who became separated from his son atop Marcy chose to hunker down below the summit in a snow-hole with over 2 hours of daylight remaining. The next morning, somewhat frustrated that he hadn't been found yet, he emerged, ascended back to the summit and met a ranger.
The group-leader ascending Marcy, fell behind her group, had trouble following the route up, chose to return to Schofield Cobble following her own tracks and then lost her way. She ended up well west of Schofield Cobble (but didn't know it at the time). She had a map and compass but felt her skills were rusty so she used her SPOT and waited for the rangers.
The mother and children who came to snow board Marcy, lost their way on top, descended its opposite side and then called for help, indicating they were on the north side.
Disorientation alone is adequate to explain walking off in the wrong direction. Pausing to determine the correct direction can avoid a bad day (and night).
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