Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Feb. 12, 2009, edition 1 / Page 3
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Safety precautions and stories of the trail survives fO-hour ordeal jn Pisgah Forest By Heide Penner Staff Wr(ter BMPENNER@UNCA.EOU UNC Asheville alumnus anticipated a short back- « mg trip through Pisgah National Forest, but ended up |or more than 20 hours. , ^ got going, and I kept going and going,” Lindsey .^ostein said. “I started hiking last Sunday afternoon i' pf Monday morning.” I^fundstein began at the Turkey Pen Gap trailhead fork- different directions. • .^“PPpsedly, it’s a very easy area to get lost in,” she • ‘Either trails aren’t marked that well, or the blaze go in and out, which are the markings on the trees you know what trail you’re on.” friend of Pfundstein’s informed her about a short P'Og trail that provided a fairly easy hike. Was thinking it was only going to take two hours, ^ ® three at the very most,” the 22-year-old said. “I I packed somewhat of a light, backpack because 1 knew i going to be a short hike. 1 put some extra jackets, I Water in there.” he started her hike around 2 p.m. and grew concerned ® sun began to set. Pfundstein took a trail that she hght led back to her car. t switched trails, and the sun was setting on me. Fi- y, it Was dark. I was hiking down tliis mountain, and 3s really steep — there were a lot of rocks,” she said. 1 get to this point where I think my car is sup- skb Lost hiker Pagf 6 \ Hiking safety: Bring a map, compass and partner By Michelle Peck Staff Wstter MWPECK@UNCA.EDU More than one-tiiird of the U.S. population hiked last year, according to the American Hiking Society, but despite its popularity, UNC Asheville hik ers encourage people to take precautions while enjoying the outdoors. “Go hiking with someone experienced, who knows the area, the trail, where water sources are located and any other potential hazards that may arise during the trip,” said Chris Hampson, a history major and UNC Asheville Outdoors trip supervisor said. “Always look at a weather report before leav ing so that you can prepare for potential stonns. Always pack plenty of water, approximately 2 liters, and have a map. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return, especially for overnight trips. Most importantly, have fun.” Running out of water may be the least of hiking haz ards. Approximately 11,000 black bears inhabit 10 million acres of land spread mainly across western and eastern North Carolina, according to North Carolina Wildlife. “While hiking in Linville Gorge, in Pisgah, 1 thought 1 saw a bear. 1 slowly turned around and just walked in tlie other direction,” Ben Gilbert, an economics major, said. “That is the most scared I’ve been while hiking.” According to Appalachian Bears Rescue, bears rarely attack humans. Only 57 people died from bear attacks during the last -Pfen'ahead' - Bf itngjpierrtyyaf Waterr - -KfiowTheanvironmentt --SfdrtismalP - Know, basicliirst ‘aid! - ■ Ndve?! hil^al6ng;j - -Watoh .where^ypu Jstepi - -Take^Tegdiai'ifcireaks’; -Stfek^-tOTtheli^aiP - -ShareptansTwith '.reliafeilfe pefsorn -GhecWweatheEr 1100 years. I Hampson suggested storing food up |high or separating the cook site from the [camp site as precautions while hiking in I tbear country. “One time 1 was with a group of people on UNCA’s wilderness trip, and I saw a snake on the trail,”-said Anna Mills, a mul timedia arts and science major. “It was just a black snake, so it probably wasn’t danger ous, but I saw it out of the comer of my eye. My gut reaction was to mn and push the two people in front of me out of my way.” Many students said that hiking served as a break from regular day-to-day stress. “I go hiking by myself. It is peaceful for me and a good de-stressor,” Gilbert said. “1 just got a dog and I can’t wait to take him with me.” ^ For many hikers, including Gilbert, completing the vast Appalachian Trail is the ultimate goat. “I really want to hike die entire Appalachian Trail one day. Next summer I’m going widi my uncle to hike part of the Continental Divide,” he said. “I also want to go to Mount Rogers in Roanoke because 1 hear you can walk up and pet the wild ponies.” Mills plans to hike part of the Appalachian Trail with her boyfriend this summer tlirough the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. “It seems so mentally and physically challenging to do the Appalachian Trail,” Milts said. “I’ve been read ing books and articles about people who have hiked the trail before, and it seems so tough. I heard 15 percent of the people who attempt it quit after the first week.” The Appalachian Trail extends 2,175 miles long. See Safety Page 6 I
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