Lessons

There are many lessons we can learn from Bryce's experience in Grand Canyon that resulted in tragic loss of life.    These are true for all scouts and outdoor enhusiasts alike taking on elements of nature.  

• • Buddy system:  Try and avoid very hard, all solo trips.   This is true for all activities in all venues -- sea, land or air.   Whether you are hiking, sailing, scubadiving or balooning, you need a competent buddy.   As experienced as Bryce was, this was a major mistake he made even before he arrived at Grand Canyon.

  • Authoritative infomation:  All your planning should be based on real and accurate information obtained from official credible sources.   You cannot base your plans on rumors, opinions, hand drawn maps and charts.   Even if you have all official navigation aids, never discount local knowledge, and hands-on experiences of others who are likely to point out nuances in expected conditions that can save lives.   It was mentioned that Bryce may have based his hiking plans on articles, maps and trail descriptions he came across on hiking and outdoors related websites.  Many of these articles could be good starting points for planning but cannot be relied on as authoritative information for real planning.  Official trail maps published by park authority could have made a huge difference, if Bryce had them.   Similarly, a 5 minute chat with a ranger could have provided another crutial check point and plan review for him.

  • File a detailed flight plan. 

  • Never leave the designated trail, path, route. 

  • Confidence in your own capabilities is necessary but over-confidence could be deadly.

  • Conditions change from season to season.

  • Terrain conditions and topography.

  • Gear selection.

  • Utilize electronics.  GPS locator becons.

  • Extreme temperatures - hot or cold. 

  • Reherse, shake-down.

  • Review plans, conditions, and decisons again!   Repeat the process in the field.