SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE – Safety in the Mountains

The latest issue of the Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention newsletter, “Partners in Crime Prevention,” has been posted. In this issue, the Sheriff’s Office notes the popularity of hiking and enjoying the mountains over the last couple of years. It makes recommendations on how you can prepare for a safe and enjoyable experience.

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6841

WINTER HIKING – Take the Right Precautions

Hiking in our mountains has become a popular way to get out of the house during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And while spring and summer are times when most people think about hiking in the mountains, many people might consider hiking over the winter to get some fresh air.

Winter hiking does pose unique risks that you should be prepared for should you decide to hit the trails. Here are some suggestions form the Washington Trails Association (WTA),

 

·       Choose where you hike wisely. Avalanches, snow and otherwise, are big problems in the winter. You can find the best trails for winter hiking (and the ones to stay away from) on the Washington Trails Association website. Also, check out avalanche conditions in the mountains at the Northwest Avalanche Center.

o   Washington Trails Association:

§  Hiking Guide- https://www.wta.org/go-outside/hikes

§  Where to go and not go for a winter hike- https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/seasonal-avalanche-chute-trails-snow-hazards?fbclid=IwAR3zyyI-XUMjdIkz3at5-pwtCVHZlhjOJx_L9WMzL5t2cehLs2BcZ8qe25g#.X755yHyxEzU.facebook

o   Northwest Avalanche Center:

§  https://nwac.us/

·      Check the weather. Before you go, check the weather forecast for the mountains. The National Weather Service’s Mountain Forecast website is a good place for this information.

o   National Weather Service Mountain Forecast:

§  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/forecast03.php

·      Check road conditions. You can check mountain pass conditions on the WSDOT website.

o   Washington State Department of Transportation Mountain Passes:

§  https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/default.aspx?_ga=2.36509670.753784110.1575328800-1791644849.1571669599

·      Wear the right clothing. With colder, rainy, or snowy weather, you need to be sure that you have the right clothing to survive the cold. Have a base layer of long thermal underwear tops and/or bottoms. Next, a warm insulating layer such as a fleece jacket or wool sweater. Finally, a waterproof/windproof layer like rain/wind jackets and hiking or rain pants.

·       Let someone know where you are going. Make out a trip plan and leave it with someone who can call 911 if you do not return on time from your hike.

o   WTA Hike Itinerary Form:

§  https://www.wta.org/go-outside/new-to-hiking/hiking-101-1/hike-itinerary

·      Take the 10 essentials with you.

o   WTA 10 Essentials:

§  https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/ten-essentials

 

 

Washington Trails Association:

https://www.wta.org/

 

The Herald:

 https://www.heraldnet.com/life/heres-how-to-hike-safely-during-the-rainy-season/

 

KING TV News:

https://www.king5.com/article/travel/destinations/explore-the-pnw/search-and-rescue-volunteers-fatigued-concerned/281-e3039541-8c3e-4f4e-a37d-862858717eab

 

 

 

MOUNT PILCHUCK STATE PARK– Injured Hiker Rescued

Yesterday, March 7, the Sheriff’s Office Helicopter Rescue Team located an injured hiker and flew him to ground aid units at Taylor’s Landing. The 20 year old male was scrambling between Pinnacle Lake and Mt. Pilchuck where he fell. He suffered non-severe injuries, but could not walk safely in the back country. He called 911 with his cell phone.

While this rescue benefitted from cell phone technology, hikers cannot always rely on cell phone coverage to communicate with 911 when they are in an emergency.

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers recommend that hikers in the Cascades leave information containing their hiking plan with a trusted friend or relative. Go to this link, http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/204, for an easy to fill out form that you can leave with your friend or relative. They can relay this information to 911 in case you do not return home as planned.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

http://wa-snohomishcounty.civicplus.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=4141

 

 

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Hiking Safety

This morning, Shari Ireton, Director of Communication/Public Information Officer for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue volunteer Oyvind Henningson were on KSER 90.7 to talk about hiking safety.

I know, it’s not burglary prevention, or catching car thieves, but enjoying our trails and nature safely is as important as crime prevention. The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for searching for lost hikers and climbers who get into trouble in Snohomish County. It’s Volunteer Search and Rescue (SAR) unit (small staff and many volunteers) regularly conduct SAR operations throughout the year.

The main point that Ireton and Henningson made this morning was to take 10 essential tools with you when you go hiking:

1. Navigation- Bring a map and a compass so that you can find your way around. If you bring a GPS unit, be sure you know how to use it. And even if you have a GPS with you take that map and compass.
2. Sun Protection- Bring your sunglasses and sunblock. Protecting yourself from the sun is an important part of survival in the mountains.
3. Insulation- You might be able to start your hike in shorts and T-shirt, but the weather can change quickly in the mountains and if your hike takes longer than planned, into the evening hours, you can find yourself pretty cold finding your way back or waiting for help. Take a waterproof jacket, an extra layer of warmth, extra socks, gloves and a warm hat.
4. Illumination- Bring a flashlight (or headlamp) in case your hike takes longer and it gets dark.
5. First Aid- Bring a first aid kit with you to be able to handle small cuts and injuries. It can include Band aids, adhesive tape, gauze pads, tweezers, over-the-counter pain reliever and antihistamine, compression bandage (such as an Ace bandage), and a triangle bandage to act as an arm sling.
6. Fire- If you get stuck on the trail at night, you will want to be able to start a fire. Take matches or a lighter or other fire starting tool.
7. Repair Kit- If something breaks, a zipper won’t zip or a tent pole gets bent, you will need tools to repair it. Some tools can include duct tape, knife, safety pin, fabric patches.
8. Nutrition- You might bring some light snacks for the planned duration of your hike. But, take a little extra in case you find yourself on the mountain overnight.
9. Hydration- Bring plenty of water with you to keep you hydrated for the hike.
10. Emergency Shelter- Bring a shelter in case you find yourself staying overnight. For a day hike it doesn’t have to be much, a space blanket can provide warmth and a shelter from the elements.

Another important point is to plan ahead before you go. Study maps, hiking and camping books and websites about where you plan to go. Two good websites are Northwest Hiker (http://www.nwhiker.com/) and Washington Trails Association (http://www.wta.org/). Check the weather forecast for the time that you want to go out.

Another important part of planning is to let someone know where you are going, when you are going, and when you expect to be back. Let them know when they should call 911. The Sheriff’s Office has a form that you can fill out to provide the essential information that it can use to find you faster. The form is at: http://sheriff.snoco.org/Forms/TripPlan.pdf.

For more information about Hiking Safety go to:

http://sheriff.snoco.org/Our_Community/Hiking_Safety.html