Recently, California resident Holly Suzanne Courtier gained national attention when she mysteriously disappeared during a hike. What started as a trek in Zion National Park in Utah resulted in Courtier vanishing for almost two weeks.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Grand Canyon National Emergency Service Team were called in to solve the mystery of what happened to Courtier?
When a credible tip finally led search parties to Courtier’s whereabouts, officials reported she was severely dehydrated, suffering from a concussion and unable to walk without assistance when she was found.
Hiking can be dangerous even on less risky trails.
Hocking College Ecotourism and Adventure Leadership Program Manager Jennifer Johnson has suggestions that could prevent other fledgling outdoor enthusiasts from falling into similar situations.
First, Johnson advises that novice hikers refrain from planning outings that require a level of experience they haven’t quite reached yet.
“Most of the time when these incidents occur, it’s because people are in way over their heads,” Johnson said of Courtier’s disappearance.
Johnson’s advice is for inexperienced hikers to partake in outings that pose far less risk.
“If you want to push your skills to the next level, hire a guide or join an organized group event to gain the skills you may be missing,” she said.
“You don’t know what you don’t know, and the wilderness can be a high-risk environment,” Johnson explained. “It’s best to play it safe until you have a few trips under your belt.”
She also suggests that no one should head into the wilderness without an itinerary.
“You should always have a plan that you share with others, and you should stick as closely to that plan as possible,” Johnson said. “If you don’t check-in, many times, rescuers can pinpoint when your plan went awry and find you more quickly.”
Lastly, she advises that if hikers do happen to get lost in the wilderness, “they shouldn’t wander and should stay as close as they can to the point where they got lost.”
“Without having a way to make an educated guess where you are, wandering usually makes the situation worse,” she explained.
Johnson also stressed the importance of taking a GPS device on hiking trips, noting that “many GPS units come with an SOS feature which is invaluable when traveling in the wilderness, especially by yourself.”
Courtier’s misadventure “just goes to prove that the wilderness is no place for people who are unprepared for emergencies,” Johnson said.
What are some hiking essentials?
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, while day hiking is a great way to work out, this outdoor activity also poses specific risks to every hikers’ health and safety, especially inexperienced or novice hikers.
The following are some essentials that anyone planning a hiking trip should bring along:
One of the most important preparations a hiker can take before heading out into the wilderness is to make sure they’re appropriately dressed. Here are a few suggestions to consider when you’re picking out your hiking attire:
During the summer, go for lighter colors that will reflect heat better.
Ecotourism is the fastest growing niche in the travel industry. It is a form of travel that focuses on empowering tourists to be environmentally and culturally responsible, promote conservation and appreciate the natural beauty of the destinations they’re visiting.
Students who enroll in Hocking College’s Ecotourism and Adventure Leadership program will learn about nature and ecological sciences and cover subjects ranging from interpretive and tour guide services and wilderness skills to adventure leadership.
This hands-on program would be an ideal fit for students who love to travel, enjoy embracing other cultures, have a deep sense of appreciation for the environment, and aren’t afraid of roughing it in the great outdoors.
People seeking an Associate of Applied Science in Ecotourism and Adventure Leadership degree at Hocking College will also appreciate the school’s smaller class sizes.
Hocking College’s smaller class sizes offer students more one-on-one time with their instructors as they develop the following skills:
To get more information about Hocking College’s Ecotourism and Adventure Leadership program, contact program manager Jennifer Johnson by email at johnsonj10298@hocking.edu or by phone at 740-753-6279.