IMO, the term experienced hiker is subjective and used loosely to describe someone, sometimes.
What does it even mean?
-Experienced & familiar with the area hiking and the climate - this, IMO, is just a snippet of being experienced.
-Experienced hiking when the weather changes on you, then all of a sudden familiar terrain looks completely different?
-Any first aid training?
-Land navigation experience including maps, gps or compass?
-Experience hiking alone?
-Experience sleeping overnight outdoors and the set up needed, including how to make a shelter or shelter to seek?
-Packing a proper backpack with the essentials (map, compass, matches, extra food, extra water, sunscreen, matches, first aid supplies, extra clothing, etc.) ?
-In the event of an ER, being prepared (PLB or cell phone as an example)?
The list goes on and crazy stories sometimes start off with "it was only a simple day hike".
IMO, there's also a difference between being experienced and being prepared. You can be both or just one or the other.