"In the years 2010 through 2014, 192 SARs were hiking-related fatalities. And the reasons for injury and death are noteworthy. The largest percentage of deaths for years have been consistently attributable to three things: lack of knowledge, lack of experience, and poor judgment. In fact, deaths related to lack of knowledge and experience by far outnumber deaths attributed to falls." from
What's Killing America's Hikers?
This quote is from an excellent article by a SAR professional regarding the rise in hiking rescues and deaths. The statistics the author uses are based on National Park data but the trend she sees is probably accurate in all wilderness and hiking areas. It's as if SAR crews know this, but the rest of the world, including LE and me, did not.
This is also my sense of the matter. But I've been reading SAR reports for years. If you ever meet an SAR member, invite them for dinner, and just let them tell stories. You will learn a lot.
I've more than a few times done something really stupid myself.
A factor that isn't mentioned is "arrogance". Many people think they can outmaneuver nature, when nature ALWAYS has the upper hand.
A big red flag for me is when we have a missing hiker and those left behind describe them as "experienced". They almost never are. I also get red flags if missing hikers were traveling "ultralight", or if they are wearing inappropriate clothing (e.g. jeans) and footwear (e.g. sneakers).
I've met thru hikers on the AT who aren't experienced after being 5 months on the trail. They've never had to think on their feet in the wilderness, they can count on there being a road within a few miles so they can hitch to town, there are a gazillion other people on the trail, there are shelters and water sources every 7 miles (on average), and Walmarts hither and yon. (People were even staying in motels every other night!) That's not how you get back country experience. Sure, there might be some dicey moments (you will almost certainly encounter a bear, who will very likely run away from you ASAP), but this is not life on the edge. It's very cushy, in the scheme of things: out West is a whole different dimension (you might get stalked by a mountain lion), with its vast spaces and roadless areas.
IMO there are many sources of "experience", and it's best practice to get several. Yes, spend a bunch of time in the back country, but also go out with old timers, take an extended backcountry trip with a mountaineering club or a group like the Sierra Club, volunteer for SAR. If they humble you, so much the better: you will learn from them.
I also read SAR reports, especially the analysis. I don't have a lot of sources for these, but no doubt they're out there. You quickly learn what kinds of things people do that are incompatible with survival.
Here is one incident that can teach a person a lot:
Mount Hood's Deadliest Disaster
Mount Rainier National Park rescues as well as Grand Canyon will also be good reads.
I like to read these SAR reports. They are not recent, but the details are same old, same old, the kind of thing we see on WS all the time. This guy is a true "old timer", by the way. I had a chance to have a long conversation with him a few years ago. He's the type of guy you'd want to sign up for a trip with (he's likely made his own trip to heaven by now, though, RIP).
Traditional alpine mountaineering - free information and instruction
On another case, I also came across this French-speaking man in the Pyrenees. He takes people out on mountain hiking/backpacking trips, though I believe he's not a paid guide. He also has great photos. As far as best practices—and what kind of experience you need before he'll take you out—he's primo IMO. Although his blog isn't instructional, just from his photos, he's a good source for "this is what a good pack fit looks like", "this is what kind of boots you wear in this terrain", "this is a moderate hike," "this is how fast you are expected to move along on this trip", "this is how you do a bivvy", "this is a standard tent".... I'd love to go on one of this trips: I'd learn so much.
Les Topos Pyrénées par Mariano – Randonnées et topos dans les Pyrénées
Always take your "10 essentials", folks! There's a reason NPS has signs all over the main trail in the Grand Canyon....
While I'm on this subject, TIP...... if you hike, check your pack. Look at the buckle on the sternum strap. Is it a weird shape? That's a whistle. Use it if you have a problem in the back country and need help; it is louder and will carry much better than your voice. It might just save your life.