James Kim SAR

A lot is being said in the media and on internet message boards regarding James Kim, his lack of wilderness savvy, his superhuman trek, etc. (James Kim died in the Oregon mountains after getting lost and stuck in the snow on a mountain pass, and trying to hike out to save his family. The family survived). Despite the tragic ending, and the fact that he made decisions that would've been different from someone with wilderness experience, I'm still pretty impressed with what he tried to do and the common sense he showed in decisions that ultimately proved to be wrong

1) Going up the mountain road. Given his maps, not unreasonable... made a right turn onto a dead-end logging road that was poorly marked. Prob couldn't turn the car around on a narrow and steep logging road, got stuck.

2) Waiting in the car for 7 days: Good! They ate everything, burned tires for heat and to signal, and became desperate.

3) James leaving the car: Also good. And brave. In 1995 a man starved to death in 9 weeks (SFGate story) waiting for rescue on the same road (found in spring). The official search was concentrated much farther east, SAR are often cancelled in less than 7 days, and only a private pilot "on a hunch" was the reason that the family was found! They're lucky as hell to be alive, imho.

Now consider this: James was in a weak condition, having eaten (and slept) poorly for a week. He lacked proper gear for a winter trek. He was lost and unfamiliar with mountains in general. It had SNOWED, probably covered the car tracks on the way in. And he had virtually no wilderness experience.

4) James leaving the road for the drainage. Wrong decision, but understandable considering conventional wisdom states that heading downhill will bring you to a civilization (this would work in Vermont, assuming you survive the rugged terrain/wetness, which James did not). There are multiple plausible reasons why he might've left the road. The canyon proved to be extremely rugged, and he got soaking wet in there, which was his death sentence. He was probably too weak and too far down by the time he would've wanted to turn around. Had he made it to the Rogue River, he'd have still been in wilderness, but might've been spotted by rafters. He died a 1/2 mile from the Rogue.

5) Considering all of the above, especially terrain, he really made a valient effort. Terrain like that has made me cry, in the summer, with proper gear, with experience, having been fed, and not being lost. Would I have survived? Yes: I'd have stayed on the road. Would I have survived under the same conditions that James endured? Doubtful.

Rest in Peace, James. People like you are the ones that make search and rescue worthwhile.