Why everyone should support Taos Search and Rescue
Afew weeks ago, I was hiking on one of the beautiful trails of the Taos Ski Valley and enjoying the fall colors. I decided to go up to the ridge, take in the amazing view, then turn around and go back down. I’d been on this trail many times, and I had plenty of daylight. Things were great. However, not too far from the ridge on the way back down, I lost the trail. With the big storm last December, there are still areas of debris (even though the forest service did an incredible job clearing the trails, big thanks to them!).
Although I am not entirely inexperienced in the wilderness or crisis situations, I found myself immediately panicked and disoriented when I realized the ravine I’d chosen was not the right one. I tried to stay calm and zigzag my way back up and thought surely that I’d run into the trail, but I didn’t. I had to bushwhack back up the mountain to get back to the ridge trail to reorient myself. When I finally got back up to the top, I was able to text my hiking buddy and husband to let them know what was going on. I was still disoriented and freaked out and it took me a while to find the ridge trail. I was mentally preparing for an uncomfortable night in the woods.
My friend got a hold of Taos Search and Rescue, and they reached out immediately. I had an incredible sense of relief that someone would probably be able to help me if I couldn’t find my way back to the trail. Eventually,
I did find the trail and was able to let everyone know that I was heading back down. I was nervous that I’d lose the trail again, and knew that I didn’t have enough daylight to make it all the way down, (and I didn’t think to bring a headlamp for a dayhike!), so I requested help from TSAR.
Lo, and behold, I did lose the trail again in the same spot, but was able to find it quickly this time and boogied down the trail.
In the pitch dark using my phone flashlight, I was met by my husband with headlamps, and then a couple of wonderful folks from TSAR — Noah and Kati — who had uprooted themselves from a relaxing evening to gear up and come help a complete stranger who had gotten lost in the woods. I will be forever grateful for their kindness and dedication. Although things thankfully worked out well, it very easily could’ve gone very badly and been a real rescue situation.
Things I learned from this experience:
• Always let someone know where you’re hiking if you’re going alone.
• Always have sufficient gear, food and water for an emergency situation.
• Have a fully-charged phone and leave it off when not in use.
• Most importantly, donate to Taos Search and Rescue! Even if you don’t think you’ll ever need to call them, you just might.