*** Tough Hiker Self-Rescues after Four Days in Wilderness ***

From: Bruce Bowler <cozylog@alaska.net>
To: SARINFO@mindlink.bc.ca
Subject: Report


Bob Wells and four friends hiked to the ridge Monday around 3. He left
his friends saying he would hike the 4 miles to Mt. Juneau and down the
trail and meet them in the parking lot. He hiked to what he thought was
Mt. Juneau, couldn't find the trail down, so he back-tracked, knowing
that he had limited time to meet his party. He was actually at Cairn
Peak, but didn't realize it. The weather closed in, reducing visibility
and eliminating the horizon. He found a drainage which he assumed was the
correct route and followed it down. He soon realized that there were no
familiar landmarks, and assumed that he must have taken a wrong turn and
dropped into Gold Creek. Gold Creek flows to the parking lot, so he
pushed on hoping to reach it by nightfall, taking him approximately 4
miles outside of the eventual search area. He traveled for some time in
the dark until his flashlight quit;  found some scrub cedar to make a 
bed, but didn't sleep well because of animal noises nearby. Bears and
bear sign were notable. He was reported missing shortly before midnight.

As the search began in the heavy rain Tuesday morning, Wells moved farther
out of the area into Carlson Creek. He saw several helicopters in the
distance, and attempted to get their attention. Failing that, he hiked to
the bottom of the valley, forded the creek onto a sand bar, made a large
sign in the sand and an arrow with his direction of travel. He saw
several helo's in the distance, and stayed in the open that day, waiving
clothing and a large stick that he stripped the bark off of. Wearing
black jeans and a green fleece jacket, he finally realized that he
looked just like another rock in the bottom of the steep ravine.

He spent the night next to a rotten log with alders for bedding.
Wednesday he hiked up the creek toward Powerline Ridge, using his compass,
knowing that Echo Bay Mine was nearby. A helicopter flew almost directly
over the top of him in the fog, circled, and then left. He gained the
ridge, set up more signals - a circle and an arrow made out of his
business cards - and spent the night under a flat rock.

Thursday he set out toward the mine; climbed the ridge, and then
bushwhacked down the Sheep Creek valley to the mine portal. No one was
there, so he hiked down their road to Thane road, hitched a ride into
town to call the authorities, bought a pizza with a soggy $20 and called
911.

Bob did not have a space blanket or any means of signalling, and he was
wearing earth-tone clothing. His Bic lighter failed in the rain. Bob had
a strong will to live, a positive attitude, and except for the jeans,
proper clothing.  He ate a few berries and drank lots of water.

Bob and his family also bought 25 pizzas for the searchers at a party
Friday night.

Bruce Bowler, SEADOGS, Juneau, Alaska

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