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Written by Publisher
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Thursday, 10 September 2009 |
The Kane Volunteer Fire Department searched several hours Tuesday night for "lost" hikers, who never knew they were considered lost.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
The Kane Volunteer Fire Department searched several hours Tuesday night for "lost" hikers, who never knew they were considered lost.
The search began about 7 p.m. Tuesday and was suspended about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Kane Fire Chief Dave Silvis said. The search resumed about 8 a.m. Wednesday and the hikers were found by 9 a.m.
The hikers spent the night in the Allegheny National Forest, but they had planned to do so and had plenty of food and water, Silvis said.
The situation developed when a group of 11 hikers – freshmen from Northwestern University in Chicago – was dropped off at the wrong site.
The group was dropped off on the snowmobile trail near Kane Lawn and Garden on Route 6 in Wetmore Township west of Kane. Silvis said the advisers, who were college seniors, thought the snowmobile trail was the North Country Trail, which crosses Route 6 further west near Wildcat Park in Ludlow.
Silvis said the advisers apparently hiked toward Kane on the snowmobile trail, while the 11 freshmen – six females and five males – went in the opposite direction.
Silvis said Howard Drilling employees reportedly saw the hikers Wednesday morning and directed them to the North Country Trail in the vicinity of Bliss Hill and Mud Lick Run. From there, the trail goes near Red Bridge at the Allegheny Reservoir.
Silvis said the "lost" hikers were in one of three groups, which were expected to rendezvous at the base camp at Morrison Run on the Reservoir. He said another search sought hikers from one of the other groups, which also became disoriented.
About 10 Kane firemen were involved in the first search and some participated in the second search as well, Silvis said. The firemen used ATVs, dirt bikes and four-wheel drive vehicles during the search Tuesday night, Silvis said.
According to the fire chief, the college students taking part in the "wilderness" hike could not bring cell phones, compasses or global positioning systems. He said the students carried tarps for shelter as well as food and water.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 October 2009 )
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