Lost snowshoer says she was prepared to spend the night in cold
PORTLAND, Ore. – Betsy Steinhart said she was prepared to spend the night on the mountain side after getting lost while snowshoeing on Dog Mountain.
Rescuers found the 36-year-old on Tuesday after she called the Skamania County Sheriff's Office with her cell phone at around 1 p.m., according to Undersheriff Dave Cox. She said she ran into heavy snow at about 3,400 feet and felt it was not safe to continue.
"Close to the top it was blowing close to 40 or 50 miles per hour. So the blowing snow started to be kind of a visibility problem. Then the cloud deck started to come down," she told KATU News Wednesday. "I had to break trail across a face where there was no trail, and that was pretty exhausting. And I kind of got to the point where I didn't feel comfortable continuing. And then when I made the decision to turn around and go back, my track was more or less covered up."
Steinhart thought about Katherine Huether who fell to her death three years ago while hiking on a nearby mountain.
"I thought about my kids, and I thought about the woman who lost her life on Table Mountain, and I didn't struggle with that for very long. I came to my limit and decided that was it," she said.
Steinhart reluctantly used her cellphone to call for help.
"I dug a snow cave, and I had branches underneath me so I wasn't sitting directly on the snow," she said. "I was pretty comfortable. ... I was burrowed in to the point that just my feet were sticking out."
A Coast Guard helicopter from Astoria, Ore. responded to the call, but couldn't help with the rescue because of high winds in the area.
It took searchers about three hours to reach Steinhart, Cox said. Rescuers brought her down the mountain by around 9:30 p.m.
Medics checked Steinhart at the scene but said she didn't need to go to the hospital.
Fifteen searchers from several different agencies took part in the rescue.
"These men did an excellent job of reaching Ms. Steinhart, and warming her sufficiently so they could bring her down the trail to meet up with the other teams when the weather made air operations impossible," said Sgt. Arne Gonser.
A day later Steinhart was frustrated by comments left by people on the Internet, blaming her for going out in bad conditions.
"It wasn't an emergency," she said. "I had what I needed to hunker down. If I needed to spend the night up there I was all right."
She had survival gear, including food and water. She said she always tells her family exactly where she's going and when she'll be back.
Since her cell phone had died, she used a whistle that she blew every two minutes to alert searchers to her location.
Yea! Â Let's spend the taxpayers money on more useful things-like training the Afghan army & police-A real ROI!
"A day later Steinhart was frustrated by comments left by people on the Internet, blaming her for going out in bad conditions. "It wasn't an emergency," she said. "I had what I needed to hunker down. If I needed to spend the night up there I was all right."
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Then why did you dial 9-1-1? Why did you call for help? Thanks for using all these taxpayer paid resources to get you out of a situation you shouldn't have been in in the first place.Â
 @I812 Next time you have an accident doing something you love I hope you have your eyes opened. But that would require you to have some passion and interest in life.
@fawnleibowitz An accident is something that occurs through no fault of your own. This was not an accident and Steinhart basically created the event by doing something she shouldn't have.Â
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I have been in plenty of remote places alone hiking and fishing; many of which were prior to cell phones, and oftentimes never saw another human being. I knew there were risks involved, I mitigate the risks to the degree practicable, and did not expect anyone to save me.Â
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Since you are new to the forum one can surmise you are Steinhart or a friend or family member. Passion does not equal stupidity and this was pure stupidity. Everyone has to know their limitatons, and that knowledge should come before he or she has to call for help needlessly.
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Blind loyalty is truly blind.
@fawnleibowitz Thanks! Few people recognize genius and fewer still publicly acknowledge it due to their own insecurities.Â
 @I812  @fawnleibowitz Wrong again, genius.
"A day later Steinhart was frustrated by comments left by people on the Internet, blaming her for going out in bad conditions."
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And well they should. She is not a smart woman. Gong alone in the current conditions without overnight gear. Yet we seem to be producing these kind of folks on a regular basis.
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Don't they teach common sense in schools anymore?
@RalphCramden What used to be Common Sense is now uncommon sense because it is so rare. People think they can go anywhere and do anything and as long as they have a cell phone rescue is just a call away. The taxpayers pay a steep price for many of these needless rescues.
 @I812 Â
Exactly.
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The argument is that they are all volunteers. That is not true. There are paid deputies out there and they cost money. Counties are responsible for SAR events. Then if they call in the helicopter that is $3,000 per hour with an average of 20 hours and they have spent 60k.
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Also these folks put others in danger as they have to go out to rescue them in some of the worst conditions. SAR events are not without risks.
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While there are some innocent folks out there that happen to get caught in a bad situation, not because of bad decisions, but because of some event that put them in harms way like that landslide a few years back that swept through a campground or someone is injured from a fall.
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Going out into a raging blizzard alone with no overnight supplies is something that a person with common sense would do. Then the cell phone dies on top of that. Depending on cell phone and GPS is a huge mistake. Both operate on batteries and batteries go dead.
Nice to know she was almost doing things correctly. Â Going out alone was not wise, no matter what anyone tells you. Â I think that the invention of the cell phone and gps has given too many adventurers a false sense of security. Â If something happens they call for help. Â Without these devices, I doubt if they would venture out as much as they do. But, that's the way it is these days. Â Too many people relying on technology and when it fails, they have no idea what to do. Â It has cost lives and will cost many more as people become dumber and dumber.
 @boomer What the heck are you talking about? Are you like this in real life, or do you just like to stir the turd from the anonymous comfort of your Lazy Boy?
She knew what she was doing! Brought the right things with her and even though what started out to be a nice day, turned out to be not as nice. But, she was prpaired for this and did exactly what she was supposed to do. Good for her.
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All I can say is I would much rather hang out with this woman than those that feel "outside" is too dangerous.
Betsy, you sound really competent. I hope you let the negative comments here roll off your back. The Oregonian trolls are a really special bunch. I am also a female solo backpacker, one who knows that you have to be extra prepared and smart when you're going it alone in the winter. Sounds like you did everything right. I carry a GPS as well as map and compass, but I understand why a lot of hikers opt not to. I hope that if I am ever lost on a trail, I will behave as intelligently as you.
Dog mtn is only 2,750 ft high.
I appreciate that KATU updated this story to include Ms. Steinhart's comments.
It appears that a lot of people just sit around the house not doing anything. It is enjoyable to go snowshoeing. Sometimes the weather cooperates, sometimes it does not.
From the comments by the SAR personnel, Betsy did everything the right way.
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Walking in snow is a workout at times, and if the weather decides to change on you, there is no sense in wandering off and possibly making a drastic mistake.
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The main point is to be prepared, and to also know your limits. Do not try to be a hero and just push on when you should perhaps hunker down. If everyone stayed home and did not take the time to enjoy the wilderness areas...it would be pretty boring.
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The SAR groups are mostly volunteers as far as I know. People who like to get out, who like to help others.
Thank you to all those who are in SAR!
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Why would anyone go snowshoeing in the first place? Don't you have things that you can do without getting in harm's way? Is your life that dull?
 @jpk Sounds like you're the one with a dull life. Don't you have some knitting to do?
No, I don't have any knitting to do! Whatever! Dummy, go do what you feel you need to do, but don't depend on rescue getting you out of your dumb self-absorbed moves all the time! Get a life yourself, but don't expect others to always be there to rescue you!
 @gofigure  @jpk Reading comprehension (and really any comprehension of a life well-lived in the outdoors) does not seem to be a strong suit of many Oregonian commenters. It would be sickening if it wasn't comical.
 @jpk Did you actually read - and understand - the entire article? She clearly didn't expect others to rescue her. She chose that option after careful consideration, and would have been alright if rescuers hadn't arrived that night. Absolutely nothing about her indicates that she's a dummy or self-absorbed. Sheesh!
 @jpk That attitude would make you fit in real well in Dallas Texas where the only thing people get outside of their homes for besides work is to go shop or see a movie or eat more mall-food at the mall. Sounds like you might enjoy it there?
What is wrong with snowshoeing? It is exercise, fresh air. And sometimes you can get some dynamite pictures. Usually people are able to go on outings without any problems. On occasion the weather may take a turn for the worse.
It also helps burn up some calories.
"It also helps burn up some calories." MAN, you ain't lying! You use every muscle from the neck down. A three day trip on the P.C.T. this time of year can be a 15 pound weight loss!
But, you still don't go alone. Hope a lesson has been learned.
I love all these sarcastic comments by those who feel they are infallible and that they would not get lost or caught by weather. Grab your gear boys...prove it...or more likely we'll be hearing your story on the news. Things happen, even to the most prepared person and this is the reason those volunteers and paid rescuers do what they do. You wouldn't be so harsh if that person out there was your friend or relative.
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"Be safe but get out there.'
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So true. Get out and burn some calories, enjoy the fresh air, get some good pictures...and come back safely
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Beergod: I guess I must thank you for making me realize I am a "dunce" also. A quote from Fritz the cat fits me from my teens to my 40's :"I've been up and down the four corners of this big old world. I've seen it all and I've done it all. I've fought many a good man, and I've laid many a good woman." And I did most of it(except when in the military) alone. Believe it or not, there are still some people out there that don't need a bunch of people around them to 1) Have fun, 2) Survive. I have memories of stuff you probably could not even dream of. I have seen heaven on earth as well as been through hell on earth. I have been beat up pretty bad, (got into it with three guys in Minn. because they were slapping a woman around). I got to hang out with some realy awesome people, (BB King, Al Hirt, Johnny Cash and others).
Yeah, I'm that guy, the "DUNCE". But I have LIVED! sure, my body aches now sometimes from the abuse, but over 30 years of adventure is my idea of living!.
 @Beergod speaking aloud about yourself?
Good Job to the folks that climbed the mountain in the dark and cold. I hope someone has put a boot in her rear for going out alone in the mountains in winter with no survival gear. Way to put other people's life's at risk because you can't see past the end or your nose.Â
 @Oregon boy LOL.  I am Betsy, the one who was rescued.  I started my hike at 9am and I was NOT LOST.  Although it was quite sunny and nice in Portland, conditions in the gorge deteriorated throughout the day with heavy wind, blowing snow and low visibility.  I had all the survival gear I needed to endure the weather, but when conditions got worse my tracks had been filled in with blowing snow and I felt it was foolhardy to try and backtrack.  I hunkered down and waited for help.  I was going to have my husband meet me up there, but Skamania County said that their response time would be much better and offered to hike up and help me out.
 @oregonchick76  @Oregon boyÂ
You went alone. Big mistake.
"I felt it was foolhardy to try and backtrack. Â I hunkered down and waited for help."
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Betsy, you did exaclty what you should have, you realized you might have a problem and instead of just pushing through and possibly getting worse, you chose the smart move.
You seem to have been prepared...so good all around Glad the trip worked out alright
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 @cbarnes199  @SARnerd  @oregonchick76  @Oregon boy Nice tip!
 @SARnerd  @oregonchick76  @Oregon boyÂ
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When I am going into conditions where the trail could be wiped away by falling or blowing snow or even just obscured by FOG I take bamboo wands with reflective flags on the top. Â On your way up when the snow starts place a wand in the snow every 10 meters or so as visibility conditions dictate. When it gets foggy or dark your headlamp will light up the flags and guide you back. Â Count your flags up and back. Â They are light so you can easily carry 50 or more. So that might be one answer to the questions what could you have done differently.
 @oregonchick76
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Hi, I am one of the people on the SAR Teams that assisted you last night.  Do not let the internet crazies get you down.  You did the right thing staying put when conditions changed. Much better to call us than get hurt or killed. Sometimes conditions change far beyond what you planned.  Keep enjoying life and the outdoors!  Glad to you are safe at home with the family.
Ah, yes! The voice of someone who was there instead of a armchair wanna-be! Thank you for comenting, "cbarnes199," and I hope oregonchick76 understands that yours negates all the critical bull coments! I like your "Keep enjoying life and the outdoors!"
 @oregonchick76  @cbarnes199 Don't second-guess anymore. You clearly  did due diligence for the sport and did the right thing in case of troubling circumstances. Be at peace. Ignore the nuts on this thread; they are like that with  darn near everyone  and everything and blame any outdoors sports person in need of help without fail,  regardless of the circumstances...and even have the temerity to  blame  rape and murder victims on a regular basis, for having the audacity to have  been raped or murdered by some predator. Just wanted to put it in perspective for you. BTW I was a back-country guide in the Gifford Pinchot  back in the day and knowing "when to call it" (seek help) is a sign of intelligence and being responsible, when it is obvious you are prepared and skilled in your sport to begin with, as you obviously were.
Please keep snowshoeing and enjoying yourself! That rocking chair comes all too soon.
@cbarnes199 thank you so much for your efforts. I've been second-guessing myself all day. I'm very cautious and always try to think ahead. Obviously I did not want to put anyone's safety on the line or waste resources. I just wanted to make sure I made it home to my kids.
@oregonchick76 @Oregon boy I used to do a lot of solo telemark backcountry trips in the snow and I know the type of situation you were in. I've been on the verge of being lost before and took the time as you did to think things through.  You did the right thing by being prepared and waiting it out instead of expending energy floundering in the snow.
oregonchick76. Please remember that wth the uniformed services it is not always a volunteer effort. You have a right to do what you wish, even if that endangers you. Luckilly we live in a country where people do volunteer to put themselves at risk when people get themselves into situations such as yours. And yes, many civilian people do volunteer to do rescue, and I as well appreciate thier efforts. Hope next time the weather works in your favor.Â
@deejm2112 @cbarnes199 gosh, it was a volunteer effort for the most part, but I will gladly make a donation to SAR. They provide a very valuable resource and I'm very grateful they were there. I did check the weather, but I agree that people need to consider everyone they will affect if they get into trouble. I do understand where you are coming from.
 @cbarnes199  @oregonchick76 Dude...you should send her a bill....a lot of resources and risk goes into these rescues and people need to be held accountable for their actions, including ignoring or not checking weather before you go hiking.
@Dirtman thank you. Hindsight is 20/20 and I'm sure I could have made different decisions that would not have resulted in needing assistance ( like turning around sooner).
 @oregonchick76  @Oregon boy If your not lost, do not call the county or 911. Be responsible and turn back before if is obvious your in trouble. KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. Do not hike alone if you lack experience. If you hike cross country, off trail or with no trail, i.e. snow cover, learn to navigate with map and compass and/or GPS.
@dynamited77 I know how tall Dog is, it's the news people who don't. And what's wrong with snow-shoeing on Dog? People climb and hike snow-covered hills and mountains all the time.
 @oregonchick76  @Oregon boy BTW, Dog Mountain is only 2900 feet high. This seems like a very poor choice for snow-shoeing.
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@xilef regnu And since it is in Washington, you could have another little container on the collar filled with weed, a lighter and rolling papers.
 @Dirtman  @xilef Seriously....it doesn't feel nearly as cold as it is when one is baked.