(posted with permission from the Friends of Baxter State Park)
Baxter State Park recently released a study of search and rescue (SAR) activities in the Park over the past 22 years. The report reveals trends in the types of injuries, ages of the victims, and causes leading to the injuries. Studying these trends will help park staff prepare for the incidents they are most likely to encounter, and educate visitors on how to avoid problems in the Park.
The majority of SAR incidents in Baxter State Park are related to hiking.
Lower extremity injuries topped the list of issues at 26%.
Exhaustion was the second highest at 16%.
Fatigue was a major precipitating factor to serious injuries.
Several other interesting trends emerge from the data:
Men comprise 60% of the individuals requiring SAR;
women comprise 40%.
women comprise 40%.
Hikers over the age of 60 are more likely to require SAR.
These visitors comprise 8% of park use, but 18% of SAR incidents.
These visitors comprise 8% of park use, but 18% of SAR incidents.
The vast majority of SAR incidents happen while descending a mountain, rather than on the climb.
Dehydration, exhaustion, and underpreparedness were secondary factors in many incidents.
According to the report, it is important to understand the difficulty of the hike, trail conditions, weather predictions, and your own physical condition before setting out on a hike.
Katahdin is one of the most strenuous day hikes in New England. Nutrition, hydration, proper footwear, and appropriate clothing are very important.
The Friends of BSP publishes a brochure called Know Before you Go, with tips on how to be prepared for a trip to the Park. Click here to download a copy of this brochure, and stay safe out there!
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