Archive for January, 2012

Join me on the Radio again

 Hi to everyone who visits my site here at Ways Of The Wild Institute. Once again I will be a guest on a radio show during an interview. This will take place tomorrow, Wednesday at 4pm EST. If you have a chance to listen in that would be great. However, if you are busy at that time I will be

WHITE WOLF – WAYS OF THE WILD
 
www.manifestingwellnessshow.com
 
Wednesday, February 1 at 4:00pm EST
 
Hi Everyone
 
One of the things we love about the Manifesting Wellness Show is the amazingly diverse and talented guests that are featured each week. It is through their shared experiences, knowledge and wisdom that we have the ability to develop awareness and understanding of life in ways that might not otherwise be possible.
 
Every now and then we are fortunate to have a featured guest whose life experiences are distinctly different to what most people experience or can even comprehend – and whose experiences shape a very different worldview reality. This week is one of those times.
 
Our featured guest this week is White Wolf, founder of the Ways of the Wild Institute. White Wolf has an incredible affinity with nature. He understands it and knows how to survive in the wilderness, something that most of us suburbanites have no clue about.
 
In addition, his life experiences have sharpened his understanding of the nature of humanity and the changing times that our civilization is experiencing. He has first hand experience and knowledge of things that most people aren’t even aware are happening in the world.
 
This is definitely a not to be missed episode of the Manifesting Wellness Show. Tune in on Wednesday, February 1 at 4:00pm EST at www.manifestingwellnessshow.com.
 
As always, the show is archived for your convenience. We greatly encourage you to listen in, and to share this information with your contacts.
 
love and blessings
Bente, Jim and Bear
 
www.edgarspeaks.com
http://peakperformanceguy.com
www.bearwalker.org  
 

WHITE WOLF – WAYS OF THE WILD
 
White Wolf is the founder of the Ways Of The Wild Institute http://www.waysofthewildinstitute.com/ and is the Alpha Guide for all courses and workshops. White Wolf has extensive experience in the ways of the wild. He trained in the wild during his youth under an old Native Metinuwak (“medicine man”) and warrior.
 
His native guide and Teacher taught him the old ways of living with the earth. White Wolf became a 10th degree black belt and Grandmaster in Small Circles of 5 Animals Jujitsu. He also holds the rank of first degree black belt in Shao-lin kung fu, 18 hand lohan kung fu and Muai Thai.
 
He is also an Energy Worker and Spirit Journeys guide. With many past combat injuries from 16 years of combat involvement in service to this country, he has worked diligently in his healing abilities using himself as a perfect subject. When he was in his mid teens he was forced into a highly specialized training division of the Central Government through the Central Intellegence Agency. After years of training, he was employed by the Central Government for 13 years of “active duty”.
 
All the details of this aspect of his life, as well as his escape and healing from severe trials can be found in his book entitled Shadow Scorpion http://www.waysofthewildinstitute.com/2010/10/shadow-scorpion/ .
 
His life is dedicated to teaching the ways of the wild, defending the medicine balance in life and seeking always to attain his highest purity. He now lives within the remote areas of the Green Mountains with his wife and son.

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Niche & Purpose

If you have read through my website, Ways Of The Wild Institute you can probably see what my purpose with this school is all about. At least I would hope so. If you couldn’t than I guess I need to do a better job in typing up the information contained within. Interestingly I have had a few folks wonder if I felt my purpose was similar to people like David Ike, Stewart Swerdlow, Alex Jones, Clyde Lewis, Vinny Eastwood and Thomas Hughes. Well that is what this blog is specifically about.

Some of you who follow my work know that I have been on Vinny Eastwood’s radio show on American Freedom Radio a couple of times. You might also remember when I was on Thomas Hughes Great Turtle Island talk radio show. Also last year I was on some podcasts through Expansions, run by Stewart and Janet Swerdlow and know them both very well. So yes there certainly are some reference and acquaintance affiliations between us. However, does this mean we all have the same purpose?

If we take a look at a big name like David Ike of England, we can clearly see what his purpose is. He has completely shifted his entire life and everything about himself as he thought to once know in order to bring truth into the public eye. Today he presents wonderfully detailed information about global events, off-world events, agendas and how all these things tie together. He works quite hard to bring the truths of human existence into the mainstream “reality” so that awareness of the whole can begin to awaken us higher states of consciousness. Personally I feel he does a great job of this. But of course this is simply from my own opinion which stems from my own judgments.

Stewart and Janet Swerdlow of Michigan work hard to assist people in finding and tapping into their higher states of existence through “metaphysical” techniques. Also working to shed light upon global, off-world and true historical events, they try to bring awareness into the masses of what lies behind the scenes in the shadowy world of mind control and programming that affects everyone. Again, their research is invaluable.

Alex Jones out of Texas of course is the “go get em” activist who also works to expose the lies and tyranny against the masses of the world. Prying into every nook and cranny to find any shred of truth or lie to expose publically.

Clyde Lewis in Oregon does his part in trying to get the masses to question the paranormal and how it truly connects to everything that we see happening in the world today and the past. He does a good job of bringing pertinent pieces of the puzzle into view with a main question to make each of us think deeper and higher than we might otherwise. He has his own way and niche of working with bringing awareness to the public eye of the seen and unseen worlds of light and dark.

The young and flamboyant Vinny Eastwood of New Zealand has taken on a new life not long ago to do his part in exposing the truth and as many differing viewpoints as possible.  With his unique humor he has found his niche in standing up in front of the world with his megaphone telling it like it is!

Another Texas dweller, Thomas Hughes weaves his energy through the radio as well. Helping to bring awareness to the world he also interviews many, many different people on a wide variety of topics from global to off-world, spiritual to detailed government agendas. Heavily utilizing Native American energy he very professionally assists the awakening of the human consciousness.

Those of course are but a few of the major individuals out there who seem to have found that niche in life and purpose in their step in order to assist the world in their own unique way. I honor them all for walking their paths in truth and bravery.

This brings me back to the question of what my purpose is in the mix. Why did I begin my school Ways Of The Wild Institute here in the Green Mountains or Vermont? Many of you have read my autobiography entitled Shadow Scorpion and so understand a bit about where I have come from in this life. My past deep level of government involvement, training and work have given me a solid understanding of global agendas, internal government workings, programming and mind control projects. I have been many places, seen and experienced much along those lines. This would, of course, explain some of my courses like Mind Control & Programming Reality, Energy Protection & Self Defense, among others. But in reality this is only a fraction of my school. The bulk of my teachings are based in awareness through wilderness ways. Yes I know of many major global agendas and once worked to help enhance them. Very nasty business I am sorry to have ever taken part in. But what’s done is done. Yes I am aware of what is happening throughout the world, but I do not sit for hours on the computer keeping up on all the stories and details. That is part of other folk’s purpose. This is not my purpose and not the path I am to walk. Of course that does not mean I remain ignorant of such things, just that I cannot focus on all the gritty details because I must place a huge focus on what it is I do.

Sure, I continue to teach about what I know from the inside of the government and how it relates to every living person on the earth. However, the reality of my unique niche is within the wilderness of life. I work very hard in helping people find themselves, their true and unlimited selves through wilderness energy, spirituality and hands on skills. I weave the vast depths of awareness that I was taught as a child with hands on wilderness survival and living skills, of which I was also taught as a child. Together I bring in a balanced state of spirituality that resonates throughout all life and teach people how to connect and rediscover the vastness of who they truly are through immersing themselves and physically engaging with pure wilderness ways. One of my gifts is to show people how to tap into their purest states of being to find and face any and all issues they hold tight through something tangible. I find that most folks today have lost their awareness of connection to this consciously perceived physical reality. Many issues of imbalance can be traced back to this lost awareness and the lack of understanding how to really live on this planet. Whether or not a person likes it here in this life matters not, we are all here because we chose to be. That means we must learn how to relate to life within this perception so we can once again find ourselves and evolve back to a higher state of being. I show people how to do this through the soil of the earth, the wood of the forest, the grasses of the plains and the seeds of the plants; through the waters of the sky, the fire within us all that exists between physical and non-physical states in unison and the air that sweeps the land. The building of shelters and fire, the finding of edibles and understanding of medicinals, the tracks left by everything, the habits of the animals and on and on… they all contain a vast and complex level of meaning as well as core foundational truth that pertains to us all as individuals.

In a nutshell now exposed upon the winters ground I have briefly explained my purpose. No other Wilderness Skills school offers this that I do. That is why it is the Ways Of The Wild Institute niche. So yes all of the names listed above and myself work for similar things in this life, but we all have individual placements and purposes unique to our perspectives and paths. Does this mean we must remain isolated from each other? Not at all. In my opinion isolation is just what the global elite wish to help keep the masses suppressed. We must unite without losing the integrity of our individual purposes. This is my thought on the matter.

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The Apprentice!

Ways Of The Wild Apprenticeship Program is a three year program that is designed to assist different people with different goals. The program is open to those who are just seeking a deeper level of learning wilderness living skills to those who wish to possibly teach such ways one day. This year’s program begins in June and each year consists of two three week blocks.

When I say this program is not for the meek I truly mean it. Three weeks at 24 hours a day, seven days a week straight. Now this may not seem too bad except that the program does not run out of school land or within a structured plot of property. It takes place fully within the Vermont mountain wilderness. Those who embark upon this program as a soloist can expect long hours of solitude within the true wilderness of the earth. No trails, no roads, no cars, trains, phones or any other interference from modern society.

Everything the Apprentice brings must be packed in on their back. Once in they stay in until the three week block comes to an end. The Apprentice must be in decent shape to be able to embark upon this life changing journey. I do not mean they must be able to walk 40 miles carrying an 80 pound back, but this program is intense. They stay upon the mountain and daily routines of wilderness living are a full reality. Those who walk through this program will be far more fit when they leave than they were when they came…no matter what shape they were in to begin with. Long days and nights of skill work and self exploration keeps the body fit.

In the Apprenticeship program the Apprentice learns deep wilderness skills the Old Way. They discover things about themselves many never would have guessed could be found in the wilderness. This program is not just about learning skills of the wilderness, but delving deeply within the self to explore levels and facets that will change the Apprentices life forever. In the wilderness they are faced with reality and themselves, through and through. No lies can be upheld, no illusions of self will remain. The wilderness is an energy that demands life in the NOW and the reality of the individual’s true abilities.

Here the Apprentice learns in the way I learned, face to face, one on one in the raw wilderness of life, where everything modern society has came from.

There is very limited space for this program. Not everyone who applies is selected, but everyone selected has proven through the application process that they are fully capable of navigating this programming. If you are interested please contact me at firewolfways@gmail.com for much detailed information specifically concerning the Apprenticeship Program. This information is only supplied to those specifically expressing interest. This program is open to both male and female 18 years of age and older.

Below are some photos taken of the exact wilderness area where the Apprenticeship Program takes place. The images are taken in spring, summer and late autumn.

 
 

 

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Soul Give-Away?

Many people are in need. Everywhere we look we can easily see this state of poverty on many levels within people lives around the globe. Of course there are many who feel compassion and the deep desire to help swells up inside them. There is nothing wrong with compassion as this is a great teacher of the inner spirit. However, balance must be upheld as this is a universal law.

Most people I see are hoarders and stingy. They have such a deep seated fear of loss and lack that they hoard everything they can. They release nothing from their lives and this creates a dam which prevents a flow of abundance to them. Thus they hoard more and with every moment of this imbalanced action they become more and more stagnate upon all levels of their being.

On the other had I have seen many people give away everything they have out of their extreme state of compassion. This is likewise non-beneficial. Compassion does not fall outside the universal law of balance. Even the act of compassion must retain and balanced stance or non-beneficial results with occur. I see people who give away so much to help others that they themselves struggle to feed their families, shelter themselves and meet other basic survival requirements.

Yes we as people can help others who are in need of it, BUT only if they ASK for it. If they do not ask we cannot breech the universal law and impose our assistance upon those who do not wish it. By doing so is to steal their experiences which they laid out before them with their own core mind patterns. You cannot take away the experiences of others. If you did then how are they to learn, how are they to evolve? They cannot because all of us require our set of experiences to do this. We can feel compassion without interfering where our assistance is not wanted.

If our assistance is requested by those in need then and we can of course offer it. However, even this must be done in a balanced way or imbalance will be born of our actions. Life works smoothly upon a balanced exchange of energy. If you give and give and give, but do not allow a flow of abundance to return to you from the universe then you incur lack.  You cannot give what you do not have an abundance of. Society imprints the masses with either hoarding methods based upon deep set fears or constant feelings of lack and abandonment. Since hoarding stems from the feelings of lack they are but two sides of the same coin. We can help others who ask only as much as or personal state of being allows. To do any more brings harm to ourselves and those we seek to help. The energy we give to them is tainted with the behind the scenes feelings of fear, loss and lack. “I’m losing money, how will I pay the bills? But it’s OK because I am helping these other people.”

You can only give what you have an abundance of. This includes physical items, spiritual awareness, energy and so on. This statement has no limitations.

Next time you look to assist someone because you are feeling compassion for their struggles, stop and ask yourself the following:

  • ·         Are they asking for help?
  • ·         Am I offering my assistance out of pure compassion or guilt?
  • ·         Can I give what they need in a state of complete balance?
  • ·         Do I know what my limits are within the structure of my own lessons?

If you are interested in learning more about universal laws and such methods of balance states of being then you might enjoy our Eagle Mind course coming up this May. Ways Of The Wild Institute, take a peek and see what it entails.

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Western verses Eastern Coyotes

Today as I was driving home from town I saw a full grown, male eastern coyote standing at the edge of a country road. It looked at my car and easily loped a few feet back the direction it had come from. Throwing its head over one shoulder and then the other as it crisscrossed its mild gate to keep an eye on my car, which had slowed to a mere crawl. He was as large as a small German Sheppard with a long bushy winter tail and a tawny ruffled coat from the swift breeze that blew across the barren fields. His head was typically small for coyotes compared to his lean body. He also had that familiar nervousness in his manner that you do not see much in other large wild canines.

I know many with an untrained eye who would have mistaken the tall eastern coyote for a wolf. But the eastern coyote is not wolf. To those who know what to look for they do not even look like wolf. The wolf is narrow chested and tall with a large head and rounded ears. Its feet are quite massive compared to its thin legs. It has an easy lope and a very aware disposition that does not reflect the nervousness of the coyote. Normally its coat has longer hairs that can be seen in the smooth melding of color patterns along its sides, unlike the coyote that carries shorter hairs and holds more of a ruffed look.

There are many more distinct variations between coyotes and wolves, but for the untrained eye the ones I listed are hard enough to spot in the wild. One such difference is the large amount of sweet glands found in the paws of western coyotes and most dogs that can be seen in their track readings. Wolves and eastern coyotes with high wolf genetics lack this high density of paw sweet glands.

The interesting thing is that most people think that a coyote is a coyote no matter if it lives in the west or in the east of America. This is actually not completely truth. Today there are about 19 or 20 subspeices of coyote. They from America to Canada, Mexico and even Central America!

There is a noticeable difference between western American coyotes and eastern coyotes. The western coyote is normally far smaller that it’s eastern counterpart. Where the eastern coyote can gain the size of a German Sheppard the western coyote rarely gets more than 35 pounds. Many western coyotes are between 15 and 45 pounds. Northern (Canada) and eastern coyotes can reach 70 pounds! The western coyotes have a brain size much like a dog of its own size, which is far smaller and narrower than a wolf’s. Interestingly the eastern coyote tends to have a wider jaw, taller legs and a heavier body than its western cousin. The reason for this is because when the western coyote began migrating east a long time ago they on occasion mated with wolves. Now the mating with wolves is not nearly as common as coyotes mating with dogs. The wolf in general is quite hostile towards the coyote which obviously prevents wide scale interbreeding. Down south the coyote and dog mate quite often creating the Coydog. But like I said, this is not so much the case with the wolf. Needless to say the coyote and wolf did mix from time to time as the coyote pushed east creating a new breed, the Coywolf. This is where much of the eastern coyote’s looks came from. This is why they have wider jaws, taller legs and a heavier body, because many of them have wolf DNA…less than about 40% wolf DNA.

This is enough to have caused the eastern coyote to gain a much different look than the wolf and also give the wolf a bad rap. The coyote is more of an opportunistic creature than the wolf, which is why the wolf’s domain has dramatically shrunk with advancing civilization and the coyotes has grown vastly. It is also one reason the wolf does not like the coyote. It is kind of like the ancient feud between the Samurai and the Ninja. The Samurai lived by a strict set of ideals where as the Ninja were those who came out of Samurai ranks and lived more as renegade mercenaries, working for the highest payer. Maybe that is not the best analogy, but it is the first one that came to mind.

Nonetheless that behavior has given the coyote a serious advantage over the wolf, even in the wolf’s own domain. When the western and northern coyotes moved east across Canada they began to mate with wolves from time to time. This leads me to an interesting fact about coyotes found in places in the Northeast like Maine. Some coyotes found in such places contain over half wolf genetics! This of course is the leftover genetics that mixed decades back when the western coyote migration east took place.

Studies today show very little inbreeding between coyotes and wolves. It seemed most prevalent during the major migration period a good many years ago. Even with this interbreeding rare these days the wolf genetic percentage remains in many eastern (mainly Northeastern) coyotes that carries on to their offspring and creates their much larger appearance.

The western coyote can do quite well for itself near human populations or far away, unlike the wolf which requires large amounts of wild land. The eastern coyote has kept this western trait and does not seem to mind living near and even amongst human population. Since the eastern coyote is larger than its western cousin it can be more aggressive and take down larger game like deer. If food becomes scarce they have been known to attack humans and dogs. However, this is not a “normal” trait because it takes far more energy expenditure to take such prey than it is worth. Like all wild living creatures the coyote also looks to gain as much as possible while expending the smallest amount of energy. It is the natural law of conserving energy and thus resources for the means of survival. Unfortunately this action in times of dire need has done nothing to assist the popularity of the eastern coyote among humans. But are humans exempt of such traits? I think not. Just look at how many creatures, including our own kind we kill, maim and torture every day across the globe. The majority we do not even eat, we just kill. At least the coyote eats what it kills and thus kills to survive. You look at the statistics of humans killed by coyotes and you will see it is so low it is hardly worth mentioning. Far more people are maimed and killed by domestic dogs every year than ever have been by coyotes. And many people keep dogs as pets and allow them to live in their homes! Yet the coyote is targeted a feared by many. Why? Because of the severe emotional imbalance born from the spread of lies and ignorance.

Perhaps it is time to look with nonjudgmental eyes and minds at the true beauty and required placement of the coyote upon the earth? Perhaps it is time to see how much of the coyote’s ways live within the human species and the many lessons they can teach those who wish to learn? They like so many other wild creatures have become scapegoats for many people. Maybe it is time to take responsibility for your own actions and stop placing blame where it does not belong? The coyote is not the enemy of humans. Imbalanced minds and emotions are the enemy of humans. Do your own self healing work and let the coyote be.

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Next Radio Show Interview

Our Guest On February 1, 2012,
White Wolf – Founder of the Ways Of The Wild Institute

December 21st, 2011 | Posted in Guests

White Wolf is the founder of the Ways Of The Wild Institute <http://www.waysofthewildinstitute.com/>  and is the Alpha Guide for all courses and workshops. White Wolf has extensive experience in the ways of the wild. He trained in the wild during his youth under an old Native Metinuwak (“medicine man”) and warrior.

His native guide and Teacher taught him the old ways of living with the earth. White Wolf became a 10th degree black belt and Grandmaster in Small Circles of 5 Animals Jujitsu. He also holds the rank of first degree black belt in Shao-lin kung fu, 18 hand lohan kung fu and Muai Thai.

He is also an Energy Worker and Spirit Journeys guide. With many past combat injuries from 16 years of combat involvement in service to this country, he has worked diligently in his healing abilities using himself as a perfect subject. When he was in his mid teens he was forced into a highly specialized training division of the Central Government through the Central Intellegence Agency. After years of training, he was employed by the Central Government for 13 years of “active duty”.  All the details of this aspect of his life, as well as his escape and healing from severe trials can be found in his book entitled Shadow Scorpion <http://www.waysofthewildinstitute.com/2010/10/shadow-scorpion/> .

His life is dedicated to teaching the ways of the wild, defending the medicine balance in life and seeking always to attain his highest purity. He now lives within the remote areas of the Green Mountains with his wife and son.

I will be a guest on the Manefesting Wellness Show on February 1st for those of you who wish to listen in. Mark your calendars!

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What went wrong part 2

This is a continuing thought and lesson from my last blog called What Went Wrong??

I already presented the questions that I derived from the publicized story of the young man who died on a trail just around the corner from Ways Of The Wild Institute. This write-up is about what the intent is behind how the news story has been written and spread.

Every mainstream news article has a hidden agenda that can clearly be seen by how it is written and presented to the public. Every story! This one is no different. First you must look at key components such as the following:

  • ·         Young American male
  • ·         Wilderness
  • ·         Winter
  • ·         Solo hike
  • ·         Sketchy facts that do not add up
  • ·         Death
  • ·         Local shock in the public
  • ·         Claims of him being highly experienced and well versed in survival skills
  • ·         3 days including the day he left and was found

Those are some of the major key components of this story. If we break them down we can begin to see what is behind the story. First the story is about a young American male so the public automatically feels for the story and sees it as something that hits the all American home. He is said to have been well versed in wilderness excursions and survival skills. This gives the public the feel that he is a highly experienced outdoorsman. They are speaking of the “back-country” (wilderness) which sets the scene and invokes the standard thoughts of fear when it comes to the undeveloped wild country. The fact that he was alone gives rise to abandonment issues that many carry and feeds that feeling of separation and that fear of being lost and alone. The sketchy facts help to feed the fear factor by not allowing the mind of the reader easily piece the reality of the story together. The young man’s death from “apparent” reasons also adds to the fear of the readers mind. They admit to no hardcore reasons, just skepticism.

If we put all this together we get the following-

Instill and promote FEAR in the public of the wilderness, winter and outdoor oriented activities. I have heard many comments from local people who are telling people to stay out of the woods in winter because they could get hurt and die. They are telling people that even highly experienced people die out there. Fear, fear and more fear.

First of all how experienced can a 19 year old be in anything? Experience comes from many years of doing in all kinds of situations. Like I said in my last blog, if he was so experienced he would have never embarked upon the trip he did with the supposed gear he took with him.

The fact is that society does not wish people to be independent and self sufficient. They do not wish people to gain skills that would allow them to survive outside of society’s rules and binding ways of living. This is a general type of programming and even brainwashing that takes place on a daily basis throughout the media. Most people buy it and spread it without questioning or looking at the actual facts kept behind the scenes. Because of this story there are many local people who will now avoid the beautiful and powerful winter wilderness surrounding their own homes and quaint towns. Not only will they avoid the outdoors but also the practice of skills that could allow them to truly experience the freedom the wilderness presents.

I tell such stories to my students at Ways Of The Wild Institute and then present the facts presented and not presented. I teach why the story was presented the way it was and why people react to it the way they do. I stress the reality that it is all about instilling, promoting and spreading fear. I do not teach students to fear the wilderness, but to respect it. Through respect we gain a vastly deeper level of knowledge and true understanding of our connection to all things. Through respect we come to understand that fear has no place in the mix. Respect teaches us to look deeper and with a higher level of quality that allows us to safely and smartly interact with all life.

Yes this has been a tragic story, but we should not allow it to trigger fear and avoidance of life, but rather teach us that using our minds, being aware of surroundings and self (including our limitations) and building our skill levels are essential to a fulfilling life. Be smart, be wise and do not fall for the fear traps that the media presents everywhere!

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What went wrong???

Recently there was an event near to Ways Of The Wild Institute that brought me to right this short blog. I will be keeping names and exact locations out for the privacy of those involved.

A young man who was local to Vermont went for a winter hike in his homeland mountains. This was an individual who traveled to many areas of the world, hiked through many areas of this country and in many varying terrains and seasons. Very fit and sports oriented he is said to have had a solid constitution. Also spending a good deal of time in the outdoors he is said to have had a good deal of “survival” techniques and awareness. All in all the information shows a physically well conditioned young man who was fairly well versed in the ways of the outdoors.

His said intention was to go for a hike of about a dozen miles on a well known but primitive trail in one day’s time. His journey was supposed to end with the meeting of family/friends. I myself have been on that trail many times and know the land quite well.

Come days end the young man did not show up at his predetermined destination. It is said that his family/friends contacted authorities reporting his delayed return. Reports tell that the search and rescue did not begin looking until the next day when they found his expired body a few miles back the trail. Reports are still not clear whether or not he died from exposure from a broken leg or hypothermia followed by dementia. Either way information leads to the cause of death being exposure. The “whys” are yet to be determined.

Now this kind of thing happens all over the world on a regular basis. So why am I writing about this one? The reason I was drawn to write about this particular case is because things do not add up. I have been doing what I do for a long time and have seen many things under many extreme circumstances. Let us look at facts we know:

  • ·         A fit young man
  • ·         A known itinerary
  • ·         A known local trail
  • ·         A knowledgeable hiker
  • ·         Quick emergency contact soon after he did not make his end time

What makes me question this case as it is being told is that no experienced, well versed individual in the outdoors goes for a 12 mile hike alone in winter without bringing proper survival gear. They also would be aware enough not to allow themselves to go into a hypothermic state. Anyone hiking in those conditions, who knows what they are doing knows to keep themselves dry and warm always. This is especially important when you stop moving. If you are getting back in the mountains and you feel yourself getting too fatigued you stop and get yourself warm and fed. Then you call it a day and turn around because to go further would strain your found limits and place you in danger. Long detailed explanation cut very short; someone with a good deal of practical outdoor travel and survival experience would know and prepare for all of this.

Now let us look after the fact. This young man did not return on scheduled time. The family did the right thing by calling the emergency squad. The question is why did the search and rescue wait until the next day to go looking for him? It is January in the Vermont Mountains which means the nights are brutal. If someone is lost and or injured their survival percentile dramatically decreases over the course of the night.  You do not wait until the next day to go looking unless you want to find a dead body. This is a simple fact. The trail is well laid out and there are no environmental conditions there that would prevent a night search. I have been on that trail at night many times in all seasons. Search and rescue know this, so why did they choose to wait? The call went in saying this young man may be in trouble. A brutal winter night quickly approached. This was not a gamble of an experienced outdoorsman late on a balmy summer evening, but a young man late from a long hike on a fast approaching January night. Waiting is simply gambling with his life. Chances that he was dead before nightfall seem very slim with the information being relayed. His death most certainly came in the night. Therefore a night rescue could have saved his life. This is especially the case since he was found on the trail. In this specific area where this event took place there really is no cell phone coverage and so a phone would do no good.

Maybe he broke his leg and is prevented him from going anywhere. OK, this could be a possibility. I am not special but I know what it is to be deep in the wilderness in winter with a serious physical calamity. I once fell through ice into a river 8 miles back in the Colorado wilderness just before dark and had to walk out without literally freezing to death. I had my shoulder dislocated and had to make my way out. I had two broken ribs and a shattered big toe and had to make my way out. How did I do it? With my skills and mental fortitude. Anyone who is said to be an experienced outdoorsman with honed survival skills has a chance if injury takes them. I am not saying that skills guarantee you anything, but they can greatly assist you. If anything they can buy you time. In this case that is what I am getting at. The individual was a few miles back where they found him. If he was still heading in when/if he broke his leg it probably would have been late morning. Given that he was on or near the trail and knew people were going to be expecting him at a certain time, why would he waste energy trying to drag himself out? Why not save energy and use survival tools he should (or might) have brought to keep himself warm? Why did nobody who was waiting for him seek somebody who would go out to find him that night? If it were my friend or family member I would have gathered my gear and went out looking.  True, if he broke his leg he would have most likely gone into shock. This can do all sorts of things to the mind.

It is not hard to track people in the winter. I have done it many times. Even those who have minor tracking skills can be quite successful.

I am not trying to place blame anywhere. Truly I am not. I am simply confused by the details being presented because they do not add up. True I am highly experienced at this kind of thing and so would not think twice about heading up the night trail to look for a missing person of that day. But so is the search and rescue squads. They have that title and with it comes a huge responsibility. But so does every person who sets foot in the wilderness, especially in the middle of a Vermont winter, alone.

My point is that this is a case where many things seemed to have gone wrong and many things could have been done differently. These are basic things as well and so hindsight should have nothing to do with it. Every time you get a missing persons call in winter from the wilderness you are gambling with a life every minute wasted. And if you are the hiker who journeys into the winter mountains alone you had better know exactly what you are doing and fully prepare.

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