[Pyrodogg]

Especially if you're hiking alone, in unfamiliar territory, be aware of the weather, terrain, and potential hazards.

A compass, clear sightlines to points of reference, and a paper map can work wonders for orientation.

It's quite possible his things are where they were left and they were missed behind an unrecognized rock in a boulder field. People rarely stop and really look deeply at the path they've taken. The return trip can look quite different (time of day, personal exhaustion, etc.). If you can keep necessary gear on you, it's best. But if you really need to leave something make it dead obvious to find and then a few steps simpler yet. Necessary gear in the context of potential wind and freezing rain includes a decent jacket.

If everyone had prepared for a group trip (a couple hours hiking in the mountains) don't be the one to take off on your own, and try to caution anyone who wants to.

I think trying to reach his hiking party is entirely reasonable. They know best the planned route for the day and where the hiker should be. "can you see/hear (peak/river/waterfall)?" "if your looking at the peak is the sun in front/behind/left/right" of you?" could help reorient someone or make it obvious they went down a wrong side. but there is a tremendous amount of personal responsibility you're taking going off alone in the wilderness.

[eternityforest]

Thanks for the analysis!

I like to study disasters and near misses in general because it always seems like there's a lot to learn from them.

I did not even consider the fact he might have just not seen the marker items, that could have in fact been right where he left them, even though that's totally the kind of mistake I would make.

Leaving the group seems like a rather odd choice and I really don't understand the mindset or how anyone wouldn't be terrified to be away from others without a satellite beacon and backup GPS.

I don't usually like to be without a backup plan against my own failure, but some don't seem to mind at all.

Or perhaps they just don't recognize the fact that they are taking on personal responsibility.

I do have my doubts about the map and compass though. I wonder if he would have been able to use them effectively. I probably wouldn't be able to and I'd imagine anyone who could, would know to bring them.

I'm sure they'd be of some use, but people seem to talk about them like as if just bringing one along is enough to save you, when I'd imagine it's actually the skill that saves you.