[cdestroyer]

hikers typically make mistakes at decision points such as: trail junctions, game trails, obscure trails, head of drainages, and account for 56% of lost person cases. In previous years, most lost hikers have been following the path of least resistance, going down hill; whereas, recently hikers have been found moving uphill, off trail in search of cell service, according to GCSSR. What may prolong hikers are incorrect estimates of "fitness/travel time, lack of light, and blisters, especially if carrying a heavy pack or hiking for the first time (or first time in a long time), "Hikers in dry domains stay mobile twice as long as in temperate domains, and typically travel farther, have greater elevation changes, and are more likely to travel cross country." important part is that hikers movements have changed due to the seeking of cell services