Hey JJ-if I would have had my packs with me ....I would have used the foam back insert from inside the pack and para cord....but alas I ended up using a root section from a blow down and the dry line(kite string) that their group had along with one of their soaked cotton sweat shirts....improvise! Circulation is easier to access than with duct tape. NOLS has a great wilderness medicine publication.

I believe that they were ignorant....due to their lack of experience and fore thought----if they did it again! Oh s@#$ then they would be stupid and my impression was that the came with their own gear as they seemed to be really proud of their score of used Al "boy scout" canoes....But that opens again the debate or rather the issue of responsibility. Maybe it should have fallen on the synod office....or the pastor himself....Been though this all before within the YMCA....Ergo my queiry about responsibilities and the question in regard to "WILDERNESS". I had some interesting discussions with certain folks about evacs. in the BWCAW during this experience. How can you make a person more responsible? U cant with out policy changes! Oh boy and that is another whole can of worms. In a nut shell the cards all landed in the right fashion for this group to have this happen the way that it did. Still wonder how D is doing however...I surmise the injury will hobbler her for life; unless she really evolves-and I hope she does as I hope their group and policies do. If they dont and continue to do this annual trip the way that they do they should seriously have their heads examined! The whole thing makes me wonder too what is the price tag for the forest service and other supporting offices for search and rescue..."Cant bar anyone" how about educated them.... ;) I'm still amazed by what I saw when I hit that island, but I am experienced enough to know that anything can happen-but I will say that I am suprized that it didn't happen for this group many years ago during this annual trip. "Dont trust wet rock"-I am sure that Mickey is so sick of hearing this! ;D 2 BAD ;D  

I witness recently a whole family-grandpa to grand children-hike back to the Beartooth Hwy in a thunderstorm at about 10,800 ft. My girl friend still gives me a hard time for giving the group a piece of my mind-2 BAD! share the knowledge....Thanks to all for this web site-educate them....educate myself! ;)