Minimally Prepared for Wilderness Survival
If you are watching prime time news on television or from on-line sources, you are probably aware of a former Presidential Chef being found dead in the New Mexico Wilderness. If not, here is the story:
Ex-White House chef's body found in New Mexico-
The body of former White House executive chef Walter Scheib was found Sunday in the mountains of New Mexico where he had gone hiking, officials said.
Scheib, who served under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, has been absent since June 13 when he left to go for a hike alone on a mountain trail in Taos, New Mexico. He was later reported missing by a family member.
On Thursday, investigators tracked Scheib's cell phone signal to a mountain in Taos, according to a press release from the New Mexico State Department of Public Safety.
Scheib had recently moved to the area, according to Sergeant Elizabeth Armijo, a New Mexico State Police public information officer.
Scheib's car was discovered by investigators Tuesday in a parking lot at the Yerba Canyon Trailhead. His body was discovered off the immediate trail approximately 1.7 miles from the base of a hiking trail.
Scheib served as White House executive chef from 1994 to 2005. Scheib was personally hired by then-first lady Hillary Clinton, according to Scheib's official website. On Monday, former first Lady Laura Bush issued a statement expressing sympathy for Scheib's loved ones. "Walter was an outstanding talent. He prepared magnificent dinners for world leaders and delicious family fare for our family and friends," Bush said.
While any death is tragic, and barring some medical calamity such as a stroke or heart attack, this death could likely have been prevented if the hiker was even minimally prepared.
What would constitute being minimally prepared:
Have a plan. On where you are going, how long you are going to be gone, and let someone know that plan.
Be adequately dressed. Have adequate clothing for the environment and weather conditions.
Have at least minimal survival kit. What may be minimal to you may be too much to me, so knowing your skill sets is crucial as well. Don't carry a flint and steel to start a fire if you have never did it before. These are items I carry in a pocket kit and what they are used for:
Click HERE to watch one my recent post making a personal pocket survival kit.
Don't get into a survival situation and not be prepared, or you may end up like the former White House Chef. My prayers go out to his family.
Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!
Charlie
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