Lost Hiker Leaves a Journal Explaining Her Disappearance | Geraldine Largay Case Analysis

This video answers the question: Can I analyze the case of Geraldine Largay?
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[@DigitalNeb]

I had a panic attack on the Appalachian trail when I was in college. Was somewhere near Springer Mountain, and it was New Years eve. I was supposed to go with several people, but ended up going alone when everyone else bailed out. As a rank amateur, I ended up packing way too much stuff, and I was also totally unprepared for hiking on mountains in the snow as a life long Florida boy. Needless to say, by the end of the first day I was totally exhausted. Then, for some completely insane reason, I just gave up on the entire venture. Suddenly everything seemed hostile, and I HAD to get home. Over the next 8 hours or so, I did every stupid thing I could have done to potentially get lost. This is all while carrying around 70 pounds of gear, which consisted of everything I could have (not of) possibly needed to survive and even be comfortable. I was so panicked, that I was taking "shortcuts," I was climbing down cliffs freehand, I was blindly stumbling through underbrush and even streams in the frozen darkness. By the time I made it back to my truck, I was near hypothermic, and literally crying. To this day, I don't know how I found my way out. I was absolutely lost for several hours. I grew up in the woods, and spent hundreds (maybe thousands) of hours roaming Florida swamps as a kid, but I was still totally unprepared for the situation I had put myself in. What I did know how to do was mark a point and move toward it and repeat. This is probably how I managed to navigate effectively even in the dark without using a compass. I'm still tremendously lucky that I didn't fall or descend into the wrong valley. In the end, youth and luck saved me from a potentially deadly situation. If I hadn't been in my early 20's, I'm not sure how I would have made it out on my own. This poor lady didn't have a chance by comparison. It's been decades since that happened to me, but I can still remember how quickly everything went wrong in my mind. Since then I've learned that even experienced outdoor enthusiasts can panic in survival situations. This is why one of the first things you're told to do when you decide you're actually lost is to stop moving. The moral of the story for me, is never go into the wilderness alone. Even a small mistake can cascade into a life threatening event.

[@denisrailey777]

`Biggest thing is to keep calm, your thinking will be clearer.

[@DigitalNeb]

@@mountainstream8351 I took a "shortcut" at about 9:45 at night. Not the brightest idea I've ever had, but there it is. Was also having difficulty staying on the trail in the dark even when I was trying. Made the decision to make my own way. Super stupid move.

[@rosmarybourque2294]

Thank u for sharing. I live in a wooded area and love to hike it. It was definitely not something this lady should have done alone in unfamiliar territory. Spouse contributed to poor judgement.

[@joedennehy386]

If you suffer from panic attacks why put yourself in that situation? You just proved you couldn't do it alone, nearly at the cost of your life

[@hycinth5371]

Wow, counting and think of a logical phase such as “what happened to me is how I handled it”. These items always seemed to awake me and calm my mind in most of my unpleasant situations, professional and personal.

[@victoriaelliott9425]

I was a friend of Gerry's in the 1990s when she lived in the Chicago area. We sang together in a large women's chorus. She was very funny, warm and inviting, and fun to hang out with. Following this story, I think that we all can imagine how one small error in judgement can lead us to a similar scenario as Gerry's. I hope that this analysis will help some people as they think about panic and anxiety. It can happen to any of us. Be kind as you think of Gerry and her family.

[@marivipalomino6975]

❤🙏🏼

[@dee4435]

Victoria, my aunt was friends with Gerry in the air force. My aunt was devastated when she heard the tragic news.

[@goodgrief888]

I often wonder if her friend that left her mid-trip was able to live with the guilt. I know that I would never be able to forgive myself.

[@isitoveryet9525]

@@goodgrief888 what an odd comment. Very judgmental & a bit self righteous, while trying to pass as being concerned. You have no idea what you world or wouldn’t be able to forgive, considering you’ve never been in that situation, with those exact circumstances. I’m sure the friend went through all sorts of emotions, & I’m guessing strangers online, pretending they would’ve done better isn’t helping anyone involved.

[@goodgrief888]

@@isitoveryet9525 OK well you obviously didn’t see the documentary on Amazon Prime because they talk about that whole situation in the movie. You’re one of those people that feigns superiority all over social media, finding fault with everyone else and fomenting faux outrage. I’m not having it anymore. Bye

[@walkyourdog6584]

As an older woman who has spent years doing long backpacking journeys by myself I totally understand why this woman got disoriented and died. Luckily I learned my hard lessons when I was younger and managed to survive them all. It is extremely important to keep situational awareness at all times and not panic. I have been lost in the snow, way beyond my skill level, and another time crossed a raging river, losing the trail. Both times I was extremely lucky to make it back.

[@rt66vintage16]

I hope you stay safe, friend.

[@Mehki227]

I have you beat. I was once lost in the NYC subway system for hours on end. I went places no one had ever seen for decades. I saw and heard some thangs! 😳 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Stay safe!

[@shawnaweesner3759]

NEVER HIKE ALONE-EVER!

[@darnh6012]

@@shawnaweesner3759 Why? I backcountry camp alone all the time. If you're really worried about hiking alone , then get the emergency satellite phones with gps. I agree with Walk the Dog. Some people have terrible situational awareness.

[@RetroFilmRush]

If she could have just remembered which side of the trail she exited for her break, I would think that even the sun would have provided an indication of the direction she needed to go.

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

The letter she wrote to whoever finds her body is heartbreaking.😢 In her last moments, she tried to prevent her family of experiencing the pain of never finding her. She appears to have been a lovely woman, who sadly lost her life in such a horrible manner. Great review, Dr. Grande.❤

[@habazlambazazathe6th989]

lets go hike together

[@soomysaleem351]

@@habazlambazazathe6th989 🤦‍♀️

[@CaitlynGoesHiking]

I highly recommend the audiobook/regular book “When you Find My Body”. It goes into a lot more detail than here and it was captivating to listen to as a hiker myself who is often alone on my trips

[@jasper_of_puppets]

@@habazlambazazathe6th989 I'll watch

[@mamaduck9370]

Tragic case. Hate to think of anyone suffering a lonely panicked fate, regardless of whether it was self inflicted via hubris. Well balanced analysis. Thanks for the video.

[@deesnutz42069]

to be honest, I'd take this kinda death over being violently murdered by some psychopath any day.

[@Flamsterette]

Oh, if it was self-inflicted and via hubris, I'd judge.

[@BetaBuxDelux]

@@deesnutz42069 Maybe I can take the psychopath with me and save some possible future victim?

[@CR-ru1kw]

Feel the same 😔💔.

[@Littlebabyandersen]

@@deesnutz42069well, yeah??

[@karenneill9109]

The number one rule of survival is “Don’t Panic”. It’s that first moment, when she realizes that she has lost the trail that the biggest mistake was made. If she had stayed put, she would have been found within a few days. There are techniques to re-find your trail, but you have to stop and plan and think. The first 15 minutes after that initial realization will determine your survival chances. My teenagers are now doing hikes alone, and I tell them the first thing you do if you think you might be lost is to sit down, physically prevent yourself from panic wandering. Then you can think of a reasonable strategy.

[@EvieVermont]

I thought outdoor Ed for a number of years to both Children and adults. I taught them to hug a tree. Just hug a tree. Trees are your friends. And they prevent you from wandering lost.

[@karenneill9109]

@@EvieVermont I love that idea!

[@r-pupz7032]

Yeah, once you start panicking you quickly lose control and it's almost impossible to stop the panic until it has run it's course. Meanwhile you will not have been thinking clearly and could have made stupid decisions or wandered really far. Panic also makes it harder to remember the route you took while you were in the heightened state of anxiety. That's why it's so important to physically sit down and breathe slowly. Hopefully this stops the panic before it gets out of control but even if you can't do that, at least you haven't wandered further into the wilderness during the anxiety attack.

[@chicagogyrl4846]

If this woman had an Emergency Locator like she should have, she wouldn’t have had as big a problem!!

[@karenneill9109]

@@chicagogyrl4846 Now, I’d probably agree, but this was 10 years ago. They were much less common and prohibitively expensive at the time. Even now they’re really expensive, and then you have to spend a monthly subscription as well. Besides, relying on technology rather than skill is never a good idea. A map, a compass and knowing how to use them should have been the absolute minimum.

[@debpearce3786]

When I was young, my dad told me, "if you panic you will die. If you do not panic, you have a chance to live. Do not panic, ever!" This was in regards to scuba diving but it served me well.

[@NewtonWashinton]

Very rue, when I was training to be a scuba diver I received panic training and was told to always figure out the resolve, if you panic you die,

[@dalewilliams8001]

I remember that from SCUBA classes also. Great advice.

[@imalrockme]

My friends husband loves scuba diving and he said it the very first lesson they gave him!

[@thesparrow3902]

I was scuba diving when a storm kicked up and my boat was quickly moving away from me. At the time I was about 40 years old. Fortunately, I remembered an incident swimming at 11 years old; I had started to panic and kept going down -- and needed to be rescued. So, remembering not to panic, I put my eyes on that boat and kicked my swimming into high gear. I reached the boat!! Yes, super important to not allow yourself to panic. (Note, I was not in charge of the boat -- others were and they hadn't done their job!)

[@jabbermocky4520]

I have never hiked the Appalachian Trail. But I have trekked through the woods of Vermont on foot. One thing I never had to use was a ball of string I brought with me on hikes. Why string? Well, if you have to go off the trail you tie one end of the string to a tree ( or other stationary object ) and let out the remainder as you walk deeper into the brush, hoping to not drop the ball, so to speak. When you have finished what you need to do off-trail, you follow the string BACK to your starting point, gathering and rolling it back into a tight ball. That is NOT cheating. A ball of string can be practical, lightweight lifesaving gear. Fits in a pocket. Just a simple suggestion to hikers in the wild. RIP, Gerry.

[@MorePlausible]

Is this a joke?

[@zonzeven]

One can also use breadcrumbs .....

[@timhamilton2212]

Is what a joke? You’ve never heard of doing this? They found string among Geri’s belongings at the site.

[@Scipio_Americanus]

Would a g string work?🤔

[@BauAuslese]

Ariadne's String - even some ancient Greeks did it (not to mention Hansel and Gretel)

[@candicane1]

Geri may have had (mild) dementia. The disorientation, panic attacks and lack of awareness are definitely signs. I say mild because it probably wasn’t to the point of others (loved ones) being outwardly concerned, but the description of what happened definitely sound like dementia.

[@s.hicks7213]

You know-I was thinking the same thing. It does make one wonder if she did. Poor lady.

[@whitedragoness23]

I do wonder if this was the case, she was still kinda young for dementia but I think it’s possible. Plus she was so close to help and decided to stay put. It definitely explains how a trail was too overwhelming for her and couldn’t process getting back on trail

[@tinahochstetler2189]

As a somewhat older person myself, I had wondered about that possibility. Or not necessarily even dementia. but she was taking medication for something, so must have had some kind of chronic health condition. Those can affect cognition a bit. Especially when a person is tired or stressed. Not enough to be worrisome in the safety of our homes and day to day life. But in a wilderness area. That's a big difference.

[@Direkin]

The fact that she was not only so close to finishing, but also so close to safety all that time makes this even more tragic than it already is.

[@richardwallace9317]

I was a member of a K9 team with a search and rescue squad for several years. I still vividly recall feeling panicked when I got disoriented in thick woods on a moonless night. Fortunately my dog knew exactly where we were. The golden rule: if you get lost, just stop, wait, and think. If the lost hiker had done so, it would not have been long until she heard other hikers.

[@marivipalomino6975]

But a panic attack is something that she couldn't control in that moment. Maybe she didn't even know how serious and life threatening these panic attacks are. This was a very unfortunate situation, you were lucky to have your dog with you.

[@katarina1852]

She hiked all the way to nearing the end of the trail and was only 22 miles from meeting her husband. How awful. I swear I would have used the bathroom right there on the trail. I would never hike alone to begin with, but I sure wouldn’t have the bravery to walk off an established trail (unless it was only a few feet and I could still see the trail). Listening to her final journal entry to whoever finds her body and her last earthly thoughts being for her family was utterly heartbreaking.😢 She appeared to be a kind and lovely woman may she RIP.🙏

[@shansolos]

Same i was thinking i would of just stayed on the trail heartbreaking really my thoughts to her family.

[@44LillPuffin]

I feel exactly the same. At this age as well I don't understand it, like maybe a young person but someone this age? I don't know if I would have even done this in my 20s tbh. You know when you're a panicked person, you know when you're a person who is scared to be alone in nature in daylight never mind in dark and last but not least, you know when you are someone who gets lost amd disoriented easily. When you're like that you get confused about left and right and feel confused about where you are in places you've been before. So this is just stupid to me.

[@whitedragoness23]

I’m actually surprised she didn’t wander just a bit off trail like behind a bush. She must of really wandered away to get confused and not see the trail. Keeping the trail in sight could of helped her. A bush or tree would of given her privacy

[@markprange2430]

She never reached the end of the trail. She left the trail.

[@katarina1852]

@@markprange2430 Right, I meant that compared to the distance she had already traveled to what little was left of it gave the sense she was basically at “the end”. She was so near to completing her trek.

[@MotJ949]

I cannot believe that her friend and her husband would both allow her to continue alone knowing that she wasn’t a skilled hiker or navigator. Everyone, including Geri, was overconfident in her ability.

[@monacoofthebluepacific2571]

I only go on easy day hikes with my husband, and my greatest outdoor adventures these days is exercising in my backyard 😁

[@OregonSingles]

All that training she did, she just had to follow the trail. There's just some directly challenged people, we're not overly confident, in fact our anxiety causes us to way over think on one thing and miss the fact we could get lost or lose an entire trail just going off it a moment to find a private place to potty. I'm just mentioning it because I share so many of her traits and never want my loved ones to feel a second of responsibility for my misadventures as I plan to have many more on life journey

[@davidbennett9691]

In a society that totally discounts expertise as elitism, there is a crazy notion that anybody can do anything they want, regardless of their lack of knowledge or ability.

[@bernimac]

I hate to say it..a very foolish thing for her to do... and an extremely foolish thing for her husband or friends to think that that was okay for her to continue she had too many issues from panic attacks to everything else she should have gone home with her friend

[@TomikaKelly]

You can't stop stupidity

[@TheJimmyp427]

I grew up in Appalachian woods and they are so thick you can't see more than 100 feet a lot of the time. My parents talked about getting lost in the woods so I knew what to do and not to do. But one night I took a shortcut through a woods to get home and ended up getting lost and miles out if my way. I finally came out of the woods into a neighborhood and had to knock on someone's door to figure out where I was

[@whitedragoness23]

Scary, I guess when she walked off the trail it was too confusing for her brain to recall which way to go back On trail.

[@TheJimmyp427]

@@whitedragoness23 it was her brain this whole time

[@whitedragoness23]

@@TheJimmyp427 yes I can agree to that, some are now thinking she was having beginning stages of dementia making it even worse.

[@EmilyLucille523]

This happened to me. Had gone hiking with my niece, daughter, and our 2 dogs. Didn’t time it right and stayed too long on the overhead cliff to watch the sunset so when we started to head back down to the trail we got lost because of the low lighting. I was so overconfident thinking we were going to be fine but then darkness came quickly and the panic started which I never experienced before. Being an ER nurse I am very self-sufficient but I couldn’t think during that panic attack. All I could think of was our exposure to the elements (it was Jan in NC) and how was I going to protect these girls and dogs from the cold and the animals overnight!😮 It happens to the best of us. Luckily, I stopped because I saw the scared look on my daughter’s face, I took a deep breath, retraced our steps, realized where we turned wrong and was able to get back the the trail. I feel for this lady. You never know what your reaction will be until you’re in that situation. 😢

[@mht5875]

Did you have a flashlight on you at the time? Am glad you made it back home safely.

[@kelleywyskiel8513]

Been there. I took my daughter to the Grand Canyon and we were doing an easy day hike around the rim path. With a map. One simple wrong choice onto a path that wasn’t the same trail led us continuously into the woods as it got dark and went from 80 degrees to the upper 40’s. We weren’t planning on being out so we’re naturally dressed for hot weather. It was cold, dark, and there’s a death fall if you accidentally find the rim again. We were lucky and it was the smell of a specific burning wood and remembering a camp named the same wood led us to keep going that direction, also hearing cars, but the highway is deceptive and always sounds like it’s right there when it’s miles away. The surprise of two people carrying a bag of ice stepping onto a path we just found and we asked where the got the ice. Naturally leading us to the lodge. I was so scared. So so so scared. But had to keep myself calm and super nonchalant about how we were doing so well figuring out how to get back to the lodge. I feel you❤ Also it was a working path for the employees and looked exactly like the trail we had been on. We had crossed a paved road and there were two and we chose the wrong one. This was minutes after my daughter read on the map “ mom did you know thousands of people get lost hiking around the Grand Canyon every year.” Me…” that’s ridiculous! You just have to stay on the path! I mean there’s a map and everything’s marked!” Yeah….

[@SirenaSpades]

I think it is interesting that you think being an ER nurse you feel you are very self sufficient. Maybe in the ER. Not anywhere else, my friend. Definitely not in the Maine woods.

[@EmilyLucille523]

@@mht5875 Just the light on my cell phone and yes, thank goodness!

[@EmilyLucille523]

@@SirenaSpades What I meant was you have to stabilize or use whatever you have and do whatever you can first aide wise in an emergent situation regardless wherever you are (cut, scrapes, broken bones, sprains, drownings, etc…). I have done so in a split of a second in the past where I have had to use my ER skills at the beach, park, and in my own house with my kids (pencil stab through hand). I know outdoors is different, but my point was I am a quick thinker in many emergent situations but for that moment on that hike when we got lost, I panicked and blanked. Never experienced that before and that scared me the most. So I emphasize greatly with that woman who died even with her experience.

[@betterbee1304]

Dr. Grande! ❤️ My husband loves your videos and says "wait, is that Dr. Big?" Thanks for your videos and your dedication to your work.

[@Aaron-kj8dv]

I knew a girl who's last name was Green and she told everyone her last name was Verde

[@JasKhalid]

My husband says is that Ariana Grande lol

[@ceciliapetrowsky2572]

I’ve read several things about this case and it amazes and confounds me. First, she made it all the way to Maine which is amazing. Then she gets lost going to the bathroom. In all that time between bathroom break and death, she never heard any other hikers she could have called out to? Did she not hear dogs and helicopters? It’s really baffling and I feel so bad for her.

[@EvieVermont]

Bizarre. I agree.

[@sebastianwhalin743]

Well old people generally don't have the greatest hearing

[@peterphan227]

Sounds like dementia.

[@ammiller3911]

As a person with panic disorder with agoraphobia, thank you for bringing attention to this. When I'm having a panic attack it's as physical as it it is metal. There is no room for rational thought, it's like your instincts take over. Even when you manage to calm down physically, mentally there is this feeling that some, unspecified, life threatening, terrible thing is happening. Once my panic disorder was in full swing, it took years of CBT (cognitive behavioral thearpy) to *leave my house* the panic attacks are so crippling. I would do ANYTHING to avoid them. I have made quite a recovery with medication and CBT. Panic attacks sort of feel like a heart attack, an asthma attack and a mental break down all at once. I cannot imagine what Geraldine must have went through in those final days, and while mistakes were definitely made by her, I 100% can understand how this could have happened if she was panicking. Panic literally takes your logic away in that moment. And the physical symptoms are exhausting. RIP Geraldine.

[@angelxxsin]

As someone who has suffered from Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia and is currently in remission...I'm sending you my warmest thoughts. The term panic attack gets thrown around so often these days but people don't understand how truly devastating a real panic attack can be. It's literally the thought that you're about to die which is why it's so debilitating and traumatic.

[@ammiller3911]

@@angelxxsin thank you

[@applewoodcourt]

AM and Alison, there is hope that you can put this behind you. I suffered from PD with agoraphobia. My heart would be facing and felt like it was going beat out of my chest at the thought of having to say "hi" to my perfectly fine and nice neighbor. I would look through the "peep hole" in the door to make sure that no one was coming. I had panic attacks at random ... each panic attack made me avoid the thing or place where the attack occurred. Finally, I basically had them everywhere and avoided everything/everyone. After professional help, supportive wife and medication, I was able to get to the other side. Hang in there.

[@ammiller3911]

@@applewoodcourt I know exactly what your describing! I used to have panic attacks if my phone rang because I used to think no one calls unless they need something or something bad happened. Medication helped alot.

[@raaaaaaarr]

I have panic attacks and agoraphobia since 15 years old. 15 years later still can't leave the house. I don't get how people can afford therapy when I can't even hold a job or go to grocery store? How does one suffering afford it?

[@leas7830]

As a field geologist who work regularly outdoors, this is very sad case. It is extremely easy to get lost if go outside a marked path (and there are many paths where marking has dissapeared). You can't trust mobile phones and they need electricity. Good compass is a must and those are a larger than "buttons". It is ok to challenge yourself, but hiking alone is very bad idea if prone to panic attacks and fear of darkness. Edit, spelling.

[@lcross894]

Lea S. I'm having a bit of trouble following your comment. I don't know if the grammaerical errors are throwing me off or it's time to cal it a day. . I agree hiking alone is a very bad idea.

[@leas7830]

@@lcross894 Ah, sorry! English is not my mother tongue, will be more careful next time 🙂

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

A simple whistle would have saved her. Blow three times, wait, blow three times. Do that as soon as you realize that you're disoriented and you'll still be close enough to the trail that somebody will hear you.

[@kelseymathias3881]

@@leas7830 Your English is better than that of some native speakers!

[@m.h.6499]

Lea S, I understood your message. You write English well. I didn’t know there were paths that lose their markings. That’s valuable info for future trips. I’m not an experienced hiker. Thank you. Editing to add: I can’t imagine going hiking if one is afraid of the dark and if one suffers from panic attacks. How sad that this clear attempt to be brave led to her death. 😞

[@ekelly1642]

This is so sad, I can heavily relate to her as I'm a nurse and suffer from panic attacks. I am similar as well in attempting to expose myself to things in order to push myself out of my comfort zone and grow. It is just too bad, and frankly, extremely heartbreaking she wasn't able to calm down well enough to know how close she was to safety. 😮‍💨 I pray her family was able to find peace and is okay, I can't imagine the pain of losing someone this way. Thank you for your analysis Dr Grande! Love your videos 😊

[@RetroFilmRush]

I agree and don’t believe she gave up. If she had a poor sense of direction, she didn’t know which way to go to safety. And she didn’t want to end up further away from the trail. If she had, we still might not know what happened to her. It’s hard to believe that even a bathroom excursion led her two miles off trail

[@aikirunner]

From what I read about this case, Mrs Largay did have a rescue beacon but left it behind at the hotel. Her husband would have had it in the car later. I'm in my 60s and thru hiked the AT in 2021. Although I'm an experienced backpacker, I used a Garmin InReach Mini and had a backup battery to recharge it and my iPhone. I even used the tracking feature in addition to notify folks at home of my stops for lunch and camp. Doing this, would allow a detail of my last location. And of course there's the SOS feature if things get bad. I was never concerned about getting lost. I was pretty good with that. But as an older hiker, there always the possibility of falls or other health issues.

[@juliastearns8663]

I hiked the area where Geri was lost and found out about her disappearance from the Missing Persons flyers posted at trail heads before she was found. The forest in the area is extremely thick and it saddens me to think of the physical and mental stress she must have endured.

[@skeptigal2785]

The scariest Stephen King book I ever read was "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon," about a hiker who gets lost in Maine when she steps off the AT to use the bathroom, just as in this case. Strange coincidence! I've been lost in the woods alone before, and I would say it's basically impossible NOT to panic; it's fight or flight time.

[@glennhubbard5008]

I read that, too.

[@moonchild7456]

That is so sick--I will never read his books again. Thank you for informing me.

[@ohcanitbe]

@@moonchild7456 it’s a good book, just scary (cause ya know, it’s Stephen King). That doesn’t make it “sick”

[@jessicadavis3989]

I love that book

[@jessicadavis3989]

@@ohcanitbethe book is not sick at all! That person’s comment was weird!

[@kimberlysmith7311]

Great analysis Dr. Grande. It's Very sad that she was so close to help and didnt realize it, and the note she left for her family speaks for her caring nature. 🙂💞

[@pamd6532]

I have no "internal compass" and get lost quite easily even when I've been in an area before. I know that panic of being lost. It is such a frightening feeling. My heart breaks for this woman.

[@nagantm441]

You do have a compass, it's the sun.

[@aClownBaby-]

I have no internal compass but I also don't mind getting lost.

[@pamd6532]

@@aClownBaby- If i had the confidence of not being lost forever, that could be fun.

[@lovelocked5385]

I'd get lost in a mall. Totally disoriented. Map skills of a toddler. I never walk alone especially in the woods.

[@retiredyeti5555]

My wife has no sense of direction - once we turn the corner, she does not know which direction we are going. Fortunately, she no longer drives! I have an inborn sense of direction - I have done cross country travel without benefit of map or compass, and came out within a few miles of my destination. When my unit was attacked by VietCong and decimated, I and 2 others survived by hiding in the jungle and living off the land for 2 weeks until we were rescued. Panic was not on our menu, and training put to use was a major factor in our survival. That and a lot of good fortune!

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

I've been a solo backpacker for thirty (30) years, simply because I have never found a friend or lover who wants to spend their "vacation," walking twelve miles per day, with 40 lbs. on their back. My ladies have all preferred lying on the beach or by the pool, with a drink in their hand. I invested in a top-quality "Silva" compass and always buy the most detailed map available. After years of driving and motorcycling, even without a compass, I do not get lost on a sunny day. In the middle of the day, the sun is always in the South. As far as being "scared of the dark," I am only afraid that I will not be ale to see as well as I should. I am extremely nearsighted, around -10.00 diopters, but the dark nights that one can only get in the wilderness are one of the great benefits of camping. I live in Chicagoland, and it never gets completely dark. This is due to the miles and miles of lighted expressways. It NEVER gets dark in Chicagoland. There is ALWAYS an orange band of light at the horizon. In conclusion, this woman would have benefited from a few three (3) night trips to build her confidence before tackling a weeks or months long expedition like The Appalachian Trail. God rest her soul! 🤗

[@leontrotsky7816]

Recently, I left a building I've visited many times before by the exact same entrance I'd used to get in a couple of hourse before. It was dark outside and within a minute I was lost. Fortunately, it was in the middle of a big city so I just carried on walking until I found the nearest subway station, but I could completely see this story happening to me if I'd been in the middle of the woods.

[@denisrailey777]

Some city people have no idea on navigation in the bush. Best old way is Sun rises and Sunsets .

[@joewinch7548]

@@Couplescience Omigosh, I had a similar experience. Parked my car at the Chicago airport and misremembered where I had parked, and spent 3 hours on New Year's Eve walking around the lot looking for my car. I finally had to get somoene from airport security to drive me around and after about 30 minutes we found my car.

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

This is such a heartbreaking case. The most frustrating part of this is Geraldine had a PLB - a GPS Personal Locator Beacon - but she and her husband couldn’t figure out how to set it up so she left it in her vehicle. I learned about her missing when I just happened to find the show “Northwood’s Law”, that took place in Maine, after having returned from a vacation in Maine. The episode was about searching for Geraldine. A few years later, I happened to catch the episode where her remains were found. There is a book by about her “When You Find My Body” that tells the story. The title comes from a line in her journal that read, in part, “When you find my body, please contact my husband and daughter”.

[@TacitusR]

"Panic is the solvent that dissolves reason." "Fear makes the wolf appear larger" Two adages that served me well in a long career in which panic inevitably leads to tragedy. R.I.P. Good Lady.

[@narayanstar7787]

Regardless of how she got there ,it's very sad to think of anyone dying alone this way. I am sure she blamed herself a million times over . My heart goes out to Gerry's family and friends who I am sure would give anything to have been able to save her life.

[@tsdobbi]

If I found myself in that position, I would just pick a direction and walk. Not like she was in the Canadian wilderness. Within 20 miles of any direction she likely would have run into some form of civilization.

[@narayanstar7787]

@@tsdobbi Yes,in a lot of ways ,this story is a mystery.

[@j7286]

thank you, the panic part causing a person to make poor decisions makes sense now. I never could figure out why she didn't just start walking, instead of giving up. As an older woman who loves to camp, I kept thinking of all the things I would do --- none of them included sitting in a tent while starving to death. But I don't have panic attacks ---- I have grouchy irritable cuss up a storm attacks. The rescuers would have no trouble hearing me deep in the woods, wouldn't even need to blow a whistle.

[@kathleendinsmore7588]

This is so sad! Having a poor sense of direction I wouldn't venture to hike alone.

[@vahgeuvje10]

I remember I went Hiking once by myself and once I reached high ground suffered a massive panic attack. All of a sudden everything around me freaked me out. Even the rocks looked menacing. I staggered and then sat for awhile before calming down. Being alone in the woods with panic attacks is terrifying, I concur.

[@Scipio_Americanus]

Wear a helmet big guy

[@rjchavers9267]

If you are ever in trouble and have a cellphone available, change your voicemail message to give your best description of where you are in trouble to the best of your ability. That way if you lose battery or service, when people try to call you, your voicemail message can potentially help you being found. I wish I could remember the lady that posted this advice in a short, but I don't remember her name. I thought it was good advice and worth sharing. 💛

[@SideMoneyGarage]

That is pretty brilliant. Thank you.

[@Ryan83728]

i dont think that works if you dont have cell phone service

[@Frilleon]

You can’t change your voicemail without service 😅

[@hikewithmike4673]

I have been lost a few times out hiking in swampy and jungly Florida, if you get off the trail you see a sea of green vegetation and everything looks the same, but I knew I needed to remain calm and I was able to collect my thoughts and slowly and calmly find my way back to the trail. It is important to stop and look behind you to see what the trail looks like from the trail behind you. I also always look for landmarks as I hike such as a unique tree, and damaged tree, etc.

[@moonchild7456]

Love these tips.

[@daisybennett1600]

This brought me to tears. This is something I could see happening to my own mother. Such a tragedy. She sounds like a good mother and wife. I hope her family is at peace.

[@situated4]

Get a grip.

[@koobie83]

Yeah this sounds like how my mum thinks and acts too in situations like this. Definitely no hiking for my mum, but the lack of planning, poor preparation and trying to keep cool while making decisions to actually help a situation. My mum is someone who will stand there and her brain just shuts off and needs someone to take charge to make all the decisions to help get through the situation. She even looks a bit like my mum too.

[@teenageapocalypseusa5368]

My personal trainer came up with a brilliant way to stop a panic attack. I am sharing in the hope it can help others. Buy a pack of very SOUR gummy worms (or equivalent). When a panic attack starts eat a few. It sort of shocks your system out of it.

[@ziziscorsese9475]

Ooey gooey was a worm a little worm was he he sat upon a railroad track the train he did not see. Ooey Gooey

[@OrggsOrggs]

@@ziziscorsese9475 Nobody loves me everybody hates me, think I'll eat some worms! Long tall slimy ones and big fat tasty ones. Worms worms worms😂

[@orls9068]

Thanks, that's a good tip and will try it

[@BobbiGail]

Great idea!

[@darlinevictor]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing.

[@Tina06019]

Oh, I hate those crappy little compasses. Geri was brave to try to overcome her panic. I don’t want to criticize her. This lady’s story is a cautionary tale for those of us who sometimes climb alone. Shit can happen.

[@denisrailey777]

Buy a larger compass and map or a PLB Satellite phone. Geri had a Map. Trail worm with no sense of direction. SAD.

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

What's so frustrating is that if she had a whistle and just started blowing it as soon as she realized she'd become disoriented, somebody would have found her pretty quickly.

[@Tina06019]

@@thesisypheanjournal1271 I know. I carry a high-pitched brash whistle on a lanyard around my neck, and a Silva compass in my pocket.

[@aClownBaby-]

@@thesisypheanjournal1271 also I don't understand why not leave a trail or rope to get back

[@dolphincliffs8864]

Know it all college folks.

[@karis7649]

This is one of those cases that is such a sad series of “If onlys” If only she’d called it a win under unexpected circumstances, and gone home when her friend returned, after completing the majority of the trail If Only if she’d been less embarrassed to poop, And only went a foot or two off trail If only she hadn’t lost her GPS device if only she brought a ball of yarn to use when guiding herself back from a bathroom break If only she’d been more realistic about her capabilities and limitations If only she’d laid on the bear horn (which is always good to bring) blasting it every few Min, for all the days she could’ve expected searchers to be present if only she had successfully made controlled fire, followed the streams, or put herself in an open area. If only. Careful out there people. Much of America is a vast & unforgiving wilderness and things can happen even close to civilization - if unprepared (or ill-equipped)

[@siradzki5905]

Thank you captain obvious, without your help everything would be the same

[@abocas]

I am European, 89 years of age. Never went running around mountains and hills and whatever. Obviously still alive. Never felt like endangering my life to feel alive .... Just did my daily trips in the garden and to the local store. Works fine for me 😉

[@laurahoward5426]

And......I have trekked 1000 s of miles.....so what?

[@debradoernbach5548]

I'm with you, Abocas!

[@carrionkitty6806]

What a heartless comment.

[@SandraGarcia-lj3bd]

And , boring and depressing . Life is more than that i am also Eurooean and i LOVE walking along the woods with my dog.

[@r-pupz7032]

When you panic, you cannot think clearly. This is so tragic. Rest in Peace, Gerry "Inchworm" ❤️❤️❤️

[@dinebonte4014]

This story is so heartbreaking! I am so sad for the loss of Geraldine! Condolences for her family!

[@mariahjahanbakhsh171]

My navigation sucks dude but once I got lost too. I kept walking. I tracked where I had been with rocks and leaves that I would mark. I kept this up until I saw a road and ran there. My cell reception was back too when I was close enough and I called my bf to come get me. My anxiety was at its peak when I got lost. My adrenaline kicked in too and I couldn’t sit still. I feel like in a lot of ways my anxiety is what saved me since I couldn’t sit still and found my way back!

[@denisrailey777]

The Calmer you stay, the better you can think your way out.

[@glasshalffull2930]

@@denisrailey777 I completely agree with you! Mariah was lucky that during the panic she didn’t make a deadly mistake as she moved too quickly through the woods. I got lost while hunting in NH in the fall. It was at the end of the day and I was to meet up with my hunting buddies to drive home. Temps dropped drastically and it began to rain and as night fell I lost my way. I panicked and took the wrong fork of the trail. Luckily I realized it, took some time to compose myself, and made my way back. With the temp/rain, I may have succumbed to exposure.

[@diannt9583]

I got lost once, too. Deep woods. Got scared when I found I was going in circles. This was well before cell phones. I was eight years old (in an era where everyone was a free-range kid, early 60s). Thought about it for a while. I decided to just head down hill like water. It worked, and got home before dinner. Well, barely.

[@diannt9583]

I learned to mark my trails in subsequent ventures into the woods, and yes, I decided NOT to inform my parents that I'd gotten so totally lost, as I didn't want them to rescind my wanderings...

[@l-train7876]

The husband was a friend of my boyfriends. This story was so crazy and heartbreaking.

[@stutzbearcat5624]

I'da set that woods on fire.

[@darvon906]

The husband was a friend of my second cousins neice.

[@situated4]

@@darvon906 And my hairdresser's third cousin's dog groomer.

[@EvieVermont]

As an outdoor educator and hiker I would like to caution people who have difficulty following trails- do not hike alone, carry a very good compass and know how to use it, never leave the trail for more than a few feet, carry a whistle, and please please please? Carry a satellite navigation tool! You can be found! You will be found!

[@dawnjohnston7024]

My old stomping grounds. Another case of, “A Series of Unfortunate Events”. So sad. Do we have a Destiny or are we just victims of life? Anxiety attacks yet goes on such an anxiety laden journey? How could a loving family not keep better tabs on Geraldine? Gross negligence, was she suicidal? She probably hoped that her family cared enough to keep her close. Thank you Doc! The name game.

[@brendamartin9424]

3:28pm See: Ecclesiastes 9:11

[@SariennMusic73]

I love how soft and soothing your voice is. 99% of all KZbin channels are loud. You're appreciated. Thanks for that and the amazing vid topics.

[@Nicky_Pin_It]

My vacation home is within 10 miles of her final resting place, I have been within 300 yards of it, in fact the "woods road" she talked about is one I frequent. Her death was traject, but there's many leasons learned for the mistakes she made. I highly recommend reading "If you find my body" a book about her last moments, and the search efforts collaborated to look for her.

[@cierahowell8653]

Have you seen the documentary on the woman stuck in a home with only apples? That is also interestingly tragic.

[@Nicky_Pin_It]

@@cierahowell8653 apples? Like Apple products? Ipads, iPhone, etc. Yeah that would suck

[@cierahowell8653]

@@Nicky_Pin_It ha no it’s brr you

[@Nicky_Pin_It]

@@cierahowell8653 sorry Samsung user😘

[@stephanieann622]

@@cierahowell8653 oh my gosh, I’m an avid reader and had completely forgotten about that book. What a mysterious and compelling story. I remember feeling as if I was in the house right along side her. It was such a desperate feeling of loneliness. You don’t realize how social we are until you are truly alone.

[@lauraelliott6909]

I have a lot of experience with solo hiking, much of it on the Appalachian Trail. I don't think it's inherently problematic to hike alone, as long as you are confident and know how to handle certain situations. While I have never truly panicked out there, I have felt the beginnings of it when unsure of something. I am usually able to stave off panic by taking a deep breath, telling myself that I am currently fine and taking a moment to think about what I need to do. One instance in particular was also in Maine, on my first hiking trip, when I was hiking a particularly difficult section called Mahoosuc Notch in a steady light rain. This section is only a mile in length, but can take a long time due to climbing over, under and around large boulders trapped between steep cliff walls. I wanted to get through the section and didn't want to stop and get out my rain gear as I thought this would slow me down. This was in late summer, so I thought I'd be fine getting wet. I began to fear that I was lost and going in circles due to how long it was taking me to complete the section and everything starting to look the same. I began having irrational thoughts that I would never get out of the notch, as if I was trapped in there. I began crying loudly, really wailing like a toddler having a meltdown. I eventually realized I was reacting this way because I was hypothermic. I knew that I needed to get warm, so I found a very lumpy, rocky spot along one wall of the notch and set up camp. I got out of my wet clothes and into dry ones and my sleeping bag. I made some hot tea and started to feel like myself again. I spent a very uncomfortable night there, but at least I was warm. That day I learned my lesson not to keep hiking when getting chilled. The 5 or so minutes it would have taken me to unpack my rain gear would have saved me a lot of trouble. I found out later that the temps never got out of the 50's that day, so being wet and exhausted at that temp was a recipe for disaster. I'm so thankful I had that moment of mental clarity that told me to stop and get warm. It turns out I was only about 500 feet from the end of the notch where I stopped. There were nice flat spots to camp just ahead. But at least I was safe.

[@pierre6625]

Hello Dr.Grande, I had heard of this lady a while back and found it to be awful that she wasn't found in time. It is a good thing for the family that they could finally put a closure to her disappearance knowing what had happened to her, and yet so sad. Best Regards. ❤❤

[@rItA589]

😔 poor Gerry. Omg I am so anxious and panic very easily. Im getting driving lessons and I swear I panic and do stupid mistakes. Almost swerving into oncoming traffic 😵‍💫 DrGrande I love this light journey we are in with the new studio. Sorry I've been silent. I'm busy busy with work, family, friends, sobriety, and life in general 😅 Thank you for your hard work and consistency ❤️

[@Sycophants_should_suffer]

People like you should not be allowed on the road driving a vehicle. Just someone to hold the traffic up even more driving with zero confidence. Stick to the bus or train.

[@andreasrau2161]

Good afternoon, Dr. Grande! Simply put, Gerry, despite all of her training in preparation to hike the Appalachian Trail, was ill-prepared to do it alone. Nor did she have an effective way of contacting anyone once she was lost. Since she was prone to panic attacks, completing the Trail alone would have put additional stress on her, so much that by walking just a few feet off of the trail to relieve herself completely disoriented her, caused her to believe she was lost and led to her unfortunate death. As for the police who went to search for her, they probably thought that she was an experienced hiker, since she undertook to complete the last few miles of the Trail alone and performed an only perfunctory search, believing that she would turn up alive sooner or later. As for Bigfoot, it's doubtful that they ran into each other and that he could provide the cops with information.

[@nhmooytis7058]

So called feminism telling women that putting themselves in danger is showing independence have killed more than one woman. I’m 70 and have traveled alone since age 20 and had great adventures but but never took unnecessary risks. Since 2017 I’ve traveled alone to NZ, AU, Bali and Fiji safely and had a wonderful time.

[@CR-ru1kw]

💔😔👍🏽

[@kina18]

@@nhmooytis7058 Yeah no man ever has gotten lost in the woods and /or took stupid risks and ended up dead.

[@randybaumery5090]

When I first heard this entire saga, I figured it was classic over confidence.

[@randybaumery5090]

@@kina18 ohhhhhhhhh butt burned! Hahaha

[@vinkata]

Wow unbelivable how people overestimate themselves.sad story 😢

[@queenofhearts6127]

I’m wondering whether she ran out of her anxiety meds (presumably benzodiazepines), was possibly in withdrawal and that affected her mentally, leading her to lose her grip on reality.

[@anonymousadult]

That happens to me! I will forget to bring my Xanax (small doses, not an addict) at bad times… especially when driving on the highway… I’ve had to pull off to sit in a parking lot and breathe and call husband/children/friends to fetch me. Anxiety can be paralyzing. I’m 51 now… have suffered since third grade.

[@Katie-vy5rd]

@@anonymousadult im no doctor but the antihypertensive medication called propranolol can help in situational anxiety , you or anyone reading might ask your PCP about.. not a panacea, but if you have to do a presentation or drive across the GW bridge. It may help!

[@anonymousadult]

@@Katie-vy5rd wow, I’ll look into that…

[@Tina06019]

@@anonymousadult I carry my backup pain meds in one of those little metal cylinders on my keychain. I don’t want to risk being debilitated by a headache or my hip pain. You might want to give this a try.

[@eredmond5345]

@@anonymousadult happened to my mother on a skiing trip once, it was just like you said..... We had to call the ski patrol to help us get her down, I felt so helpless... But she was ok I'm the end when the panic attack subsided.

[@momof1576]

I grew up in northern Ontario. People without outdoor survival training often don’t realize how easily you can get lost in the woods. If she’d marked the trees with chalk as she stepped off to pee she would have not gotten lost. After she was disoriented if she’d stayed put and blown a whistle she probably would have been found quickly. The worst thing you can do is keep wandering around deeper into the woods. She obviously didn’t know her edible plants either or she wouldn’t have starved to death.

[@darlinevictor]

Hey there! I am wondering what kind of camping classes scam put her up to doing this? Dr. G. mentioned a list of places she went to learn camping. It all seems off and IMO she was misled by someone about the true rigors of the journey. She wouldnt have done it all helter skelter I think because of her service experience. Also I wish ppl wouldnt blame her family. I think they all got duped somewhere along the plan It started with good intentions to push forward thru anxiety and live a scary dream. I think she's a hero

[@johannesbols57]

Marking trees with chalk is something I will always remember if I'm ever lost anywhere. It never occurred to me. I don't hike but that info. is invaluable. A light went on when I read it. Thanks for sharing it.

[@tessaducek5601]

I am 66 years old.. I have trouble getting around my home. This lady has my utmost respect for her high energy and stamina. I actually cried the first time I heard her story. Many warm thoughts to her family and friends. She was an outstanding lady.

[@connieo1332]

I hear you. If I want an adventure, all I need to do is go to a different shopping mall in the same city where I live. I can walk all I want in a mall. I will be 62 soon. I got stressed just hearing that she went hiking alone.

[@giantfatberg]

I’ve heard many a tale of people panicking in the forest when it grows eerily quite all of a sudden. All sounds cease except your heart beat and your breath. Something is watching you. You take off running as fast as you can or you end up on David Paulides’ Missing 411 channel.

[@Fr.K.]

Thanks Dr. Grande, maybe you are not diagnosing anyone in this video, but you're really helping me to understand my panic attacks and angst. Great analysis.

[@Jeanninecomeau]

There was another hiker probably around 30 years ago that got lost and left a haunting journal. I can't remember his name. His friend dropped him off, but, I think the friend forgot to pick him up. It seems too easy to get discombobulated out there where everywhere you turn looks the same.

[@marjoriegoodwin2993]

We hear from David Paulides that it is of extreme importance to carry with us a personal locater device, when hiking, which is somehow connected to a satellite. If we have such a device, and get lost, the satellite allows us to be found. It is sad that this lady did not carry one of these with her.

[@lo2740]

it is not "somehow" connected to a staellite, it is if you pay the subscribtion fee.

[@nickyblue4866]

Somehow...? What is it... magic?

[@stutzbearcat5624]

Man - white people are goofy.

[@DaciaProject]

I always carry a Garmin inReach Mini.

[@marjoriegoodwin2993]

@@nickyblue4866 Sorry I used the word somehow. I cannot remember how it works. I`m not young anymore, and forgetting things goes with the territory SOMEHOW. Just kidding. Have a spectacular weekend.

[@krisztinakessel6869]

I miss the old type of content ( psychology) but man, dr Grande has had a glowup🎉❤

[@Monka83]

Always a good morning with a new Dr. Grande video analysis! Thank you 🙏🏼 ❤

[@SirenaSpades]

Although you focus on panic attacks, there is much more to it than that, someone very "normal" would struggle to survive if they lost bearings in the Maine woods. I am from and live in, Maine. I had a feeling before clicking that this occurred here in Maine. In middle school in 7th and 8th grade as part of our curriculum, we had survival in the Maine woods training, which included 2 nights each year overnights in the winter and a variety of training. It was assumed that most of us would get lost in the Maine woods through hunting, hiking or just .. well, getting lost. After all, living in northern Maine and being in the most forested state it is a pretty common assumption. All us could survive easily with very little gear. One of us did survive on a national TV program with nothing but a knife. Generally you need to be very prepared for the area you will be in, I may be well trained for Maine, but not so well prepared for a hot climate with poisonous snakes or types of predators that I am unfamiliar with.

[@Traderjoe]

It’s very sad, and I feel for her. I have had a few panic attacks myself in my life and they can be very inducing. You feel hopeless and completely overwhelmed and feel desperate for help from any source. I’m sure when it was happening to me that I was near a cardiovascular infarction.

[@margiewinslow872]

I agree that the friend should have insisted that Geri leave the hike with her as she knew Geri tended to get lost. I also read that Geri was quite stubborn and stuck on her ideas. Note on the button sized compass. As a hiker I always carry my Brunton compass and constantly play a game of guessing how far it is to the next landmark and then seeing if I read the map correctly. However once I was in a medieval town in Spain and using a Keychain compass I kept walking in circles. Turned out that the compass was thrown off by the big magnetic clasp on my purse!

[@megalopolis2015]

Very very sad. I am generally directionally challenged. I have been lost on several occasions when I was a teen, including Yosemite and the Great Smoky Mountains. This could easily have been me. Praying much peace and comfort to the family she left behind.

[@bettycasvin8877]

I am so sorry for the family. Panic attacks are horrible. I have only had a few. My biggest one was first time driving to a huge metropolitan city. Half way there I had to pull over on the freeway to calm myself down. I felt as if I was going to pass out from hyperventilating. I can't imagine how scared she must have been RIP Gerry.

[@traildoggy]

2 comments: I've hikes a 250 mile section of the AT as well as many shorter trips. It is astonishing how many people I met who are completely unprepared for the trail. No rain gear, no proper layers for warmth (cotton kills BTW), no map or a complete inability to use it, no way to start a fire, etc. on and on. I met people who were miles away from where they thought the were on the map and heading the wrong direction at sunset. Also, you can't rely on cell phones in those tight valleys, but for 3-400 dollars you can buy a 1 use emergency satellite beacon that will call Search and Rescue and send your GPS coordinates. It's an expensive piece of gear you never want to use. It would almost certainly have saved her.

[@angeladansie4378]

So sad. The most important thing to remember is FOLLOW WATER DOWNHILL. It will always bring you to some sign of civilization eventually. I have been lost in roadless wilderness areas here in Montana while hunting. It can rapidly drop to below zero this time of year & there are VAST swaths of country where you will not run across another person for many miles. It can be a scary experience. But I always find water & walk downhill. Then sheepishly catch a ride back to my vehicle or hunting companions. One time I emerged at the bottom of the next huge drainage & it was a 30 mile drive to get back to my truck

[@denisrailey777]

Cliffs, waterfalls, etc.

[@wmluna381]

Don't you know how to use a compass or take bearings being out in the wild like that so often? Do you take a map?

[@ArchibaldEdits]

I've never subscribed to the notion that we belong in nature; those days are over. We've been living in towns and cities for far too long. I've seen so many stories of people dying during a hike - eaten by a bear, freezing to death. I'm good. Cityslicker forever - I'll go to the park if I need nature.

[@beedifrnt]

The most perplexing thing for me is: why did she venture so far off the trail to relieve herself? I understand one shouldn't use the actual trail as a restroom, but I would not have gone so far as to lose sight of the trail. Had someone stumbled upon me during the process, I may have become red-faced embarrassed, but not hopelessly lost. It's such a sad situation for Gerry and her family. She lived a nightmare during her last days, but in the end, her last journal entry suggests she had accepted her fate and was at peace with it.

[@Gizziiusa]

indeed that is a very good question. Its common sense that when hiking a trail in remote areas, it serves as your "lifeline". Losing track of it, can mean your demise. She already knew she wasnt good at land nav, got easily lost, etc. Would think she would have taken extra care to make sure she didnt lose sight of the trail. This one single lapse in judgement proved to be her one single thing that ultimately cost her her life. smh. RIP

[@krazyk8592]

I just talked about this above in my comment. I just hiked this trail (part of it) this fall and there was ABSOLUTELY no reason to go more than two feet off the trail, or just pee on the trail. You are alone 99% of the time. It was a stupefyingly bad and unnecessary move. You can see the trail from yards out, I just don't get why she did what she did. She almost had to work to get to the point where she couldn't visually see the trail. Bizarre.

[@EvieVermont]

I wondered the same thing...and why bring your pack to "step off trail" to relieve yourself? Seems odd.

[@jekku4688]

Situational awareness is a good skill to have, especially when hiking alone. It sounds like she may have had her mind on finding a 'private privvy' rather than the exact path she took to get there, in order to get back again.

[@mariarohmer2374]

That's a very good point. And also how she didn't know to follow the river down or at least have a whistle or find a clearing during the day. Considering this was something she was intent on doing these small basic safety rules are crucial.

[@mikeandrews1899]

Gerry's critical mistake was leaving her sat phone in the hotel a while before this awful incident . But hindsight is always 20/20. And I have backpacked solo hundreds of miles all alone with no outside communication possible . Mainly due to the price of a satellite phone at that time . She made such a small mistake , but in that environment those circumstances can be fatal . It is a very sad story . RIP Geraldine 🙏

[@angelaw4650]

YES, I remember this case and my first reaction was where was her GPS? Also carrying an improper compass. 😢 She should never have been left alone on the trail.

[@elinoirsmythe224]

Great video! Depending on the situation, a good survival strategy can be to shelter in place. As you said, a search party came without a couple of hundred feet of Geraldine. Such bad luck that they didn't find her then. What a shame.

[@cSquaredFactotum]

This is a very sad story. I believe she must've panicked and stopped thinking rationally, especially as she passed two streams and didn't follow them. When you think about it, pre-cell phones the idea of going uphill when you're lost in the wilderness would in most circumstances make no sense. Downhill is almost always where the people are.

[@halfrutter2226]

I came to the uncomfortable realization that I would be just like Geri in the same situation. 😳 I haven’t camped in decades and won’t ever again! 😅

[@denisrailey777]

PLB or ph GPS. If a take a partner to keep you from getting lost.

[@xhaltsalute]

Knowing your limitations is always a good thing.

[@MusgraveRitual]

I wonder what's the psychological mechanism behind some hikers' compulsion to keep going despite being at the brink of exhaustion? As avid hiker, I see it all the time. People blue in the face, their feet bleeding, puss coming out of their ears..."No, let's go a little further...we're almost there...only 392959 miles, piece of cake!". This type is so noticeable, I now do pre-interviews with members of potential hiking buddies just to gauge level of crazy. It's very interesting phenomenon, and sounds that was what got this lady in trouble in the first place too.

[@missmayflower]

Seriously. I gave up on hiking because of the level of compulsive crazy that comes out in people. There is no reasoning with them. This phenomenon needs to be investigated and documented more.

[@cats.addict6457]

I often heard/read from Specialists of trekking, climbing and so on, to be always with another person, especially at an advanced age.. she probably went through terrible hours before passing away and it's very sad, especially for her loved ones. I so wish she would have stop this trek and follow her friend who had to stop, it was the wrong decision, but we can't change the past. I hope she is resting in peace

[@HollyFurgason]

I don't know why she didn't find another person or group to hike with. From what I hear, most people who hike the trail are very helpful.

[@GuitarGunner]

She had a GPS but lost it....That's one reason when I go off the beaten path I have triple redundancy. My phone with downloaded maps, a newer Garmin hiking GPS and finally an older Garmin (the yellow brick) that I keep in my emergency waterproof box. There's nothing more scary than walking around in the thicket and not being able to see the trail you originally left from - I can see how that would cause panic. Still though, in a situation like this just taking a few moments to get your bearings and then pushing forward is the difference between life and death. Use makeshift path markers (break branches, use extra cloth, etc.) to show where you've been. Do whatever it takes to get back to the beaten path...

[@nhmooytis7058]

“I am not diagnosing anyone I am just speculating on how anyone can be as looneytoons as the people I am not diagnosing.” I ❤ u Dr G!

[@kelleybutler9203]

It’s is sad that she didn’t get to the open field just a short distance away, there were three helicopters with FLIR if needed looking and she could’ve been spotted so easily. Just shows how panic can literally cause thinking that’s not intuitive to prolonging one’s life. If your list and see a helicopter pilots will tell you to take some of bright color and spin it around over your head like a lasso or rotatory blades, that’s very easy for them to spot as well. It’s just sad but her character came through in her journal what a sweet lady she was and as the Doc mentioned how her thoughts were on the hurt of her family and how much she dearly loved them. Please forgive all grammatical errors my MS causes many issues but sometimes I feel like I want to comment especially about such a darling lady in such a sad situation but I’m sorry if it’s not even understandable. No pity please because I’m blessed with my wonderful husband of 36 years, our amazing grown married children and our precious grandchildren with the Good Lord’s will more coming. The research has been tremendous regarding MS treatments and medications, the Doctors and lab researchers have made unbelievable strides for which I’m very grateful. I’m still able to enjoy every day with my family and friends for that matters more than anything.

[@vickyoli]

At my 19yo I got my first panic attacks (I almost called an ambulance thinking i was dying). Seek therapy. It sucks being afraid of things that are not there. It only holds you back. Poor lady.

[@kdcema57]

4,7,8 breathing is a lifetime tool that everyone should learn and practice so that you have it when need it. It has saved my life many times. Good Luck to Us All Peace

[@jcfc8197]

I’ve been backpacking since I was 4 yrs old with my dad. 50 yrs later I backpack alone because my dad passed away. My friend think I’m crazy for backpacking alone, but I know what I’m doing out in the wilderness. Steam, turn into a creek, which turns into river follow it down and you’ll hit civilization. Sad that Gerry made a poor decision to continue alone after her friend left. One small mistake can snowball downhill fast if you don’t know what you’re doing out there.

[@michelestreeter2871]

Hi Dr Grande, best case analyst online! Your videos are educational, entertaining, and most of all, kind. Could you please review and discuss the case of Meghan Marohn? Similar to Geraldine Largay, Meghan disappeared in or near the woods (at the end of March 2022). Her remains were found in the woods of Lee, MA 5 months later. Authorities have not released an autopsy report or cause of death.

[@GiftSparks]

OMG- I have listened to you discuss murder cases, without a tear-- but this story left me absolutely wrecked. I can totally relate to her. Sense of adventure and poor directional skills. Bad mix. So very sad.

[@MM-gd1dw]

Thank you, Dr. Grande! This case is so sad,on so many levels. Recently my sister came across a black bear on a hiking trail. Luckily, being from the Rocky Mountains, she knew how to handle the situation. Likewise,my own family has encountered black bears too many times to count at our Montana cabin. Thank you for your Big Foot monologue-- it totally cracked me up. RIP, Gerri.

[@lesleydunbar1643]

What a tragedy. This poor woman and her family. The power of belief is so strong it cost GL her life. I live in Scotland and although it's a much smaller country, people here regularly go out on the hills and get lost. Sometimes we joke about them being English and therefore not understanding the hills but they are not all English! Btw How do you handle a black bear on a hiking trail? Eek.

[@lilybond6485]

Yes. How did you handle the bear ?

[@jekku4688]

Poor Gerry - this is such a sad story that didn't have to end the way it did! She sounded like a very sweet, very ambitious person, but like many (and like many I myself have known), it sounds like she didn't possess the "common sense gene" to think outside the box when it came to her own skills and safety. Of course, the panic situation undoubtedly made things worse. While hiking on her local trails was one thing (especially as they were closer to home, and she was probably with her husband or friends), hiking the extremely lengthy and rugged Appalachian trail was another matter. When you mentioned the tiny compass she had used (and I know _exactly_ which type of compass that was), and the fact that she'd already gotten lost and turned around more than once while hiking with her friend, I knew it was a hopeless situation from the get go. She didn't seem to pay attention to the path she took to relieve herself, or to leave a "bread crumb" trail (such as tying bright marker ribbon onto branches) to get herself back onto the trail again. It sounds like she was just out there on a wing and a prayer, rather than on solid planning; perhaps she had been more interested in the "notariety" of hiking the Trail rather than knowing what it took to actually hike it. Just a tragic story all around.

[@lnc-to4ku]

Such a horrible way for a person to die, and to think of how close she was to safety.... Great video, Dr. Grande! Loved your comments on Bigfoot! 😅

[@BurroGirl]

Such a sad story. She sounded like a wonderful kind person. Her story hits home for me being a backpacker myself (well, I used to be; now I bring my amazing burros to carry my gear).

[@MsSwitchblade13]

Is that new lighting? New wall color? New camera? Lol whatever it is It looks great!! You look more casual and your ambience looks sharper and modern.

[@Andreamom001]

New studio without the brick wall for one thing.

[@wmluna381]

I don't know. The accent lighting is cool, but the overall lighting looks dark to me.

[@beethimbles8801]

Camera looks really sharp and much more modern background. Love it!❤

[@Veruska75]

Is it lighting for plants? Atleast where I live people who have lots' of plants at their windows have that same colour lighting there!

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

Dr Grande said he was moving to a new studio in a previous video.

[@shrapnel77]

I have hiked the AT and, at times, you can stray off the trail. There are many crossing trails and subtle turns. You need to keep your eyes on the trail markers (white rectangle). You have to be very SELF AWARE at all times because you can EASILY get lost straying off the trail. I make it a point to look at markers if I have to relieve myself off the trail. It's sad because she should not have been hiking alone. She wanted to make the final push and finish, when she could have done that after taking a break off the trail.

[@midnick2159]

one thing I learned from moving up north as a southern: hike early and don't hike in the winter. attempted Greylock in MA one early winter and damn near froze to death. I've never felt nature so fiercely w cold and darkness bearing down on you.

[@carolynstine3465]

It is a shame that Gerri could not realize that she was disoriented easily and not in best emotional shape to hike the trail alone. That would have saved her life.

[@krazyk8592]

I got done this fall doing the part of the AT where Gerry perished. It is almost inconceivable how this happened. It would be EXTREMELY difficult to get lost and perish unless you went WAAAAY off the trail to go to the bathroom, which is completely unnecessary as you are in the middle of nowhere and only run into people a few times a day. Especially knowing she had a bad sense of direction she should have peed on the trail or literally gone 5 feet off. Again, no reason to go further than that. And, not to be mean (at all) but she did almost everything wrong. It boggles my mind how someone could think hiding their tent under dense forestry would help in finding her from the air? That should have been common sense. She made every mistake in the book, sadly, and paid with her life. It's just a sad story, not only for her, obviously, but for her poor family. So unnecessary but personality traits and genetics make a big difference in what we do and how we act under extreme circumstances.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

Darwin Awards....

[@ScottShedd123]

It's inconceivable to me that someone admittedly afraid of the dark would venture to hike the AT. Especially continuing that hike alone when her friend left. "The woods are lovely dark and deep."

[@jasper_of_puppets]

@@ScottShedd123 INCONCEIVABLE!

[@Catlily5]

​@@jasper_of_puppetsShe had already passed on her genes.

[@mboiko]

Panic attacks were the least of her problems. Geraldine Largay was clearly not the kind of person you would ever leave in the woods alone. Not only was she not prepared, but even when her friend Jane was present, she still had problems navigating. Leaving this woman alone in the woods really sealed her death warrant...and this is way before we get into the discussion of panic attacks.

[@dolphincliffs8864]

Correct

[@miken7629]

July 23 to August 18. She was out of food and starving. Anyone that can do the first 100 miles can do the entire hike. Just do the same thing... 20 more times. By Maine, she was definitely fit enough. I made wrong turns on trail before, easy to do. Once lost, set up a base point with some marker (like her space blanket), then choose a direction, then back to base point. Keep doing until one direction leads somewhere.

[@Bebecat477]

I have gotten off trail a few times and could feel the panic attempt to take over. This poor woman. Thanks doc.

[@m.f.richardson1602]

My only question Why did she walk so far into the woods to relieve herself? That should be a quick trip. With your eyes still on the trail. Thank you Peace 💕🇺🇲

[@monacoofthebluepacific2571]

Ikr? I would've just stepped 4 feet from the trail 🤔

[@m.f.richardson1602]

@@monacoofthebluepacific2571 Four feet. Two feet most. It's not like heard people are around

[@barbararoberts571]

"Leave no Trace" (LNT) principles are guidelines that hikers are supposed to follow. These guidelines are often mentioned in many " how to do the AT courses." I had to pass a LNT course to participate in events from one hiking club. According to LNT hikers (for waste disposal) at least 200 feet (about 70 adult paces) from water, trails and camp. The problem is without a compass (often not seen as necessary by these course) or a system of marking how to return to the trail (chalk bandanas etc.), it is easy to get lost...and then panic. I personally don't follow LNT if there is a danger of getting lost. This is seen as very bad in some quarters.

[@res2788]

Dr. Grande, could you please make a short video on why Law Enforcement agencies sometimes enlist psychics to help them solve cases?

[@wmluna381]

I'm starting to get into orienteering/using a compass. It can be super confusing if you're at ground zero. My best suggestion is to learn how to read topographical maps *1st*. Then learn the working parts of a compass (ignore the extra clinometer needle as you learn the basics). Move onto learning about all the Norths (magnetic, true, grid) and learning about/setting magnetic declination on a compass. Then orienting your compass to/on a map. After that get out into the field to visually connect everything and practice. It all makes more sense if you follow that general sequence and you're the type to get into learning the details of it all. Bear in mind the language for certain things changes depending on the background of the person. More military people, for example, use the word 'azimuth' for bearing (the degrees/# marker points on the round bezel). After all that, learning navigation via the sky (sun, stars, moon), insect activity, vegetation growth, and using sticks and your hands against the horizon makes even more sense and becomes extra fun. Very helpful to know as a backup if you lose your compass or end up in a sudden emergency situation without one. I created a sequential video playlist for myself that I keep referring back to (includes helpful survival videos) in case it's of interest to those who want to avoid a search and rescue situation or want to learn a new skill.

[@wmluna381]

There are some workable declination baseplate type compasses with a sighting mirror that you can get for $12-$20. I got Bijia/TurnOnSport for me and my kids to practice with and plan to upgrade to a Suunto MC-2 & A-30 in time. Lensatic compasses are more military. Midrange ones run $25-$40. More top-end are btw $60-$100. Global setting compasses tend to skew more expensive than Northen Hemisphere region ones. But generally Suunto, Silva + Brunton are good default brands. HTH

[@beevie4081]

I am curious about navigation by insect activity. How does that work?

[@wmluna381]

@@beevie4081 Ants tend to build their hills or situate in the ground in a southerly direction to catch the heat of the sun. With a hill, the more slope-y or active side is more south. I'd never heard this myself, but looked it up and it was actually a thing. I remembered a place where there is lots of ant activity on the ground by my work and, sure enough, it catches the sun in the southeast direction. Spiders will tend to congregate easterly to avoid catching the brunt of westerly (prevailing) winds. I have yet to see that in action, but interesting to know. In more open areas, branchy vegetation or certain trees will show more grow/reach out to the south/southeasterly sun. Carrying around a basic compass or using one on your phone off G.Maps can help with cross checking/proving these things out in your local area. I also have the NOAA declination compass link saved to my phone screen menu to play with this. I find that to be the better visual bet. Will include it below. I haven't pinpointed the north star quite yet, but during a crescent moon I did the draw an imaginary line thing with my eyeballs. You go from each pointed tip down to the ground. Where that invisible angled line 'hits' the ground is the south direction. I proved that out to be true as well with a compass.

[@wmluna381]

@@beevie4081 NOAA Magnetic Field Compass Calculator: www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/mobileDeclination.shtml This will show you where True North vs. Magnetic North is in your area and what the current declination variance is every year. Declination changes because magnetic north moves a little every year due to the sloshing around of the (iron?) core of the earth. In my area it's 7.3 degrees. So if your working with an older map the declination information on the map key at the bottom may not be current and could throw you off your trek somewhat. Not a huge deal if you're going a short distance, but it could be, say, if you're going 10-20 miles. I believe each degree you're off will put you approximately 50 feet off course. You could end up to the left or right of your intended destination by literal miles. If your destination does not have a landmark you can see (like a mountain or big hill) then it could be an extra problem that could have been avoided. The higher the variance in degrees (some areas it's 12°++) the more off course you will be.

[@wmluna381]

And when using a compass, being cognizant of where metal is on your person or under where your map is spread out is important if you need to get found/go somewhere specific. Metal will throw the compass needle off. So metal shirt buttons, bunch of rings, belt buckles, writing implements with metal laying near the compass, a strapped on gun or rifle, metal hardware on a picnic bench or even under a table that you can't see. Also your phone. Keep them all away from your compass as you take bearings, etc.

[@flibber123]

I like how Bigfoot has snappy comebacks. I've done some hiking and camping. It's easy to get over confident. You can walk in one direction and pay attention to landmarks, then turn around to come back and nothing is recognizable. Things can appear a certain way from one direction and appear completely different from the other direction. Just like that, you're lost.

[@ccpperrett7522]

Truth