When I met up with Gary on Friday, he made a comment about the amount of stuff I bring in my pack. I always plan for the possibility of an overnight stay, especially in the colder months. Its a bit more work to bring the extra gear, but in the event that I got injured while hiking on my own in the many places I go, I see it as the smart thing to do, just in case. I also make sure someone knows where I'm hiking and for how long I intend to go. These folks that got lost sure picked a rough night to lose thier way with heavy rain turning to snowfall late in the evening. It is supprising that some people don't keep abreast of the weather forecast when hiking out into remote areas that they are unfamiliar with.