HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tut@cairo.Eng.Sun.COM (Bill "Bill" Tuthill)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: more bad reports on MSR filter
Date: 30 Sep 1992 18:30:30 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: cairo

A friend just got back from a self-supported kayak trip on the
Rogue river in SW Oregon.  They took an MSR filter plus iodine
tablets for backup.  Despite filtering water from side-streams
only, the filter clogged up on the second day, and they had to
dismantle, clean, and dry the unit (while resorting to iodine).
When he got back, he went to REI and bought a Pur filter.  One
objection to the MSR is that it cannot be operated left-handed
when your right wrist is sore from paddling.

Last June some acquantainces went canoeing on the San Juan river
in SE Utah, perhaps the most silted river in the USA.  Instead
of carrying water, they took two filters: an MSR and a Katadyn.
The MSR clogged up the very first day, and they were unable to
clean it enough to make it usable.  Either the carbon and paper
elements were clogged.  For the rest of that trip, the Katadyn
was their only filter-- and it is sloooooooooooow.

Xref: sparky rec.backcountry:7803 rec.travel:13781 rec.scuba:5292
From: cgc2646@usl.edu (Cech Claude G)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry,rec.travel,rec.scuba
Subject: Re: 9/28 Kauai Update
Date: 29 Sep 92 00:59:35 GMT
Organization: University of Southwestern Louisiana

In article <1992Sep28.224043.20603@news.Hawaii.Edu> teshima@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (A. Lani Teshima) writes:
>
>(On a side note, both George Bush and Bill Clinton flew to
>Florida in the wake of Andrew. Who do WE get in Hawaii? MARILYN
>QUAYLE, who came "on behalf of FEMA!" Could this be because our tiny
>state of Hawaii only carries a couple of electoral votes?!!? To quote
>Bill the Cat, "Phhhhhhbbbbbttth!!!!!")
>

Please, please, can you keep her?!!!    ;-)  

***************************************************************************
++        Claude  Cech           ++   Fine Print --  Opinions are like   ++
++    Department of Psychology   ++    puffer fish:  Impressive when     ++
++  U.  Southwestern Louisiana   ++  threatened, but potentially lethal  ++
++    e-mail: cgc2646@usl.edu    ++        if swallowed  whole .         ++   
***************************************************************************
Xref: sparky rec.backcountry:7830 rec.travel:13811 rec.scuba:5307
From: roberts@phoenix.ocf.llnl.gov (Don Roberts)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry,rec.travel,rec.scuba
Subject: Re: 9/28 Kauai Update
Date: 29 Sep 92 20:05:51 GMT
Followup-To: rec.backcountry
Distribution: usa
Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

privette@pippin.colorado.edu (Jeff Privette) writes:

>No doubt.  I think I would prefer Bill The Cat to Marilyn Quayle.
>I seriously doubt Marilyn has *ever* been without electricity, a phone,
>and an American Express card, let alone food and shelter.

And I seriously doubt *you* have ever been without electricity, phone,
food, and shelter, either. (I make no assumption about whether American
Express would consider you a good risk). And on the odd chance I'm wrong,
then keep in mind that so, too, might you be...

 Dr. Donald W. Roberts
   University of California                               Physicist, Diver
   Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory         Recreational Bodybuilder
   dwr@llnl.gov                                           Renaissance Dude
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: vsh@etnibsd.uucp (Steve Harris)
Subject: Re: "Points": the good way to measure time/distance on the trail
Organization: Eaton Corp, Semiconductor Equipment Div., Beverly, MA
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 21:59:31 GMT

In article <1992Sep30.200752.1515@src.dec.com> sawicki@src.dec.com (Filip Sawicki) writes:
>
> # description of method for computing "points", a way of estimating
> # hiking time from a (metric) map


I suspect that each region has its own way of computing travel time.

The AMC guidebook rule-of-thumb is: 2 mi/hr, 0.5 hr/1000 ft.

So a six mile trip with 1000 foot gain should take about 3.5 hrs.

This will be adjusted up or down depending on other factors, including
experience of hikers, size of group, treadway quality, pack loads, etc.

Also, most Northeast guidebooks (AMC, ADK) give estimated hiking times.

(BTW, I find 2 mi/hr too slow, and use 3 mi/hr).


When I was in France, I depended on my friend to estimate hiking times,
as everything is metric and I do not know the rules-of-thumb for
converting from meters of time.

But with your "points" system, metric is a piece of cake.


Hmmm, let's see, how does the "points" system compare with the "AMC"
system?  Using 5 points-per-hour (standard without pack):

	0.5 hr = 1 mi = 1.6 km = 1.6 points = 0.3 hr
	0.5 hr = 1000 ft = 305 m = 3 points = 0.6 hr

But, I figure 3 mi/hr, so:

	0.33 hr = 1 mi = 1.6 km = 1.6 points = 0.3 hr


Close enough for govt. work :-)


BTW, why do you call them GOTs ??
-- 
... Steve Harris - Eaton Corp. - Beverly, MA - uunet!etnibsd!vsh
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: sherod@news.Colorado.EDU (Scott Herod)
Subject: Drunks in the Backcountry
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 16:09:56 GMT

Oh great!  On top of all the recent discussion on the subject of 
dangerous and obnoxious campers an article in the Rocky Mountain
News outlined a new danger.  Apparently there is a bad curve on
a rail line through Glacier National Park.  Cars often spill
grain there which then ferments.  Several Grizzly bears have
discovered this place.  What's worse, meeting a drunk bear or
one that is stone cold sober?  What if they are carrying a boom
box playing Lynyrd Skynyrd?

Scott
From: cheu@venus.its.uci.edu (Kelvin Cheu)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Boots: Vasque Skywalk or Trialwalk
Date: 29 Sep 92 15:45:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.2AC87A0C.27330
Reply-To: cheu@venus.its.uci.edu (Kelvin Cheu)
Organization: University of California, Irvine


Does anybody has information/experience with the above boots
to share with me ?  My friend is considering buying one of
these but he doesn't has access to newsgroup.  Thanks.

Kelvin
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: timsc@hwcae.Honeywell.COM (Tim Schneider)
Subject: Obnoxious Campers (was Re: The winner is...)
Organization: Honeywell, Air Transport Division; Phoenix, AZ
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 22:54:02 GMT




(if you want to get someone going good... try the Red Hot Chili
Peppers latest  "Blood Sex Magick"  cranked up to >90 db I'm sure your
fellow campers would enjoy it!)

"Give it away Give it away Give it away now!"

--
            tim schneider

    timsc@hwcae.honeywell.com  OR
  uunet!asuvax!hwcae.honeywell.com!timsc
           (602) 436-3078
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: hugie@lindy.Stanford.EDU (John Huguenard)
Subject: Re: Where to find fall colors in the Sierra?
Organization: Stanford University
Distribution: ca
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 17:24:52 GMT

We were in the Eastern Sierra last weekend (Sept 26-27). The aspens are
approximately 1/3 of the way through their color cycle, depending on 
elevation.  There are brilliant patches of scarlet red in the slopes
above Mammoth lakes, across from the airport.  June lakes loop is also
quite nice but with more than half of the trees still fairly green, and the
Convict lake area was similar.
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: stgprao@st.unocal.COM (Richard Ottolini)
Subject: Re: Coyotes (was Re: Wolves)
Organization: Unocal Corporation
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 17:02:16 GMT

In article <1992Oct6.013334.10817@eos.arc.nasa.gov> jbm@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Jeffrey Mulligan) writes:
>This mention of wolves reminded me I wanted to ask something
>about coyote behavior.  I just returned from a trip to New Mexico
>during which I spent 3 days in the Pecos Wilderness area (thanks
>to all the NM net readers who sent me advice!).  Anyway, the first

New Mexico?  California is full of coyotes.  I encounter them jogging in the
Stanford and L.A. foothills on a monthly basis.
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: kehoe@netcom.com (Thomas David Kehoe)
Subject: Bear bells
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 03:02:36 GMT

For the last 15 years I've had a small but loud cowbell
hanging from my backpack to warn bears of my presence.
I lost the bell this summer, and can't find another one.
Available bells seem to be too small (quiet) or big (heavy).

BTW, I've never seen another backpacker with bear bells.
Just talking to your hiking partner isn't effective.
I have a hard time hearing quiet conversation more than
15-20 feet away, and you can't talk all the time, and 
distant speech sounds like other forest sounds.

A bell carries farther and bears won't confuse the sound
with anything natural.
-- 
"Why my thoughts are my own, when they are in, but when they are out
they are another's." - Susannah Martin, hanged for witchcraft, 1692.
Thomas David Kehoe          kehoe@netcom.com         (408) 354-5926
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: jahn@guinness.Idbsu.EDU (Greg Jahn)
Subject: Re: The winner is...
Reply-To: jahn@guinness.idbsu.edu
Organization: BSU - Data Center
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 20:30:39 GMT

In article <12150061@hpmwmkt2.sr.hp.com>, andyt@hpmwtd.sr.hp.com
 (Andy Teetzel) writes:
|>
|>I've reviewed my journal. The winner of the most popular musical group
|>in the obnoxious campground neighbor boom-box catagory is:
|>
|>Lynard Skynard
|>

Well, I've never heard the song on a boom box, but, what about
the other end of the spectrum of group noise behaviour?

    I'm not sure how to spell it, nor care, but, nothing 
is more offending to me personally than the church groups that
endlessly sing my least favorite song of all time - it sort-of
sounds somehting like Kumbaya, or Koombaya, or something ....

--
Greg Jahn Boise State Univ.|'I decided to just lie low and let events
/ jahn@guinness.idbsu.edu /|take their course. Maybe that's the way
/ dosjahn@idbsu.bitnet    /|the sheep think as they are led off to the
/ (208)385-3891.thephone  /|the slaughterhouse.' On marriage, Camilo Cela

Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: jahn@guinness.Idbsu.EDU (Greg Jahn)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Backcountry safety & sexism
Date: 5 Oct 92 19:19:56 GMT
Reply-To: jahn@guinness.idbsu.edu
Distribution: usa
Organization: BSU - Data Center

In article <Oct05.174409.71056@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU>,
 trzyna@CS.ColoState.EDU (wayne trzyna) writes:
|>In article <BvIq8J.862.1@cs.cmu.edu> jsp+@cs.cmu.edu (John Pieper) writes:
|>>
|>>
|>>It boils down to this: nobody is safe in the backcountry alone, regardless
|>>of sex. After you break a leg or an arm, or sprain an ankle, by yourself,
|>>more than four hours from help, you will realize this. It doesn't matter
|>>whether women are safer alone than men or not; nobody is safe alone.
|>
|>True.  But one could use this same logic to argue that nobody is safe
|>in the backcountry in groups:  If you fall off a cliff or get attacked by
|>a bear, all your friends can do is carry your body out.  It's a question
|>of degree.  It's a personal risk/reward tradeoff.
|>
|>>Groups of women are just as safe as groups of men; humans preying on humans
|>>invariably hit weak targets. If you travel in a group, somebody is bound
|>>to be weaker than you, because there are always loonies around out there by
|>>themselves.
|>
|>Yes, a common strategy among predators is to seperate an animal from
|>the herd.
|>Leaving the herd is synonymous with death.

Boy, do you suppose it's time for a new newsgroup called,

rec.backcountry.lions-and-tigers-and-bears-and-boogymen-ohno

It really really aint all that bad out there ... and at least I 
know that if I don't come out alive, I at least won't end up
whereever the jesus freaks and kumbaya singing troups are, or,
maybe ... hmmmm. NOW I AM SCARED ...

--
Greg Jahn Boise State Univ.|'I decided to just lie low and let events
/ jahn@guinness.idbsu.edu /|take their course. Maybe that's the way
/ dosjahn@idbsu.bitnet    /|the sheep think as they are led off to the
/ (208)385-3891.thephone  /|the slaughterhouse.' On marriage, Camilo Cela
From: jcj@tellabs.com (jcj)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Neophyte tent groundsheet question
Date: 6 Oct 92 22:06:37 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Huh?
Originator: jcj@sunl18

A beginner's question (apologies if there's an FAQ for this group):

What's the best way to keep dry when sleeping on the floor of
a relatively cheap tent?  Most books suggest a plastic groundcloth 
under the tent, but a few say that the nylon/cotton will wick up 
water that might get trapped between the floor and groundcloth and 
you should put the plastic inside on the floor.  A friend who used 
to do Civil War reenactments says to lay down a layer of straw but 
that's less than practical.  I have three (high density) pads but 
they don't help if you roll off.  Consensus?  Thanks.
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: JB <jbl@mesaadm.cre.nt.com>
Subject: Fear and Social Conditioning
Organization: NT/BNR
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1b3
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1992 12:45:26 GMT

Now I'm really upset.  We have been discussing various safety issues and
male/female interaction in this space.  A post mentioned "social
conditioning" and that got me really thinking.  Am I taught, conditioned,
encouraged to fear?  Are all these tacky tabloid shows and news shows
designed to keep me behind locked doors, with the only contact with
"civilization" the television?  Is the real message behind "this one
horrible thing happened to Mr or Ms Average":  this can happen to you, so
live in fear, our show (and it's helpful sponsors) can keep you safe?

I am a relatively tough corporate broad.  Am I irrational to fear the
threat of harm in the backcountry, were I to travel alone or with a
female only group?  We have heard from several women about this.  What I
would like to hear is from the men, to see how far this social
conditioning goes.  

The question: If your significant other (female) were to trek alone or in
an all female group, what would be your degree of concern for her safety?
 I'm talking primarily about the threat of danger from other humans.
JB
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: davin@hardy.u.washington.edu (David Veale)
Subject: Alpine Touring skis for sale
Organization: University of Washington
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 15:12:07 GMT


Alpine Touring /Randonee Ski Gear for Sale:
-Hagan Alpina skis, 180 cm, in good condition
-Silvretta bindings
-Dynafit Tourlite boots,  extremely light  (size 11-11.5)
-Coll-Tex mohair skins, the best
	Cost $700 new (on sale & with package prices)  asking $425
	If interested,  reply via e-mail or call Dave @ 206-528-5765 (Seattle)

From: rog@hpscit.sc.hp.com (Roger Haaheim)
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1992 12:59:18 GMT
Subject: Re: [l/m 4/15/92] Eco-warriors		Distilled Wisdom (22/28) XYZ
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Clara, CA
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry

> 5. Monkeywrenching is an aspect of intellectual arrogance.

Monkeywrenching is a symptom of intellectual absence
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: dencisco@eos.arc.nasa.gov (David Paul Encisco)
Subject: Re: Encountering contraband in the backcountry
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 17:53:31 GMT

diverson@phys.ksu.edu (David Iverson) writes:

>So, has anybody on this network ever had such an encounter?  Do you know of
>any friends who have died 'mysterious deaths' in the backcountry?

Yes I have had two confrontation in the Mendocino National Forest
and one in the Six Rivers National Forest (CA). No guns or violent
overtones, just a warning that I may be treading in dangerous
territory and that I would be best off circumnavigating or remaining on 
the trail. I always comply. I have had far worse experiences with the
miners along the Trinity and Klamath Rivers (CA) than the grower in 
the National Forest. I've also surprised a group of illegal hunters in 
the Deschutes National Forest (OR). They saw me before I saw them and
one of the guys fired his rifle over my head as a warning. Whenever
I encounter old cannabis sativa sites and/or deer bleeding lines I
always report them. There's nothing you can do about the miners;
besides the ranger up at Somes Bar is never there...no one's there or
so you think.
From: alpope@skids.Eng.Sun.COM (Alan L. Pope)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Corrective Lenses
Date: 27 Sep 92 14:40:49 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Distribution: world
Reply-To: alpope@skids.Eng.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: skids.eng.sun.com

In article <89890@netnews.upenn.edu>
>   egedi@ahwenasa.cis.upenn.edu (Dania M. Egedi) writes:
>>Here's one for the general populace:  If you need corrective lenses, do you
>>wear your contacts in the backcoutnry, or do you go with glasses?  If contacts,
>>how do you clean them, etc?  Do those with glasses always carry an extra pair?
>>How about the ones with contacts?

I were disposables.  No muss.  No fuss.  I've had them fall out at night when I keep
my eyes open too long trying to get more photons on the retina.  Depending on my
mood, sometimes I put 'em back in  and some times I dump 'em into my garbage.  I
always carry a  pair of eyeglasses as backup, and always have a spare pair in my car.

---
"Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem" -- Earl of Occam
				AlanPope   <alan.pope@Eng.Sun.COM>
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: krshah@us.oracle.com (Kalpak Shah)
Subject: Sleeping bags advice
Originator: krshah@hqsun5
Organization: Oracle Corporation
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 01:18:33 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by an unauthenticated user
              at Oracle Corporation.  The opinions expressed are those
              of the user and not necessarily those of Oracle.


I have been reading this group for sometime and have found tons of useful
info regarding equipment here. Thanks for that! 

I am currently evaluating different sleeping bags but am having a hard time
to decide on which fill material, shell material etc. The parameters that
I have are as follows:

1. cost between $100 - $200
2. purpose of sleeping bag: three season but once in a while should stand
   up for winter camping also.
3. Warmer the bag better it is for me. (like warmth more than cold :))
4. don't know whether height makes a difference but anycase I am 5' 7"

So can people post/email to me appropriate names of sleeping bags which they
like. THanks

ps: I have looked at backpackers survey on sleeping bags but am unable to 
decide based on that.

--Kalpak

krshah@us.oracle.com
From: proberts@informix.com (Paul Roberts)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Backcountry safety & sexism
Date: 3 Oct 92 05:54:40 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

In article <BvIq8J.862.1@cs.cmu.edu> jsp+@cs.cmu.edu (John Pieper) writes:
>
>
>                                Anyone who travels alone in the
>backcountry deserves whatever trouble they meet. 

I hope you don't really mean this. 

Paul
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: JB <jbl@mesaadm.cre.nt.com>
Subject: Re: more bad reports on MSR filter
Organization: NT/BNR
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1b3
     <BvFAD1.G6z@space.physics.uiowa.edu> <BvFpIu.KvG@fulcrum.bt.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1992 12:15:57 GMT

In article <BvFpIu.KvG@fulcrum.bt.co.uk> Ian G Batten,
igb@fulcrum.bt.co.uk writes:
>previous deleted

Eating crow:  I bragged on my new PUR recently in this space.  Then I
took a 6 day trip through the BWCA.  The PUR got progressively worse,
finally needing brushing after every pint.  Could be one faulty unit,
could be operator error.  Can other people report on their PUR's?  
JB
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: eugene@wilbur.nas.nasa.gov (Eugene N. Miya)
Subject: Re: Bear story
Organization: NAS, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 92 20:47:32 GMT

In article <1992Sep29.123652.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu>
pgheit01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:
I wrote:
>> Do you guys in Ottawa get subjected to New York City television?
>> Ever hear of Pace Piccate sauce (salsa)?
>NEW YORK CITY!!!!
>Get a rope.
And other interesting sight gags.

Unfortunately, Peter said that he had not seen this commercial and hence
the irony of the bear is somewhat lost.  The image of a bear eating chips
and salsa was funny, and I think if Cactus Ed Abbey were alive, he would
have laughed, too, especially considering the Pace ads.  One has to remember
the contents of the truck which killed Burn's horse in Brave Cowboy/Lonely
Are the Brave: bathroom fixtures (toilets).  Tenderfeet (people) would miss
the common outdoor joke to refer to privies as "civilization."

Trivia note: salsa sales exceeded catsup sales in the US.  Watch for catsup
to make a come back.

--eugene miya, NASA Ames Research Center, eugene@orville.nas.nasa.gov
  Acting Associate Editor, Software and Publication Reviews
  Scientific Programming
  {uunet,mailrus,other gateways}!ames!eugene
Seeking Books to buy:	Bongard, Pattern Recognition
			Imhof, Cartographic Relief Presentation
			Books on or by Benjamin Whorf
From: mmord@doc.bmd.trw.com
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Hillerman books/movie?
Date: 6 Oct 92 19:51:14 GMT

In article <1992Oct5.154113.9740@newshost.lanl.gov>, mwj@beta.lanl.gov (William Johnson) writes:
> In article <1aj76hINNp3o@moe.ksu.ksu.edu> diverson@phys.ksu.edu (David Iverson) writes:
>>In <1992Oct2.233521.26251@newshost.lanl.gov> mwj@beta.lanl.gov (William Johnson) writes:
>   Ever read Tony
> Hillerman's novel "The Dark Wind," or seen the movie?  (Can't speak to the
> movie, but the book is superb.)

Is the movie out?

Bret Webster
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: rtp1@quads.uchicago.edu (raymond thomas pierrehumbert)
Subject: Re: First Aid Kits (summary)
Reply-To: rtp1@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 02:37:36 GMT


In my kit I keep a supply of "blodstoppare" which I got in
Sweden.  These are convenient one-step packages made for
stopping bleeding in wounds (by pressure) and dressing them.
They consist of a thick gauze pad, with bandages attached
which you can wrap around the limb (or finger) to keep the
dressing in place.  They come in all sizes from "fingers and
toes" to "mycket staare saar."

I've never had to use one of these, but have practiced with
them and they seem very convenient.  I have never seen them
for sale in drugstores here.  In Sweden, they are made3
by the Cedarroth company.
.

From: ewg@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Ethan Gannett)
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 23:09:18 GMT
Subject: Re: MISSING PERSON LOCATOR
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry

In rec.backcountry, Dan Yurman <dyurman@igc.apc.org> writes:

> 
> I can't help but wonder if a more effective, and scientifically
> valid, method of finding lost people is to employ the services
> of someone who knows how to do good tracking.  For instance, the
> speed a person is walking, and their direction, can be determined
> by the depth of the impression their foot makes in soft ground.
> Further, an approximation of how long ago they traveled this
> path can be made by the type of soft ground walked in and the
> degree to which the edges of the impression made in soft ground
> have crumbled or degraded, etc.  If you know something about the
> size of the person you are looking for you can make a guess about
> whether they are getting tired by the length of their stride,
> or by simply comparing nearby tracks to those found several hours
> before, etc.
> 
> I am not a trained tracker, but have been impressed by how well
> those who are use their skills to assist bona fide search & 
> rescue personnel.

  Actually, tracking skills are taught and developed on many SAR (Search
  and Rescue) teams.  In addition, many individuals on SAR teams have
  developed these skills to the "expert" level.  Trailing and air scent
  dogs are also an extremely valuable tool for searches and many times are
  faster than human trackers.  I am a member of a local search and rescue team
  and know of only one instance in which I was personally involved in 
  tracking a teenage girl where our tracking team was able to track the girl
  where a dog team wasn't able to do so.  But, guess what?  The dogs found
  her first anyway!  They picked up her scent farther down the trail and
  were able to "jump track" the tracking team.

Ethan Gannett