There was a story of a guy in South Carolina a few weeks back who went out in the woods with 2 kids and had to be rescued. He was incredibly unprepared and was lost with young kids for ~ 2days. There is a distortion, where map distance and proximity to civilzation gives a false sense of security and we under prepare.

These stories are useful. Both to get ideas and to validate/ challenge choices I make when going hiking. To critique it is not to say "Look at that dumass, my hero Bear Grillz would have known what to do..." but rather "Wow - this can happen so easily and relatively close to warm beds, even to experienced folks"

And this guy sounds much more experienced than I am. But:

When you do this kind of hiking you register the route with someone who expects you to be out by such and such a time... Last hike I wnet on my friend logged our route in a trail book. It is easy for someone to get injured, cross country skiing will give you nasty twists and breaks.

Fire equipment? They are in a pine forest and could have gotten a fire going.

Also those aluminum foil-like emergency blankets - they are so small and light, there is space in any pack. Came in handy on my last overnight as a sleepingbag liner as the night got colder than expected.

How/Why did his feet get wet? Crosscountry ski boots are usually a Gortex-y material with a hard base and a cleat for the bnding. Wonder if he fell in a stream, etc. If so that is time to stop and make a fire. Get warm and dry.

I am curious what they were wearing. It was warm enough that some of the streams were not ice covered - so probably below freezing at night but with normal walking they should have stayed warm.

Hypothermia can happen when the air temp is quite a bit above freezing esp. - if you are wet.

Last winter I was on well marked xcountry ski trails in the Adirondacks (NY State) with my boys and another father and children. The loop took longer than expected and we spent the last two hours getting back in the dark. No cell service and we got off the skis. I bound all the skis together and carried them and we hiked back.

It was well below freezing and was concerned about the little toes and fingers. Since we had registered the hike a snowmobile came out for us and caught us in the last km - didn't take us back though, the bastard. :)

I did not have a pack on but had compass, firestarter and a few emerg blankets in my coat. I had two small LEDs - I gave one to the other father and we used them to check for blazes and read map. WHen the smowmobile came they were useful for signaling. Plus a metal water bottle to melt snow if needed...

So that situation worked out ok. I am not really comparing it to the situation in the article. I was glad to have the foil blankets and firestarter, in case.

My wife says I overpack (and she is not wrong). We have animated discussions before going out.
"Why do you need this rope?" "I dunno - that's the point"
"What are you going to do with this axe?" "Etc..."

An overly heavy pack is a liability as well. I could not keep up with my friend on my last overnight. We also had to climb cliffs and I seriously considered tieing off the bag and pulling it up the cliff after I got up. (with the paracord my wife was complaining about - ;) )

Also when you fall extra weight increases the impact... And I fall on occaision. So I must learn to reduce.

But, I think if I were in that group - I would be angry with the lack of prep - angry at my self mostly.