The sun is setting later and later this time of year (8:12 p.m. tonight, woo-hoo!), meaning those post-work and long weekend hikes can easily stretch into evenings. But while no one expects to be caught after dark and lost and stuck for a bit, it does happen. I speak from experience – not personal experience, mind you, but the experience of standing at the end of a trailhead in the middle of the night wondering whatever happened to some of the other people who were hiking with me earlier in the evening.

That said, the Sonoma County Parks has this interesting hiking/educational outing next Friday night at Hood Mountain that will address this issue. Here’s the info from them:

Wilderness Survival

Hood Mountain Regional Park

Friday, May 18, 3 – 7 p.m.

If you were lost overnight, would you know what to do and how to increase your chance of rescue? Learn basic survival skills from a Regional Parks ranger in the Hood Mountain wilderness.  This free session will cover the basics of shelter, food, water, fire and rescue. This hands-on event is geared toward beginner hikers (but not children.) To reserve a spot and learn where to meet, call Sonoma County Regional Parks Ranger Jonathan Umholtz at (707) 539-8092 or email jonathan.umholtz@sonoma-county.org. Parking at Hood Mountain Regional Park is $7 or free with Regional Parks membership.