DEAR ABBY: In response to the person who wrote to suggest that a cellular phone would be a good safety item for hikers and campers who are lost in the woods –- I beg to differ! A cell phone is never to be relied upon to help rescuers find you. There are too many areas that don't have service, or because of the terrain, there isn't any cellular reception.
One should never go into the wilderness without a buddy, or without telling someone where you plan to go and approximately when you will return. Of course, a short orienting course in map and compass skills can also prove to be invaluable.
Children should never be allowed to run ahead down the trail. One never knows what kinds of predators are hungry and waiting for that meal opportunity to come along. And yes, wearing a whistle IS standard operating procedure. –- STAYING FOUND IN COLORADO
DEAR STAYING FOUND: You are not the only reader who was kind enough to point out to me -– the quintessential "city girl" -– that in a wilderness area a cell phone might be useless.