All about the gear

Finallly, a rescue story that doesn't profile the dumb and the clueless. Two cross-country skiers missing overnight near the Mount Zirkel Wilderness 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs were found Sunday morning in good condition. (See the area on map at left.) The Associated Press reported that Randy Oehme and Bill Wetherby, both 42, were removing their skis at their car when they were located by members of Routt County Search and Rescue, that was just about to launch a search. The two men, both experienced in the outdoors, admitted they got lost by making a wrong turn, but when they got back on course, they were too tired to head back. It was 20 degrees and snowing, but the men had fire starters, thermal space bags and water. They didn't sleep much, because they both worked to keep their fire going. - Deb