eh I swore off this site yesterday but couldn't help coming back...

Mintcondish I understand why you're defensive; you're getting a good ol' fashioned as s whoop'n (that you deserve) so you LEARN. The irritating part is that you are not/weren't getting the point that you f'd up big time. Good thing it was somewhere stupid like Echo.

I've actually been at Echo in the rain. Sure I read the forecast but tried anyways. We hid in the little cave and smoked a joint and then decided to try climbing some of the routes by it. One of the best, silly times I have ever had climbing!! We giggled like girls the whole time...it was FUN. Although I couldn't make it up sh t due to all the water rushing down. Fun times indeed that I'll never forget.

We decided to head the way you did just because neither of us had ever gone that way. It was hard to find our way even in daylight. We backtracked numerous times and walked thru that "riverbed" you mentioned. When we finally made it to the car we were soaked down to our boots. My point is that I agree that the way you went is confusing.

Someone is right - you didn't call the heli. Good on ya. Shame on whoever called it so early. Should have waited until the next day or at least walked down the trail themselves to look for you.

In the future, your kit should contain a headlamp, a backup light source ($10 LED) micro light, some type of light wieght jacket (3-5oz) at minium and for your sake always check the weather report...it's Socal; it's kind of consistant weather.

Go do the walk of shame and look for your stuff. If anything you'll get more familiar with the terrain.

Keep trying - we've all made mistakes. Learn locally, read books, get some instruction and/or get a mentor. Messing up somewhere real could have serious consequences.

For what it's worth - if I found a rack or anything substantial I would natrually return it. I quit surfing years ago because I hated the negative vibe I witnessed and became a climber because it truly is a band of brothers, not the nonsense that is said on this forum.

Good luck!