Surviving in the Woods

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “You can literally walk around in circles and pass the same tree over and over and over,” says Kevin Gedding, General Manager of Adventure Carolina Stranded in the wilderness. that’s the reality for a father and his two children who vanished Saturday night in the woods of the Congaree National Park. “It’s named the swamp for a reason. I mean it can be completely consumed by water. When it is consumed by water, we’re not doing tours,” says Gedding Gedding says they do guided tours on Cedar Creek, weekly. “When we’re doing Cedar Creek, the water is within the bank, which makes it very easy to follow. But, should it go over the banks, it can become very cumbersome to find your way back,” says Gedding He says if you’re going to be in the park, hiking or in the water, check in with the visitor’s center or register on the trail. And never leave the trail. “The problem with leaving the trail is once you get too far away, everything looks the same,” says Gedding Gedding says you should be prepared when going outdoors. “Obviously I’m taking water, some type of snacks. Whether that be granola, cliff bars something to keep everyone’s energy up,” says Gedding When it comes to the search for the missing family, Gedding says the weather may help. “If this had been in the winter months and it starts to get freezing whenever the sun goes down, they could’ve been in a real jam,” says Gedding With the threat of bad weather moving in, officials continue to hope for the best. But, there are things they can do to try and stay safe. “Cover themselves with leaves to keep warm. Downed trees that they could build a lean to shelter. Whatever they have to do to protect themselves from the elements,” says Gedding