Copied from a similar thread from a few years ago:
“I second the suggestion of always wearing clothing that is appropriate for the environment you intend to fly in.
A couple years ago camping in ID. I made acquaintance with a small group of pilots. The following morning we had agreed to an early departure and explore some strips then Big Cr. for breakfast. I was sitting next my plane switching out my hiking shoes for my flat soled "flying shoes". An old timer took note and, in a very considerate manor, suggested I ought to get used to flying in hiking shoes. I respectfully put my hiking shoes back on and we went flying.
A few hours later, on a steep base to final into Big Cr, a flash of white caught my eye, I looked down and caught a brief glimpse of a plane wreck on the steep, heavily timbered, north slope of the approach end. I announced final and mentioned the downed plane. I got an immediate response re a half hr overdue missing pilot whos location was still unknown.
Apparently, the pilot had the misfortune of stall spinning into trees on base turn behind the "hog back" and went unnoticed in spite of lots of activity in the field that morning.
With the wherabouts of the wreck fresh in my mind I landed and proceeded on foot a 1/4 mi. thru some of the steepest, nastiest, rain soaked black timber and blow down, with a small group of guys in tow.
What followed was three hours of backbreaking superhuman effort of a small group of dedicated men to extract the stricken pilot and deliver via improvised backboard to an awaiting lifeflight on the field.
The significance of the old timers comment really hit home that afternoon when i arrived back at camp and noticed my "flying shoes" sitting on the cooler.“