You think a nice walk in the wilderness will be good for your soul. It will, but it isn't a walk in the park. You should plan accordingly, and you should NOT assume that you you know how much you need in the way of supplies. Ask someone who knows. California family died from heat and dehydration on Sierra National Forest hike, officials say
Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said at a news conference that investigators considered environmental and other factors before they determined that exposure to the elements killed the family of three. Briese said the cause of death was "hyperthermia and probable dehydration."
They were hiking in August in an area that was experiencing "triple digit" temps. They had a water-blader that could contain 85 ounces of water; it was empty. This was for 3 people and a dog. I wouldn't have guaged that as enough water for one person under those circumstances. And probably more for the dog as they have trouble in high heat.
Actually I probably wouldn't have gone on this hike under those conditions, even when I was in my 30s, and I definitely would not have taken the dog.
The family was found in an area known as Devil’s Gulch in the South Fork of the Merced River in August after a friend reported them as missing. Briese said at the time that there was no obvious cause of death and that the area had unreliable cell reception.
Do you know how you can communicate in the event of an emergency, and you don't have cell reception? Or can you not imagine circumstances in which your cellphone wouldn't work?
This is surely a tragedy. It proves that what you don't know can kill you.
I think that people have gotten used to safety and the authorities watching out for them. Water is heavy, so "donwanna" takes priority over common sense. I long ago realized that with almost any exertion in hot weather, I come back dripping. The SouthWest is deceptive since the sweat evaporates, you dehydrate, then, it is, "drink or die". Acclimation helps, but they didn't call it "Death Valley" as a joke.
ReplyDeleteJust more unwashed hippies roaming off into the wilderness to die. Shame they took their dog and their child with them, but it happens several times a year in California.
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