#177064 - 07/21/09 05:38 AM
14 year old hiker dies in Phoenix, AZ
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Addict
Registered: 06/29/05
Posts: 648
Loc: Arizona
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Unfortunately the best that can be said from this situation is that it can be used as a reminder that water is a priority and dehydration does kill. I was going to say that the outcome couldn't have been worse, but in reality the family was lucky. If they had been in a more remote location I am sure we would have had additional fatalities... it would have been only a matter of time. AZ Central
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"Trust in God --and press-check. You cannot ignore danger and call it faith." -Duke
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#177066 - 07/21/09 08:21 AM
Re: 14 year old hiker dies in Phoenix, AZ
[Re: Alan_Romania]
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Paranoid?
Veteran
Registered: 10/30/05
Posts: 1341
Loc: Virginia, US
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That's a very sad story.
A four hour hike in 105º to 110º heat. I wonder how much water the family carried in total.
_________________________
"Learn survival skills when your life doesn't depend on it."
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#177071 - 07/21/09 09:38 AM
Re: 14 year old hiker dies in Phoenix, AZ
[Re: Alan_Romania]
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Veteran
Registered: 09/01/05
Posts: 1474
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Similar story out of Palm Springs. Bodies of 2 hikers found, and 3 other hikers rescued. The desert is no place to fool around. http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=10755837
Edited by LED (07/21/09 09:40 AM)
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#177086 - 07/21/09 02:47 PM
Re: 14 year old hiker dies in Phoenix, AZ
[Re: Alan_Romania]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/03/07
Posts: 3078
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It seems once again that folks underestimate their environment leading to another tragedy. Trekking in 110F or 43C heat in the desert isn't a good idea in the first place no matter how much water you carry. Typically for 3-4 hrs in these temperatures a minimum would be 8-10lbs of water to carry and a conscious effort is required to down at least 2-3lbs of water per hour. The difference between this poor lad suffering from terminal hyperthermia, whilst the rest of his group survived could have easily just been the difference in the colour of clothing worn or even not wearing a wide brimmed hat. Just as the correct clothing is important in cold climates, it is just as important in very hot climates. i.e. wearing thick wollen socks and using thick felt undersoles in the boots together with wearing string vests in the desert is just as important as wearing them in the arctic. It sounds as if the group failed to notice the early onset of the victims hyperthermia as well.
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#177087 - 07/21/09 03:16 PM
Re: 14 year old hiker dies in Phoenix, AZ
[Re: Am_Fear_Liath_Mor]
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Geezer
Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
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They 'wasted' water trying to cool him down? What?
When most people think of the desert, they probably think of cattle skulls bleaching in the sun, and then go out into 110F heat to hike. Crazy.
Poor boy, short life.
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#177113 - 07/21/09 05:35 PM
Re: 14 year old hiker dies in Phoenix, AZ
[Re: Susan]
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Member
Registered: 02/02/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Washington
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I don't go for hikes when it is that hot, period. But I always carry plenty of water in my car, hydrate like crazy before hiking and maintain hydration while hiking. Knowing how much water you sweat and respirate out of your body, you need much more than normal in arid climates. The other place you find yourself in danger of dehydration is in cold climates, you never notice that you are dehydrating. A good rule of thumb, if you are not 100% certain of resupply, you turn around at the point you have exhausted half your supply, go back to your starting point where you have extra reserves. Better safe than sorry. That still leaves a lot of wiggle room for a person to get in trouble. Hyperthermia is just as dangerous as hypothermia and appears to be much more sudden in onset. All in all, a huge tragedy. My heart pours out for the family, it is such a terrible shame to have a young life snuffed out. Even wholesome, healthy family outings can turn deadly in certain conditions.
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#177320 - 07/22/09 10:30 PM
Re: 14 year old hiker dies in Phoenix, AZ
[Re: NightHiker]
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Veteran
Registered: 07/23/08
Posts: 1502
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Yeah this was just not smart. At South Mountain where this happen, it's just a cooker. All the issues of a desert surrounded on four sides by millions of tons of asphalt and concrete to add to the convection oven temperatures.
The videos showed a bunch of the family in pretty bad shape as well. There was another guy that same day who was heli-vac'd off another trail in town.
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Don't just survive. Thrive.
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