Given that - even in the desert, even in the heat - I don't see how dehydration could have been the cause of death. It is very sad that the boy died, but I would be more inclined to think it was a pre-existing (but maybe undiagnosed?) medical condition.

Tragic! This hits close to home as I have done that hike multiple times when younger. I also participated in the civil war reenactments. The Civil War engagement there (calling it a "battle" gives it more prominence than it deserves, IMHO) was the westernmost of the civil war. We drive by every time we travel from Phoenix down to Tucson and back.

It is a short but tough, steep hike. When i did it was no signs warning and on a hot day, not sure the 2-3 liters recommended would suffice if hiking during middle of the day. We did most of my hikes in the winter months or leaving early in the Spring to see the desert bloom, avoiding the real heat. Natives should know better.

Dehydration is insidious to a degree and very individualized and even minor medical conditions can make getting dehydrated a far bigger problem than it might otherwise be.

I fail to understand why people go half naked in hot sunny weather (like this woman in the video). Hottest part of summer I never expose more bare skin than face and hands, always a long sleeve shirt and a boonie hat to shield nose and ears from sun. I do not want skin cancer.

PCSO releases report on death of Boy Scout at Picacho Peak - https://www.abc15.com/news/region-centra...at-picacho-peak

This doesn't compute. Two quarts of water consumed on a three mile hike taking four hours and some amount refilled half way...There must be something other than dehydration involved.

It is nice to know that it was 94 in Tucson that day, but Tucson is significantly lower than the state park, although the group would have been dealing with reflected heat off of upright surfaces, etc.

For a typical individual, nearly a gallon of water would have been more than enough to complete this excursion comfortably, provided any degree of adequate hydration at the beginning.

Seems that normal may not be at work here. There may be other conditions or substances so far unmentioned; Coroner will determine COD.

Reminds me of US journalist Matthew Power. Died of heatstroke after spending a few days walking with Levison Wood whilst he was attempting to Walking the Nile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGpHqccbfuY

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loc...ing/1289001001/

According to the autopsy, the sixteen year old victim weighed 289 pounds. Doubtless a contributing factor.

289 pounds = 131kg. Oh my, explains a lot.

You can cache water on the way up.