Another Day, Another Rescue

[halhiker]

Riverside County Fire just got called out on a rescue on the infamous Bump and Grind Trail in Palm Desert. http://www.rvcfire.org/_Layouts/Inciden ... .aspx?1892

They just had a rescue TWO DAYS AGO on the same trail at around the same time of day. http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/201 ... /29637777/

These rescues are in addition to the several we've had on Skyline this summer (I'm expecting another any minute now) and the death this week on the Lykken Trail.

It is so stupid that it makes me almost ashamed for people to know I'm a hiker. From the news, it seems like that hikers are the dumbest and most incapable group of people in society today.

What is it going to take to teach people that hiking midday in the desert is not a good idea?

[guest]

Hey Hal, I left my Iwatch up on the bump, could you go nab it, it has all my selfies & fb stuff, omg.
I'll be down at Islands waiting, (& posting about this too!).

Kiddin aside
Apparently, water had to be brought down to 4 on Skyline today, but that's getting to be expected, right!
"I have to at least try it, it sounds so epic, I have my phone...just in case".

[climbant]

According to reports the person died on the trail. [url]rvcfire.org[/url] has a press release.

[halhiker]

Another tragic death on the trails.

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/loc ... /29713971/

[climbant]

What is it going to take to teach people that hiking midday in the desert is not a good idea?

You would think commonsense would be plenty enough.

[recordalley]

George was a good friend of mine & frequent hiker on the Bump & Grind all year round. My heart goes out to his wife of many years.

[guest]

My condolences to his family. We never know when it might be are time I guess.
RIP,

ss

[cynthia23]

RecordAlley, you say you knew the gentleman who died yesterday. Can you help us understand why he might choose to go hiking midday? To me, it seems, almost literally, insane or suicidal. I mean no disrespect to your late friend; my question is sincere. I honestly want to understand what is behind these rescues and deaths. Personally, I was out yesterday morning hiking the Ramon trailhead just to the picnic tables (about an hour roundtrip, for me.) Left at 6.45 a.m., and was almost immediately feeling I really should have left forty minutes earlier. After my hike, I had a dull headache the rest of the day and made a mental note that I need to start by 6 at the latest for the next month or two of my short local conditioning hikes. I can't comprehend an experienced local hiker knowingly choosing to hike the Bump and Grind at midday. It just seems crazy. Why do you think he did that?

[guest]

Hi Cynthia,
I know your well intentioned in your questions. I train on my bike midday during the summer, which is safer (from an overheating standpoint), than hiking, as one has 10-20mph "winds" blowing over them.
I make a pact to finish my work before riding, plus I've always enjoyed afternoons, even in the desert summer.
I also need to be sure I remain heat acclimatized for my work, & think it can be healthy when used with knowledge & respect.

An interesting example is some of the local homeless folks, (most people would literally pass out in 30 mins.), while some of these folks are walking around town everyday in the summer.

There's many of this community who enjoy hiking in our mtns. during a storm.

I'm not attempting to belittle your warning of caution for summer hiking, as we seem to have several fatalities each year, (which probably happens in Phx & Tucson, Grand Cyn & other areas.

I must say the cool breezes through the trees around San Jac yesterday were heavenly.

ss

[cynthia23]

You raise a really good point Guest--how much can the human body tolerate? Often it's more than we think. Like you I see homeless people walking around midday and what's more remarkable, people doing manual labor--i.e. gardening, road work, construction, and roofing. So you're right--people do manage to do these physical feats midday. But, OTOH, rather in support of my point, many of those homeless folks we see walking down the street midday are mentally ill or high, and of course, the people doing the manual labor probably do not have a choice, economically speaking. Still, if you're healthy, disciplined, and carefully acclimatize, you're right that some folks can still manage to exercise outdoors in the Coachella Valley midday in July. I think taking a midday bike ride, tennis game, or street run are all perfectly fine--because if the heat starts to bother you, you can immediately stop. It's hiking, where quitting is not an option, that seems deadly to me. And from that perspective, I still do find this man's decision honestly unfathomable.