Hiker rescued on Skyline 6/10/15

[halhiker]

Read on the PS Mounted Police Facebook page that they did another rescue on Skyline today. I'll post more as it becomes available.

[Cy Kaicener]

From the Desert Sun -- http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/201 ... /71056900/


Palm Springs Mounted Police Search & Rescue added 2 new photos.
10 hrs ·
In the evening of 06/10/2015, PSMP-SAR was called out to aid a dehydrated and weak hiker. A group of 3 hikers were past the second rescue box on the Skyline trail in Palm Springs, and although they did have water, one of the group became too weak to continue. RSO Aviation unit responded and transported the hikers safely to waiting PSFD and AMR. No injuries were reported.
With rapidly rising temperatures in Palm Springs, PSMP would like to remind the public to bring adequate water, hike early or not at all, wear brightly colored clothing, and always let someone know about their hiking plans before enjoying the trails.

[halhiker]

Thanks, Cy!

[cynthia23]

Good grief, another? Two in one week? How can people be so foolish??

We've discussed this many a time, but really, there needs to be a giant warning sign after the picnic tables saying "Extreme Heat Danger: Do Not Attempt this Hike May 15 through October 15th, or when Valley Temps exceed 85 degrees",--or something to that effect.

Thanks for posting, Hal and Cy!

[Hikin_Jim]

Put a note on the sign at the bottom:

Rescues this year: 2. (or whatever the current number is)

I suspect that a lot of people never hear about the rescues. The people rescued today presumably didn't know about the recent prior rescue.

HJ

[guest]

Jim,
I like the rescue sign idea, I can speak with Andy Hollinger, if we could place it on top of his Dad's sign (PS Mounted Police).
Or, a pole on Museum property, (if allowed).
Seasonal closures are being considered, which I think may be the best way for the good of the all.
Cynthia, Zip, Bluerail, the guys on RMRU who contribute here on this board, all make good points, (& those that have to put up with the irresponsible behavior of many).

We go through this each summer, with similar, or increasing incidents.
Minimizing risk for the sake of the personnel, (often limited & strapped for cash), rates right up there in my book, as reason to restrict access seasonally.
I know many here will disagree. I've done Skyline in the summer, so I'm guilty of gravitating to risk & challenge too.
Should people be able to take risks & challenges, of course, but when & where & how they do it matters.

But, in today's world, as many, including Hal, Pete, Nick, Cam & Lew & others here have touched on, the thrill or challenge w/out the responsibility is increasing.
I wonder how many would dare to go up w/out a phone, (just a thought), you get in doodoo, you get out, (oh wait, I see a lawsuit coming).

I may mention this on the other Skyline rescue posts,

ss

[Ed]

If I collapsed past the second rescue box in the late afternoon, and still had some water and a candy bar, I think I would hunker down until sunrise and then continue up, rather than turn around or call for rescue.

The Sierra Club magazine has an article on abuse of PLB's and SENDS's (Satellite Emergency Notification Devices, such as SPOTs).

http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2015-4-july-august/feature/danger-life-saving-device

Amazing stats on Australia. We Californians seem to be more rugged self-reliant outdoor types than the Aussies.

[zippetydude]

Yeah, Ed, I'm with you on that. I would tend to call my family and tell them I'd be staying the night before calling for help. If I'm safe and just inconvenienced, well, that's kinda my fault isn't it? Besides, it would make a much better story to tell later.

z

[cynthia23]

LOL Zip! I bet you have lots of stories!

Guest makes excellent points as always. It may be that seasonal closures are necessary. If nothing else, a sign stating "closed for season because of extreme heat danger" would in essence serve the same purpose as a warning sign. A hefty fine if caught could be an additional 'motivation" to wait until fall.

Can't believe there have been three Skyline rescues in less than one week. At this rate, what does the summer hold ?

[Sally]

On the other side of the temperature spectrum, I, with 2 friends attempted Mt.Whitney yesterday. When we encountered near blizzard and whiteout conditions less than 2 miles from the summit, we aborted and went back down. To our astonishment (or not!), several hikers in $4 ponchos and tennis shoes continued up. We did encounter a few hikers that made a successful summit with equipment and attire appropriate for the conditions.