Travis
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Post by Travis on Oct 21, 2021 19:23:31 GMT -8
Yeah, that does not resolve all my puzzlement. The only thing that would help me with that is a detailed diagram of the bodies at the scene. That might help to clarify who might have expired first etc. It is difficult to even imagine how all could be affected to the same degree simultaneously.
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Oct 21, 2021 20:07:30 GMT -8
First time posting on this thread in part because authorities had released such meager information. Despite weird speculation of toxic algae and whatnot, I didn't see that. So now we know, and am not at all surprised, and am more surprised it doesn't happen more often with people hiking so. I have plenty of stories of groups without preparation or common sense I've met on their way up trails.
Much like history of tourists without understanding or experience or proper gear starting down most every day of summer from the Grand Canyon rim on the Bright Angel Trail festively despite warning signs following others down towards the Colorado River and getting into trouble. In this case, an obscure dirt road trailhead on a route down over 2100 feet to the barely flowing South Fork of Merced River at 1700 feet on a day with forecast temperatures over 100F degrees that likely reached 107F through a sun baked exposed sooty blackened wildfire landscape with little shade. Total distance of 8 miles with the hard part at the end hiking back up. Ok in April and May for those fit but not mid August not with... The dog may have stayed with the family until it was too weak because that is what loving pets do. All so sadly tragic.
"Investigators found an 85-ounce CamelBak-type backpack with the family, along with a small amount of baby formula in a bottle, some snacks, car keys, a child carrier backpack, and a cellphone, which the FBI is still looking at for more clues. Briese said there is no cell service in the area where they were found. He said they were wearing basic hiking attire, with shorts and tank-tops, but didn’t have hats, he said. They were not carrying a water filtration system. Briese said he’s not sure if the water in the CamelBak was bottled but that it appeared to be clean or tap water. “There was a small amount of residue (in the CamelBak), but basically empty,”
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article255157607.html#storylink=cpy
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balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Oct 22, 2021 7:32:34 GMT -8
I don't find this hard to imagine.
One parent fails faint, and takes a rest. In the sun, because there is no shade on this trail. It all burned two years ago. It's 108 degrees, and they've been hiking for hours. The water is gone. The baby is struggling. What does the other parent do?
He or she waits, thinking a few minutes rest will help the first parent recover. Waits in the sun in 108 degree heat with no shade. That parent, too, decides a short rest will help.
Remember that dehydration leads to faulty cognition...
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Oct 22, 2021 8:20:36 GMT -8
And the dog stays with the family, not wanting to leave them.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Oct 22, 2021 10:42:39 GMT -8
I handle the heat much better than my dog (short-haired Cattle Dog / Jack Russel mix). I think that's pretty universal. Because we sweat, humans handle heat better than nearly every other animal. So it may have been the dog that first experienced symptoms.
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franco
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Post by franco on Oct 22, 2021 13:27:36 GMT -8
The dog was an Aussie/Akita mix. Akita are well known to be very attached to one person and likely that 8 year old dog would have remained there with the owner and not venture away to save himself.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Oct 22, 2021 13:41:11 GMT -8
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 22, 2021 14:11:16 GMT -8
If what they are saying is true it might be possible the first one to go down might have been the dog. I was thinking maybe the kid. It might have practically become a double suicide after that.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Oct 22, 2021 14:23:22 GMT -8
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Dec 5, 2021 16:42:23 GMT -8
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 5, 2021 17:16:49 GMT -8
It’s why I’m constantly amazed at all the loud whining that people can’t get peak summer campground reservations in Yosemite Valley. That place is a hellacious oven then, I’ve been there when the daytime high hit 106 f. You’re better off camping in a pizza oven, at least then there’s tasty snacks.
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balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Feb 18, 2022 6:47:40 GMT -8
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Feb 18, 2022 7:11:45 GMT -8
This doesn't clarify anything. Why no report of the phone calls/texts early-on in the investigation? That seems like a no-brainer. Are we to believe they made several calls but none to 911? And investigators said they still had water with them: bpbasecamp.freeforums.net/post/301768/thread
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balzaccom
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Post by balzaccom on Feb 18, 2022 7:19:45 GMT -8
I disagree. It does say they didn't call 911--but they may not have understood that the 911 system might work off a different network, They texted numerous times asking for help, and in increasing frequency.
Remember that this was the local sheriff investigating. They may not have had the technology to hack an i-phone, and since nobody received the texts, the only way to access them was to hack the phone.
They took a total of 1.5 liters for three people and a dog for eight hours. That last little bit of water in their bottle would not have made a different at that point. Temps over 100? Climbing miles up a steep, exposed slop after a day of hiking?
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Feb 18, 2022 7:27:58 GMT -8
You're baking in the sun and your family is dying of dehydration. Who do you call... a friend or 911? And neither parent made a mad dash to possible salvation at the mountain top/car, or a retreat to the river?
Not saying it didn't happen exactly as reported, but there's A WHOLE LOT about this entire story that doesn't make sense.
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