swmtnbackpacker
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Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Nov 30, 2016 20:55:31 GMT -8
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Nov 30, 2016 22:45:30 GMT -8
Interesting article. Funny that they didn't mention Killer Bees (Africanized honey bees). There must be a number of injuries or death due to bee attacks in the back country. There's no running away. The only way down may is the switch-backed trail you just hiked up. Bees fly in a straight line. You have to follow the trail. I think the author needs to expand his article.
I winced at this statement, though: "Realistically, avoiding any of these fatalities can largely be summed up with the advice: don’t be a dumbass, do take basic precautions for the weather you’re likely to face. Outdoors, it’s stupidity that kills." (It's in the last paragraph.)
That seems harsh and doesn't get the point across. The way I see it, it boils down to a couple of actions we can do: 1)Pay attention to your surroundings. 2)Use your wits/lore when making decisions.
We use the same strategy in everyday life. We just don't think about it.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Dec 1, 2016 4:28:57 GMT -8
"don't be a dumbass" covers the people who try to pet the buffalo, or who ignore the signs and end up falling into a geyser pool. Let's face it....there are lots of those people out there.
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Dec 1, 2016 6:10:40 GMT -8
I found it interesting that you're 8x more likely do die from a fall when walking or hiking than climbing.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Dec 1, 2016 6:16:47 GMT -8
With the number of people going over waterfalls in Yosemite, I wonder if they count those as deaths from swimming, or falling?
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Dec 1, 2016 6:28:15 GMT -8
With the number of people going over waterfalls in Yosemite, I wonder if they count those as deaths from swimming, or falling? I operate under the assumption that water and gravity are always trying to kill me.
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Dec 1, 2016 6:46:03 GMT -8
I operate under the assumption that water and gravity are always trying to kill me. Neurotic is when you think something's out to get you. Paranoid is when it's actually true.
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bp2go
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California
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Post by bp2go on Dec 1, 2016 7:03:55 GMT -8
falling into a geyser pool I'm surpised this wasn't mentioned a few weeks ago that a guy and his sister were in a prohibited area of Yellowstone looking for a place to go hot-tubbing! (with his sister?) Anyway. they found a place that looked inviting, so the good bro' kneels down to test the temp, 'cuz boiling steaming water might not be quite right. Well, sis is busy with her camera, making a video of bro' as he topples into the pool! Splash...bubble bubble bubble, blub blub...gone! Somehow a rescue team arrived to pull his body out of the pool, but a thunderstorm caused them to wait until tomorrow. Well, by the next day the body has dissolved! The cellphone video was not shown because it was too disturbing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 7:10:39 GMT -8
"don't be a dumbass" cover's the people who try to pet the buffalo, or who ignore the signs and end up falling into a geyser pool. Let's face it....there are lots of those people out there. A couple years ago I was in Yellowstone and saw a group of idiots surrounding a huge Elk bull, who was pretty obviously "unhappy" to say the least. They were getting close up selfies with this thing in the background. It was awful. I was hoping for... well nevermind what I was hoping. But yeah, people be stupid.
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Post by hikingtiger on Dec 1, 2016 8:14:30 GMT -8
I'm not 100% convinced that his comment about having a good dog (and the associated story) are key to preventing bear encounters, but I'll leave the discussion of that to people who (a) have had bear encounters, and (b) have an appropriate breed of dog for such things. (my point being that, while he makes an interesting point in that one situation, many dogs will serve to agitate the bear and then run...bringing it right to you.)
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Dec 1, 2016 8:19:08 GMT -8
I found it interesting that you're 8x more likely do die from a fall when walking or hiking than climbing. Hmmm... I don't see walking with black flies on the list. Maybe it's safe after all.
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Dec 1, 2016 8:23:34 GMT -8
We have a whole page on this on our website. We try to convince people that when they are backpacking, they should spend a lot less time worrying about lions and tigers and bears, and a lot more time worrying about fast water, cold, and getting lost.
And that drive to the trailhead is probably the most dangerous part of backpacking...
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Post by hikerjer on Dec 1, 2016 9:09:54 GMT -8
I'm not 100% convinced that his comment about having a good dog (and the associated story) are key to preventing bear encounters, I tend to agree with you. When hiking in grizzly country with my dog, my greatest concern is where my dog will run if we come across a grizzly. I know it will probably be away from the bear and directly to me.
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foxalo
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Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Post by foxalo on Dec 1, 2016 9:29:39 GMT -8
Hopefully nothing will kill me in the great outdoors, and if it does, it's my favorite place to be. Bed would be a close second.
As for dogs, no thank you! Mine would get me killed in no time. They're pretty dumb.
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Post by cweston on Dec 1, 2016 9:51:52 GMT -8
We have a whole page on this on our website. We try to convince people that when they are backpacking, they should spend a lot less time worrying about lions and tigers and bears, and a lot more time worrying about fast water, cold, and getting lost.
And that drive to the trailhead is probably the most dangerous part of backpacking...
Agree on all points. The only thing that ever came close to killing me in the backcountry was a flood-swollen creek that I did not respect sufficiently.
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