Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Jan 8, 2017 8:16:52 GMT -8
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Post by autumnmist on Jan 8, 2017 9:37:08 GMT -8
This fellow was clearly out of his comfort zone. According to the article,he called for help at 2.6 miles in, couldn't set up his tent or operate his stove. Yet he planned a 35 mile, 4 day hike.
Perhaps after he pays the $1300 cost he'll think twice about trying something like that w/o the necessary experience.
He's fortunate he wasn't in a much worse situation, and could easily have been.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jan 8, 2017 10:26:25 GMT -8
Could you paste the article for those of us that don't want to sign up?
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leafwalker
Trail Wise!
peace on earth and good will toward all - om shanti
Posts: 526
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Post by leafwalker on Jan 8, 2017 11:27:03 GMT -8
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ogg
Trail Wise!
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Post by ogg on Jan 8, 2017 12:22:26 GMT -8
Article says hiker is 17 yo. Seems like this one is on his parents.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jan 8, 2017 12:32:00 GMT -8
Thanks leafwalker.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 8, 2017 16:53:33 GMT -8
2.6 miles in. He couldn't turn around and walk back?
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 8, 2017 18:31:52 GMT -8
2.6 miles in. He couldn't turn around and walk back? Based on the time, it was well after dark when he called. I figure he was addled by cold and fear and they said he was unable to set up his tent. It sounds like he did the one thing he was capable of doing to stay alive.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,690
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 8, 2017 20:37:39 GMT -8
I figure he was addled by cold and fear and they said he was unable to set up his tent. It sounds like he did the one thing he was capable of doing to stay alive. You are probably right. The fact that he was 2.6 miles from the trailhead at dark and unable to function brings us back to the basic issue, which is that he was so far over his head he couldn't even begin to find the surface.
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daveg
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Michigan
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Post by daveg on Jan 8, 2017 21:00:26 GMT -8
2.6 miles in. He couldn't turn around and walk back? 2.6 miles in. He couldn't turn around and walk back? Based on the time, it was well after dark when he called. I figure he was addled by cold and fear and they said he was unable to set up his tent. It sounds like he did the one thing he was capable of doing to stay alive.
Agree with BigLoad. I don't think he had a viable alternative.
This is all speculation but here's the scenario I'm envisioning:
If he hiked 2.6 miles to Liberty Springs Tentsite, I'm guessing he took the Liberty Springs Trail up from Franconia Notch. That's an uphill climb. The first 3/4 mile or so isn't bad, but the rest of the distance to the tentsite is steep and demanding. He was probably pretty tired when he got to the tentsite and the spring there may have been frozen. When he couldn't get his tent set up and his stove working and thus had no shelter from the elements and couldn't prepare a hot meal or melt snow for water, he realized he was in trouble. And, as, BigLoad said, he may have been getting scared and not thinking clearly.
If he tried to walk back, it would have been downhill all the way to Franconia Notch. But it would have been a steep and probably slick descent in the dark. There is a parking area in Franconia Notch. Maybe his vehicle was parked there. So the best case is that he would be able to hike back to his vehicle without getting hypothermic or suffering an injury. On the other hand, if he had taken a shuttle to the trailhead, there would be nothing waiting for him once he got down. And it's not like he could just call for a cab when he got to the trailhead. Typically, there is no cell reception in the notches in the White Mountains. Even if there was, there are only a few shuttles that service the area and trying to arrange for a pickup on short notice after dark at that time of year would be nigh impossible.
So he made the call from a location where he had cell service. Rather than risk the downhill alone in the dark, he waited for assistance. And, if he didn't have a vehicle in the parking area, his rescuers could also provide a ride out.
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Post by bradmacmt on Jan 9, 2017 6:13:46 GMT -8
Adventure is just bad planning.
-Roald Amundsen
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toejam
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Hiking to raise awareness
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Post by toejam on Jan 9, 2017 6:32:13 GMT -8
What was the "advice" he ignored? Never hike alone? Never hike in winter? Stay home and watch t.v.?
I suspect he knew of people completing this hike and reporting how awesome it was. I doubt the Appalachian Mountain Club and Fish and Game tried to give him any real advice, just overly conservative b.s. to avoid getting themselves sued that any one of us would also have ignored.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jan 9, 2017 7:30:58 GMT -8
I doubt the Appalachian Mountain Club and Fish and Game tried to give him any real advice, just overly conservative b.s. to avoid getting themselves sued that any one of us would also have ignored. Another Article"Wang had set out on a 35-mile, four-day hike from the trail earlier that day, despite advice from the Appalachian Mountain Club and Fish and Game not to do so. Temperatures were expected to drop into the teens that night. Wang had all the equipment necessary to complete the hike, but lacked the experience to do so."Seems to me they gave him sound advice, which he chose to ignore. That happens sometimes when you're 17.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Jan 9, 2017 9:44:23 GMT -8
The truest form of enlightenment is knowing what you don't know.
I don't think there will ever be a 17 year old who grasps this concept. It's tough for people who are well into their fourth and fifth decade.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 9, 2017 10:36:48 GMT -8
Article says hiker is 17 yo. Seems like this one is on his parents. I call BS. 17 YO is old enough to drive, which is much more serious than hiking. At 17,one should be able to make risk assessments. Don't know enough facts to pass judgement but he was apparently beyond his experience level. Seems to me he did the most prudent thing, especially if he was going hypothermic.
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