I hiked 775 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2012, starting at the southern border. In 2013, I reached Sonora Pass, at mile 1,018, having started once again at the southern border.
Several hikers were caught in a heavy snowstorm this year, in northern Washington, near the end of the hiking season, prompting rescue of one sort or another. Trust me- many of the seasoned hikers that populate hiker forums have some very strong opinions on hikers getting caught in the wild and then needing rescue. We hikers, and I include myself, even though politically I am deep undercover, expect all hikers to be responsible their actions or decisions. Yeah, it’s a bit of a conundrum how some of the radicals can isolate their behavior in one instance and be completely oblivious in another. Tis what it is. I hike none the less.
Counterespionage is quite exhilarating, I might add. Having said that, one can run down the list of injuries that are self inflicted by numbskulls of all pursuits that are guilty of pursuing (by default) the not so coveted Darwin award by their risky behavior. Example: The costs to treat a skydiver, motorcycle rider, hunter, snow-mobiler, boxer, gymnast, dog owner, ladder user, rock climber, race car driver, surfer, spelunker, airplane pilot, scuba diver, rodeo rider, etc.
However, there are egregious actions or decisions that drive the public’s interests and opinions.
Hikers are an easy target because it’s an activity that is docile and the decision to do it is a slow motion / long term event, unlike sports and recreational activities that occur over seconds or minutes. THAT really is what separates hikers from all of the other activities that can result in injury or death. PILE ON!
Well and good. The specifics of this situation are illustrative of industrial grade malfeasance, though. It’s one thing to get caught out in bad weather, especially being in way back country.
Quite another to leave civilization with impending severe weather expected in the next 24 hours.
A long hike is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.