Posted on 02/04/2017 10:59:55 PM PST by BenLurkin
A group of 10 hikers in their 50s and 60s were traversing a path called the Little Jimmy Trail at an elevation of about 7,000 feet when cold, snowy conditions caused half the party to fall down a 70-degree slope, according to Michael Granek, a helicopter pilot with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Around 11:30 a.m., about an hour into the hike, a woman slipped and fell down the hill, Granek said. When a male member of the party reached out to grab her, the icy, steep terrain pulled him down as well, propelling both down 300 to 400 feet.
...
Shortly after the initial incident, another man and woman slipped off the ledge of the trail, and then a fifth person fell as well, according to Granek. Although the party did not have cell service, a Ventura County Search and Rescue team happened to be training a short distance away and became aware of the situation, which they referred to LASD.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
I’m a hiker and part of the thrill is knowing that you are one misstep away from injury or even death. It forces you to focus on the here and now and all your other worldly troubles no longer seem significant. I especially like winter hiking where there is little margin for error. I like to hike alone however. People think it’s overall safer to hike in groups but I think group hiking has peer pressure and forces some to take risks they would not take alone, so that they don’t slow down the group or otherwise appear weak. When I’m hiking alone, I’m responsible for myself only and I concentrate only on what I am doing.
So pumped to head out. Since last year, I have replaced everything once to get my gear sorted to my preferences. Only thing now to do is prepare meals and some a few mail drops - as I get in striking range of Dansville my son from Cary, NC will do a couple of food drops and and when I get up closer to Harpers Ferry, WVA my wife will come over from Arlington/Ft Meyer to visit some. Cannot wait to be "homeless".
No, but in 1968 my scout troop backpacked up Mt. LeConte and we pitched tents/sheltered nearby. I remember the 5 miles up the mountain! In those days you either walked or took a chopper to the Lodge if I remember correctly. As I look at the AT today I think I will walk be east of the Lodge, and will bypass it. That is the one of the most beautiful spots in the Smokies.
That's what I originally thought you meant until I reread the first part:
"I am going to re-start at Fontana Dam, NC southern point of the Smokies. I hiked thru there in April - the winding starts was burned out..."
and saw the word "start" there. My guess, rather than an auto-spell-correct thing, it was that the word "start" was on your mind and you unconsciously typed it in that other spot in the sentence. This sort of typo happens a lot. I've done it in the past myself.
BTW, although I've lived my nearly 60 years in New York City, I love the Smokey Mts. In fact, my late father, was from east Tennessee.
He met my late mom, an Italian girl from Manhattan, while he and a friend were on leave from the Navy visiting New York's Central Park. We used to travel to Knoxville every summer to spend a couple months there with his relatives. They were among the best days of my life. As a result of our annual visit to the Smokies, fascinated with the mountains and their long, incredible, complex history, I eventually ended up majoring in geology. We used to go down by railroad, I think out of the old Penn-Central train depot in NY. I've been in love with trains every since.
i can see that
They should have had crampons, ice axes, and training in self-arrest techniques, which are intended to prevent exactly what happened. I’m not sure what clothing they had, but some of them being treated for hypothermia suggests it was not adequate for conditions.
If they were adequately trained and equipped, and avalanche danger was low, there would be nothing wrong with doing this hike in February. I’ve done (non-technical) climbs in the White Mountains and the Alps in every month of the year, in conditions down to well below zero.
On the other hand, I was prepared, with clothing, gear, and training. I’ve also participated in searches for lost “hikers” in June on Mt. Washington. Conditions there at altitude can change quickly, even in summer. “Hikers” - and I put that term in quotes because in general they are more like “walkers who equate climbing a mountain known for the most extreme weather changes on earth with a walk in their local, perfectly level county park” - will often decide to climb to the summit wearing jeans or shorts, t-shirts, windbreakers, and sneakers, because, after all, they can see the top and it’s sunny up there!
One recent example: In September 2006, four twenty-something “bros” with no climbing experience whatsoever decided, in middle of the afternoon, that they were going to climb to the summit. It would not be humanly possible for them to make it up and back down before dark, and they were advised of that at the base of the mountain. It was 70 degrees and sunny at Pinkham Notch, so they decided that shorts and t-shirts were the uniform of the day. They all survived, barely, but one has irreparable brain damage.
There is a “Hiker Responsibility Code” and everyone who sets out into the wilderness ought to adhere to it:
“You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:
With knowledge and gear.
Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.
To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
To share the hiker code with others.”
www.hikesafe.com
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