Exposure death on Mt Rainear

Posted by: Jimshaw

Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 09:04 AM

In the news - truly a sad account of unprepared "experienced" hikers being hit by a freak 2 foot snow storm. 2 are rescued and one dies below muir camp. Thius was on a day hike. How can a storm of that magnatude just hit without some warning?

Anyway it does say something about being prepared for sudden snow and cold while in the Pacific Northwest. It froze 2 nights ago at my house in Bend and I only live at 4,000 feet elevation.

I have been to Muir camp and with the steepness of that slope, I can see where descending in a snow storm could mean death, but freezing to death is just unacceptable. These guys own the gear to summit but left it at home.

The one time I was hit by a freak storm that dropped to minus 5 overnight, I had the extra clothes to be perfectly warm. A lot of people have said that I carry too much weight in insulation, but I did not die. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Anyway these guys can be "climbers" or "hikers" and as climbers they have the gear to survive and as hikers they didn't.

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: hikerduane

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 10:54 AM

Thanks Jim, I hadn't followed the story. Seems would have heard something, whether a chance of bad weather or big storm.
Posted by: aimless

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 10:55 AM

I hate to hear about deaths from poor preparation. Over and over again I read the stories about people who die on the trail and it almost always comes down to novices who die from taking stupid risks, or 'experienced' hikers who die from hypothermia.

The take-away lesson is: every dayhike is a potential all-nighter. Be prepared to spend a night out, adequately warm in worse weather than you expect. Notice changes in weather and adjust what you're wearing. If you do get cold and wet, treat that like a life-threatening emergency, not a small inconvenience.
Posted by: TomD

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 11:04 AM

I put up a link to an early story on this in the mountaineering forum. There is another story with more detail on Yahoo News today.

The Yahoo story is from AP-if you can't find it on Yahoo News, your local paper might have picked it up from the wire service.
Rainer story

I know some people get annoyed at Jim and others who harp about these kinds of accidents and we often post them and comment on them when we see them.

One of the criticisms is that it is easy to "second guess" what went wrong from the comfort of our living room. Fair enough. We weren't there. But unfortunately, many of these incidents have what appears to be several common elements-
1. failure to get a current weather forecast (the big PNW storm last winter comes to mind);
2. failure to carry enough gear/food for bad weather;
3. lack of knowledge as to how to use the gear at hand or when to use it.

I make no claims whatsoever about being an expert on the outdoors, so when I go anywhere, (which isn't all that often), at least I take what I think I might need if something goes wrong.

I have no idea why these three found themselves where they were under those circumstances, so no second-guessing by me here, but there is a lesson to be learned.

There was a similar incident last year with two hikers/climbers who froze to death in the same general area for the same reason-they got caught in a storm. They were found with all the gear they needed to survive, but hadn't deployed it in time-tent, sleeping bags, stoves, food, warm clothes.

One plausible explanation in that case was that they died because they lacked the awareness to understand that the weather was deteriorating so fast that they needed to act immediately to save themselves. Is that fair to them? I don't know, but it seems reasonable to me based on what was reported.
Posted by: Mattress

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 12:02 PM

It is a dangerous activity we all partake in, and preparedness does play a big part.
Unfortunately what often happens is you push yourself (or are already exhausted) to beat the storm/cross the river/find the trail/whatever and render yourself incapable of making good decisions. When you have no energy you lose a lot of cognitive functions, and even lose what we refer to as good instincts.

It is easy to armchair hike, and say what we would have done differently. And I think it's not a bad idea, as the more we talk about it, the more people will realize they need to be prepared for the unexpected.

There's a small mountain I hike once or twice a week after work, it's about a 1 hour round trip with a fair amount of exposure. A lot of people do it with nothing more than shorts and a tshirt, and are perfectly fine. I never attempt it without a small pack containing first aid kit, water, snack, cel phone, and windshirt or jacket depending on the season. It doesn't slow me down, but would enable me to wait out a storm or other such problem. The hardest part is knowing when to admit that summiting isn't safe, but I make it a point to check the weather reports, use common sense, and hit the gym if it looks unsafe to hike.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 12:15 PM

A couple of months ago I participated in a fascinating experiment where we were attempting to make someone go into a hypothermic state. Our poor subject stripped to his skivvies in 39 degree temperatures, then got doused with a 5-gallon bucket of snow-water. Our fella was quite fit, without much body fat, and his thermogenic effect kicked in quite effectively. While he was shivering violently his body temperature rose to 99.5 degrees, and stayed there for quite some time. During this time he complained of being quite uncomfortable and wishing to get the experiment over and done with. As we were filming this for a TV program, the crew wasn't willing to end the experiment until we got our subject's temperature lower. To this point our subject had been standing, so we had him lie down in the snow. Within about 10 minutes his temperature had dropped to 97.2, which is still technically above hypothermia (considered 96 degrees core temp). At first he continued to complain of discomfort, but after another 10 minutes he suddenly became very comfortable with the idea of lying in the snow, and was willing to keep laying there as long as it took to get hypothermic "for the good of the show." The crew and I looked at each other and decided it was a good time to call it a show. Our subject never dropped below 97.2 core, but he rapidly began to decompensate mentally, and his shivering had slowed markedly. He also started feeling warmer, despite laying in the snow with nothing but wet cotton skivvies on. The most interesting thing was that we had to almost physically force him to get up off the snow and get into the hypo bag.

The lesson I took away from this is that you don't even need to be hypothermic, just about 1.5 degrees or so below normal, to start making very poor decisions.

MNS
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 12:36 PM

Thanks Midnight. So when is that going to air - can we see you?

I think a major problem is the resistence to "digging in." People want to run out because its uncomfortable being wet and cold, and digging in, conserving your body heat and eating is just too far from their fight or flight thing. You have written to me about that - like drowning - you do anything to get air.

It takes time to deploy your gear. The time to start is before the $$it hits the fan. While you are still warm. Like starting to dig a snowcave when someone is already hypothermic is not a good thing.

I have to say that a down jacket and fleece pants do not weigh over 3 pounds but can save your life. Why cut things so close? Is the desire to look really cool with a tiny pack, or none at all?

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 12:57 PM

I think if they had done that experiment after he just finished running 20k things would have progressed much much faster. Knowing when and how to slow down, chow down, and throw on more clothing to store up energy in advance of a storm is a pretty good skill to develop I should think. Something I'm more in tune with from small boat sailing, but I try and transfer it over to hiking and camping. Food and insulation is key, and the experience of knowing how much energy is needed to do stuff, and how much energy you got. I don't really like paddling on the Bay of Fundy unless I'm prepared to spend the night out there, not that I would. Mountains are something I know nothing about, but I think they require more of the respect of an ocean than a pond.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 01:08 PM

If you're in Great Brittain, you'll see it this month. If in the US, they said it would air in September on Animal Planet. I haven't gotten a copy of the show yet, so I don't know how much you'll see of me, if at all. It was a really fun experience.

From my own experience, it can be really hard to realize you're getting cold. I was explaining to the film crew that classic hypothermia is insidious because it comes on so slowly that you, and often your partners, don't even realize that your mental faculties are declining. In our case the change in mental status was rapid and very obvious to everyone but our subject, who had no idea he'd become so irrational. I haven't been in touch since they left to see how he responded to viewing the video. His mates were really quite stunned by what they witnessed, and I think it really had a powerful impact on them.

MNS
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 01:15 PM

JAK...

Absolutely. He started out shortly after eating a nice breakfast and resting. He was also a well developed, athletic young man with plenty of energy reserves. Shivering violently burns something like 220kCal/hr. That's alot of calories. Imagine trying to maintain an adequate shiver on empty fuel tanks.

Food, water, insulation. Must haves for any hike where hypothermia could be even a remote possibility.

MNS
Posted by: TomD

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 01:38 PM

Sounds like a good experiment, MNS. I hope I get to see it.

One thing that you see often in accounts about high altitude mountaineering is that when someone gets really cold, their body reacts as if it is warm and they start taking off their gloves, hats and even their down suits. This happened to one or two of the climbers involved in the multiple deaths portrayed in Into Thin Air. If I remember right, the re-creation in a recent tv show about those climbers showed how the others found one of them just sitting on a ledge with no gloves on and his jacket unzipped in about -30F or so weather, as it he was sitting somewhere on a nice warm day.

So, just as with your test subject, once you get really cold, it may be too late to do any rational thinking.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 01:58 PM

Tom...

Based on our experiment, you don't have to get very cold at all to lose rational thinking. Our subject was at 97.2 for at most 15 minutes, possibly even less. We listened to his declining judgement for several minutes before we realized that he wasn't just being heroic because it was his job. I can easily see how someone could power through the discomfort in an effort to "escape" and then start to think that the situation isn't as bad as they thought as they start to get colder and feel less uncomfortable.

MNS
Posted by: mockturtle

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 03:00 PM

I agree about not second-guessing. Having lost several friends and acquaintances to the mountains, I happen to know that the various media don't always get the facts right, adding to the heartbreak of an already tragic situation.

I also agree that we can learn from the apparent mistakes, mishaps and misfortunes that can befall even experienced hikers and climbers.

As someone has correctly stated, hypothermia is insidious and impaired judgment occurs early in the game .
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 03:22 PM

Heck I don't even have to get cold to lose it.
It happens spontaneously, and often.

I think you have to be prepared to be unprepared,
and practice at keeping your wits when you losing your mind.

I think it helps to spend a lot of time playing in the same sand box.
Posted by: lv2fsh

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 08:50 PM

Not much to add. I hope that it helps someone not to make he same mistake. I never leave the TH without thinking about the what ifs. Having lived in the mountains for 30 years now I think I pay more attention to weather forcasts and weather changes. I worked construction for about seventeen years up here and have learned to spot sudden weather changes coming. Sometimes it means ruined "stuff", sometimes the cost is your life. I'm with Jim, see it and get ready. My thoughts and prayers for the family and I know that they would be the first to hope someone could learn from their tragedy.
Posted by: TomD

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/11/08 11:48 PM

When I used to teach scuba diving, the easy part was teaching the technical stuff; the hard part was teaching judgment. That only comes with experience. I think people tend to be more afraid of the water since it is not your natural element, but, somewhat like hiking, learning when to just say, "oh well, I'll just sit on the beach for a while, then go home" sometimes takes a bit of getting banged around to get the big lesson.
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/12/08 07:35 AM

Irrelevant, annoying, inaccurate statistics about rarity of hypothermia:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats/cold06.pdf

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml

Do consider that alpine camping in Washington is generally in the 5000-6000 foot range with most higher summits topping out around 8,000 feet. Only two peaks in Washington are higher than Camp Muir, which is at 10,000 feet.

Also consider that currently, for the Cascades, it's still very, very early in the season (really pre-season) even apart from the recent, extremely unusual weather.

For almost anything except Rainier summit, torso insulation layers to bring along in summer in Washington (July- Aug.) could be easily limited to a light pile jacket and a mid-weight poly turtleneck plus a light shirt. This excludes wind/rain layer, etc. A sleeping bag rated at 30F-40F can work very well, sometimes wearing all available clothing.

Obviously being prepared is important, but going overboard isn't necessary and there is a remote chance that getting exhausted from carrying too much stuff could contribute to your untimely death.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/12/08 03:25 PM

First, Washington has _four_ peaks (not two) over 10,000 feet elevation (including Rainier) and another 10 (if I counted correctly) between 9,000 and 10,000 feet. Timberline in the WA Cascades is about 5,000-5,500 feet, so conditions there can be comparable to 11,000 feet in Colorado.

Second, you don't have to be caught in a blizzard or in below-freezing temperatures to get hypothermia. All you need to do is get sopping wet with no dry clothes or means of getting warm. My daughter got to the incoherent stage at a temp of about 60* while hiking a river-valley trail through waist-high wet vegetation in blue jeans. Her brother and I set up camp in a hurry, got her into her sleeping bag and filled her with hot cocoa. She learned a good lesson about fashion vs. safety. I learned a good lesson about persistence with stubborn teenagers!

Third, I've encountered frost and snow (not a lot, but enough to make things miserable for the unprepared) on high Cascade trails in July and August. While the weather normally isn't as severe as in the Rockies, it can be severe enough to do the job! I would never go out without being prepared for temps in the upper 20's. Overkill 90% of the time, but vitally needed the other 10%.

The higher glaciated peaks such as Mt. Rainier, are well-known for making their own weather, and such things can happen very suddenly. There was a winter storm watch for the Mt. Rainier area (in fact, the whole Washington Cascades) in effect before these folks started up. Whether they ignored it or neglected to check the forecast, we'll probably never know.
Posted by: ringtail

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/12/08 04:14 PM

I agree. Hypothermia is most dangerous in the 30 to 40 degree range. Water is much easier to manage in the solid state and will even provide some insulation. 35 degrees, a steady drizzle and a stiff wind are VERY dangerous. Push too hard trying to make your miles through the muck and mire and exhaustion exacerbates the situation.
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/13/08 03:38 PM

Well Harumph!

Right, four peaks over 10,000 feet. However, two of those are only a tad over 10,000 feet. Hence, there are only two peaks in the state that are (meaningfully) higher than Camp Muir, as I mentioned.


Only a handful of others break 9,000 (is it 10??? Lezzeee....Bonanza, Stuart, Goode, Logan, Black. Maude?......) and as I said , most of the higher peaks in Washington top out at about 8,000 feet. I've climbed about 25 routes out there, which is damned few, considering that I started in 1978.

What hiking trails there are, generally don't get too close to many actual summits and the average Cascades backpacking trip tops out, as I said, at an elevation significantly lower than Camp Muir.

As for my proposed clothing list for the torso in summer Cascades, it is essentially identical to that currently advised by American Alpine Institute in Bellingham for mountaineering in the region.

See:

http://www.aai.cc/pdf_download/am_tl_equipment_list.pdf

They suggest carrying down or "puffy" jacket only before July and after mid-September. If they're wrong about the gear list, they'd sure hear about it from their high-paying, nicely coddled clients.


With only 2 hypothermia deaths reported by NOAA in the 50 states during a recent year, I'd say it's easy to get cold, harder to freeze to death & yeah it's good not to get too cold and wet.

I definitely agree with you !!


The timberline environment in Washington is different than the Colorado timberline.

Interesting facts*: Timberline generally corresponds to where the mean July temperature is 50F. In Cascades, however, the excessive summer snowpack results in a slightly lower treeline than isotherm would suggest.

"In the interior of Western North America, temperature drops an average of 3 degrees for each 1,000 foot gain in elevation. However, in the Maritime PNW, it's closer to 1.4 degrees drop per 1,000 ft" So what does that mean? Dunno exactly, but I find it interesting. Maybe I'm even slightly doubtful, but I guess it's true.

*Reference: "Timberline," (Arno & Hammerly, The Mountaineers, 1984).
Posted by: tarbubble

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/13/08 06:10 PM

when i had hypothermia, i was OK as long as we were retreating (got caught in an unexpected hail/sleet storm trying to get over a pass - poor decision making on our part). once we stopped and started setting up camp, I began to mentally deteriorate.

if you are ever hiking with someone who you believe is beginning to get hypothermic, DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY SAY. They may, like i did, insist that once they have changed into dry clothes they are fine. I wasn't. I was still cold, disoriented, and in danger. You basically have to treat them like a baby - supervise everything they do. i got into dry clothes, but still had on my wet underwear - my poor husband was busy making me hot food and didn't supervise me. He saved my life, but I sure didn't help!

Again, someone who is hypothermic, even mildly, must be treated like and taken care of like a small child. They will be embarassed about it, may fight you, but unfortunately you have to take over and be Mom or Dad until they are out of danger.
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/13/08 06:28 PM

from 1979 to 1999 NOAA reported 27 temperture related deaths in FLORIDA. The Florida office of Vital Statistics sets the number at 249 - in FLORIDA!

You do not have to do much research to find about very large numbers of deaths in Storms in America. The NOAA is simply incompetent, they can't even forecast anything right. We had more than 2 people die on Mt Hood last year.

I wish I knew what your agenda is because I don't believe you are as stupid as you try to sound. But I would love to drop you off at a remote trail head in the Cascades equipped as you reccommend. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I have considered that you might be my brother in law and that would explain a lot of things.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Pika

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/13/08 07:45 PM

I hiked, climbed and worked outdoors in western Washington for over 30 years. I think I can claim at least a full year and a half of camping out throughout the year there at all elevations, in all weather and undertaking many different pursuits. In addition, I spent six months on a field research expedition in Antarctica. I think I have a pretty good idea of the various flavors of cold weather.

My experience in the Cascades includes winter ascents of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Glacier Peak, Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Stuart, Mt. Baker and many less well-known summits. I have had to deal with hypothermia as a "first responder" on eight separate occasions; mostly in the summer and with parties other than my own (dayhikers) and with two exceptions, below 3000'. Why did the hypothermia occur? Because the individuals were not prepared for the wet and cold and when they started to deteriorate, they, and others in their party, lacked the warm clothing and shelter necessary to reverse the situation. Two of the people died.

You seem more than a little bit cavalier about the conditions one might encounter in the Washington Cascades. I suspect that this results from inexperience. Mark Twain once said "the coldest winter I ever experienced was a summer in San Fransisco". He was referring to the cold, damp, sunless weather that can inflict the Bay area in summer. The Cascades, especially above timberline, can be like the Bay area in spades. You may not have encountered bad weather on your summer trips there but if you keep going, you will. If you do, I hope that you will be better prepared than you appear to think necessary. Any outdoor endeavor is best approached with humility, not hubris.

I guess I don't really care that much what the American Alpine Institute in Bellingham recommends for their pampered clients; to me it sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. I suspect that Jimshaw alone has more outdoor experience than the collective experience of their entire staff.

You cite a lapse rate of one and a half degrees per thousand feet for the maritime Cascades. That is about right. The reason for the low lapse rate is that water making the transition from vapor to liquid releases heat. This is what keeps the temperature drop low; it also results in a lot of rain on the western slopes. Most hypothermia deaths occur at temperatures above freezing with high humidity, wind and rain; conditions that are not that uncommon in July and August in the Washington Cascades.
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/14/08 09:24 AM

So....I guess -- what? -- that you are highly experienced & that I've learned less than you have learned.

. have no reason to doubt you, (though I have much distaste for the dueling resume game). Nor do I doubt whatever Jimshaw may know, for that matter, other than that he can't or doesn't care to spell "Rainier."

I always assume good faith in these matters.

But what you say about AAI and its Cascade gear list offers no wisdom. A perplexing contradiction.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/14/08 11:33 AM

This thread has devolved into a rather odd exchange.

JD, what exactly is the point you're trying to make? Surely you don't really believe that hypothermia is an invalid concern?

MNS
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/14/08 01:33 PM

Something else to worry about. Yeah valid. Sorry about that.

Point is that it's entirely possible to be over-prepared and overly concerned. It's not rocket science.

Yakking that one knows better than a cadre of local guides who have been at it collectively for -- what? -- hundreds of years? Wouldn't know about that.

I do know I camped out in Pennsylvania last night, and the low temp was 65 degrees. I brought, but didn't use, a sleeping bag.

Started to roast after sun-up, and am presently sweltering.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/14/08 01:47 PM

I think his point might have been that sometimes people in authority make blanket statements about safety and preparation that really aren't all that helpful, and are not always 100% correct. They do this because to try and be more correct would probably be more harmful. You hear alot of stuff about hypothermia, like the Bay of Fundy is 40 degrees all year round and if you fall in you will be dead in 20 minutes. That's kind of crazy. Fisherman will often tell you that kayakers and sailboaters should never be out there, ever. That it's just too dangerous. They wouldn't be out there except to earn a living.

I understand what they are really saying. It's just kind of weird the way they say it. We had a big public inquiry or coroners inquest here when a fellow in his 20s died of hypothermia during a adventure race - run, bike, kayak.

All kinds of information and recommendations came out of it, but it was all the same old crap that people don't listen too because its hard to separate the practical from the impractical when people are forced to make general statements. So the inquiry made no real practical recommendations, when they probably could have. Like...

1. Hypothermia happens sooner if you are exhausted.
2. Adventure races probably shouldn't do the paddling leg last.
3. The Bay of Fundy is about 5 deg C colder in early June than early September, and that's alot.
4. Wet suits are sometimes more vital than life jackets and tow ropes, or flares, even though for some strange reason they are not mandatory when other stuff is.
5. Kayaks can often be easily modified with some foam inside to be more stable when swamped.
6. People should consider measuring the water temperature whenever they go paddling. It does vary.

None of that came out of course. That's just my own personal knowledge and opinion. The official word is just the same old crap as always. Not saying it happened in this thread, but people are often afraid to recommend anything other than the age old wisdom, even if it isn't really helping people. Not sure what the answer is. I certainly don't have all the answers. I also have a big beef with alot of crap about wind chill, but don't take my word for it.

I'll say this...
People should be careful when diverging from conventional wisdom, but also be
very cautious about following conventional wisdom without really understanding it.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/14/08 07:01 PM

Hi Jason.

First for johndavid: You and I agree on a lot of matters (including jason here, hmmm, actually most on this entire site) and fear mongering for fun and profit may be one of those matters. Mostly it seems our disagreements are a matter of degree. [pun, pun, dbl pun; i win] BTW, I first said hiking, etc, "isn't rocket science." Next time johndavid I demand attribution.

Quote:
They do this because to try and be more correct would probably be more harmful.

Some do it for fun and profit. Many on the Net do it out of fear. Fear for themselves and/or fear for others. OTOH, I look to what a person is trying to accomplish. And go on from there. In general, I agree that being overprepared is wasteful. But it beats being underprepared.

WTS, one of my fave climbers once told me: "If you don't have it, you don't need it." Works for me. ;-)

Quote:
Fisherman will often tell you that kayakers and sailboaters should never be out there, ever. That it's just too dangerous. They wouldn't be out there except to earn a living.

With all due respect to those who have lost loved ones (as i have very recently, not an outdoors related death), "...no one here gets out alive!" Life w/o risk is just not worth living .... to me. It does cause anxiety for my loved ones .... but they understand that I do try to be careful.

Quote:
I certainly don't have all the answers.

Hmmm, another quote: "Pick me, pick me teacher."

Quote:
I'll say this... People should be careful when diverging from conventional wisdom, but also be
very cautious about following conventional wisdom without really understanding it.

Man do I agree w/u on this one! Question authority.

I'll close w/a final quote. Just because i'm in the mood to quote others. It's easier than saying something original. ;-)

"Perfection is the Lord's purview."

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/14/08 09:23 PM

Thank you, Jimshaw, Pika and Midnight Sun, for excellent replies. We've now heard from a number of highly experienced backpackers in the Pacific Northwest and a Search and Rescue professional from Alaska. I'm quite experienced, too, but not quite on that level! However, my experience has been in the Rockies and the Pacific Northwest, not in Pennsylvania summers, which is hardly in the same category weather-wise. (Actually, I did have 6 weeks' backpacking experience in Pennsylvania, but I was only 6 at the time, so I don't remember a lot.)

I checked the American Alpine Institute website that Johndavid cited and found that he summarized it far too much. Here's what it _really_ recommended. I left out the warm weather stuff like shorts and T-shirts.

Base Layer (top and bottom)--lightweight polypro or polyester

2nd layer (top)--expedition weight long underwear top, lightweight fleece, 100 wt. powerstretch, or possibly Marmot DriClime

2nd layer (bottom)--Schoeller or nylon fabric, should be somewhat wind/water resistant

3rd layer (top)--jacket, similar to bottom 2nd layer

Insulated Jacket--not needed July-Sept. 15. Probably correct, since the 2nd and 3rd top layers together are basically equal to the insulated jacket (at least to my Montbell UL Thermawrap) and, being separate, allow more versatility.

Shell layer (top)--waterproof, breathable, durable, with hood, sized to fit over clothing

Shell layer (bottom)--waterproof, breathable, durable, preferably with full-zip legs

Liner gloves (polypro or polyester)

Modular gloves or mittens

Warm hat

Sleeping bag rated to 15* F.

Even without the insulated jacket, all these layers together, four on top and three on the bottom, should be plenty warm enough! If not, there's the 15* (not 30-40*) sleeping bag as backup. Of course these folks are being guided, and I'll bet the guides have plenty of extra stuff along just in case.

I've seen too many below-freezing nights and too much inclement weather, even in July and August, in the Cascades (at 5,000-7,500 ft.) over the years to be comfortable with any less than what is _actually_ recommended on the AAI site (4 layers top, 3 layers bottom). I have a 20* bag, but a heavier base layer, so that balances out.

I would never want to debunk the dangers of hypothermia, especially on a public forum that will be read by beginners. I've had just enough experience with it to have a pretty good idea of how dangerous and insidious it is. Even so, MNS' account above was quite an eye-opener. I just hope, Johndavid, that we won't be reading about you as another casualty in the future.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/15/08 03:51 AM

For the record like Jim Shaw and MNS and others I have a similar philosophy of going big on clothing insulation and food. It's for a different application, paddling and Eastern woodlands, but similar in principle. I also tend towards layers that can be worn all at once when needed. No spares as such. Less need of shelter and mountaineering type equipment where I hike. My general observations is that most outfitters seem to produce equipment that gives the appearance of one destined for Everest or car camping, often both at once.

My point was that I prefer the sort of detailed expert advice that Jim Shaw and MNS provide, rather than the over generalized stuff that tries to get applied to a wider audience and wider application, for whatever reason. I listen to folks like Jim Shaw and MNS, and draw on my own experience from small boat sailing and stuff, and then do my own hands on experience in my own little neck of the woods. Doing alot of hiking in familiar stomping grounds helps alot.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/15/08 11:35 AM

I had replied to this yesterday but my post isn't here so I must have failed to follow-through with my posting before logging off <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Quote:
I'll say this...
People should be careful when diverging from conventional wisdom, but also be
very cautious about following conventional wisdom without really understanding it.
This is absolutely true no matter what topic or discipline you're talking about. Since March I've been studying, learning and practicing a new hobby, and one thing I've learned is that without a solid understanding of the fundamentals, you have no way of knowing whether information given to you by others is good or bad. The world is full of bad information, and those who follow blindly have little or no control over where they end up. Living with conscious deliberation will allow you to replicate your results, or alter your behaviors if necessary. Just muddling through whatever you do may get you where you want to go, but who knows what opportunities you might have missed along the way?

Anyway, a further point I'd like to make is this... we need to stop focusing on hypothermia = death and start focusing on how hypothermia can cause all kinds of negative outcomes, with death only being one option. Many many injuries result from hypothermic decision making. You might not die from those injuries, but they do have a cost. Even if you avoid injury, you almost inevitably have to alter your plans so you can treat the hypothermia, and at the very least you'll have a less enjoyable trip. What is the harm in carrying an extra pound of insulation when going into the more extreme environments?

MNS
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/15/08 12:00 PM

That's a really good point. Same also for stuff like dehydration, sun burn, heat stroke, fatigue, sleep deprivation, etc. I remember when I did alot of competitive sailing and just got hammered on this light air day at the Midwinters in Florida, meaning I didn't finish all that well, and then I was sick enough the next day that I couldn't race. Sun burn. Dehydration. etc. I didn't have enough water and I didn't protect myself from the sun. Way before I got sick I just wasn't performing as I should have. I know, excuses, excuses. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Anyhow really learned alot from that experience. No sense trying to save a few pounds if it means losing your wits, even if it doesn't lead to further consequences. Stuff like that happens in other sports also. Cross country skiing. Cycling. You lose your wits and your lucky if all you lose is the race.

Regarding clothing. You have to dress not just to stay warm when active or well rested, but also to get warmed back up and restore your energy reserves, and your mental composure. You can't always crawl into a sleeping bag to do that. Sometimes you need to slow down and rest up while semi-active and that can take twice as much clothing as otherwise for the same conditions. Mitts are like that also sometimes. They need to be warm enough to warm your hands back up quickly after doing something with them, not just stay warm.
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/15/08 06:04 PM

JAK
quote"My point was that I prefer the sort of detailed expert advice that Jim Shaw and MNS provide"

Thanks JAK <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm glad the detail seems useful. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />The devil is in the details ya know. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Its a royal pain writing explicit detailed posts and I know it annoys some people. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> But theres been a few - like "how to melt water when you have none to start off" and how about "How to get into a tent in a blizzard - so that you and the inside of the tent remain dry" and others that are painfully detailed, but without the detail, they're just general "good ideas" like "keep your knife sharp" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I mean if you don't actually learn how to do an important skill before its needed, then you will most likely screw it up the first half a dozen trys before you learn the importance of the detail. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Et All
Our society is under a lot of pressure by people selling fear. I am not selling fear - I don't make any money doing that so I can't afford the time for it. My hope is merely to help those who might learn from my experience good and bad for their own benefit.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I am sort of wild reckless guy and I have tried MANY of the things that I suggest are stupid to try, yet I survived. I used to go up the Sierras ahead of huge mountain storms to be there for the storm - not something I recommend, but because of this extremeness I have been forced to learn an extended set of skills that takes me out of the 1 year of experience 30 times category. I CAN tell you all about being in REAL mtn storms and crawling through deep snow. I regard it as fun, like riding really fast across the desert on my motorcycle, but frankly without the experience I have I wouldn't have as much fun.

AS Midnight say - you don't have to get very cold before it destroys the fun part of your adventure.

JD, as for spelling Rainear - we have a lot of creative ways pf spelling in Oregon... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> however everybody knows what I meant to say. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/15/08 06:28 PM

Pika,
Hi Dude,
You old desert horned toad. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I want you to know that I do have the greatest respect for your wisdom. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I wish to grouped with you also. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> although I am not quite as tough as you.

Especially when we leave home and enter the other guys domain, it pays to get local wisdom. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I hope if I ever get to Tucson again that I get to meet you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Besides that I'm a California granite climber and I know the north Cascades are way different. I've hiked up some trails into spots above the north cascades park, but to me its strange territory. Like theoretically how different can the Cascades and the Sierras be? Yet I am completely at home in the Sierras and I don't even know how to travel in the steeper cascades.

So come on. don't be shy, tell us some smart things toth consider before heading into the north Cascades backcountry.

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/16/08 08:56 AM

The first time I visited Washington Cascades, in 1974, I spent three weeks in the region camping. Seeing photos of lots of ice, I brought a mid-weight down jacket with hood, and a sleeping bag with 2-2.5 pounds of (cheap) down.

Lugging all that stuff around was a mistake derived from my lack of experience, that significantly degraded my fun. In roughly 2 dozen return trips, I left that stuff at home.

Summer in Cascades isn't particularly cold as it turns out. On a clear night at 5,000 feet, it might touch freezing at times, but more often not. The summer weather is typically very stable, and dry, although there are exceptions. Weather forecasts are typically very accurate.

Rather than "too general," the list I linked to was specific and detailed. What I actually wrote about was "clothing for torso" which is also highly specific. I don't think I implied that one ought to go barefoot or neglect other body parts.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/16/08 10:58 AM

Quote:
I would never want to debunk the dangers of hypothermia, especially on a public forum that will be read by beginners.

I don't think that anyone has suggested any such thing OregonMouse. What I and others try to point out is that most people have an over-inflated fear of the, so called, wilderness due to post after post (and etc) filled with doom and gloom.

"Lions and snakes and bears .... Oh My!!!" Let's Get Real.

1) The average newbie seldom gets in serious trouble in the first place because they're too scared to venture away from established trails. It's the experienced (actually, it's often true experts) who get themselves in trouble. And often enough it's not due to being underprepared. I know this is all anecdotal and all too general. But if anyone can prove otherwise .... please correct me.
2) The average newbie takes everything but the kitchen sink. Mostly due to all the fear-mongering. Again being underprepared is not an issue.
Note: Lacking an appreciation (ie; adequate knowledge) of the dangers of the "wild and wooly" outdoors is not an issue due to #1 and #2.

So what's the harm in carrying an extra pound of down (for example)? Not much harm, IMO. But a pound of down isn't what happens in the real world. What happens is at least a two pound jacket and pants and heavy boots and gloves and poles and then a larger (ie; heavier) pack and so on, and on and on.

By the time the newbie gets to the trailhead he/she is carrying a 40 pound pack when a 20ish pack would do nicely.

The huge difference in weight comes mostly from being overly exposed to fear-mongering. And the harm includes greater risk of injury and greater fatigue .... which leads to poor decision making! I repeat: Poor decision making .... due to fatigue. And that is (poor decisions) one of the main causes of a large number of injuries and re, IME.

Last but certainly *not* least: The newbie does not enjoy the hike as much as one could and either doesn't venture out again. Or does so sporadically.

Side Issue: I've noticed that a great many experienced hikers would love to see fewer people on the trail, so i'm sure that discouraging newbies might play a part. Albeit a *subconscious* one. But I digress.

Note: Please keep in mind that the term "wilderness" is a misnomer when used to describe the vast majority of hiking folks do. Experienced or otherwise.

Quote:
I just hope, Johndavid, that we won't be reading about you as another casualty in the future.

Do you really believe that a person as experienced as johdavid would find himself unprepared? Doubtful! But I do think he's at high risk .... simply because he is highly experienced and therefore more likely to take chances a newbie wouldn't even dream of.

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/16/08 11:06 AM

Quote:
Its a royal pain writing explicit detailed posts and I know it annoys some people.

My pet peeve on the Net is vaguely stated questions .... and answers.

Quote:
Our society is under a lot of pressure by people selling fear. I am not selling fear

I doubt anyone on this thread is "selling fear." I do think that SAR pros and experts in general are trying to help newbies stay out of trouble by scaring the heck out of them .... inadvertently.

It's an extreme attitude. A paternalistic attitude. And IMO, a harmful attitude.

Quote:
JD, as for spelling Rainear - we have a lot of creative ways pf spelling in Oregon... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> however everybody knows what I meant to say.

Oh Jim ya went and dun it agin! It's Orygun. Everyone knows that!

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/16/08 11:12 AM

Quote:
Rather than "too general," the list I linked to was specific and detailed. What I actually wrote about was "clothing for torso" which is also highly specific. I don't think I implied that one ought to go barefoot or neglect other body parts.

Yes, johndavid i've noticed how you've been misunderstood on this thread. Purposefully!

It's called the Straw Man argument. A common practice on the Net. One which you've been guilty of also. [wicked grin]

What I get from your posts herein is that the dangers are over-hyped and having enough gear is over emphasized. Is that close johndavid?

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/16/08 11:48 AM

Quote:
I doubt anyone on this thread is "selling fear." I do think that SAR pros and experts in general are trying to help newbies stay out of trouble by scaring the heck out of them .... inadvertently.

It's an extreme attitude. A paternalistic attitude. And IMO, a harmful attitude.
Please elaborate, Ronin.

MNS, the SAR volunteer in AK
Posted by: northernbcr

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/16/08 10:27 PM

just read the whole post heres my 2 bits worth it makes me uncomfortable that there are lists of items to bring. when i started my winter camping it was in the yukon cub movement .there were no listed supplies you took what you had slept in the tent and if you were cold you went in the cabin next trip you tried to get better stuff. i guess that i feel if you are using lists you maybe in a little to far allready most of my gear has evolved from trial and error thru the years i have spent much time in a snow cave in my front yard trying gear stoves sleepbags etc. there isn't many people that i would go up in the hills with that just talk about what they read in a book. now talking about cold our valley bottoms run about 1300-2000 ft we have had snow at this hieght in every month of the year our mountains run up to 8000 ft in this area and they do freeze regular if you get hurt lost and do not have extra gear you will not survive, it does throw out the real light weight goals to carry the extra food cloths sleeping bag but it is my opinion that with true bush savvy you will bring the extra stuff and you will go forward with a lighter consciounce and only slightly heavy pack. all that rambeling aside if one does not have the skills needed to use your gear noyhing else matters if you let coldness creep in and get ahold then you may not be able to save yourself if you catch it in time and you have the gear ----- then you stand a chance
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 06:00 AM

Quote:
JD, as for spelling Rainear - we have a lot of creative ways pf spelling in Oregon... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> however everybody knows what I meant to say. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I figured you must be talking about freezing rain with really big wind up there.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 06:13 AM

I remember this one from when I lived in Victoria. Classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz-WuLQz_ns

Such a magnificent place, but often so tragic.
Sometimes a little humour helps us step back now and then.
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 09:03 AM

Backpacking is like driving a car, although much safer. It's very easy. Mostly common sense. If you completely mess-up, or get very unlucky, problems are possible.

On Saturday, I passed an unusually grim accident scene in Pennsylvania, & mostly succeeded in not looking.

What caused the accident? I certainly don't know, and I don't care to know whether somebody in particular was to blame.

Just an unusually bad scene, and obsessing over it isn't useful.

When I used to work for a small newspaper, the editor would always get photos of smashed-up cars and put them on the front page. Perhaps he felt it was in the public interest as a means of educating drivers.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 09:53 AM

Quote:
Please elaborate, Ronin.

MNS, the SAR volunteer in AK


1) My comments were clearly not directed at anyone in particular.
2) I've been reading your posts for years. You are one of the most interesting and informative members on this thread (along w/Jimshaw and Pika).

OK, back to your regularly scheduled rant. In Brief (i'm not kidding, i could write a book on this topic):

Extreme: Because the risk of serious injury requiring rescue is infinitesimally small in comparisn to normal day to day activities. E.g. driving to the trailhead. Because of the "Last Straw Factor." Ie; the total effect of Hyped adverts, sensationalist news and post after post warning of dire consequences.

Paternalistic: Because all the dire warnings aimed at "beginners" imply that they must be protected from themselves. And who better to do the job than some avowed expert? Be it the local SAR who help set rules (e.g. the never ending must have a PLB controversy). Or the local politicians who think they know what's best for all. Or even your next door neighbor who after reading another sad story thinks "... there ought to be a law."

Harmful: Because the "Fear Factor" leads to lessened use of our trail systems. Which causes wholesale decommissioning. Because the FF leads to overly large, heavy packs which incur a greater risk of injury.

Now back to you MNS. Read the following assuming a kindly tone, ok? Good. :-)

The film you were a part of will most likely ignore the fact that hypothermia is seldom a problem leading to serious injury requiring rescue. In addition it will ignore the fact that most injury related rescues are for experienced, properly equipped hikers (if not over-equipped; e.g. the subjects of this thread).

Will it also ignore the fact that hyperthermia is a much, much more likely problem? Will it also ignore the fact that poor decision making due to fatigue is also vastly more likely than hypothermia? And I could go on and on. And often do. Sorry!

MNS, I hope this last comment doesn't hurt your feelings, What the producers do is *no* reflection on you. Based on the vast majority of videos/films i've seen it is likely that the film will be yet another sensationalistic stab at fear mongering.

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 10:54 AM

Quote:
just read the whole post heres my 2 bits worth it makes me uncomfortable that there are lists of items to bring.

I concur. I specially dislike the ubiquitous "Ten Essentials" lists. Or as I call them: The "Non Essentials" lists.

Quote:
there isn't many people that i would go up in the hills with that just talk about what they read in a book.

Did you ever see the Gary Larson comic captioned .... "On the Internet no one knows you're a dog."

We all know that experience is the best teacher. Unfortunately it's the most experienced who are most likely to die out there. IOW: Newbies seldom tackle Denali. And when they do they are so over-equipped they don't get far and end up going home disgusted. Right, MNS?

[/quote]now talking about cold our valley bottoms run about 1300-2000 ft we have had snow at this hieght in every month of the year our mountains run up to 8000 ft in this area and they do freeze regular if you get hurt lost and do not have extra gear you will not survive,[/quote]
Sorry but you missed the points:

1) The subjects of this thread and a large majority of rescue subjects did/do have the proper gear. It's true i'm guessing based on the article describing them as being very experienced.
2) Even you cannot help but spread unreasonable fear by telling folks they'll die if they are poorly prepared. It jist taint nesarily so!

Quote:
it does throw out the real light weight goals

Naaah, not necessarily. LTW "goals" are bogus. Because LTW is mostly subjective. Extremists like Dr. ArrJay need not apply. ;-)

Quote:
if you let coldness creep in and get ahold then you may not be able to save yourself if you catch it in time and you have the gear ----- then you stand a chance

There you go again .... spreading FUD. It would do as well if one said: Improvise, adapt overcome .... because if you don't have it you don't need it. And both POVs would be wrong for most hikers.

Look at it this way:

A large portion of outdoors lovers (for want of a better term) never get far from the campground. Probably because the last time they hiked more than a few miles they were bushed and did not have a good time.

Another large percentage never get farther than five miles, or so, from the trailhead. Probably because they are so burdened w/excess gear. And they don't go out very often because it's a pain (literally) carrying so much excess weight.

Leaving a few, very few, who venture forth. Of those, most are accompanied by at least one experienced hiker. Because newbies think they'll freaking die if they head off by themselves. Hmmm, I wonder how they got that idea. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Which leaves a small number of experienced hikers and a tiny percentage of extremists (the latter is not an insulting comment, unless we're talking about Dr. ArrJay, et al).

It's the last two groups we should be addressing w/dire warnings. Not "beginners." But as we all know they are the ones least likely to take heed.

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 10:56 AM

Quote:
When I used to work for a small newspaper, the editor would always get photos of smashed-up cars and put them on the front page. Perhaps he felt it was in the public interest as a means of educating drivers.

Or because "if it bleeds, it leads?"

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: wandering_daisy

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 11:01 AM

I would like to make a few comments, not all directed specifically at your particular post.

1) I was once a "newbie" and my gear was not based on fear mongering. It was heavy because it was all I could afford! As a teenager, I had to babysit and deliver papers to earn the money. If I had to wait until I earned enough to buy the high-end gear, I would never have started!

I think it is typical when you start any sport, that you buy "entry level" gear and if you then do not continue, no great loss, and if you like the sport, you upgrade and refine based on your personal experiences. I was lucky that I started out in an organized group with good training and dedicated mentors for us beginners - so I was taught what were essentials and what were not. My essential gear was a bit heavy and perhaps a bit overkill, but I did not take lots of extra junk (early on I was told I did not need to bring fresh underware for each day!).

2) I do not think you can separate cause and effect with hypothermia and poor judgement. They have feedback. A little cold-- you think less clearly-- you think less clearly and do not do what is proper to re-warm so you get a little more cold -- and so on. Tragedy happens as the end product of numerous compounding factors (small mistakes and uncontrollable factors) that feed back on each. It is often hard to pinpoint one factor. Even mild hypothermia is a compounding factor in a lot of outdoor accidents.

3) As for backpacking being "safer than driving a car" (not your comment but another poster's comment), it takes a very narrow definition of backpacking to assert this as a fact. In some environments, backpacking is NOT as safe as driving; in some it is. OK - I do 8-10 day off-trail trips, never see anyone, go over Class3 passes, expose myself to quite a bit of objective danger, climb a few mountains on the way -- am I backpacking? Is winter backpacking as safe as driving a car? Is winter a time of year or a set of condtions?

4) Every newbie (and experienced backpacker too) should read statistics on accidents - not as a part of fear mongering but to try to learn a little from others misfortunes. Accidents in North American Mountaineering is on my yearly reading list - I learn something each year I read the new report. I do not think that focusing on safety is fear mongering. Granted, the outdoor industry would have you believe that you must have their latest gizmo in order to survive! But that's advertising. Nobody really believes all that!

5) Any tragedy such as this is really sad. My heart goes out to loved ones who are stuggling with the loss, regardless of the cause.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 11:33 AM

Hi Ronin...

Thanks for your reply.

Just for the sake of explanation, the TV show had to do with animals and how they have adapted to survive in extreme environments. The experiment was to show how humans respond to conditions that animals have no problem dealing with. So, no, there will probably not be any discussion about how hypothermia is just one "abnormal state" condition that can lead to adverse outcomes. Actually, that topic will be covered collectively in other episodes.

With regards to that topic, we regularly discuss hyperthermia here, especially in the summer time (which I realize it is now in most parts of the US, just not here in AK) and how it can be quite deadly quite quickly. Fatigue is something that comes up from time to time as well. If you look back over the past year or two you'll see that we discuss multiple causes of adverse outcomes, though each one may be discussed independently, and often in response to a well publicized event.

As for a paternalistic attitude, I guess we view that differently. The way I view it, those of us who volunteer with SAR organizations are putting our lives on the line when we go out on a search. I feel that those of us who choose to respond to lost and injured hikers and climbers do have a responsibility to ourselves to educate the public as much as we can. Accidents happen, unpreparedness happens, stupidity happens - we go no matter what caused the need. But we do feel better putting ourselves on the line when we've also had opportunities to raise awareness about the things that can and do go wrong out there. We tend to find ourselves most often looking for "inadvertent" hikers - people who make spur of the moment decisions to take a quick hike, get turned around and then end up lost. Up here also most "overdue" hikers aren't lost, just delayed by weather (or wildlife encounters!). Truth be told, we really don't have to do many "rescues" here in the Anchorage area - not of hikers anyway. Most of our "rescues" are hunters, snowmachiners and 4-wheelers who get stuck and have to spend an unprepared night or two out. Different audience, I know. Why might that be? Perhaps because we've done a good job of making sure people are prepared when they take a planned hike.

I personally don't believe in using scare tactics to raise awareness, but perhaps in an effort to be brief and to the point, messages come across as heavy handed. On this forum in particular we have a responsibility to err on the side of overpreparedness for newbies because taking a cavalier approach toward packweight could end up getting someone hurt or worse. The sad fact is that we live in a litigious society, and those who are responsible for the content of this site could conceivably be at risk legally. Even if a lawsuit is frivilous, the site owner is not immune to this risk!

So, the bottom line is that we have to respect that we all bear a certain responsibility toward the site owner (who is a private individual) to make sure that the content of his site is responsibily presented - even if it errs on the side of caution. We can and do have some great discussions about the tradeoffs between weight, comfort and safety. Newbies should understand that lightweight is to be aspired toward, not a starting point. Start heavier, go slower, travel less distance, take notes. As time on the trail and experience increases, decreasing packweight can become a reality. We all have lists, but if everyone here were to put their lists side by side, I'll almost guarantee that each one will have its own personal variations. I believe this may have been one of the points being made - that lists are too individual to be a "safe" place to start for newbies. Perhaps the best approach to dealing with your concerns would be to start a thread in the newbie forum on things that can go wrong in general, and how to recognize and minimize those risks.

Peace,
MNS
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 12:03 PM

Dear MNS; forgive me not thanking you sooner for the selfless work you do. Consider yourself well thanked and well appreciated! :-)

Your reply is as usual, well written, detailed and mostly correct.

Your advice to start a thread is also helpful. I'll think about it. Perhaps in a few days when I have more time.

I do think that the fear of litigation vis-a-vis poor advice on this site is overblown. IANAL but I am quite sure that there is no real likelihood of such an outcome.

Of course it's you're duty to educate the public! I am not adverse to education, as a rule, even when it's poorly balanced. I do take issue w/the constant specter of death which haunts newbies. If not consciously .... as a subconscious affect. Sorry, broken record. ;-)

Thank you once again for being an exemplary member of TLB

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 12:50 PM

Great post WD. Thx. I hope you don't mind how I snip out some content.

FYI: I can't come up w/a good term for describing the many outdoor activities which are performed on foot so w/your indulgence i'll just start referring to hikers whenever I speak contextually.

Quote:
1) I was once a "newbie" and my gear was not based on fear mongering.

For every rule there's an exception. Often the dearth of such exceptions prove the rule. ;-)

Furthermore, very, very few hikers will admit to fear based decisions in this context (and in most others as well).

Finally, there is subconscious affect. Exemplified by the "Ten Essentials." Ie, few will say the TEs are based on fear, much less fear mongering. But it's cumulative whether they realize it or not. For proof look at their gear lists.

Quote:
I was lucky that I started out in an organized group with good training and dedicated mentors for us beginners

Once again making you an exception. As you imply by writing that you were lucky.

Quote:
so I was taught what were essentials and what were not.

At the risk of sounding argumentative .... I would bet that most of those essentials .... weren't essential. ;-)

Quote:
2) I do not think you can separate cause and effect with hypothermia and poor judgement.

Sorry WD, you misunderstood me. I didn't address that specific issue because MNS had already done so, eloquently, and I wanted to point out that hypothermia was a less likely cause of poor decision making .... for the vast majority of people.

Quote:
3) As for backpacking being "safer than driving a car" (not your comment but another poster's comment), it takes a very narrow definition of backpacking to assert this as a fact.

I completely disagree! Within the context of this thread (as i understand it; serious injury rescues and death) there can be no doubt that serious traffic accidents occur w/much more frequency than hiking related serious rescue and/or death incidents.

Quote:
In some environments, backpacking is NOT as safe as driving; in some it is.

Sorry once again but you missed my point: The vast majority of hikers, specially beginners, avoid dangerous environments and/or situations.

Quote:
Is winter backpacking as safe as driving a car? Is winter a time of year or a set of condtions?

Forgive the broken record: Beginners seldom hike in winter conditions. When they do they often are over-prepared. And usually accompanied by an expert. It is that expert who's most likely to get them in trouble (excepting commercially lead hikes).

Quote:
4) Every newbie (and experienced backpacker too) should read statistics on accidents - not as a part of fear mongering but to try to learn a little from others misfortunes.

Please enlighten me. I sincerely would like to know how you came to that conclusion.

I believe that newbies learn nothing of value from the constant onslaught. Except to be over-prepared and i've already addressed that issue.

Quote:
Accidents in North American Mountaineering is on my yearly reading list

Which would help explain why you feel that hiking is often more dangerous than driving a car. Please don't think i'm trying to put words in your mouth. That is what I feel you were saying in general. Because you disagreed w/my opinions in re the nature of the vast majority of serious hiking incidents.

Quote:
I learn something each year I read the new report.

I don't bother. Call me ignorant (it's ok, i am ignorant of much), but I see no value in learning that Joe Smith was taken from us by an avalanche. It only saddens me. Although it certainly does help keep me from hiking in such conditions. JIC you're wondering .... not due to fear. But due to the fact that I detest winter. I don't even want to see snow and ice in my refrigerator. I kid, I kid, but I do hate winter.

Ok, i'm an experienced hiker, but not only have I yet to learn anything of value from an incident report, I defy *anyone* to tell me what they have learned from reading incident reports that they shouldn't have known in the first place due to common sense and a modicum of research.

Of course I exclude winter hiking conditions in general and mountaineering specifically. Because the vast majority of hikers do not risk either. Which brings us back full circle. [sigh]

Quote:
I do not think that focusing on safety is fear mongering.

Good. We agree on something at last!!! ;-)

Quote:
Granted, the outdoor industry would have you believe that you must have their latest gizmo in order to survive! But that's advertising. Nobody really believes all that!

As I pointed out: It's not just the Hyped ads at fault. It's cumulative.

And it's safe to say that most people *do* believe all that. The proof is that the ads continue to run. Nuff said?

Peace

Richard.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 01:58 PM

With regards to reading accident reports...

In my day job I am a safety officer for an air ambulance program. My background is in health and communications, not aviation. Many people in my program have backgrounds in aviation, and I have fantastic pilots with lots and lots of experience. We have an exemplary safety record (has nothing to do with me, the program was already 25 years old before the first official safety officer - me - was hired). One of the reasons that we have such an excellent record is because we all scan the horizon and read accident reports, learn what we can from them, and implement measures to keep us from repeating the same mistakes. Something like 80-90% of all aviation accidents have human factors at the root. Not all accidents are preventable, but many of them are. One of the most dangerous of all human factors is complacency. This is where you can really benefit from reading accident reports. Many accidents are caused by complacency. This, as Ronin points out, is more often the case with more experienced 'hikers' than with inexperienced ones. I agree, and this is a point that gets discussed regularly. People who successfully navigate minefields will gain in their confidence and push their envelope. Each time they have a success at a higher risk level, they become comfortable and push the risk level higher. At some point the risk becomes greater than the individual's ability to navigate, and an accident or 'event' occurs. So, accident reports can be a humble reminder that even the super experienced can get stomped by complacency.

As for fatigue, I will have to find the citation, and that might take me a while, but IIRC, being awake for 18 hours straight is the equivalent of a blood alcohol content of 0.08. Fatigue is a HUGE factor in aviation accidents, and may well be an underappreciated factor in many hiking-related accidents. I know that on Denali, and in mountaineering in general, by far the majority of accidents occur on the descent, not so much because of physical fatigue or terrain, but because of mental fatigue and loss of concentration. Astute readers of this forum will note that we often recommend very modest distances for the first few trips because most people totally underestimate how fatiging it can be to carry even modest loads over unimproved terrain. Perhaps there is not enough emphasis on the reason for this recommendation, and more discussion on the effects of fatigue might be in order. Anyway, point being, fatigue truly is a very real safety issue, and sometimes we push ourselves alot harder than we realize.

MNS

Edit:
17-19 hours awake = BAC of 0.05
22 hours awake = BAC of 0.10
24 hours awake = BAC of 0.19

For most people this is equal to significant cognitive impairment.
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 02:06 PM

ronin


There is a subtle difference between "fear mongering" and suggesting that people be prepared. Beginners DO need to be helped along because by definition they have no experience and do not recognize a potential threat.

Backpacking safer than "normal lives" perhaps. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />Mountain climbing safer than normal life - no. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Hiking on a high PNT mountain unprepared for the very possible cold safer - no. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Mt Rainier is one of the highest northern most mountains in the lower 48. People die there because IT CAN become extreme. Suggesting that there is no reason to be prepared there is extremely naive. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

As for paternalistic. Yes a lot of us older guys and gals have suffered through learning the concepts that you obviously lack. A lot of us are WAY more extreme than you, and FAR more capable of making sound judgement calls than you are, simply because we have actually had to do it and recognize problems. This is the reason that people write in - to learn what they do not already know. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

What I'm saying is this - if you want to go to the local park, stay on the trail, and not do anything beyond that - then yes - you will be very safe. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> BUT if you choose to play with the big dogs, your naive attitude can get you killed or just way uncomfortable. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

If I was a fear monger trying to keep people out of the woods I'd tell you that bigfoot wants to have sex with you and you better stay home. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 03:15 PM

I would say midnightsun is more maternalistic, and thank goodness. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I would say JimShaw is paternalistic, in a way cool hip dad kinda way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: ringtail

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 03:42 PM

Quote:
I would say midnightsun is more maternalistic, and thank goodness. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


MNS is maternalistic in an Angelina Jolie kind of way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Quote:
I would say JimShaw is paternalistic, in a way cool hip dad kinda way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


Jim is more like Crazy Uncle Jim. I had a Crazy Uncle Wes that when I insisted on doing stupid stuff told me how to survive the experience. I miss Crazy Uncle Wes, but for him I might not have made it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 03:51 PM

Oh my! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

LOL - somehow I think AJ would kick my butt. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> And I'd need a little collagen to match her lips.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 04:06 PM

My Mom said I could...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxp3-kR3b_4
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 04:16 PM

Jim: What value in comparing yourself with people you've never met and don't know at all?

Personally I often find the most difficult thing about backpacking is tolerating the boredom and monotony. In some ways, the more experience, the harder it gets.

Ronin: Well put stuff.

Years ago when I used to frequent Mt. Washington (NH) during the winters, we could always count on encountering some total stranger or other hanging about the lodge, yaking rather presumptiously about how we'd probably all die, and we just didn't know this and that & etc.

It was amazingly predictable and unhelpful.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 04:36 PM

Careful now. If you live long enough you might end up being that guy yakking.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 04:37 PM

The correct spelling IS yakking, or yacking, by the way.
Yaking is something done with a paddle.
Posted by: midnightsun03

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 04:47 PM

You mean yaking is not the act of impersonating a yak?
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 05:09 PM

Quote:
You mean yaking is not the act of impersonating a yak?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/art/dict/yak.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQbsYc9pxmk
Posted by: wandering_daisy

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 05:38 PM

I would suspect that you do not "hike" stark naked and barefoot. If you do let me know where! I would love to see this. When you say nothing is essential, this is what you imply.

I was not referring to any specific "ten essentials". Essentials like appropriate shoes. Like shelter (and that may only be a poncho), appropriate to the conditions. Like a means to carry water. (you may think you are tough, but break a leg with no water and you may do a bit better if you had some extra with you). Like a few first aid supplies (that may only be a bandana), Like sun protection if you are in hot locations. Like a map or some means of knowing where you are. Like enough extra clothing to survive probable weather conditions. I do not feel my megar list of "essentials" weight me down. With years of experience, everyone ends up with a pretty good idea of what is essential. Beginers do not have that history of experience. There is nothing wrong with them starting out with a little overkill and with experience specific to their situation, adjust.

I find your "observations" of fellow backpackers arrogant. A few years back an "elite" athlete trail runner made it to the top of Clouds Rest (in Yosemite) behind my "over-supplied" group. She and her mate was able to do this because WE had the boots needed to posthole miles through the unexpected soft snow. In only her scanty nylon shorts, she got to the top and collapsed with a horrific nose bleed. It was windy and cold. The jacket we loaned her kept her moderatly warm until she got the bleeding under control. A sip from our water supply revived her. Off she and her partner went, feeling quite superior to us poor slobs. Man, were we stupid to carry our "essentials"!

If you gain no wisdom from reading accident reports, that certainly is YOUR loss. I pity you. I spent 10 years in coal mining. We had intensive safety training (fear mongering, as you call it). I learned stuff that I still use today, applicable to home safety, industrial and even recreational. A lot about "attitude" and how it impacts safety. A lot about accident prevention.

As for the relative safety of "hiking" vs driving - tell that to a number of friends I knew who are now dead or permanantly disabled. I know more people who met their end in outdoor accidents than car accidents. It is not the total number of car accidents rather, the rate of accidents per person-hour engaged in the activity. Yeh, I do hang out with climbers - perhaps a bit more "risky" than just hiking.

Anyway, I am not going to waste my efforts with any more posts. Let the defense rest.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 05:46 PM

The exception that proves the rule...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=madoDvtKEes
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 06:09 PM

JD
I really do not compare myself to you, or to anybody else for that matter. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> If my wisdom does not speak for its self, then look elsewhere for it. I try to deliver on factual "been there" information where I have it, otherwise I stay out of the fray. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I can give explicit instructions that will work if followed. That's not an opinion - that's testable - its real. Maybe that's the point . People have learned to trust me when I offer detailed information, and because I err on the side of safety.

So thats the polite version JD. Everybody knows that I don't run from a fight. I think this entire mini thread we have going on is a waste of your time and mine of a lot of other peoples, who wonder why you don't just admit that you made a couple of stupid posts and some reactionary posts and that you should cool it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I don't wish you ill. I just never read threads that you start. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: northernbcr

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 06:23 PM

ronin my intention was not to spread fud but to tell the truth all my point was to say ,that the one post seemed to suggest going to an area 10000 ft without enough backup clothing in my opinion. my fearmongering is not that ,you could not tell a new driver that it is not dangerous on the roads. as you said many people end up in trouble even with the proper gear the point i was trying to make at the end of my post is that you must be very knowledgeable in order to keep your self warm and not to let the cold creep in and stay aware of your personal condition as it is very easy to miss the initial signs and maybe your only chance. cold weather camping is very beautiful but does come with it,s own dangers that is reality.no you may not nessacerily die if you are poorly prepaired but who wants to take that risk. knowledge is knowing when you are getting into trouble being properly prepared for it and utilizing what ever you have or can use to remove yourself froms harms way.
Posted by: JAK

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 06:38 PM

I think we would all be better off if we all just
kicked back for awhile, contemplated life, and read some more of my poetry.
I mean, how much better does it need to get eh? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: johndavid

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 07:17 PM

Okay jim.
Nice quote:
" A lot of us are WAY more extreme than you, and FAR more capable of making sound judgement (sic) calls than you are, simply because we have actually had to do it and recognize problems."

I can really see what you mean about your experience. I'll just shut up and listen.

Hey where's the guy who posted his entire hiking resume here? That was really cool...
Posted by: TomD

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/17/08 10:50 PM

Just a reminder- let's keep this conversation civil. I've gotten one complaint already. I would prefer not to get another.
Posted by: ronin

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/18/08 07:07 AM

Quote:
Just a reminder- let's keep this conversation civil. I've gotten one complaint already. I would prefer not to get another.


Hear, hear. There's no need for ad hominem attacks.

I'm off for outpatient surgery in an hour. I'll be out of it for a while. But ....

"i'll be back."

Peace,

Richard.
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Exposure death on Mt Rainear - 06/18/08 05:42 PM

Hi JohnDavid.
Ok I hope we can be friends now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I do want to hear about your good times. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> We all come here for fun and to share something that we are passionate about, lets be constructive. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Frankly we hear very little about "easy campin", its always something extreme that seems interesting. If you are in a "gentle camping zone" thats a valid place to be. I kinda wish I cold go on an easy relatively flat BP where it stayed warm enough at night skip a sleeping bag. I'm sure there certain things that you want to avoid there - nettles, poisonous plant etc, that you can make us aware of. So when we travel east we aren't caught by unexpected bummers.<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />