a sad story

Posted by: tarbubble

a sad story - 06/10/08 04:16 PM

that could happen to any of us (despite our age).

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hiker11-2008jun11,0,5480765.story
Posted by: tchiker

Re: a sad story - 06/10/08 05:14 PM

well of course anyone can die of a heart attack anywhere....in a crowded shopping mall or in the backcountry.

The other guy seemed like he fell and was injured...but if he would have just thrown his sleeping bag in his backpack, it sounds like he would have survived. So it sounds like that was a big mistake but perhaps he wasn't thinking clearly at the time.

But yes a sad story and hate to hear of any hikers dying while doing what they love. An 18 y/o girl fell to her death at Mount Yonah in GA over the weekend as well...too bad.
Posted by: malsal

Re: a sad story - 06/11/08 04:40 AM

I feel very sorry for the families of these to men.
But this is a good reason for having a contingency plan in the case of such an event.
I live in Australia so have no idea of the area they were in ,but they should have agreed on what they would do in the case of an emergency especially at their ages and level of experience. You can accept someone of this age having a heart attack and possible death but for your buddy to share the same fate, through lack of planning is not good.
My 2 mates and I do quite a bit of deer hunting during the winter in cold mountainous country. We have agreed if something were to happen to one of us we would not attempt to walk out late in the day. We believe it would be better to stay together try the radio etc and leave at day light, you will have a lot going through your head to start with and its best to have everything in your favour if there is an emergency.
Posted by: lv2fsh

Re: a sad story - 06/11/08 09:59 PM

Very sad ! But at least they went with their boots on. Beats sitting around waiting to die. I hope to be on of those "elderly" guys still out doing it. I know their families would be the first to hope that some one could learn from their experience. My wife has an artificial heart valve and a pacemaker along with some other medical issues. I am always thinking about what I would do. I really think about what she would do if I needed help. As for a real heart attack, I've seen people die that were talking to me as they were getting on the ambulance without help, who passed on the way to the hospital. If it's your time, it's your time. Also in law enforcement we have a saying that applies anywhere; "you can't help anyone if you don't get there". Slow down, think about your own safety and options and then act.
Posted by: finallyME

Re: a sad story - 06/16/08 06:53 AM

I don't think that dying while doing something you love is such a bad thing. When I die, I think I would like it to be in the mountains. 70 is still young, but if I am over 100, then I am just going to stay in the woods to better my chances of dying there. It might make it easier for me to commune with my creator before I permanently commune with my creator.
Posted by: wandering_daisy

Re: a sad story - 06/16/08 10:27 AM

You are absolutly right! You need to have a plan and be realistic about what you can actually do in this kind of emergency. Emotions take over if you have not given this some thought before the fact. These are the kind of things they teach you in a Wilderness First Responder course. In now way should you jepordize your own safety to "save" an accident victim. The hard truth is that if you have an medical emergency in the back-country, those who need true EMT specialized type care probably will die anyway whether you run out at night or wait until daylight.
Posted by: JAK

Re: a sad story - 06/17/08 07:22 AM

This story got me thinking about old age and denial. I think it is built in, our capacity for denial. When we are very young we deny that we will ever grow old. As we grow older, we gradually accept it, but we still have this great capacity for denial, perhaps even greater than when we are young, which allows us to live each day to its fullest, at least on our good days. I've been wondering about climate change lately and our capacity for denial. Some of the most sensible caring people I know are great deniers, and they're not even whatever it is you call them down here, you know, oil and gas types. I guess living wisely always strikes a balance between living and wisdom, must always include some degree of denial. You gotta sleep at night, but you also gotta get up each day.

The answer has to do with sharing, I think.
They say its a five year old skill. Still working on it.
Here is a poem I wrote this spring. I'll share that. : )


dawn

o timeless circle
of exploding gas and fire
consuming one self

awaken, rise up
from sleep and in hope and prayer
break dawn, live, share light

Posted by: JAK

Re: a sad story - 06/17/08 07:34 AM

Another one people might like...
Gotta finish this thesis so I can get back out in the woods like these gentlemen.

Frog Moon So Full

Frog Moon So Full, yet where lays thou true love?
yon dewy fields the young crickets still dreaming,
deep in the woods stone cold hunters keep hunting,
while o'er cold seas thine old poet still scheming
of past distant hills where lone nightingales sing.

Honey So Ripe, yet what stirs thou sweet love?
down by the stream one last beaver still working,
choke cherries blossum, the river now falling,
while down lonely roads this old runner keeps running
past rustic farms where fresh fields wait for Spring.
Posted by: JAK

Re: a sad story - 06/17/08 07:41 AM

This other one too I suppose, more of a love poem I guess,
but perhaps for all who never wish to stop sharing thoughts.


Imaginations

While my hope was still breathing
I dug deep into your fragrant earth.
I felt your rare earth pull, like magnetism
drawing pretense from my wounded self.

While my hope was still breathing
You let your petals brush my brambles.
You left my figments down there dancing,
with your tiniest angels, like imaginations,
only love sets free.
Posted by: JAK

October wish I'd had told her - 06/17/08 05:17 PM

October wish I'd told her

October, wish I'd told her
Before like leaves her eyes gave way;
November, thoughts once so tender,
Now beneath cold ground put away.
December, thought I saw her,
Felt her light but could not believe;
January starts without me,
Heart lies awake but cannot heave.

February, what's that that stirs me,
What warms my face in this frosted sun;
March, wind passing through larch,
Bringing word a new Spring has come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUkL5YQJfEo
Posted by: Earthling

Re: October wish I had told her - 06/18/08 01:43 PM

I just pray that I AM in the woods camping, backpacking or hiking when i go. hate to be mowing the lawn, moving the dresser downstairs, hit by an unlicensed moronic driver (like the one I saw stop at a RED light, then proceed across a major 2 lane hwy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> the other day in a blinding thunderstorm!!). No, I'd rather be out in the wilds appreciating what God made for us to enjoy before there were taxes and death <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />