My feelings exactly; just the other day while I was hiking a local trail, I thought to myself, "if the Lord's going to take me let it be amongst the things I love", for no apparent reason....then this? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I, for one would hate to be taken ina car, plane or any other kind of 'manmade' wreck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> It's probably why I despise society so much, I fear being taken by an imbissile talking on a cell phone speeding through a stop sign <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

After pondering this last night i thought the gentleman could have persihed simply from exposure, hypothermia; because he was found lying on top of his sleeping bag. This would indicate to me someone who was confused, or suffering sweats, and got out of his bag thinking it would help, the delusional part of hypothermia. You'd have to have been around someone that's had hypothermia to understand what I'm pointing out here. The confusion that 'sets in' to their minds is surreal to say the least to those who are cognizant. This is one of the greatest dangers IMO when backpacking solo, there is no one to watch and alert you to the symptoms of hypothermia, save yourself. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Other causes might have been heart related, ie stress, after having such a sedentary job as computer guy. All the physicalness of the trail could easily take a toll on someone not conditioned. An allergic reaction to something he ate or bite of some type.

Yes, it is very disturbing to normal people when they come upon a deceased person. Even those of us who've worked in emergency services of one type or another, or military, are still unnerved by the sight.