Brainless or what?

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I saw a segment on TV recently about a man that went hiking in the southwest desert. He wasn't a young man, but not really old, either (probably in his 50s). He just took off one morning, didn't tell anyone, didn't take any food or water, and got lost. He was out in the desert for around 10 days, but was rescued by air searchers.

He didn't seem very contrite about getting lost or even seem concerned it may have caused his loved ones anguish, or the trouble and expense his adventure caused. All he said was they he often hiked in the desert, never told anyone his plans or took supplies since he always planned to be back in a few hours, and this was the first time he ever got lost. He survived by just sitting in the shade of a rock outcrop like it was a picnic.

It just seemed to me even an amateur hiker would at least have taken a survival kit.
 

Sounds like he might have some kind of mental issues...no-one in their right mind would go into the desert even for a few hours without water.. , I can't imagine how he survived for 10 days with no water at all...

Do you have a link to this story?
 
debodun said:
I saw a segment on TV recently about a man that went hiking in the southwest desert. He wasn't a young man, but not really old, either (probably in his 50s). He just took off one morning, didn't tell anyone, didn't take any food or water, and got lost. He was out in the desert for around 10 days, but was rescued by air searchers.

He didn't seem very contrite about getting lost or even seem concerned it may have caused his loved ones anguish, or the trouble and expense his adventure caused. All he said was they he often hiked in the desert, never told anyone his plans or took supplies since he always planned to be back in a few hours, and this was the first time he ever got lost. He survived by just sitting in the shade of a rock outcrop like it was a picnic.

It just seemed to me even an amateur hiker would at least have taken a survival kit.
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That sort of thing really annoys me! Recently we have had idiots climbing some of the UK mountains in bad weather, getting into difficulties, and putting the lives of their rescuers in danger!:mad:
 

Bluecheese50 said:
That sort of thing really annoys me! Recently we have had idiots climbing some of the UK mountains in bad weather, getting into difficulties, and putting the lives of their rescuers in danger!:mad:
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Totally agree with you on this. The 2 men who recently died on Glen Coe were apparently skilled climbers. If they were that skilled they would not have risked other peoples lives just proving that they could climb in bad weather. In this instance they were wrong.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-35342323
 
Living where I do, basically in the middle of a desert, I can't see why anyone would just wander out there. In the summer, with our high temps, it would be absolutely suicidal to go out there without lots of water The sun is unforgiving at this altitude, and the rattlesnakes aren't very nice, either.
 
If I go on a hike in the woods, especially alone, I always take some water, knife, lighter, etc. in case something happened. In a desert area, I imagine this is even more crucial.
 
1.Essential items to bring for a day hike:

A charged cell phone
water- amount appropriate for the weather and physical exertion level.
snacks- fruit, jerky, energy bars
Extra piece of clothing(your choice).

2. .Essential items to leave behind for a day hike:

Your hiking/walking plan- name of roads or closest highways.
time of your expected return
your cell phone number
 
tnthomas said:
1.Essential items to bring for a day hike:

A charged cell phone
water- amount appropriate for the weather and physical exertion level.
snacks- fruit, jerky, energy bars
Extra piece of clothing(your choice).

2. .Essential items to leave behind for a day hike:

Your hiking/walking plan- name of roads or closest highways.
time of your expected return
your cell phone number
Click to expand...

Best check that cell, that signal is available. They have not yet managed to circumvent the entire earth, except via satellite, which the great majority of cells in use do not utilize. imp
 
nitelite said:
This desert hiking man lacks common sense as a large number of others do.
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There are an awful lot of people out there who just don't believe bad things can happen to them, until a really bad thing DOES and then sometimes it's too late. Out in the desert here there is NO shade, NO shelter, NO water, and NO other people or any kind of help for miles once you get out a ways. Incredibly stupid to wander out there alone.
 
SeaBreeze said:
If I go on a hike in the woods, especially alone, I always take some water, knife, lighter, etc. in case something happened. In a desert area, I imagine this is even more crucial.
Click to expand...

Me too. Always take water and know how to find it in nature. A power bar or a small bag of nuts doesn't weigh much and can nourish you. A knife has many uses. I always carry a compass too on a wriststrap like a watch so I'll know where I am and a cell phone. Sometimes it will work even in the woods.

This person was ill prepared for sure. He's a glaring example of why people get lost in the woods.
 
I don't even go out in the car without a bottle of water ..summer or winter ..

We live in a small country town of about 3.500 people ,on our way home from Adelaide last week we pulled over for a couple stopped on the side of the road about 10 km from Our small town ...they had broken down it was 40+ C in the shade ..and you guessed it they had no water for the boiling radiator or themselves .

In the hot weather ( it's summer here) I always keep our used 2 ltr empty milk bottles ,I wash them and fill with clean filtered water just in case we break down and have to drink the water However the main reason I use / take the large bottles is to keep cold foods cool after shopping in Adelaide ( 200 km away) .... So the couple were grateful for the nice cold water
 
Maricopa County Sheriff routinely has to fetch people from the desert, often in stuck vehicles. They have some 4x4 SUVs just for that purpose.
 

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