rayra
Expedition Leader
Issues brought up in a recent topic wherein a member planned (plans?) a solo vehicle trip, family of 6 (4 daughters) on the Mojave Road in summer.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-explorer-upgrades-for-mojave-road-and-others
And this fresh tragedy illustrating how easily things can go terribly wrong -
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Arizona man and grandson die of exposure/dehydration on day hike
An Arizona science teacher and his 12-year-old grandson were found dead after they went hiking in hot temperatures on an historic desert trail southwest of Phoenix, and the boy's efforts to save them failed, authorities said on Thursday.
The bodies of Thomas Gillespie, 63, and Robert Miller, 12, were found on Wednesday night by deputies near the small town of Gila Bend, said Officer Chris Hegstrom, spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Miller was found about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, while Gillespie's body was some four miles further on.
"We believe that he left his grandfather to seek help and that's when he succumbed to the elements," Hegstrom said. "This is just a horrible thing."
Authorities believe Gillespie, who taught science at a high school for teenage parents in Tucson for the last 23 years, died from a medical emergency or from heat exposure, with temperatures in the area surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius) at the time.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/09/us-usa-arizona-hikers-idUSKCN0PJ2P120150709
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You want a fun adventure for your family. But it's your duty to prepare for emergencies. To take some reasonable steps to ensure your family's safety and health. So be aware of whatever conditions you are traveling in and into. You've GOT to have water. You're dead in a very short while without it, particularly in harsh desert conditions. Get some info on best hydration practices and desert survival. TEACH IT TO EVERYONE IN YOUR FAMILY. Bring the gear that makes it possible. Make that gear your top priority, ahead of comfort items.
These kinds of tragedies happen often and needlessly. Tale after tale of a 'shortcut' drive gone wrong, disoriented elders, clueless drivers, a family seeking a shortcut over a coastal range in winter (that one was particularly egregious, guy was a tech news geek and didn't have a damned GPS). People dead for a lack of preparedness for local / seasonal conditions, a moment's inattention and 2-3 bad decisions. Dead when they could have easily survived with little inconvenience. Be smarter.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-explorer-upgrades-for-mojave-road-and-others
And this fresh tragedy illustrating how easily things can go terribly wrong -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona man and grandson die of exposure/dehydration on day hike
An Arizona science teacher and his 12-year-old grandson were found dead after they went hiking in hot temperatures on an historic desert trail southwest of Phoenix, and the boy's efforts to save them failed, authorities said on Thursday.
The bodies of Thomas Gillespie, 63, and Robert Miller, 12, were found on Wednesday night by deputies near the small town of Gila Bend, said Officer Chris Hegstrom, spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Miller was found about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, while Gillespie's body was some four miles further on.
"We believe that he left his grandfather to seek help and that's when he succumbed to the elements," Hegstrom said. "This is just a horrible thing."
Authorities believe Gillespie, who taught science at a high school for teenage parents in Tucson for the last 23 years, died from a medical emergency or from heat exposure, with temperatures in the area surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius) at the time.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/09/us-usa-arizona-hikers-idUSKCN0PJ2P120150709
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You want a fun adventure for your family. But it's your duty to prepare for emergencies. To take some reasonable steps to ensure your family's safety and health. So be aware of whatever conditions you are traveling in and into. You've GOT to have water. You're dead in a very short while without it, particularly in harsh desert conditions. Get some info on best hydration practices and desert survival. TEACH IT TO EVERYONE IN YOUR FAMILY. Bring the gear that makes it possible. Make that gear your top priority, ahead of comfort items.
These kinds of tragedies happen often and needlessly. Tale after tale of a 'shortcut' drive gone wrong, disoriented elders, clueless drivers, a family seeking a shortcut over a coastal range in winter (that one was particularly egregious, guy was a tech news geek and didn't have a damned GPS). People dead for a lack of preparedness for local / seasonal conditions, a moment's inattention and 2-3 bad decisions. Dead when they could have easily survived with little inconvenience. Be smarter.
