I love it when the New York Times addresses critical hiking issues (so rarely it’s actually news around these parts). The issue: a guy hiking in the Grand Canyon ended up dead a couple days after backpackers tried to help him out but he declined to follow their advice to try getting some water out of the Colorado River.
The hotter the climate, the more hairy the decision gets. Do you put yourself at risk to help somebody who’s in worse shape? Do you do nothing and hope for the best?
“If giving up water would endanger myself to the point that I would also become a heat casualty, I would not share,” Mr. Sucher said. “Rather, I would search for help before one unfortunate hiker turned into two.”
This kind of situation has happened before. Shannan D. Marcak, a spokeswoman at the Grand Canyon National Park, said park veterans recalled at least one case in which someone died “trying to provide more help than they could physically afford to provide.”
How about it, hikers: What would you do?
I believe in hiking adequately prepared, which means carrying more water than I’m likely to need, or carrying some way of filtering water if there are available water sources along the trail
I would (and have) given that reserve to ill-prepared hikers.
I agree with with the quote in your post – I don’t think it would help anyone to put myself in jeopardy, though circumstances would always color my decision.
This is an interesting post. I’ll have to check out the rest of your blog – thanks!
I think it brings to light the effect our own foolhardy mistakes can have on others. Those who take risks put everyone in danger from fellow hikers to strangers to search and rescue.
It also shows the importance of preparedness. Bring extra water for yourself if you’re in hot weather. It’ll lower the chance that you will end up like the poor person in the above account. Also, with extra water, if there is a need, you might be able to afford to help the other person too.
What more can you do? If someone chooses not to take good advice and isn’t prepared, they don’t value their own life!
Here’s a question: would you carry extra water on a Grand Canyon hike, knowing people’s propensity to take on more than they can handle, especially when they’re unaccustomed to being out in the extreme heat?
I probably would bring extra if I had room. It would haunt me to know if someone needed my help and I could not help them. I tend to worry when it comes to others. Same thing happens when I am at the beach. I can tell who is not a strong swimmer and who has potential to get stuck in that rip current over there. I am always thinking, “Who am I going to have to save?” even though it has never happened. BUT it could. Anyways, super discussion.
I’d make them dance for it.
I feel obligated to share to the extent of giving my safety margin if it will make a difference. Don’t know if I would give to someone starting into the desert if they could get water by turning around.
We have been on the receiving end on the PCT. One day in the desert, I had miscalculated the miles, and ran dry about five miles short. A pint from a hiker with extra made a huge difference.
For me it depends on the circumstances. I would always help someone who was in trouble if I had the means to do so. I usually carry more water than I think I will need, or carry a filter. If I thought I could do without some of mine, or could provide other advice, or assistance, I would always do so. On the other hand, I would not put myself or others in my party in danger by sacrificing to the point of having more people in danger.
The link provided is asking me for a password, so I cannot read the article, but it sounds curious that the person declined advice to use available natural water, which would be an obvious solution. Maybe the person thought it was unsafe, or was delirious from heat stroke or exhaustion. That would make it more complicated. How do you convince someone who is not rational to do what you suggest? How would you properly recognize that situation?
One of the things I’ve learned over time is that a dead rescuer is of no value to anyone. You’ll see this demonstrated in First Aid/CPR courses – the first step they’ll teach you is to ensure your safety, THEN proceed to help. Point being: Help if you’re able to do without putting yourself in harms way.
If I were in this situation, I’d help as much as I could without risking my own health and safety. That said, I understand that the victim refused to try and get water from the Colorado River. Now, he might have had a good reason and I hate to be hard hearted, but at that stage, it’s time for AMF YOYO (Adios MF, You’re On Your Own).