Death on Camelback

[chumley]

Seems this happens all too often. My only question is if he was hiking with his wife, where was she, and why did another hiker first notice that he wasn't breathing...?

Hiker dies on Camelback Mountain
by Erin Norris - Dec. 11, 2008 04:26 PM
The Arizona Republic
An afternoon hike on Camelback Mountain turned deadly for one hiker Thursday, officials said.

The man, who was believed to be in his 50s, was hiking with his wife when he passed out about ¼ mile from the top of the Echo Canyon trail, Phoenix fire spokesman Mark Faulkner said.

Another hiker noticed the man was not breathing and performed CPR while a bystander called 911, Faulkner said.

A helicopter was sent to the scene as well as a rescue team on foot, he said.

Paramedics continued to attempt to resuscitate the man while they coordinated with his physician over the phone, he said.

The man's condition did not change and he was declared dead on scene, Faulkner said. His cause of death is unknown.

At 3:30 p.m., the man's body was still on the mountain.

Faulkner said he did not know if fitness or lack of preparation was a factor in the man's death. However, he did stress the importance of being prepared.

"At this time of year lots of people go up the mountain and it's important they bring the proper gear," Faulkner said. "These mountains, although they may not look very steep, they are very strenuous."

[PaleoRob]

Just saw on the news that the lady who last spoke to him before he collapsed wants more signage warning about the trail being steep, etc.

[Jeffshadows]

Let the barrage of disagreement ensure, but I couldn't be more against something like that. People should know their own individual limits or just plain stay home on the sofa if they can't calculate them fr themselves...

[Hoffmaster]

People should know their own individual limits or just plain stay home on the sofa if they can't calculate them fr themselves...

It sounds like this wasn't the case for the gentleman that passed away. Generally speaking though, I couldn't agree with you more.

[Jeffshadows]

People should know their own individual limits or just plain stay home on the sofa if they can't calculate them fr themselves...

It sounds like this wasn't the case for the gentleman that passed away. Generally speaking though, I couldn't agree with you more.

Yea, it's tough to know what happened to him or if he was experiencing any signs/symptoms that would cause a person to question whether or not they should continue or even seek immediate help...

[azdesertfather]

Let the barrage of disagreement ensure, but I couldn't be more against something like that. People should know their own individual limits or just plain stay home on the sofa if they can't calculate them fr themselves...

So then someone is assigned to start posting signs, and when someone dies on one of the thousands of areas on public land where there ISN'T a sign, that family sues saying there should have been a sign there too. Where is the acceptance of personal responsibility in these things?

[Jeffshadows]

Let the barrage of disagreement ensure, but I couldn't be more against something like that. People should know their own individual limits or just plain stay home on the sofa if they can't calculate them fr themselves...

So then someone is assigned to start posting signs, and when someone dies on one of the thousands of areas on public land where there ISN'T a sign, that family sues saying there should have been a sign there too. Where is the acceptance of personal responsibility in these things?

I think we're in agreement.

[chumley]

Where is the acceptance of personal responsibility in these things?

A familiar theme is developing across threads I think...?

[Jeffshadows]

Where is the acceptance of personal responsibility in these things?

A familiar theme is developing across threads I think...?

Yea, I noticed that, too. It's a theme that's probably at the heart of a lot of things weighing on the human condition...

[azdesertfather]

Where is the acceptance of personal responsibility in these things?

A familiar theme is developing across threads I think...?

Yea, I noticed that, too. It's a theme that's probably at the heart of a lot of things weighing on the human condition...

you got it...

[osto4240]

I am the hiker's Brother-in-Law and I appreciate the positive(and somewhat poignant) comments on this string. However, I would like to make a comment on Mr. Chumley's assumption that the wife (my sister) was not around. She was there. She watched her husband die. Have some compassion. Here are the facts: Andre (the hiker) was in excellent condition, in fact, he had just had a physical and a heart stress test. Both tests came back that he was in great shape; low cholesteral, normal BP, low heart rate. The only risk factor was his age. Andre has hiked many mountain trails, canyons, was an avid skier, and walked up to 6 miles per day...everyday. So before you make assumptions that the wife wasn't there to help or that he was an overweight smoker that had no business hiking...think again. Andre was my brother-in-law and a best friend. My sister, her children and I are very close. I just hope that something this sudden, this uncontrollable and this unbelievable doesn't happen to you or yours, Mr. Chumley. Your arrogance and lack of compassion is astounding to me.

[big_load]

Thanks for the update. Not every death is preventable, and this one seems to belong in that category.

[Jeffshadows]

I am the hiker's Brother-in-Law and I appreciate the positive(and somewhat poignant) comments on this string. However, I would like to make a comment on Mr. Chumley's assumption that the wife (my sister) was not around. She was there. She watched her husband die. Have some compassion. Here are the facts: Andre (the hiker) was in excellent condition, in fact, he had just had a physical and a heart stress test. Both tests came back that he was in great shape; low cholesteral, normal BP, low heart rate. The only risk factor was his age. Andre has hiked many mountain trails, canyons, was an avid skier, and walked up to 6 miles per day...everyday. So before you make assumptions that the wife wasn't there to help or that he was an overweight smoker that had no business hiking...think again. Andre was my brother-in-law and a best friend. My sister, her children and I are very close. I just hope that something this sudden, this uncontrollable and this unbelievable doesn't happen to you or yours, Mr. Chumley. Your arrogance and lack of compassion is astounding to me.

Thank you for your post. I doubt anyone meant any direct offense to you or your family. Enthusiasts like us want to analyze situations like these to see if there were factors that could have prevented the occurrence that we can learn from...nothing more. When someone falls and breaks a bone, that could happen to anyone. When someone suffers sudden cardiac symptoms, there is an underlying cause. It sounds to me like we still don't know what that cause was. I think a lot of the replies were aimed at the "let's put a steep trail warning sign" up there rather than what happened to the victim himself.

[chumley]

I am the hiker's Brother-in-Law and I appreciate the positive(and somewhat poignant) comments on this string. However, I would like to make a comment on Mr. Chumley's assumption that the wife (my sister) was not around. She was there. She watched her husband die. Have some compassion. Here are the facts: Andre (the hiker) was in excellent condition, in fact, he had just had a physical and a heart stress test. Both tests came back that he was in great shape; low cholesteral, normal BP, low heart rate. The only risk factor was his age. Andre has hiked many mountain trails, canyons, was an avid skier, and walked up to 6 miles per day...everyday. So before you make assumptions that the wife wasn't there to help or that he was an overweight smoker that had no business hiking...think again. Andre was my brother-in-law and a best friend. My sister, her children and I are very close. I just hope that something this sudden, this uncontrollable and this unbelievable doesn't happen to you or yours, Mr. Chumley. Your arrogance and lack of compassion is astounding to me.

I too am sorry for your loss. I don't believe that anyone can prepare for the grief which accompanies the loss of a loved one and I can only imagine the anguish your sister must have felt in that situation.

My comment in the original posting of this thread was in reaction to the wording in the article which stated that "another man noticed that he was not breathing" -- something which I interpreted to mean that his hiking partner was either unaware of what was happening or not accompanying him at the time. You have clarified what was a poorly worded report and I acknowledge I was incorrect to make the assumption I made. I offer my most sincere apology and wish you and your family peace and strength as you navigate this difficult time.

[osto4240]

Thank you for your apology and clarification.

[desert spirit]

I too am very sorry to hear of your terrible loss and extend my most heartfelt condolences.

I know it matters little what I might have to say, but you can take heart that your brother-in-law passed while doing something he evidently loved.

God bless you and your family at this sorrowful time.

[azdesertfather]

Looks like unfortunately we've lost someone else on Camelback yesterday (Sunday)...a man in his 40s, cardiac arrest probably. AZcentral said he "suffered some type of cardiac emergency." Two people unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate him...

Perhaps the more telling story is that Phoenix firefighters responded to at least 7 hiker rescue calls during that day alone, including two at Camelback Mountain...

[mttgilbert]

Any news about the other 5 rescues? I heard there were 7 but the only one that I've seen any info on was the camelbak. Morbid curiosity I guess...

[chumley]

Can't find a link to read, but I heard on the radio that the 7 rescues included Pinnacle Peak and Piestewa.

[JimmyLyding]

Don't remember reading anything about Pinnacle Peak, but there was something on South Mountain

[Jeffshadows]

This is the time of year for the SAR caseload to increase. The weather is still relatively mild which packs the trails with folks who have been couch-sitting since last autumn. The weatherman predicts 89F and it suddenly goes to 95F and zero wind and the rest is history...