HikeArizona.COM

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."

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

Hoffmaster wrote:

Jeff MacE wrote: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.

Jeff MacE wrote: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...

dshillis wrote:

Jeff MacE wrote: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?

dshillis wrote:Where is the acceptance of personal responsibility in these things?

chumley wrote:

dshillis wrote:Where is the acceptance of personal responsibility in these things?

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

Jeff MacE wrote:

chumley wrote:

dshillis wrote: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...

osto4240 wrote: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.

osto4240 wrote: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.