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."

[azdesertfather]

Oh boy. It always bums me out when I hear about these things. I started to make some comment about people hiking beyond their abilities, but relatives told KTAR that he was in excellent physical condition and an avid hiker. ABC 15 has a video on their site, they say he was a 59-year-old man, and the couple were out-of-staters.

Several hikers, including one who was a nurse, tried to do CPR on the man while emergency crews were helicoptered to the top and coming up from the bottom, but it was too late. Maybe it was a quick heart attack, we still don't know yet.

I don't know...what do you guys think? Maybe that's the way to go, if you had the ability to get your wish...quick, sudden...on the trail (although it would need to be a better one than Camelback for the grand finale in my book...)

[big_load]

It sounds like maybe his number was up. Camelback was my first AZ hike quite a few years back. My in-laws told me I was risking my life, since countless people died every year due to the terrible risk involved. They've long since got used to me heading off alone into the desert for a week at a time.

[Jeffshadows]

Oh boy. It always bums me out when I hear about these things. I started to make some comment about people hiking beyond their abilities, but relatives told KTAR that he was in excellent physical condition and an avid hiker. ABC 15 has a video on their site, they say he was a 59-year-old man, and the couple were out-of-staters.

Several hikers, including one who was a nurse, tried to do CPR on the man while emergency crews were helicoptered to the top and coming up from the bottom, but it was too late. Maybe it was a quick heart attack, we still don't know yet.

I don't know...what do you guys think? Maybe that's the way to go, if you had the ability to get your wish...quick, sudden...on the trail (although it would need to be a better one that Camelback for the grand finale in my book...)

Sounds like a situation where a defibrillator would have been his only chance. What a shame..

[SuperstitionGuy]

Oh boy. I don't know...what do you guys think? Maybe that's the way to go, if you had the ability to get your wish...quick, sudden...on the trail .......)

It's called the "long walk". When an old ageing indian would decide to no longer be a drag on his family, he or she would take the "long walk" with the intent of never returning. The problem is when your to old to travel far you just create a problem for those looking for you.

Sometimes in SAR the missing person is missing on purpose and often times has commited sucide as well. Not so nice for the SAR folks who have to locate, package and cart the remains back to civilization. Especially in the middle of summer :yuck: !

However, if I had the strength and opportunity, I have a few places in mind to travel to and it wouldn't be a busy trail or very public place. Rather some unknown untraveled peak or ridgeline with a good view where my remains will not be distrubed by a fast team of HAZ bushwhackers wearing yellow bandanas!

[chumley]

I've encountered a man's grave on just such a ridgeline near Aztec Peak with a stunning view eastward of the White Mountains. I found it odd that this marked site was there, but also recalled that it wouldn't be such a horrible spot to end up.

[Sredfield]

<snip>I don't know...what do you guys think? Maybe that's the way to go, if you had the ability to get your wish...quick, sudden...on the trail (although it would need to be a better one that Camelback for the grand finale in my book...)

I think I vote for quick, instead of years in a demented state with a minimum-wage staff person changing my diapers. (And I bet I can count on his or her vote as well.) I have my spot picked out, if only fate would cooperate. It's a far ways from Camelback Mtn.

[Al_HikesAZ]

It's called the "long walk".

Probably strange for this desert dog, but I look for "Fair Winds and Following Seas"

[PaleoRob]

[ I have my spot picked out, if only fate would cooperate. It's a far ways from Camelback Mtn.

As do I, and it is nowhere near Phoenix as well.

[desert spirit]

I have my spot picked out, if only fate would cooperate.

As do I, and it is nowhere near Phoenix as well.

Are you guys saying what I think you're saying?

[joebartels]

Choosey is modern mindset. South Mountain (or countless other desert habitats) was good enough for the natives and it's good enough for me. It would have been an honor to finalize at a gem like Camelback.

[azbackpackr]

I don't think about it much. I'm 55, have pretty good genetics, and possibly 40 more years left. And no, I don't want to die out there on the cold ground, therefore requiring a bunch of redneck Sheriff's Posse types to remove my carcass, which you know would have to happen eventually. If I have a choice, I'd prefer my dear ones near me. In a bed, in my own house, saying goodbye. Last words duly recorded, etc.

[azdesertfather]

I don't think about it much. I'm 55, have pretty good genetics, and possibly 40 more years left. And no, I don't want to die out there on the cold ground, therefore requiring a bunch of redneck Sheriff's Posse types to remove my carcass, which you know would have to happen eventually. If I have a choice, I'd prefer my dear ones near me. In a bed, in my own house, saying goodbye. Last words duly recorded, etc.

yeah, you had to bring us back to reality I guess!

[SuperstitionGuy]

If I have a choice, I'd prefer my dear ones near me. In a bed, in my own house, saying goodbye. Last words duly recorded, etc.

You mean like saying "I told you I didn't feel well"... :kf:

[chumley]

You mean like saying "I told you I didn't feel well"... :kf:

Which is still better than "I wonder what this button does?"

[PaleoRob]

"This lasagna tastes a bit off..."

[friend of Andre]

Not funny folks. This was my friend. A fit, avid hiker with a family. He had lots of life to live.

[Sun_Ray]

Last week I talked to a long time friend who had a heart attack on a 100 mile bike ride. He is fit and done this many times. The doc told him he could have had a physical in the AM, been given a good bill of health and had plaque break loose causing a heart attack in the afternoon. I'm saying sometimes it's not the hikers fault then this type of thing occurs.

[Vaporman]

Not funny folks. This was my friend. A fit, avid hiker with a family. He had lots of life to live.

Yea, some of them got carried away a bit. :roll:

What kind of preventive stuff can be done to eliminate/dissolve artery plaque build up? I know we need to watch what we eat, but what if I loads of junk food as a kid... Does that make me a ticking time bomb out on the trail?

[JimmyLyding]

I guess the lesson we need to take away from this is that any one of us could meet our maker at any time. I've asked my family to scatter my ashes on top of Mount Lemmon, but hopefully that's a far way off considering I'm 34.
Andre, my condolences to you and your friend's family. I lost my father when he was only 58, and even though he's buried in a casket in the ground, I feel closer to him when I'm on top of a mountain. He helped me cultivate my love for the outdoors, and that's where I feel closest to him