Death on Four Peaks - Glenn Sprock

[Grasshopper]

Just heard on the Channel 5 TV news that there was a hiking fatality today on The Four Peaks.. no details available.

[big_load]

[The_Eagle]

Hiker dies in fall on Four Peaks east of Phoenix

Associated Press - May 8, 2010 7:14 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - A man who fell while climbing in the popular Four Peaks area Saturday morning has died.

Maricopa County sheriff's spokeswoman Deputy Lindsey Smith says the hiker fell while on the distinctive mountain about 40 miles east of Phoenix.

Smith says the unidentified man dies while on the way to a hospital.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Pray tell it's not one of us. Hiking, backpacking and climbing is dangerous but I am surprised there are fewer injuries amongst us considering the number, length and difficulty of the trips you all do. I just came back from taking my 8 and 11 year old grandsons on a search for Jesse as well as a reward for the boys of a long swim up Fish Creek Canyon from the bridge. The boys are fine but I feel like I am about to die....

[Tortoise_Hiker]

Not sure if he is a HAZ Hiker but I heard his name was Glenn Sprock (53). So sorry to hear.

[The_Eagle]

Hiker dies after fall on Four Peaks, east of Valley
Reported by: Deborah Stocks
Email: dstocks@abc15.com
Last Update: 6:20 pm


Slideshow Glenn Sprock at Miner's Peak (Courtesy: Sprock family) PHOENIX -- Authorities say a man has died after he fell while climbing in the Four Peaks area, about 60 miles from downtown Phoenix.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputy Lindsey Smith said crews began searching for 53-year-old Glenn Sprock after he was reported overdue from a hike Saturday morning.

Lake Patrol deputies and search and rescue crews worked to bring Sprock down from the mountain, according to Smith.

Smith said Sprock died while on the way to the hospital.

Sprock's wife, Carol, said that her husband died "doing what he loved best -- hiking and taking pictures."




Family statement
Glenn died today doing what he loved best--hiking and taking pictures.

Each week he plotted a new hike, researching the trails online and in books, waiting impatiently for Saturday when he'd leave before 5 in the morning to drive an hour or more and then hike several miles.

All the while trying to use his camera to capture a glimmer of His Creator's artwork majesty .

His wife called him a desert rat because he couldn't get enough of Arizona's desert and mountain ranges, their landscape a siren song to his heart. For him they were God's canvas and each camera click was an act of worshipping His Lord.

Carol Sprock

[big_load]

53 is way too soon to quit hiking. I'm sorry for his family and friends and I hope he didn't suffer much.

[Hikergirl81]

Don't ever think you are too experienced for accidents... we're human, we make mistakes!
This just happened to a climbing friend I know from PRG.

http://rockclimbing.meetup.com/114/mess ... ad/9053360

Joe is it okay for me to put a link in here? (if not please remove it or let me know and I will)

[gpsjoe]

Much regret about this young man's passing. It would be helpful to have some details concerning where they found him and where the likely place was that he fell (if that is what happened). I have done Brown's peak twice and regard the scree chute to be a little hazardous. The Mother Lode is way out of my league and I would not even consider that. Frankly I am surprised there have not been more problems up there. Four Peaks hiking if for experienced and advanced level hikers and is not a casual hike for everyone.

Anyway it would be useful if we could get some details about the circumstances so we can learn something from that unfortunate event.

[Tough_Boots]

I hope the Sprock family finds some comfort in the fact that Glenn was doing something he loved. If only we could all be so lucky to go like that.

[Sredfield]

I hope the Sprock family finds some comfort in the fact that Glenn was doing something he loved. If only we could all be so lucky to go like that.

A big Amen to that!

[wallyfrack]

igallery/image_page.php?id=4236

This photo is from the group that found the injured hiker. He was in the chute going up Browns Peak where the group is standing.

[Tough_Boots]

I do probably atleast 80% of my hikes solo and Brown's is one that I never do alone. Its one of my favorite spots, but I always take a buddy on that one-- no question.

[base871]

I did that hike solo last year. Got halfway up the scree and turned around. Nobody else around that day, so I didnt want to risk it.

[gpsjoe]

igallery/image_page.php?id=4236

This photo is from the group that found the injured hiker. He was in the chute going up Browns Peak where the group is standing.

Thanks Wally. Now we learned something. Browns Peak or any peak up there is risky business. We should not do it alone. And it should not be one of the first peaks we try. Lot's of experience is needed before taking this one on.

[nonot]

Browns peak is not hard enough that you should warn people from soloing it. However, trying to solo it with no mountaineering gear when the scree chute is icy would be poor judgment. Respect the weather!

[cregts]

Glenn was my husband of 11.5 years. He had been hiking for almost two years. This was the first time he attempted anything in the Four Peaks area, though he has covered a great deal of the Superstition Wilderness and all the Phoenix mountains plus many more.

Although it is true he was not experienced with climbing scree, he had researched this hike long and hard for many months. And though I would have liked to have him buddy up, that was not Glenn's nature and even if someone had been there, that person could not have prevented this accident and provided sufficient care that he would have survived the fall.

His error was carelessness as he took pictures. He had just purchased a camcorder and I am presuming that as he was trying to capture the panorama, he lost his footing. I haven't seen much written in hiking blogs or attached to specific trails with special cautions for photography. Perhaps this type of information could be something everyone might consider adding whenever discussing a particular hike. I'm not sure if that information would have helped Glenn or not but he carefully researched his hikes before going and would certainly have taken any such cautions under advisement.

I so appreciate your thoughts and support even though he was not a HAZ hiker. You all can understand what compelled Glenn to hike whenever he could whereas I am content with a short local one every now and then. Yes, he died engaged in one of his passions. And he now lives because Jesus Christ was his most important passion.

His loving wife, Carol

[azbackpackr]

Carol, I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you have many family members and friends to lean on in this time. This is a sad thing for the hiking community, too. Many of us do love our solo hikes, and we understand why people go out alone.

[BobP]

Browns Peak or any peak up there is risky business. We should not do it alone. And it should not be one of the first peaks we try. Lot's of experience is needed before taking this one on.

That's good advice gpsjoe....I've done all 4 Peaks multiple times and wouldn't do any of them alone. There are two routes on Browns that I would never do again. That being said... accidents happen whether solo or in groups and sometimes it doesn't make a difference. A hike/climb that's really hard from someone...can be pretty simple for someone else.

Carol sorry for your loss.

[berkforbes]

I am so very sorry for your loss carol.

In respects to hiking solo its all up to the individual, i wouldnt have a problem doing browns solo, or the whole motherload for that matter, but thats just me. I realize its not the safest thing to do, but thats part of why i do the hikes and trips that i do, that fear of the unknown, the risk and challenge not only to my body, but my mind as well. Its situations like this, that make me feel like im truly alive, and should i fall and die or be severely injured doing this than so be it. Id prefer it not ever happening, but putting myself into those situations i accept the fact that one day it may. Its a selfish way to look at things, but afterall this is my life and until another person depends upon it (kids, wife etc) i will approach it as such.

You all can understand what compelled Glenn to hike whenever he could whereas I am content with a short local one every now and then. Yes, he died engaged in one of his passions.

I absolutely can!