[pct-l] physiologic effects of icy cold immersion

[Len Glassner]

It is impressive, that given the likely inexperience/unpreparedness of
perhaps a significant percentage of thru's, very few fatalities.

Nonetheless, things do happen:

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=148318

Try reading that journal from about 6/11 forward.

My 2008 Sierra experience (entering mid-June) was NOTHING like theirs.

I think it's reasonable to state that the Sierra conditions in 2005
and 2006 were WORLDS apart from 2007 and 2008, given similar
timeframes.  There are probably more recent thrus hanging around here,
so fewer with harrowing tales to tell.

2007 PCT hikers got off REALLY easy, IMO. The pictures I've looked at
show creek levels in early June that look like what I experienced in
mid-August 2006 on the JMT.  2008  was also a low snow year, thanks to
a heat wave around last March.  This year could be similar.  I hope
so.

Also -

If anyone with little water crossing experience watched that video I
posted, and concluded 'that doesn't look so hard', well, how it LOOKS
and how it FEELS are two VERY different things.  If you haven't picked
up your leg and tried to move it in fast-flowing water....you're in
for a perhaps a bit of a surprise.  I'm really thankful I had to cross
in no more than knee-deep water.  If it had been waist deep, I think I
might have been, how you say?, screwed.