[pct-l] Hypothermia (was "Earthquake!")

[dsaufley]

Radar, 

As usual, you're correct.  The "I don't need this raingear/shelter" attitude
is exacerbated by our warmer weather.  It can be hot and sunny for extended
periods, leading people (locals as well as visitors) to believe that,
"Summer is here so why bother with all this cold weather gear?" They send it
ahead to Kennedy Meadows.  

Unfortunately, winter and spring are extremely variable in southern
California, and you absolutely should hold onto your raingear and shelter
any time you go for a hike. As Bill Bryson pointed out in "A Walk in the
Woods," and as my WFA instructors have cautioned, more people die of
hypothermia when the temperatures on a fair day plummets to a mere 50
degrees or so, catching people without adequate warmth and protection, than
die in snowy blizzard conditions. It doesn't take much chill before your
hands won't obey your commands to strike a match or lighter, zip a jacket,
or put up shelter, and things can go really south from there.

This is my same old, tired out, broken record,
you're-all-tired-of-hearing-it warning. Sadly, I know that there will still
be too many hikers who don't get this message and make this mistake. It cost
one precious hiker his life. Despite that, I see hikers taking that chance
though I hope and pray I won't.

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Gary Wright
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 10:56 AM
To: Eugene
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hypothermia (was "Earthquake!")


On Apr 9, 2010, at 11:06 AM, Eugene wrote:
> 
> I was so certain that we'd warm up quickly in a shelter that provided wind
protection.  I took off my wet pants and put on my thick down jacket, puffy
pants, bomber hat and crawled under my zero degree cuben fiber quilt. 

Any estimates as to the air temp and/or wind speeds that day?

This is a great example of why it is necessary to have bad-weather gear in
Southern
California.  It seems each year there are hikers who ask if it is reasonable
to skip
the rain-gear and shelter while hiking in SoCal during thru-hiker season in
an effort
to reduce the weight of their pack.

Radar
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