[pct-l] severe dehydration danger on the trail

[surferskir at aol.com]

I agreed.  How can these people call themselves long distance hikers?
I took several people out to ADZPCTKO/Campo from San Diego last week.  The first group of three (Monday) had one experienced hiker and two who had never attempted anything of this sort.  I helped them with their packs.  The two inexperienced hikers' packs weighed at least 40 pounds, each!
Received an e-mail from th eleader after the end of day two.  They had made it to Boudler Oaks ~ 26 miles. The two inexperience ones had dropped out.  One had brand new equipement, including boots.  Got blisters and could not continue.  The other, a real skiney guy carrying about 45 pounds said he "had enough".  Earlier in the week it had been colder, so they didn't worry about dehydration..  The magazines and the threads make it sound like "cool" adventure, but the newbies don't know how difficult a long distance hike is.  The planning is only about 25% of the hike.

Some of the others that I gave rides to probaly aren't going to make it past Mt. Laguna.  Many only had 4-5 days hikes under their experience belt, many from back east where it is cooler. Out West they didn't have a clue, for the most part.  
While I was at the trailhead, one guy on Thursday showed up when it was real hot at mid-day.   He lifted his pack (big!) from the back of the truck that had brought him dressed in a pair of shorts like swimmng trunks, a thin white tee shirt and "tennis shoes",  and took off.  He hadn't a clue to what to expect.

I wish them luck, beccause they will need it!
--Dennis--


-----Original Message-----
From: shon mcganty <smcganty at yahoo.com>
To: Ken Murray <kmurray at dr.com>; pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Mon, Apr 29, 2013 4:09 pm
Subject: Re: [pct-l] severe dehydration danger on the trail




     
What's going on out there?  How is it possible that so many need medical 
assistance at mile 15 or 20?  
Could some at the KO be dehydrated from drinking too much?  But the one at 
Hauser Canyon??  That's only a 1/2 or 3/4 day of hiking, on day one!  How could 
you get into trouble so soon? 
Makes me wonder how many people attempting the PCT are not "hikers."  Here I'm 
defining 'hiker' to be someone who hashiked a lot in the past. 
I am just so surprised to learn how many people attempt a long trail with no 
experience.  I wish when people with no experience at all decide to do a long 
hike, a year before hand they take two week long vacations, one in the summer to 
hike a 5 day backpacking trip in the mountains, and a second vacation and a 
seond trip in a dry, desert climate.   There are so many great places to choose 
from in the good old USA.  You need to learn about the challenges out there, 
learn your body, food and water needs, your gear choices, and whether you even 
like to backback. 
 

________________________________
 From: Ken Murray <kmurray at dr.com>
To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 10:47 AM
Subject: [pct-l] severe dehydration danger on the trail
  

At the KO and immediately after, there were 5 people who required medical 
intervention for severe dehydration. Three required ambulances, including one 
evac'd from Houser, where there is no water.
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