This is not F*ckin Disneyland

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What makes adults suddenly think they are immune from the weather? That they have a secret power to survive the wilderness unprepared? Or are they just becoming more stupid over the years and thinking they are invincible?

Maybe it’s because they spend too much time in theme parks and reality games to the point that they think everything is like Disneyland and there is a pause button or a “do-over “button. They believe going hiking in record-breaking heat (ignoring all the posted signs saying otherwise) unprepared is okay because they have to have park rangers out there to save them, right?

Mother Nature Rules

I hate to break it to some of you, but Mother Nature couldn’t care less about your feelings or your lack of intelligence. She also has a wicked and weird sense of humor, and when you get too full of yourself, she will correct the situation. Sometimes, that’s good, and sometimes, that’s bad.

If you didn’t know: When you go out into nature, you are responsible for your own safety. It isn’t like going to a theme park. No park ranger swoops by every thirty minutes to check on you, and there are no cooling stations just over the hill. It’s you vs. nature. Most of the time, you will win if you are prepared and aware of the dangers. Sometimes, she wins because of poor planning on your part.

I’m sorry. I have a tough time feeling sorry for some of these people. Their deaths could have been easily avoided. I feel more sorry for the rangers and the search and rescue people who have to go after them, hoping to find them alive. They are taking up valuable resources and time just because someone thought they were immune to the laws of nature.

These deaths could have been avoided.

July 7: A 50-year-old unresponsive male hiker was found on the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon about 100 feet from the trailhead on Sunday. Again, heat-related death. From what I read, he was an experienced hiker. So he should have known the danger of hiking out of the canyon is more strenuous than hiking down, especially in the heat.

Often, these are the people who get into the most danger because they believe their experience will win out. So they tend to skip a few steps or not take enough supplies, like water. Or they don’t rest and get out of the heat because they know what they are doing! They decide, because of their experience, they can do what others should not.

Two other hikers had died around the same time, doing the same thing. The need to do something at all costs comes at a price. Common sense has left the building.

Last week, the NPS said temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can reach over 120 degrees in the shade. The NPS does not advise hiking in the inner canyon between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the heat of the day. I can tell you from experience that signs are posted all over these trailheads. The survivors can not say they were not warned or nobody warned them about the dangers of excessive heat and hiking.

July 15: Father, daughter die while hiking at Utah national park
Father and daughter who got lost on a strenuous hike in Canyonlands National Park in triple-digit temperatures.

The daughter, 23, and her father, 52, sent a 911 text alerting dispatchers that they were lost and had run out of water while hiking the 8.1-mile Syncline Loop, which the National Park Service describes as the most challenging trail on the Island in the Sky district of the southeast Utah park.

Yeah, it’s record-breaking heat. Perfect weather for a father-daughter day out hiking one of the most challenging and longest trails in the canyon. What in the world were they thinking?

There are many other examples.

Stop The Stupidity

The fallout from all this will be the call for more trail closures. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) has started to take a heavy-handed approach to closing off some of Utah’s most scenic off-road trails.

As stated by the BLM: “This plan (to close trails) was born out of the demand to protect wildlife and natural resources and improve public safety” – Improve public safety. To protect you from yourself and stop you from doing stupid things.

Sorry, Charlie, you are not unique. Mother Nature doesn’t care who you are. Don’t let her win. Hike smart.

And remember, this isn’t Disneyland! Be prepared.

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Last update on 2024-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API