12-year-old boy who died after hiking in AZ heat was with mother’s boyfriend (Mesa: condo, how much)

[PhureeKeeper]

Originally Posted by observer53

Fire just brought a 33 year old man off Piestewa Peak at 230 this afternoon. He went to the top, and on the way bafck didn't think he could make it all the way down. He had plenty of water, reportedly, but in this heat, HELLO, people... that is not enough. Why is ANYONE doing mountain hikes in this weather???

Who knows. So they can brag to their friends they did it? So very sad!

[Bungle]

Might be rare pokemons at the top.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by observer53

Fire just brought a 33 year old man off Piestewa Peak at 230 this afternoon. He went to the top, and on the way bafck didn't think he could make it all the way down. He had plenty of water, reportedly, but in this heat, HELLO, people... that is not enough. Why is ANYONE doing mountain hikes in this weather???

I used to do mid day Summer hikes in South Mountain all the time...when I was in college. But I was in good shape, and pounded more than enough fluids. I wouldn't recommend a kid or an adult that is not fit attempt to do this.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by observer53

Fire just brought a 33 year old man off Piestewa Peak at 230 this afternoon. He went to the top, and on the way bafck didn't think he could make it all the way down. He had plenty of water, reportedly, but in this heat, HELLO, people... that is not enough. Why is ANYONE doing mountain hikes in this weather???

Makes no sense to me either.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by Colt Cassidy

Makes no sense to me either.

The problem is people either aren't in great condition or they aren't prepared for it. Look at all the High School football players age 13-18 that just started practicing and conditioning 2-3 hours a day in pads and helmets, that is MUCH harder work in the heat than hiking IMO. but they are prepared with fluids and hydrate well before even starting. Life shouldn't stop in the Summer but I think people need to educate themselves and bring an oversupply of water, not just "enough".

[NJ Brazen_3133]

What was the temperature? I was in SoCal this past week. I went into Inland Empire. It was over 100F, but it was dry. I just came back to NYC this morning, and I notice an extreme difference between dry heat, and humid heat.

In Dry heat, I was outside no problem. Okay sun will burn your skin, but just move into shade, and it really was not at all uncomfortable. When I come back to NYC, I notice my breathing becomes labored. It was easier to breath in Inland Empire's dry heat than NYC and it is only like high 80s.

Is AZ humid?

[HTY483]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

That puts the number at well over 100 people a year. Crazy. I know last year 64 people died at the hands of heat here in the low desert, which in and of itself is a already-ridiculous number.

And I doubt that number accounts for all of the illegal aliens that die of heat related illness while crossing the border.

[HTY483]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

What was the temperature? I was in SoCal this past week. I went into Inland Empire. It was over 100F, but it was dry. I just came back to NYC this morning, and I notice an extreme difference between dry heat, and humid heat.

In Dry heat, I was outside no problem. Okay sun will burn your skin, but just move into shade, and it really was not at all uncomfortable. When I come back to NYC, I notice my breathing becomes labored. It was easier to breath in Inland Empire's dry heat than NYC and it is only like high 80s.

Is AZ humid?

Hotter temperatures are still harder on your body, regardless of humidity levels. So although 110F with low humidity will feel more comfortable then 95F with high humidity, the higher temperatures cause your body to lose water quicker and are much more dangerous.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

What was the temperature? I was in SoCal this past week. I went into Inland Empire. It was over 100F, but it was dry. I just came back to NYC this morning, and I notice an extreme difference between dry heat, and humid heat.

In Dry heat, I was outside no problem. Okay sun will burn your skin, but just move into shade, and it really was not at all uncomfortable. When I come back to NYC, I notice my breathing becomes labored. It was easier to breath in Inland Empire's dry heat than NYC and it is only like high 80s.

Is AZ humid?

No, it's quite dry. What heat index ignores, however, is the effect of direct, overhead sunlight on the body. Heat indexes are calculated based on an assumption of shade. While the dry air may make 110 degrees feel closer to 100, the blazing sun can then make it feel like 115. Strenuous exercise in the absence of shade, which is exactly what is involved when hiking desert trails in the mid-afternoon, is dangerous in the summer, no matter how dry the air is. The same trail that is reasonably comfortable at 5 or 6 AM this time of year can become hazardous as the sun rises higher in the sky. For a good sense of the combined effect of temperature, humidity, cloud cover, and wind, I often consult Accuweather's "Real Feel" index. At noon today, that index is expected to be 112 degrees, even though the actual air temperature may be five or more degrees lower.

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by observer53

Fire just brought a 33 year old man off Piestewa Peak at 230 this afternoon. He went to the top, and on the way bafck didn't think he could make it all the way down. He had plenty of water, reportedly, but in this heat, HELLO, people... that is not enough. Why is ANYONE doing mountain hikes in this weather???

Downhill is the easy part. You use like 1/4 of the water, as gravity does most of the work for you. Piestewa is pretty tough on the ascent, Ill admit.