Death by Stupidity
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You can die on the AT. A few people do every year. That's with a known network, cell phone coverage almost throughout, a tree canopy, ready access to water, and never a day or two away from the next town.
Knowledge can lower your chances but far better than that is having a plan put in place with people still on the grid. You go full-on Grizzly Adams, you're literally putting your life in your hands.
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I always think of the stranded hikers who think they're helpless, and stay in one place, and die, all while being within walking distance of salvation. Chris McCandless (Into the Wild) is one. Another is a middle aged woman who got lost a few hundred yards from the AT and just decided she'd stay there and starve to death rather than start walking.
https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/geraldine-largay
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That reminds me a bit of the movie, Gerry. It's by Gus Van Sant and is very Gus Van Santy. Like there is a one-take scene where they are walking for like 15 minutes. Anyway, it's about two day-hikers get lost in death valley or the great salt flats or something. Anyway, it has Matt Damon and Casey Affleck (the latter before he had bigger roles).
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Of course, a coincident the movie is named Gerry considering Horace's article. That is a sad outcome. A little baffling that she didn't find the nearby routes to logging roads, creeks, etc. But perhaps she waited for a few days for a rescue and by then was too tired to do much else. It said she lasted almost 30 days in her make-shift tent site before she died from exposure/starvation.
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I know a bit more off-grid stuff than the average bear, but a tent? In the wintertime in that part of the world?
No way...
https://nypost.com/2023/07/25/two-sisters-teen-boys-remains-found-at-remote-colorado-campsite/
@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
I know a bit more off-grid stuff than the average bear, but a tent? In the wintertime in that part of the world?
No way...
https://nypost.com/2023/07/25/two-sisters-teen-boys-remains-found-at-remote-colorado-campsite/
It looks like they died before the winter… it sounds like they starved as much as froze to death… Though I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they poisoned themselves.
You can do it with the right equipment. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but with a 4-season tent, a layered sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a solid base layer, and good boots and socks you would be amazed at the temperatures you can camp in for an extended period…
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@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
I know a bit more off-grid stuff than the average bear, but a tent? In the wintertime in that part of the world?
No way...
https://nypost.com/2023/07/25/two-sisters-teen-boys-remains-found-at-remote-colorado-campsite/
It looks like they died before the winter… it sounds like they starved as much as froze to death… Though I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they poisoned themselves.
You can do it with the right equipment. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but with a 4-season tent, a layered sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a solid base layer, and good boots and socks you would be amazed at the temperatures you can camp in for an extended period…
@LuFins-Dad said in Death by Stupidity:
@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
I know a bit more off-grid stuff than the average bear, but a tent? In the wintertime in that part of the world?
No way...
https://nypost.com/2023/07/25/two-sisters-teen-boys-remains-found-at-remote-colorado-campsite/
It looks like they died before the winter… it sounds like they starved as much as froze to death… Though I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they poisoned themselves.
You can do it with the right equipment. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but with a 4-season tent, a layered sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a solid base layer, and good boots and socks you would be amazed at the temperatures you can camp in for an extended period…
"To Build a Fire."
Like I said before, prep and knowledge can help but it's silly to believe you can't die.
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@LuFins-Dad said in Death by Stupidity:
@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
I know a bit more off-grid stuff than the average bear, but a tent? In the wintertime in that part of the world?
No way...
https://nypost.com/2023/07/25/two-sisters-teen-boys-remains-found-at-remote-colorado-campsite/
It looks like they died before the winter… it sounds like they starved as much as froze to death… Though I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they poisoned themselves.
You can do it with the right equipment. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but with a 4-season tent, a layered sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a solid base layer, and good boots and socks you would be amazed at the temperatures you can camp in for an extended period…
"To Build a Fire."
Like I said before, prep and knowledge can help but it's silly to believe you can't die.
@Aqua-Letifer said in Death by Stupidity:
@LuFins-Dad said in Death by Stupidity:
@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
I know a bit more off-grid stuff than the average bear, but a tent? In the wintertime in that part of the world?
No way...
https://nypost.com/2023/07/25/two-sisters-teen-boys-remains-found-at-remote-colorado-campsite/
It looks like they died before the winter… it sounds like they starved as much as froze to death… Though I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they poisoned themselves.
You can do it with the right equipment. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but with a 4-season tent, a layered sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a solid base layer, and good boots and socks you would be amazed at the temperatures you can camp in for an extended period…
"To Build a Fire."
Like I said before, prep and knowledge can help but it's silly to believe you can't die.
Well that’s the first thing you have to know. This is dangerous and if you screw up it can/will have dire consequences.
Speaking of fires, it’s amazing to me how many “experienced” campers can’t understand why their pine fire isn’t burning very hot…
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And it takes a lot of pine or birch to get through a winter.
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@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
And it takes a lot of pine or birch to get through a winter.
A lot more pine than birch. Birch is a pretty decent firewood. Pine works well to get a fire going quickly, but it doesn’t burn hot and sputters out easily.
The Brad
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@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
And it takes a lot of pine or birch to get through a winter.
A lot more pine than birch. Birch is a pretty decent firewood. Pine works well to get a fire going quickly, but it doesn’t burn hot and sputters out easily.
@LuFins-Dad said in Death by Stupidity:
@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
And it takes a lot of pine or birch to get through a winter.
A lot more pine than birch. Birch is a pretty decent firewood. Pine works well to get a fire going quickly, but it doesn’t burn hot and sputters out easily.
Plus have fun breathing in all that soot.
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@LuFins-Dad said in Death by Stupidity:
@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
And it takes a lot of pine or birch to get through a winter.
A lot more pine than birch. Birch is a pretty decent firewood. Pine works well to get a fire going quickly, but it doesn’t burn hot and sputters out easily.
Plus have fun breathing in all that soot.
@Aqua-Letifer said in Death by Stupidity:
@LuFins-Dad said in Death by Stupidity:
@Jolly said in Death by Stupidity:
And it takes a lot of pine or birch to get through a winter.
A lot more pine than birch. Birch is a pretty decent firewood. Pine works well to get a fire going quickly, but it doesn’t burn hot and sputters out easily.
Plus have fun breathing in all that soot.
Oh yeah… If you want to smoke food with a wood that doesn’t taste very good, cook with pine…
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This reminds me of a good show, “Alone” on the History channel. It’s been on for many seasons now but start with the early seasons. It’s basically a real “survivor”. Last person standing wins. 10 contestants, you can bring a few supplies, otherwise it’s 100% on your own. Usually takes like 60-100 days for a last constant to be declared the winner.
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Yup, it is amazing how many people go into the wilderness with neither the experience or equipment, usually both. There are always sad stories about people who, for one or other reason, overestimate their abilities. Sad.
One sadexample of a really experienced long distance hiker who basically documented his own death as he became overcome by weather.
