Katahdin is closed - NOW

imported
#1

A teen died on Katahdin a few days ago from heat exhaustion (not a thru-hiker). Anyhow, here’s the first paragraph from today’s Bangor Daily News:

“Continued high temperatures and humidity curtailed access to Mount Katahdin for a second day Friday in the wake of a teen’s death from apparent heat exhaustion.”

“With temps in the high 80’s and humidity rising, Baxter State Park officials were’nt taking any chances and closed ALL trails to the mountian Friday.”

"“Chief Ranger Chris Drew said closing the mountain this summer was the first such occurrence in 30 years that he could remember. The measure is more commonly reserved for the first substantial snowfalls.”

However, I may add, it’s a whole lot cooler today (Saturday, June 28).

Anyhow, just thought I’d throw that in.

Kineo Kid

#2

Do you think that closing the mountain was really necessary? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not belittling the teenager’s death whatsoever, but, well, people occasionally die of heat exhuastion in the Grand Canyon, and I’ve never heard of the Park Service closing the place down. Perhaps having rangers stationed at the base of Katahdin on the various trails (don’t know how many there are), making sure those going up on hot, humid days have plenty of water, know how to pace themselves AND how to guage their and, perhaps, a hiking partner’s condition, would be a good alternative. What do you think?

ramkitten

#3

Just some thoughts.If the Park Service is anything like the FS in funding,I’m sure they wouldn’t have the man power to station rangers 24hrs a day just to monitor hikers.I don’t know for sure but I would think they have precautions and warnings posted about the dangers of climbing the mountain and what supplies you should have,so I’m sure closing it for a few days was their best option,jmho.tattoogranny

tattoogranny

#4

IMO it’s just another case of the authorities protecting us from ourselves. Closing it because someone died of heat exhaustion does seem a bit extreme to me

lady-eowyn

#5

Okay, having rangers hang out at trailheads is a bit much, I guess. In the Grand Canyon, though (which I’m thinking about because I was just there), the Park pretty much relies on posting information and warnings on bulletin boards. The rest is up to the hiker. After all, climbing a mountain, backpacking, any outdoor activity has inherent risks, risks we must accept as our own responsibility when we do these things. I realize that, when someone gets into trouble on a trail/in the backcountry, others – rangers, for one – often have to risk their own necks, and the park incurs the expense of rescue or, well, recovery. So closing the place down is the answer? I personally don’t think so. But hopefully this Katahdin closure will be only for a couple of days, as I expect would be the case. Is this the first time they’ve closed the mountain because of heat? Never heard of them doing that before.

ramkitten

#6

Never mind. I just re-read the first post, and there’s my answer.

ramkitten

#7

The Baxter Park Rangers are always going up to fetch dayhikers suffering from heat exhaustion and/or dehydration, sometimes several times a day. Last year’s ridgerunner would filter water to hand out up on the Tableland everyday. The teen’s death is unfortunate and tragic, but if heat related not too surprising (to me). The Mountain gets an amazing amount of unprepared hikers, and gets enough extreme conditions to endanger even the very experienced. Summer weekends can see 300+ hikers trying to climb Katahdin via 3 major trailheads. Screening them all is beyond the capabilities of Park staff, hence the ‘easy way out’ of just closing the trailheads.
Hey Kineo, email me if I can ask you some Greenville questions please.

TJ aka Teej

#8

I WAS planning on beginning my SOBO July 9, so if someone’s from around there, mind giving me the “all clear?”

The Amazing Gavo

#9

I just got an email from Stumpknocker('02) over the weekend.
He left to start a SOBO on Sunday.

Let’s hope the rangers open up so he can get started.

Heat is one reason that the AT Photo Project on July 4th next year.

Scamp

Scamp

#10

Heat is one reason the AT Photo Project ISN’T on July 4th next year.

Scamp

Scamp

#11

Hi 80’s. Oh no not another heat wave! 80’s? Ya gotta be kidding me. Those Mainers can take cold but they can’t take a little warmth? Here in VA high 80’s is considered almost chilly for a summer day. If ya can’t take the heat stay off the mtn. Sounds like that idiot didn’t know what he was doing. I’ve hiked in temps upward of 110 degrees with very high humidity during my 98 thru hike and was just a bit miserable.As any moron should know if your gonna hike in the heat take it slow and carry 2-3 times as much water as you think that you’ll need. Hi 80’s what bunch of pansies.8)

BooBoo

#12

I just read that there was another death by heat exhaustion on the AT – in Virginia. This time a 15 year old. After a spring where it never stopped raining, I guess people just aren’t used to sunshine.

Ginny

#13

I wonder what the graph would look like if you could chart the ages of people who’ve died from things like heat exhaustion and hypothermia. Wonder if it’s more the young and inexperienced (not that older people can’t be just as inexperienced!) or pretty uniform across the board. Why do I wonder this? I don’t know. Just that two teenagers have been mentioned here.

As an aside, too bad more jr. high and high schools don’t have outing clubs (mine did), that might help teach some of these “kids” how to prepare for and protect their well-being in The Great Outdoors. Just thinkin’.

ramkitten

#14

They are whimps.

Bucky

#15

When I was in the military (peace time) we used to curtail outside activities when the heat/temperature index got up to 95 degrees. Some people can take the heat, some cant.
I worked outdoors today in Kansas. The temperature this afternoon was 102, the heat index was 104. I moved a little slower and drank plenty of fluids. I did OK. But if I were back East and it was a 102, I think the humidity would make the temperature unbearable. Also, to beat the heat, I have been starting work at 6:00 am. Perhaps, hikers should start their day earlier, and hole up someplace for an afternoon nap on hot days. Just a thought. I also am considering a thru-hike on the AT next year. In the process of planning the trip I am considering taking off from mid June to mid August to beat the heat, then flip flopping south back to Harpers Ferry. Havent decided yet.
Ref. Baxter Park: I dont like that they closed the mountain, but I have to admit that they have the authority to do it, and I cant argue with that. I am not sure if they would face any liability issues or not over their handling or mishandling of inclement weather???

Conococheague

#16

Hi again. Someone in a different forum (I moonlight) just posted a link to an article about the 15 y-o who died in Virginia in the “Roller Coaster” section. The article made no mention of heat exhaustion. Said the hiker – a girl – became ill and died, cause unkown. Don’t know if there was a follow-up article that stated it was heat exhaustion. And I haven’t read anything about the Katahdin incident other than what was posted here.

So … I’m a little ignorant about this subject. What exactly IS heat exhaustion? Does it always go hand-in-hand with dehydration? Is it different from heat stroke? And what are the signs we can look for, both in ourselves and those around us, so we can maybe prevent this sort of thing from happening. AND if we do notice these signs, what can we do until the person gets professional medical attention? Figured since this thread came up, might as well learn me somethin’.

Oh, and that article called the Roller Coaster one of the toughest parts of the trail. Hmmm … don’t know that I’d say THAT. But somehow those PUDS, as some folks call them, are tougher than a big climb. Well, sometimes. Heat and especially humidity can really make ya feel like crapola when you’re doin’ the PUDS. (Not that I consider them “pointless.” They’re just … there.)

Anyhow, educate me please, if you can. Thanks!

ramkitten

#17

Kind of like this, Kitty. We cool our buff bods by sweating. The evaporating water has a cooling effect. Not that you can really feel it when its humid as hell but the concept is there. That’s why on windy days and you sweat or get rained on you get cold very quickly. When you get so hot that you can keep cool your body temp goes up. In the several stages of heat exhaustion, each more dangerous than the next, the body does a few things. First you sweat to stay cool, then you get thirsty and all dry mouthed, then you get really hot and start to get light headed and get a head ache like you drank too much. After that point your body says its used up to much fluid trying to cool as it can and you stop sweating to conserve water…bad show. The body temp now goes +102 and up. In that range you get really barfy, get the chills/shakes, become dissoriented and finally pass out and maybe fry your brain at best, dead at worst. Remedy; drink first and slow down. You can only absorb something like a pint an hour I think so chugging doesn’t work, you just pee it all out. If you start to get a headache, STOP and cool off in the shade and sip a quart or two. If you go past that and stop sweating you MUST stop and cool down carefully…don’t go and jump in the lake, the sudden shock of cold can cause heart arrest. That’s how Washington’s troops died at Valley Forge when they were put in front of the fire to warm up. Just backward. Once you get the headache that’s the sign to call it quits for a few hours. “Would you like to know more?” Google it.

Bushwhack

#18

‘Preciate it. Yeh, I coulda Googled, but I was thinkin’, you know, somebody else might read it too and learn sumpin’. You know, like somebody who’s new to hikin’. So I was kinda like, you know, AKsin publically. Thanks for all that typin’ you did. Helps me 'splain it to udder peoples now.

ramkitten