Category: Hiking

Hiking Accident Prevention: Losing The Trail In The Great Smoky Mountains

August 4, 2021
S T O R I E S   P A S T   A N D   P R E S E N T
Cautionary Tales For Back Country Hikers

 

Mother-Daughter Hike Ends In Grief

 

In October 2018, Mitzie Susan Clements, 53 and her daughter were on their way down, while hiking Clingman’s Dome – Forney Ridge Trail, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Her 20-year-old daughter, who was hiking ahead of her, lost sight of her mother.

After a week-long search, Mitzie Clements’ body was found in a rugged off-trail area, typified by very thick vegetation and a steep, very rocky hillside.  The cause of death was hypothermia.  A helicopter removed her remains. 

At the time of their hike, the weather conditions were foggy, and temperatures were in the 40s.  According to a park official, it was raining, and approaching darkness, making it difficult to miss trail intersections.  

News articles about this story are provided in the highlighted links listed below.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina,  is the most visited national park in the United States.

Online News Sources

Asheville Citizen-Times, October 4, 2018 – Great Smokies hiker found dead this week is 11th death in park this year. By Karen Chavez

Asheville Citizen-Times, October 4, 2018 – Staying safe in the outdoors: Hiking death in Great Smokies a reminder of forest dangers,  By Karen Chavez

Citizen-Times.com (Citizen Times) April 3, 2019 Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death For Woman Who Went Missing in Great Smoky Mountains,  By Karen Chavez

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

 

Hiking Into Oblivion: Extreme Heat Kills Unprepared Hikers

July 17, 2021

Rise In Preventable Fatalities From Heat Stroke

NBCNews.com – June 21, 2021 – Grand Canyon hiker dies on Tonto Trail during extreme heat: The 53-year-old backpacker was found dead in the Grand Canyon on Sunday, when the high reached 115 degrees, By Phil Helsel

MSN.com – June 21, 2021 – Hiker Dies In Extreme Heat, Another in Critical Condition, By Paige Austin (Palm Canyon Trail, Borrego Springs, California)

KVOA.com – July 13, 2021 – Some Phoenix hiking trails to be restricted in extreme heat, Associated Press

National Parks Traveler.org – June 22nd, 2021 – Deaths Rising In National Park System, By NPT Staff (Heat related)

10News.com (San Diego) Jul 12, 2021 – Heat-related helicopter rescues soar, By Adam Racusin

OLDER RELATED NEWS ARTICLES

Huffpost.com – Sept 8 , 2020 – Santa Monica Closes Trails After Hiker Dies In Extreme Heat Other hikers were rescued as record temperatures topped 110 degrees, By Mary Papenfuss

ABC News, November 4, 2018  – Two People Have Died In Remote Parts of Western Australia In One Week — But Experts Say Most Outback Deaths Are Preventable, By Sarah Collard

ABC News, October 28, 2018 – Man Dies of Suspected Dehydration After Group Hiking In Kalbarri National Park Runs Out of Water, By Sarah Collard.

ABC News,  November 8, 2018  – Remote Australian Deaths Prompts Warning Outback Travel Dangers Could Rise, By Emily Smith

ABC.Net.au, November 25, 2018 – German Tourists Wandered 17km off Central Australia Hiking Trail Before Dying Of Dehydration, Heat Stress, By Neda Vanovac

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 25 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.  To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Hiking Accident Prevention: Learn The Risks of Slot Canyon Flash Floods

July 13, 2021

 

 Monsoon Season Brings Sudden Flooding 

SLOT CANYONS are funnel-shaped rock formations, found in the American southwest. They are wide at the top, and narrow at the bottom. Slot canyon formation is caused by water rushing through sandstone or limestone rock.  Southern Utah has the most slot canyons in the world.

SLOT CANYON FLASH FLOODS are often caused by storms miles away.  Slot canyon flash floods are dangerous, and can be life threatening.

During a flash flood, the water level rises quickly, within minutes, or seconds.  A flash flood can rush down a canyon in a wall of water 12 feet high or more.  

Hikers should check the National Weather Service, for an up-to-date report, before entering a slot canyon.  If bad weather is predicted, entering a slot canyon is dangerous, and may result in your death.

O N L I N E  N E W S  S O U R C E S

NPS.gov (National Park Service) –  Zion National Park Utah: The Narrows Safety 

NPS.gov (National Park Service) – Monsoon Season 

MyUtahParks.com – Be Aware of Flash Flood Dangers In Utah’s Canyons,  By Carly Everett  – 6/19/19

Blogs.Scientific American.com – Instant Peril: Flash Floods and How To Survive Them.  Flash Floods Kill People Worldwide  Find Out How To Survive,  By Dana Hunter – 12/28/16

LATimes.com/Associated Press – Report: Hikers Were Warned Before Flood,  9/30/97

CNN.com – 7 Dead In Zion National Park Flash Flood,  By Ralph Ellis – 9/17/15

OutsideOnline.com – Special Report: The Keyhole 7,  By Grayson Schaffer – 5/24/16

ChicagoTributne.com – Utah Floods That Killed 19 Show Dangers Of Popular Desert Canyons,   By Tribune Wire Reports – 9/17/15

Weather.gov (US National Weather Service) – Floods  

OutsideOnline.com – Surviving A Flash Flood In A Slot Canyon,  By Joe Spring – 9/11/13

Backpacker.com – The Manual: How To Explore A Slot Canyon,  By Kristin Bjornsen and Rebecca Kane – 2/14/17

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 25 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.  To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.  

Hiking Accident Prevention: Avoiding Fatal Hiking Mistakes In National Parks

July 12, 2021

 

S T O R I E S  P A S T  A N D  P R E S E N T

Risky Techniques ♦ Inexperience ♦ Hiking In Extreme Heat ♦ and Lone Hiking – Lead To Fatal Mistakes In National Parks

 N E W S   A R T I C L E S

NationalParksTraveler.org 6/22/21 – Deaths Rising In National Park System, By NPT Staff

CNN.com April 24, 2019 – On average, 6 people die in national parks every week. This is how you can protect yourself, By AJ Willingham
 

The Seattle Times and The San Franciso Chronicle June 11, 2018 – Witness Describes Death Plunge Of Two Yosemite Climbers,  By Peter Fimrite.  

OutsideOnline.com, August 9, 2018 -“Whitney Has Turned Into An Overcrowded Catastrophe,  By Megan Michelson.  

KUNC Radio (KUNC.org) November 27, 2018 – Hiking Alone: Common Thread In Four Rocky Mountain National Park Fatalities, Searches,  By Michael de Yoanna.  

KUNC Radio (KUNC.org) July 17, 2018 – Rocky Mountain National Park Is Third For Most Search And Rescues,  By Michael de Yoanna.  

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 23 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.   To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.  

Hiking Accident Prevention: Hikers Who Perished On Mt. Washington

July 3, 2021
S T O R I E S  P A S T  A N D  P R E S E N T 

New Hampshire Magazine Provides A List Of 161 Known Deaths From 1855 to 2019

New Hampshire Magazine May 19, 2019 – “Mt. Washington’s Fatalities” By New Hampshire Magazine Staff

There are two additional casualties that ocurred after this article was published, bringing the total to 163. Sandra Lee 63, died on June 13, 2019 of hypothermia, and Joseph M. Gormley 60, on September 12, 2020 of unknown causes.

Mt. Washington Is Known For Fierce Winds, Extreme Cold, And Year-Round Snowfall. From April 1934 To 1996 It Held The World Record For the Highest Recorded Wind Speed At 232 mph.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers And Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 23 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.  To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.