Lost Hikers in the Supes

Arizonaheat · Posted: 7/8/2003, 6:26 pm Post subject: Lost Hikers in the Supes

Authorities Rescue 13 From Mountain
Visitors from Denmark lost in wilderness

By Jill Jones

The News

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS- The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and posse successfully rescued thirteen hikers from the Superstition Wilderness last week, eight of the lost hikers were visiting from Denmark.

MCSO received a call around 3:30 on Saturday, June 28, reporting that twelve people were missing and eight of them had limited English skills.

The missing people were visiting from Denmark and, after hiking the Superstitions, were planning to move on to the Grand Canyon. Not all of them will make it to the Grand Canyon, one of them was admitted to an area hospital for severe dehydration and will not make the trip with his companions.

MCSO focused their search on the Weavers Needle and Peralta Trail areas and quickly found four subjects who were in very serious condition, suffering from severe dehydration sickness. The remaining hikers were located two hours later and were air lifted to safety.

According to Robert Cooper of Superstition Search and Rescue, the hikers had adequate water for their planned hike. What the hikers didn’t plan on was getting lost and also having to deal with the added hours in the unrelenting heat.

In addition to the hikers from Denmark, four other people were rescued in the area over the weekend. Two hikers approximately 30 years old, David Nye and David Ampha made a wrong turn on Bluff Springs Loop and became lost. The Department of Public Safety air dropped a paramedic, and after treatment, the men were able to walk out.

Two Scottsdale men in their 30’s lost their way in Coffee Flats. Superstition Search and Rescue (SSR) were able to locate them, dehydrated and exhausted, but they were also able to make their way out under their own power.

On Tuesday, July 1, 31 year-old Kellie Whorley of Nashville, Tennessee, fell while hiking Siphon Draw. Whorley apparently aggravated an old injury to her hip after falling and thought she would have to be air lifted off the trail.

After SSR and an Apache Junction Fire District paramedic attended to her and she was able to rest and rehydrate, she was able to be taken out on a quad.

"When you find someone out there (Superstition Mountain area) at this time of the year, you know they’re in trouble," said Robert Cooper of SSR.

GeorgAz · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 815 Location: Scottsdale

It is amazing to me that people go out in this desert without adequate water + not heat seasoned. Even though I have a lot of endurance I haven't spent much time hiking in the summer heat and would really have to hydrate and prepare physically for the challenge. Most Europeans I have met while skiing are in pretty good shape, but I don't think they have any way to prepare for this heat! Folks living here oughta know better! Rolling Eyes

ck1 · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 1331 Location: Mesa

Yea know what GeorgAz...I'm not amazed anymore...I kinda expect it now... Sad

_________________
-Colin

"The Journey is the Destination"

maryphyl · Posted: 7/9/2003, 8:07 am Post subject:

I just figure that if you get enough people doing something dangerous that some of them will get in big trouble. Arizona desert in the summertime is dangerous.
_________________
Shikekeh hozhoogo naasha.
I walk in beauty.

Daddee · Posted: 7/9/2003, 10:06 am Post subject:

Daryl · Posted: 7/9/2003, 11:32 am Post subject:

We got called out to this search but they were found before we got there.

You would be surprised how often people are pulled out of the supes in the summer.
_________________

Daddee · Posted: 7/9/2003, 12:10 pm Post subject:

azhiker96 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1419

It seems like the common thread was they got lost. Somehow folks knew to call in the searchers. Good for them! I like to hike during this time of year. I hit the trailhead at first light and return by noon. You just have to carry plenty of water, know your trail or carry a map/compass or GPS, and leave word with someone on where you're going. The pay stations are down and I get the trails almost to myself. Very Happy

CatValet · Posted: 7/11/2003, 12:37 pm Post subject:

Since Daddee just got done reading Frank Herbert......

Maybe their water should belong to the tribe.....might help mitigate the drought......(sometimes the gene pool needs a little chlorine...) Twisted Evil

Daddee · Posted: 7/14/2003, 12:00 pm Post subject:

CatValet · Posted: 7/14/2003, 12:44 pm Post subject:

Are idiotarians anything like Rotarians?? Or do they havta wear those fez hats?

Nah, I was suggesting that given the beauty of natural selection, their remains, including "precious bodily fluids"* could/should be used to nourish the local flora and fauna. Can't you just see two coyotes on top of Bluff Springs Mtn:

"Whadja Get?"

"Coffee and Danish"

"Uff Dah!"

-R

* for the bonus points....from which movie? (Hint: P.O.E.....P.O.E....)