The Northeast 4000-footers can be very unfriendly, even in the mildest of winter conditions, and they claimed another life last week. 61-year-old Hua Davis perished of hypothermia on MacNaughton Mountain in the Adirondacks.
adirondackalmanack.com/2016/03…macnaughton-mountain.html
The Forest Rangers who found her body reported tracking her down the back side of the mountain, following an increasingly erratic trail, consistent with the confusion, disorientation and delirium associated with hypothermia.
It is reported that she was wearing sweatpants when she was found, and had only Skechers cross-trainers on her feet. Apparently, she was thoroughly soaked. She had no emergency shelter, sleep system, or fire making with her. This cannot be accounted for by inexperience. She had climbed all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks and all 35 of the Catskill 3500's in winter. She had also done the Saranac 6 in winter in under 24 hours.
One Forest Ranger also suffered an accident during the recovery operation, when the ice of a brook failed under him, plunging him chest-deep and face down under a 50-pound backpack. He was extracted by an emergency operation of New York State Police and Forest Rangers, employing night-vision goggles, and successfully evacuated to Lake Placid. He has subsequently returned to service.
Please, everyone, stay safe out there!
adirondackalmanack.com/2016/03…macnaughton-mountain.html
The Forest Rangers who found her body reported tracking her down the back side of the mountain, following an increasingly erratic trail, consistent with the confusion, disorientation and delirium associated with hypothermia.
It is reported that she was wearing sweatpants when she was found, and had only Skechers cross-trainers on her feet. Apparently, she was thoroughly soaked. She had no emergency shelter, sleep system, or fire making with her. This cannot be accounted for by inexperience. She had climbed all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks and all 35 of the Catskill 3500's in winter. She had also done the Saranac 6 in winter in under 24 hours.
One Forest Ranger also suffered an accident during the recovery operation, when the ice of a brook failed under him, plunging him chest-deep and face down under a 50-pound backpack. He was extracted by an emergency operation of New York State Police and Forest Rangers, employing night-vision goggles, and successfully evacuated to Lake Placid. He has subsequently returned to service.
Please, everyone, stay safe out there!
I'm not lost. I know where I am. I'm right here.