topic Re: Another Sad National Park Incident in Community Chat

Another Sad National Park Incident

Kachina624 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 22:11:21 GMT

A middle aged couple from France and their 9 year old son set out this past week a five mile hike in White Sands Nat'l Monument. There were signs (in 5 languages including French) all over the place advising hikers to have one gallon of water per person. It was unusually hot last week with temps in the park at least 100 degrees.

They didn't get very far before the woman felt ill and turned back. They found her body and that of the man some distance apart. The boy survived and told rescuers they gave him two sips of water for every one they took. This saved his life. They apparently had only taken a minimum amount of water.

I believe they reported on the news that the grandparents from France were coming to get the boy.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

NoelSeven — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 22:20:29 GMT

So, so sad

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

riley1 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 22:30:08 GMT

So very sad, however, what makes someone set out for a 5 mile hike in those temps. especially with a child.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

corita — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 22:30:55 GMT

I live about one hour away from White Sands. That day, it was 101 to 103 degrees here. There at the park, the heat was the same, but the sun shining on the sand reflects even more heat and on top of that, there is absolutely no shade!! The family only had two bottles of water with them. So sad...

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

Pearlee — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 22:40:50 GMT

@corita wrote:
The family only had two bottles of water with them.

And no common sense.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

Bird mama — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 22:55:31 GMT

@Kachina624

I saw the story on my yahoo page and it broke my heart.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

CAMOGIRL — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 23:19:48 GMT

Yes, it is sad. Sad that people go out on an adventure totally unprepared! I really do NOT know what they were thinking! So, now the son has no parents just because they had not a clue about survival.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

Kachina624 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 23:53:17 GMT

People do such incredibly stupid things in our parks. My parents were camping at Yellowstone once and there was a huge bull buffalo in the area. A woman had a little girl about five years old and was trying to get her to go pet it so she could take a picture. The child did get within 5 ft. Mother yelled at them to get the child away. People think those buffalo are like big benign cows when they're actually wild animal and are huge.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

Bird mama — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 00:10:14 GMT

I've never been to a National Park. Although I'm smart enough to know I will not be 'making friends' with the wildlife, I wonder sometimes if visitors think Rangers will be on the lookout for visitors in distress.

As far as the couple who sacrificed their water for their child, I get the feeling they knew they made an error and would not make it.

Yes, they didn't think it through or perhaps take the 'gallon' suggestion seriously, by they died and I can't call them stupid.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

RinaRina — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 00:14:44 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
There were signs (in 5 languages including French) all over the place advising hikers to have one gallon of water per person.

====================
(Shaking head)

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

missy1 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 00:56:50 GMT

IMO..summer is not the time to visit National parks, hiking on trails. It's important to have lots of water, food, sunscreen, and a way to let people know you are lost (mirror, matches).

Adding this: Don't hike alone, and tell someone where you are going,

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

riley1 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 00:30:33 GMT

@Kachina624 - we have people do the same thing with the gators. I yell at them to get their child out of harms way - they are clueless as to how fast a gator can move. All they want is a picture of their kid with a gator.

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

Kachina624 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 00:56:20 GMT

Bernie, If you've never visited a national park, you've missed the best of America. I have many favorites. I'll pick you up and take you on a tour. Lots of birding opportunities.

I was at Yellowstone two years ago and they've let it fall into disrepair and it's just plain shabby. It way over-used and my favorite feature no longer exists. It's hardly worth the trip, and don't stay in the Old Faithful Inn.

@Bird mama

Re: Another Sad National Park Incident

patbz — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 01:48:15 GMT

For 25 yrs we lived w/o 50 miles of Death Valley. Every summer Europeans ( German in particular) would flock to the Park for "the full experience", they think they are impervious. The natives, like me, toured the area in the Winter, if possible, with water, hats, Kool Dan's etc. But then Americans "run with the bulls" in Spain, so I guess we are all crazy y!