forestgnome said:
An excellent observation! Perhaps all the global warming stuff plus the few relatively mild winters of late has skewed perceptions of reality.
"Bad weather" does not really exist. This is not to nitpick because I know it is generally used to describe the opposite of calm, bluebird conditions. Cold, wind, rain, sleet, snow, blowing snow, freezing fog, etc., are all simply ordinary conditions that should be expected. An arctic front should come as no surprise in February, especially one that is forecast days in advance.
I hope we can always discuss these tragedies because they can be very instructive while being respectful of the victims. I don't like to read comments belittling victims, but I also disagree with those who insist that a civil discussion is out of line due to the feelings of the victims. Hikers must be sufficiently thick-skinned to endure respectful analysis.
happy trails
Interesting thoughts.
I agree with pretty much everything you say, I consider snow squalls great weather, to be honest.
To hardcore hikers, bad weather does not exist. Mother nature will do whatever she wants. But I wonder, when someone looks at a forecast that says.... a chance of snow showers high 32, south wind 10-20 mph, becoming northwest late in the day, do they know that means there is probably a cold front moving through? Do those same people then look at the higher summits forecast, that says.... in and out of the clouds with snow squalls, highs in the upper teens, dropping to near zero by late afternoon. Winds southerly at 25-40 mph increasing to 40-60 mph with higher gusts later in the day. Of course, there is always some uncertainty in these forecasts, but you prepare the worst. We assume this. But I guess the reality is, many don't prepare the best they could.
I know that I wouldn't attempt to go above treeline alone and in "bad weather"...or, unsavory conditions because I'm clearly not comfortable dealing with those kind of conditions. Plus, I don't have the gear, and, mentally, I would probably have a panic attack if I got lost above treeline. I always have a good feeling of where I am on the trail, so if I lost my way because of blinding snow squalls or fog, I'd lose my mind...
As someone who used to be a meteorology major....and still I have a very deep interest, and hobby for weather. Many might disagree with me here, but getting better forecasts out, and more often, might make a small difference. Also, make sure the forecasts are readily available and easy to understand so someone can read it and make a decision. We have a lot at our fingertips at this day and age with the internet, and links are just a click away. So, why not raise the bar higher?
Obviously it is up to the hiker to find these forecasts, read them and make a good decision. That's one thing that can be done.
Another thought....
Winter hiking seems to have become very popular as of late. Has it always been as popular as it is now? I hear more and more about people summiting 4000 footers during the winter, and I have participated a couple of times. It really was thrilling!
I'm not ready to say that these accidents are because we are having a "normal" winter this year. Perhaps its a large number inexperienced hikers that have had bad luck in a short amount of time.
I'd like to hear more about what to do with training to hike 4,000 footers, esp above treeline. I've had a little experience with it in winter, and from what I remember, adrenalin really kicks in and any "training" that I had kind of went out the window, and I was reacting out of instinct. Perhaps more trips above treeline and more training will make it easier for me to know what to expect.
grouseking
