Ultimate cost.
Submitted: Thursday, Sep 17, 2020 at 10:55
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Joe Fury
G'day
Explorers
Sad to learn that three people have met their end on the walk trail system on
Mount Augustus in recent days, on Monday 14th a woman in her early fifties died while hiking, then two days later a couple also perished while on a hiking trail.
The Gascoyne region is fairly remote with
Mount Augustus and the
Kennedy Range being draw cards for the adventurer, especially now because of the freedom to travel here in Western Australia, the hard border situation because of the Covid-19 situation has meant people who feel the urge to explore are seeking to visit
places they possibly never had given consideration to previously or possibly not researching the destination in detail are coming to grief.
Temperatures may
well have played a part in these tragedies, with current day time recordings already in the mid to high thirties, though warm it's not hot, the hot weather is still to come.
I won't say anything about the three people in regards to their personal health or fitness situations, simply because I don't know, but it is important to be very aware of 'your' capabilities when it comes to tackling any sort of hike, Augustus is magnificent not only as a destination to see, it is not overly challenging to summit, but care and consideration should be at the forefront when planning to leave your comfort zone.
Safe travels : Joe
Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Friday, Sep 18, 2020 at 08:24
Friday, Sep 18, 2020 at 08:24
I do not know these walking/hiking
trails, their distance or degree of difficulty, but if they were “long” walks over a few days, it begs the question why these people were not carrying any sort of EPIRB or PLB, or even a Sat. Phone.
Again, I do not know how experienced these people were, or how
well prepared they were, but it certainly sounds like they were not very
well prepared at all. Yes unseasonal weather events can catch people out, but this is what being
well prepared is all about.
Very sad for the families.
Macca.
AnswerID:
633431
Follow Up By: RMD - Friday, Sep 18, 2020 at 13:32
Friday, Sep 18, 2020 at 13:32
If the event which is going to kill you happens in a short space of time, then an Epirb or sat phone is hardly likely to help much. Assists in finding the bodies though. Location alone doesn't save lives if immediate help is required. Being prepared for any most forseeable events will be of great importance.
FollowupID:
910481
Reply By: Member - rocco2010 - Friday, Sep 18, 2020 at 18:11
Friday, Sep 18, 2020 at 18:11
The brother-in-law of a friend died while walking on Mt
Wellington with his wife 18 months ago.
He was a semi-retired farmer in his late 60s who had worked on the land and in the
Kimberley nearly all his life and had a camping trip trip in the
Pilbara most years. He was the sort of bloke I would be happy to venture off the beaten track with.
He looked fit for a man of his age and as far as anyone knew had no serious underlying health issues.
Sometimes when your time is up it's up. And it may have nothing to do with the weather, how much water you drink, whether you are alone or in a group, have good boots and hat, carry a PLB or anything else.
I am about the same age, not as fit as him and with no knowledge of any issues that might stop me tackling a stiffish climb (apart from dodgy knees). But his death has caused me to think a bit about where I go, when, and with whom.
Sure, some people are foolhardy but even the experienced and
well prepared can come to grief.
Take care people.
AnswerID:
633439