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Yeah, I'm just saying that it was a bad idea all 'round. I suppose we don't know for sure if they were just on a day hike (which would be too long in that heat, even if only for a day), or a weekend hike. It was still a bad idea. And frankly, even with 30-40 gallons of water, the heat would have either killed them, or cause heatstroke, anyway. I wonder if they even bothered to check the temperature forecast before their jaunt.
The cave idea someone mentioned intrigues me, now. I wonder if they decided to hide out from the heat in a cave, and that's why they couldn't be found? You'd think they'd have come out, once they heard helicopters, though. We'll probably never know, until years from now, when someone comes across their bodies.
Yes, I'm thinking the same thing.. they took shelter in a cave. However, that doomed their rescue because they were out of site. Maybe they did hear helicopters and planes, but were too weak to come out.
Yes, it's horrible. Easy to say "Oh well, they were stupid, the world is better off if they're dead" when they're not your kids. If we all died when we made stupid decisions as kids or young adults, who would live to grow up?
However, the situation kind of reminds me of a couple of young adults who went missing in the Saddleback Mountains behind my house a few years ago. Their car was at the trailhead, too, and no one could figure out how they got that lost that fast. There was a big search with helicopters and ground crew...one man was seriously injured while climbing down a hillside looking for them...and they were eventually found, amazingly still alive but badly dehydrated and wouldn't have lasted much longer. It turned out that there were drugs involved. They actually headed off into the hills to use drugs and apparently had no idea they might get lost and stranded out there while they were high.
I remember that too... it was Holy Jim trail. A great short hike that ends at a water fall. Those teenagers got in serious trouble and had to pay back search and rescue a lot of money...
This thread reminded me of a horrible story when 2 young men got lost in the desert, New Mexico I believe. After days without water the one begged the other to kill him to end his suffering. He did and the last I heard they were looking at the possibility of murder charges. Anyone remember that story and have an update?
This thread reminded me of a horrible story when 2 young men got lost in the desert, New Mexico I believe. After days without water the one begged the other to kill him to end his suffering. He did and the last I heard they were looking at the possibility of murder charges. Anyone remember that story and have an update?
Did these people really KNOW about the dangers of extreme heat, especially in a desert area? Even if its not a park, they apply. Where I was born and grew up and lived most of my life the summer temps were always warned against so nobody could be ignorant. I was raised in socal, and it was routine to get temps of over a hundred during the summer. If I had to go somewhere, taking a bus, I'd bring a large bottle of water and it would be empty before I headed back. And I was in a city where there were cool places you could go to recoup.
Anyone who takes off into the woods when the temps are at or above a hundred should make it a short trip, and start very early. And you should carry both water and gator aide since you can't just replace the fluids, but the mineral traces your body needs. If you get too dehydrated, with just water, you can get lost since you become disoriented. You may think your going towards home but be going the wrong way until you can't.
I'd never try a walk into an area like that during a hundred plus weather since one little mistake, like getting lost, or passing out, or getting hurt, is far too likely to make it your last adventure.
I live in northern Oklahoma now, and while we get sticky moist heat, its rarely at or over a hundred. I still take a lot of precautions, especially staying hydrated before you notice anything. When its going to be dangerously hot, the local news stresses warnings and tells people to stay home unless they really have to go, and they repeat warnings about taking care of your pets too.
I would think the same warning would have been given for Joshua Tree, especially if someone goes missing the local search and rescue has to risk themselves to go try and find them.
Sadly, its likely they are either past moving on or already gone by now.
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If we all died when we made stupid decisions as kids or young adults, who would live to grow up? 
