Camelback Mountain dangers (Phoenix, Hayden: hotels, law, vacation) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

BIG CATS · 08-07-2015, 01:47 PM

Has anyone noticed recently that the City of Phoenix has been at the Cholla Trail trailhead lately? They have a small tent set up, complete with water, and the necessary warning signs about hiking Camelback. Im all for this! Its about time they stepped up to warn tourists and out-of-shape hikers about the dangers of the mountain. How often do we hear about helicopter evacuations on the mountain because people were unprepared? Or how often do we have to hear about corpses being taken off the mountain?

I was also pleasantly surprised to hear that the city was also going around to local hotels to advise them to stop telling tourists to hike Camelback as a "must do" on their visit to the Valley.

ITS ABOUT DANG TIME!

observer53 · 08-07-2015, 03:05 PM

Yes, it is. Happy to hear all this.

BIG CATS · 08-07-2015, 04:25 PM

Ill never forget 2 years ago I parked on Invergordon and saw a tourist get out of her car with two other ladies (Oregon plates), and start walking up towards the Cholla Trail (along the street that leads to the trail, actually). Keep in mind these ladies were probably mid-50s, and *ahem* overweight. I sat in my car for awhile, took a phone call, gathered my stuff, and began my trek. Im talkin I left a good 10 minutes or so after they headed off. I got to the trailhead and they were sitting there on the curb, huffin and puffin, and the one says to me "how far is it to the top?" Seriously? hahaha The one was laughing and saying "they dont tell you in the brochure that hiking the street up to the trail is super tough." I just told em like it is... dont even attempt. My mother in law wanted to hike Camelback when she visited, I flat out told her its tough and she wont likely make it 1/8 the way. Some people just need to know!

locolobo13 · 08-07-2015, 04:29 PM

What I tell people who are going to do something like this is, "You can turn around any time. Don't feel like you HAVE to complete the hike." If I'm actually hiking with them and see they're wearing out I'll suggest going back myself first.

43north87west · 08-07-2015, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Has anyone noticed recently that the City of Phoenix has been at the Cholla Trail trailhead lately? They have a small tent set up, complete with water, and the necessary warning signs about hiking Camelback. Im all for this! Its about time they stepped up to warn tourists and out-of-shape hikers about the dangers of the mountain. How often do we hear about helicopter evacuations on the mountain because people were unprepared? Or how often do we have to hear about corpses being taken off the mountain?

I was also pleasantly surprised to hear that the city was also going around to local hotels to advise them to stop telling tourists to hike Camelback as a "must do" on their visit to the Valley.

ITS ABOUT DANG TIME!

I'm happy to hear that approach being taken rather than restricting access, especially for those of us who are conditioned for it. People who vacation here often don't understand that the heat is not just an inconvenience, but it can be deadly. The combination of heat, sun, relative lack of humidity, and the lack of shade can be deadly.

Still, I would think that bringing enough water is pretty self explanatory, but I guess not.

Other good places for notification would be at the Phoenix airport. There are all sorts of things about local attractions, and the gateway for most tourists would be a perfect place. I have never seen any information about that at the airport, at least not where it is easily visible.