12-year-old boy who died after hiking in AZ heat was with mother’s boyfriend (Phoenix: calculated, dangerous)

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by asufan

The problem is people either aren't in great condition or they aren't prepared for it. Look at all the High School football players age 13-18 that just started practicing and conditioning 2-3 hours a day in pads and helmets, that is MUCH harder work in the heat than hiking IMO. but they are prepared with fluids and hydrate well before even starting. Life shouldn't stop in the Summer but I think people need to educate themselves and bring an oversupply of water, not just "enough".

As someone who played football, Id disagree. Practice would include sprints, scrimmages, and strength training. While it wasnt easy, there were breaks every few seconds. I mean, you'd sprint out for your play, then walk back. Sprint out for your play, then walk back. Hit up the tires, then walk back and wait in line to go again. I find hiking places like Toms Thumb to be just as tough as any football practice Ive done, and hikes like Flat Iron to be FAR tougher than anything we did on the field. Now, if we're talking flat ground hiking? Thats a different story, and I'd say football training was harder. But Ill say it right now, hiking a tough mountain is MUCH harder than football training, and it lasts a lot longer, too.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

As someone who played football, Id disagree. Practice would include sprints, scrimmages, and strength training. While it wasnt easy, there were breaks every few seconds. I mean, you'd sprint out for your play, then walk back. Sprint out for your play, then walk back. Hit up the tires, then walk back and wait in line to go again. I find hiking places like Toms Thumb to be just as tough as any football practice Ive done, and hikes like Flat Iron to be FAR tougher than anything we did on the field. Now, if we're talking flat ground hiking? Thats a different story, and I'd say football training was harder. But Ill say it right now, hiking a tough mountain is MUCH harder than football training, and it lasts a lot longer, too.

Yeah, I played football too. Not only are you wearing several pounds of pads and a helmet, you're exerting all of your energy on every snap, and hitting and getting hit and get buried under other people. Luckily I played in Southern California not here (although I saw temps in the mid 90's). This was also a time that coaches thought you were a wimp if you asked for a water break whereas now it is encouraged. Yeah, my midday hiking in 110 degree temps were a breeze compared to that

[Buckeye614]

I saw a navy seal with a baby strapped to his back hiking camelback at noon when it was well over 100

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by asufan

Yeah, I played football too. Not only are you wearing several pounds of pads and a helmet, you're exerting all of your energy on every snap, and hitting and getting hit and get buried under other people. Luckily I played in Southern California not here (although I saw temps in the mid 90's). This was also a time that coaches thought you were a wimp if you asked for a water break whereas now it is encouraged. Yeah, my midday hiking in 110 degree temps were a breeze compared to that

I played in the Midwest, where it could get in the 90s and get humid as funk, too. I still think it was much easier to practice (even easier to play a game) than it is to hike Flat Iron here in hot temps. Flat Iron will smoke you so bad you'll be begging to be back on the football field. Throw in virtually no shade for most of the hike, no water in case of emergency, rattlesnakes and nasty jumping cholla, steep inclines on slippery rock and loose footing, and all of a sudden a football game seems like Disneyland.

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by Buckeye614

I saw a navy seal with a baby strapped to his back hiking camelback at noon when it was well over 100

Child abuse plain and simple. Doesn't matter how much in shape the parent is the baby shouldn't be exposed to the heat like that. Anyway, how did you know he was a Navy Seal?

[thinkalot]

Originally Posted by asufan

Yeah, I played football too. Not only are you wearing several pounds of pads and a helmet, you're exerting all of your energy on every snap, and hitting and getting hit and get buried under other people. Luckily I played in Southern California not here (although I saw temps in the mid 90's). This was also a time that coaches thought you were a wimp if you asked for a water break whereas now it is encouraged. Yeah, my midday hiking in 110 degree temps were a breeze compared to that

You had other people around when you played football.

The only people more stupid than people that hike in high temps are the ones that condone it.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by thinkalot

You had other people around when you played football.

The only people more stupid than people that hike in high temps are the ones that condone it.

I don't condone out of shape people doing it, no. I was essentially pointing out that it's actually not that big of a deal if you are in shape and educated about drinking water (and bring enough). Kid looked out of shape and shouldn't have been out there. Same with the kid that dies in the bee attack in Mesa. It's not the place to get in shape, save that for the gym

[Java Jolt]

Why does anyone want to hike in the heat anyway?

It's one thing to risk your own life by taking on such a knuckleheaded maneuver but when people put the lives of children in danger that's downright criminal.

The mother and the boyfriend should be arrested and there really should be more of an effort by city officials to close these hiking trails when it gets extremely hot.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

Why does anyone want to hike in the heat anyway?

It's one thing to risk your own life by taking on such a knuckleheaded maneuver but when people put the lives of children in danger that's downright criminal.

The mother and the boyfriend should be arrested and there really should be more of an effort by city officials to close these hiking trails when it gets extremely hot.

I did it when I was in college because I had time to kill. I bartended during the evening and had my days free. Great way to get some sun and stay in shape. Haven't done it since then however.

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by thinkalot

You had other people around when you played football.

The only people more stupid than people that hike in high temps are the ones that condone it.

And football players die from heatstrokes, too. Are you gonna call the NFL "stupid", too? If people want to hike in the heat, let em! If they die, then so be it. People also die from hypothermia, etc, from skiing, snowmobiling accident, too. Are you against people being outside when its too cold out? If people want to hike in the heat and enjoy nature and experience the Sonoran Desert's extreme environs, theyre not "stupid". Theyre only stupid if theyre willingly unprepared. If people want to hike Mt. Everest to experience the Himalayan extreme environs, let em!