[pct-l] Trevor's Eternal Trail

Mon Apr 13 10:12:19 CDT 2020

It's been so long since I have posted this may not even make it to the list.

All of us have memories of our own traverse(s) along Apache Peak.  I think 
I can visualize exactly where Trevor fell.  My 2nd time across there was
just 
after the KO about 15 years ago and there were suddenly encountered 
icy patches on the suddenly steeply-sloping treadway with a big suddenly 
noticed huge drop-off right there.  I was suddenly so scared I froze for a 
minute before slowly inching across. In short... a sudden lot of
"suddenlys." 
I had instep crampons with me, but the trail had been dry and I could see 
the trail was dry beyond.  Stop and put the insteps on for about 10 yards 
and then remove them immediately?  Of course I should have... but didn't.
We all take calculated risks at times.  I was lucky... and potentially
stupid.

But the main reason I'm posting is that on my first time across that very 
stretch on Apache Peak in 1985, my partner and I began smelling a truly 
horrible smell.  It filled the entire basin to the right and was so foul you

could hardly breathe.  No ice then and we hurried past.  A couple days 
later we ran into a ranger who told us a horse packer had crossed there 
several weeks earlier and one of his horses had slipped and fallen to its 
death far below.  Even a four-footed (4WD), otherwise sure-footed animal
had trouble at that very spot.

Paint YW, forgive my quirky sense of humor:  Your suggested posted 
admonition of " Warning to all who enter!" instantly reminded me of 
Dante's "Lasciate Ogne Speranza, Voi Ch'intrate" (Abandon hope, ye 
who enter here).  You know... something stronger, to really catch the 
hiker's attention!  :)   -  Dr. Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Paint YW
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2020 10:52 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Trevor's Eternal Trail

First, I want to acknowledge the tremendous loss of a human life, perishing
off the side of Mt San Jacinto, and the poignant tribute that the hiker's
father fearlessly composed and bravely shared with the hiking community. I
cannot begin to grasp the depth of sorrow the parents of this young man
must be feeling. In one moment, your loved one is pursuing the dream of a
lifetime, and in the next moment, they are forever transformed into the
absolutely unwanted realm of eternal memories. Other words escape me...

That this young man would not perish in vein, perhaps the hiking community
could give others a better chance to live by warning them of the perils in
unpreparedness up in the big mountains?

I wondered if attributing to- Trevor's life well lived, a cautionary yet
honorary reminder, aimed at those hiking into the big mountains, that might
be learned, by educating them with a proactive slogan.

Something like: Trevor's Law, or Trevor's Tip.

Which might read- "It is better to have your mountaineering gear, and not
use it, than to need your mountaineering gear, and not have it."

Folks, I went to the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit's website, and reviewed
all 19 rescues off of Mt. San Jacinto, to date, this year, and the recovery
of Trevor's body, wasn't the only technical rescue / recovery mission
conducted involving PCT hikers specifically.

RMRU
Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit, A California Search and Rescue Team

https://rmru.org/

MISSIONS 2020-019

https://rmru.org/missions/

PCT Hikers Apache Peak (Trevor's recovery)

https://rmru.org/2020/03/27/2020-016/

Almost every hiker rescued, lacked traction devices and ice axes! This is
already happening in February, March and April ! One hiker injured their
hip, but could not walk out, as reported, on their own. It turns out that
they could self ambulate. The fall that injured them, also broke their
phone, which was the only navigation device in hand. The hiker was then, in
essence, lost- and unable, or unwilling to extract themselves.

This lack of self sufficiency, is repeating itself, over, and over, and
over. The hikers are treating the rescue teams like Uber or Lyft drivers.

None of this has anything to do with the COVID 19 outbreak, by the way.
Just hikers stumbling about on top of a big mountain.

They are called "the big mountains" because they are "big mountains" and
all that comes with recreating in the big mountains, is there for all to
experience.

Maybe... there needs to be a cautionary warning sign placed at the
trailhead parking lot at PCT mile marker # 152.

Something like:

Warning to all who enter!
These are big mountains.
Weather conditions can change in minutes.
Trail conditions can become treacherous and life threatening.
Mountaineering gear may become necessary to enter and exit safely.
Know your skill level and act accordingly.
You are responsible for your own well being.
You may be called upon to save someone else's life.
Are you prepared and equipped?
Enter at your own risk.

Me, to you, the reader- >>> Long time no see / no talk.. to the good hiking
folks here at the PCT-L.

All the best-

Paint YW

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