Hacker News Reader

Comment by bilekas | Hacker News Reader

Before reading the article i actually was thinking that sounds bizarre. After reading it though it's clear this guy really messed up. Even burning the tree for a signal would not have been the last resort.. there are so many things he could have done even after leaving unprepared.

I'm super curious what his level of experience is. It makes a difference of he was just some novice who wanted to take a walk on a sunny day or if he really thought he was prepared.

That bill seems huge untill you see the scale of damage. Over 200 square acres is just incredible to me.

View on HN

Doesn't seem awfully unprepared to me... He was planning on an easy 1 day hike, and took most of the gear necessary for double that if need be.

Yeah i guess am hiking incredibly unprepared all the time and would hazard most others are too. 14 mile out and back should take a day, he got lost and things went bad. Doesn’t feel like justice to me but will make me rethink my packing list next time I hit the trail.

In backpacking, bringing too much stuff (especially the wrong kind of stuff) is a beginner mistake. If he hadn't brought 3 pounds for the large knife and machete and made similar reduction in equipment elsewhere, he would have exerted himself less.

Also, an experienced hiker knows that if you drink half your water but you aren't yet halfway done the trail, you should turn around and go back. You can estimate this based on elapsed time if necessary.

Yes, this. Also, if you're out of water, hike in the dark, not in the sun. Oh wait ... no headlamp? Never go anywhere without a headlamp. Not even to the store. After a few mishaps I'm a bit OCD about my headlamp.

What if I'm going to the store to buy my headlamp though ?

He probably believed he was halfway through or more, but he was on the wrong trail.

> more than 100°F and bone-dry

37+ degrees C though I feel I would need or at least want far more than just 3-4 Liters of water! Far more than a machete on a day like that anyway.

I am not that experienced a hiker though to be fair.

He was incredibly unprepared. He brought useless gear while skimping on the stuff that keeps you alive.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com