Cruel Reasons Why Hikers Abandon the Deadly West Coast Trail

David O’Sullivan, who is 25 years old, has ambitions to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. He himself worked for a year in Ireland to save enough money to travel to a campo on the Mexican border and travel all the way to Canada. Hikers travel 2,650 miles of secluded trails through forests, deserts and mountain peaks in all types of weather. Most climbers take about five months to complete. Sadly, some tourists—like O’Sullivan—never return home.

The same factor that makes hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) so appealing to some hikers also increases the likelihood of hikers getting lost: the trek across the bush is somewhat long. Hikers face both alpine snow and desert heat in one day. Hikers can face serious hazards on the trail from a variety of sources, including severe weather, forest fires, altitude sickness, stream crossings, wrong turns, steep drops, timid animals, strange and erratic individuals, and technical failures. It can be very difficult for rescuers to find someone in danger on a journey of this length, especially if they are on the best route. Sometimes they are never located.

The West Coast Trail can be a dangerous and difficult hike, and some hikers decide not to continue for a variety of reasons. The route, which crosses the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, is known for its difficult terrain, including tidal waves, slippery boardwalks and changing weather. Because of the trail’s rugged and isolated terrain, sprains and falls can occur, frequently requiring park rangers to evacuate people.

Moreover, even experienced trekkers can be overwhelmed by the physical challenges of lugging large packs over long distances and the mental strain of navigating through dense forests and sheer cliffs. Together, these factors underlie the reasons why some hikers reluctantly decide to abandon the journey along this magnificent but dangerous coastal route.

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What Happens To Hikers On Pacific Crest Trail

Every year, many climbers attempt the Pacific Crest Trek (PCT) and many of them succeed, either completing the trek or retreating to safety when something goes wrong. There are some trails that are only suitable for experienced hikers, but the PCT is not necessarily a problem for novices. Since 1983, the PCT has officially recorded the deaths of fifteen thru-hikers, but other hikers appear to have just disappeared into the woods, leaving behind only their last letters and abandoned bags.

Hikers such as Chris Fowler, 34, and Chris Silvia, 28, who had arrived in Washington state before disappearing in 2015 before being picked up by a friend, gave up all of their hiking and disappeared the day before. reverse gear 2016, remain missing, as does O’Sullivan. Their disappearances continue to haunt fellow hikers, park rangers, and their families and friends.

Keeping Hikers Safe On The Pacific Crest Trail

It’s inevitable: If you try to survive in the bush and trek across the United States for five months, you’re in danger. However, there are some precautions you can take to make the trip a little safer. Hikers who want to start their trek into Mexico should aim to leave in mid-April to allow enough time before snow falls on the northern part of the PCT. Similarly, if you are departing from Canada, wait until the end of June.

Andrea Lankford, a park ranger who has committed herself to tracking down hikers who get lost on the PCT, said in an interview with the Hudson Library and Historical Society: “For safety reasons, there’s probably an expectation that you won’t be able to hike from here.

When outdoors, the National Park Service recommends wearing bright clothing so that search and rescue personnel can find you quickly. Review safety instructions, keep emergency contact numbers at home, and stay in regular contact with friends and family if you’re traveling alone. Never change your plans on the spur of the moment, even if you want to divert them for safety. Make sure your family is aware of your intended journey and the approximate times you expect to arrive at each town along the way.

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