Hikers Abandoned on Mountain....

Pathfinder1 · 01-30-2012, 10:54 AM

Hi...

This news is a few days old, but I've heard little about it.

Seventeen hikers were abandoned to spend a cold night on an 8,500-foot mountain when a fierce storm w/100-MPH winds forced operators to shut down the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Jan. 24, per MercuryNews.com.

According to the report, they battled snow and ice to reach the mountain tram station, only to find the doors locked.

They had food and clothes for only a day hike (they will be reimbursed the $23.95 tram fair, though).

What's wrong with this picture? Should they have been better prepared?

ChadTower · 01-30-2012, 11:02 AM

Depends on what they were told when they were sold a ticket, with a storm coming, and decided to take the last tram home.

Pathfinder1 · 01-30-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadTower

Depends on what they were told when they were sold a ticket, with a storm coming, and decided to take the last tram home.

Hi...

A report indicated that the tram operators knew about the storm two days in advance.

ChadTower · 01-30-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pathfinder1

Hi...

A report indicated that the tram operators knew about the storm two days in advance.

Of course they did. But the question is not what did the operators know. It is what did they tell the hikers? There is a big difference between "there is a storm coming" and "there is a storm coming and we may be forced to shut down even if you are still up there" and "there is a storm coming and we may be forced to shut down even if you are still up there and no alternative means of getting down will be provided".

LeadOperator · 01-30-2012, 12:25 PM

Lemme see...I'm HIKING...on a 8500 ft MOUNTAIN...depending on a MAN-MADE mode of transportation...with a possibility of a January STORM...hmmmmmmm.
I don't care if I'm goin to the truckstop down the road from my house for a Yoohoo an a pack of smokes...I've got AT LEAST 3 days supplies with me. And I'm not gunna depend on someone elses advice. Sometimes ya gotta take a little responsibility for yourself...huh?

Michael · 01-30-2012, 02:43 PM

From the very, very limited information on this thread, it sounds like the hikers were a bit irresponsible, but the people on the train maybe should have mentioned, "Yeah, we're going to get hit with a huge storm and may need to shut down the line with you lot still up the mountain."

I sure hope that several of those people had good knives and ways to start fire. As much of a pain in the ass as it'd be to get a shelter going for that many people, it'd be way worse if they didn't have any gear at all.

ChadTower · 01-30-2012, 02:48 PM

I'd be more likely to find a way to break a window in that locked door and ride out the storm inside than risk anyone dying on the mountain.

rayne · 01-30-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadTower

I'd be more likely to find a way to break a window in that locked door and ride out the storm inside than risk anyone dying on the mountain.

I'm with you ChadTower. I surely would have found a way to break into that locked door rather than stay out in a storm. This sounds like some irresponsiblilty on both the hikers part and the establishment's part.

wvbreamfisherman · 01-30-2012, 06:42 PM

If they knew the hikers were left up there why the Hell did they lock up the station? Put the only shelter these guys KNOW is available off limits to them? Hmmm...

bsmit212 · 01-31-2012, 09:04 AM

I am with fisherman. Yeah the hikers should have been smarter about their chose of going up, however if the company knew hikers where up there, they should have a disaster plan. If I ran that company I would have had that station on top stocked with supplies and have someone trainned in SAR (or atleast first aid) to man the station in that situation.