If you haven't yet, please subscribe by clicking here: ruclips.net/channel/UCsrtvSjgVg8QgRJzysB55xA For you ISBA fans, you know this story well. A top 5 episode for me. Just a tragic tale of unpreparedness and unfortunate events. Their water reserves were drastically reduced by an unexpected and intense heat wave. What's sad is David's trip to the dry creek likely cost him his life. RIP David Phillips.
@@nkristianschmidt As doing my research in survival techniques, this one is the most debatable from what Ive seen. Sips vs gulps. Man survivalist believe you have to make your water last as long as possible so any amount of water is good for you, so just sip to make it last. But others believe significant gulps is more beneficial. I'm in no means a desert survivalist. Just relaying the info from experts. But I sas the bottom line is either it's sips or gulps, make sure you're hydrated enough to make it to the next day. Listen to your body. No sense in dying if you have water in your canteen.
I remember hearing about this. My fraternal twin brother was dragged with his scout troop by their scoutmaster into the Death Valley. The stupid scoutmaster tried to take them off trail into the wilderness, but my brother and a few other scouts refused and went back to the campsite by the trail head. Smartest decision they had ever made. Now while no one died, one of the kids had to be hospitalized because of the stupid scoutmaster, who was jailed and charged on multiple counts of child endangerment, not to mention sued by the scout’s family.
Ugh. Going off trail is stupid for anyone but a highly seasoned hiker with significant supplies and even then it is not advisable really… At the grand canyon and other difficult terrain nobody should do it. In desert locations it can be done but is very risky.
It sounds like the adults in charge of this trip should be brought up on charges. They're taking young teenage boys into a hostile environment with obviously no knowledge of what the hell they're doing. Completely avoidable. As a sailor, I go to see sometimes by myself. But I know what the hell I'm doing!
Well, I can’t begin to tell you how saddened I was when David tragically passed! I really couldn’t even fathom how the other boys dealt with this news as I remembered him sharing his water with them and now they are being rescued and will be fine! Above all guys if you are planning a hike where the temperatures potentially could reach the extreme range listen to the advice this channel has to offer! It may save your life! These stories on this channel outdoor disasters just keep getting better solidifying their position as RUclipss best! Keep up the excellent work guys and we’ll keep watching!
90° at the beach is VERY different than 90° in the desert...with rocks...at the Grand canyon. There is no need to anticipate rising temperatures. 90° is enough having these babies out there. I'm livid.
I don't know what the weather forecast was, but 110 degrees in June is not the least bit unusual for the lower elevation of the Grand Canyon. And you are right. Hiking that kind of terrain is brutal even at 90 degrees.
Water is one of the densest/heaviest things that a backpacker/hiker carries in significant volume. When trying to limit one's pack weight, it's tempting to "carry only what you think you'll need", esp if you think there will be any water source to replentish along the way. But - in terrain of that sheer, unfathomable magnitude, and that seasonal heat - that can obviously be a deadly mistake. I remember once doing a morning hike through Arches, and (mistakenly) assuming there would be a potable water source at the park entrance, to fill an extra bottle before setting out. Instead, I had just 1 liter, on a Dry morning hike - in MAY - and that was not enough ! I didn't get weak or sick, but later, during lunch in Moab, I pounded down two tall iced teas, followed by 2 quarts of sports drink. When planning, beware your own assumptions.
I agree. Having hiked down the canyon more than a dozen times we were always more concerned about the weight we had to carry out. They should have had a lot more water.
All the stupidity of the adults aside, those boys are exceptional. They literally pushed themselves to the point of death to save their friends and themselves. Their effort wasn't a quick flash or spurt of adrenaline. They had to exert themselves for days while pushing past exhaustion, dehydration, heat stroke, etc. Feel terrible for the boy who died, but he contributed to everyone else coming out alive.
When a teen I took a group ride on mules to the “bottom of the Grand Canyon “ with two cowboys as guides. What a good choice that was! Half way down we met two hikers who needed water. One of the cowboys said “look, I am responsible for these people not you.” He let them get water from the pump and they continued on up. After reading this article I know the guide absolutely knew what he was doing. At every pump, he instructed us to get totally soaked and hydrated. I’m sure he prevented at least heatstroke at the least. 115 degrees at the bottom of the canyon!
The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared". This trek feels like it was anything but. I've hiked down to the bottom and back out and I thought it was grueling, and that was in winter and on primary trails with ample water. I can't imagine trying to hike in more than 100 degree temperatures, let alone when you are essentially bushwhacking a way down with inadequate water. This tragedy reminded me of the three Boy Scouts that perished trying to summit Mt. Wrightson just south of Tucson when they were caught in an unexpected early snowstorm and froze to death (1958).
You can attempt those hikes but be hyper prepared and build up to it; go with extreme caution and preparation. Simulate (safely) survival situations and plan for them
What passed as a safe camping trip with my grampa was "being back to camp by sunset". Other than that we were free to explore, shoot our slings, bows and whatever else we had and ride with the men to get fire wood or see the scenery. I had a blessed childhood in the sense that I was allowed to test my own limits and get dirty 😂
As someone who lives in a desert environment with degree easily reaching 120 f in the summers, I will never understand why so many people & groups decide to schedule treks through desert landscapes in the hottest part of summer? Its just plain dumb. And dumber still to do it with so little water.
Seeking extreme temperatures is similar to summiting peaks or running rivers or any other number of extreme goals to accomplish. It’s a matter of pushing one’s self. You have to be prepared though. This is a sad story that demonstrates the dangers.
@@bushhippie7372 I think it is out of an implicit lack of experience in more cases than it is not. Same as people showing up to high altitude environments or rivers at unusually high flow rates and while being woefully underprepared. Vacation for most families is typically in summer and to go anywhere including the Grand Canyon or the southwest, people book their trip and that's that. I've hiked in 100*+ weather in the southwest on multiple occassions and it's one thing to be on a relatively flat hike near your vehicle and quite another to be away from civilization and moving up in elevation. There were times it wouldn't matter who you were, all you can do is find whatever shade you can and rest; there isn't anything else you can do before you pass out. If I were actually wanting to make it all the way on a challenging hike or climb in the area, I would pick late spring or fall when there's enough light left, but reasonable temperatures. There are some things that you won't be able to do regardless of supplies you bring.
I try not to be judgmental about some of these stories, but this one frustrates me. The fact they were low on water so quickly means someone did not even remotely plan this trip well. Plus choosing one of the more difficult descents over some of the more moderate trails? The loss of life must weigh heavy on those adults who failed in the planning process.
Every Boy Scout adventure should require that the planners recite their motto "Be Prepared" multiple times as they go over every contingency of their trip plan. In this case obviously more water would have helped a lot.
The biggest question is, why did they continue to descend? I know going up is harder, but the story says they realized very early that they didn't have enough water.
I can't tell you how much your videos mean to me. They touch me deeply. I can tell how connected you are to the journeys these people go through. These videos are not simply like short, little things that are fun to watch. They remind me of movies I watched as a kid. They draw me in and make me feel close to the people involved. I remember these stories often. I remember the lessons. When I'm outdoors on an adventure I'm reminded of the hardships others have had to endure. You make me want to be a better outdoorsman. As much as I like your work... I really don't want to be the subject! Thank you, as always, for your work and dedication.
Thank you for the kind words. I do feel connected to these people. I really dive in when researching these stories, and I get wrapped in their world. While I feel great when I'm finished with the production, there's some sadness when I have to escape the world I just entered. It's so enthralling and compelling. I can't wait to find my next story and connect with another journey. I really try to produce it as like a movie. Unlike some channels that may focus just on the incident, I like to set up the world, learn about the people, follow their journey, and how the ordeal impacted them. Thank you very much for your support. A please stay safe, my friend!
As a experienced solo backpacker this was very painful and sad to watch. So many mistakes, it’s as if they could not make a single good decision. I have no idea why anyone would do that hike in the summer months and especially with such a large group. Why they did not hit the trial at 1am to avoid the summer heat is inexcusable. I actually love night hiking. It was a very sad story. Poor leadership for sure.
These stories are hard to watch where the people just make horribly bad decision after horribly bad decision. Like you said, it's like they are incablable of making one single right decision. Just wild... and very sad.
That is an interesting point. Of all the documentaries that I've read or watched over the years of people lost in deserts, they travel in the day, and rest at night... Seems that doing the opposite would be better... laying still during the day in whatever shade you can find or make, conserving energy and moisture... in hot Mediterranean countries, for example, even today, people don't go out and don't work during the hottest part of the day from 1200 to 1700....
@@PRH123When people hike the PCT most people do plan on hiking parts of desert section at night and stopping as the heat of the day kicks in. They will find a place in the shade and rest. The will forfeit good sleep for cooler temps to clear large sections of the hottest parts of the trail. The Grand Canyon can be like an oven. Take care
What a crazy and incredible story. I can’t tell you how many times growing up in scouting, on how many trips we went on where it’s a miracle that nothing tragic happened. It’s a tragedy that someone was lost but so glad this story came out with as good an outcome as it did.
Yes indeed, we did many things as scouts where in retrospect thinking about it, there was potential for disaster if things had gone a little one way instead of the other... I remember winter a sub zero campout, when we got freezing rain and tree limbs and trees started falling at night in the forest all around us... when we went caving in an underground river, and the guide decided to take 30 inexperienced kids through a vertical stone pipe 100 yards long and scarcely the width of our bodies.... the survival campout where we were left on an island in the river for 3 days with no adults and only live chickens, pocket knives, and a few matches... There was one fatality, one of our guys was struck by lightning in a storm holding a tent pole... We loved all of it though, and it was good for our development...
I have a story I would like to share, when I got lost in the desert on the precipice of a monsoon and no one was in sight and the red rock mountains in Las Vegas. But instead I'll just share this simple tip. Never underestimate the time it would take you to complete a hike and always pack your 10 hiking essentials and battery operated satellite GPS. Never consider it to be an inconvenience. Even if you don't use it, you might be saving someone else's life.
We “hiked” to that majestic place, The Horseshoe Bend, from the parking-lot 1/4 mile away, and even with hats on and water, enough for a half-hour trek, me and my wife started to shiver and together with our daughter, who was with this on our tour, we managed to get my wife back to the car. The temperature was 130+ F that day and the sun almost above our heads. We were all surprised how that half hour exposed outside could struck us so hard.
It might surprise someone who has never been in the canyon that it is considerably warmer down in the canyon than it is up on either rim. Average South Rim high temperature in July is 84 degrees, North rim 78 degrees. Average July high down near the river at Phantom Ranch is 106 degrees.
I will be judgemental here. Sometimes its necessary. As an experienced hiker and backpacker....as i sure many here are and we call all agree...#1 rule is good judgement. Common sense. Be safe. Be FULLY PREPARED. Know youre route and degree of difficulty. This was meant to be fun and enjoyable. These were not Alpinist there to push their limits of endurance. As a parent i would be beyond furiousness ❤
I've been to the Grand Canyon. It's beauty is otherworldly, but I don't see myself hiking down to the river, especially IN JUNE!!!! I just don't understand why anyone would want to put themselves in this type of danger intentionally. I'll continue to enjoy the canyon from the observation platform, thank you!
So sad and preventable, as i remember the scout leaders were 70+ plus, ended up a liability both in planning a physically. Worst trail you could pick in the summer to do.
Little Nankoweap isn't a trail, it's a route. Nankoweap is a designated trail, and it's just barely a trail. I hiked it in the mid '80's and did not get to the river. I did get to Nankoweap Creek. I had to as I needed to refill my water. But it's a very sketchy trail, with several miles following a slippery sloping ledge above a cliff, and a very steep descent through loose, slippery shale. I've never done an off trail route in the Grand Canyon and never will as I am too old for that kind of stuff now.
Loved the video! I recently rewatched ISBA and saw this episode on there. It's sad that young man lost his life due to heat stroke, but glad the rest were able to be rescued and get safe. May David Phillips rest in 🕊️ 🙏and may his friends and loved ones find comfort and peace🙏
Stunning visuals. Compelling story. Very sad . These videos make me appreciate life and fill me with awe. The tips are great too. I won't forget to stay put and hug a tree. Bring plenty of water, folks. Great job
I’m from Nevada and yeah, it just seems people take the heat as an annoyance rather than a real threat. I’ve always made it a point to take around 3 gallons of water on full day hikes. Sure, it’s over 20lbs initially but you start running through it pretty quick. It’s worth taking imo.
Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. I'm sure after this event the message was increased in the minute details of what Being Prepared might mean given any situation
Jfc, it’s awful hearing these stories about adults taking kids on hikes and completely failing them. Those boys are superheroes. It’s insane that they were able to free solo climb a 60ft cliff with no prior experience.
Love your channel, yr voice,descriptive narrative. And ending with common sense tips on survival Rip David Phillips I get overheated easily so won't be trekking anywhere with extreme temps. Heard this 1st on I shouldn't have survived..
Such a tragedy! It probably seemed unnecessary to haul gallons of water each, but under those conditions they should have. It’s amazing that they didn’t all die.
Amazing video! My husband and I did Rim2rim2rim in August over 5 days in 2020. We planned a lot and hiked between 4am-9am. It is really sad this happened but we always carry 2 3L water bladders with other energy drinks.
This is so odd. How did the "experts" not decide to take one of the regularly patrolled and maintained trails? So someone could find them if something went wrong.
Yeah, South Kaibab would have been such a better decision. I don't know if permits for camping were required back then but camping permits in June are not hard to get. The main problem was doing this in June. Even 90 degrees is hard to deal with. Sad.
@@olliehopnoodle4628 Permits were required for any overnight trip in the Grand Canyon when I hiked there during the '80's. Little Nankoweap isn't even a designated trail. It's difficult route, and I would bet a fair sum of money that the rangers tried to discourage them from attempting it with a group of Boy Scouts. It's not clear from the video what prior experience thay had with that kind of hiking, but it certainly sounds like they really didn't know what they were getting into. I was a pretty experienced hiker (mostly in Colorado mountains), but I'm glad that my first Grand Canyon hike was all on the easier trails (S. Kabab, Clear Creek and Brigh Angel.). I never went to the the Grand Canyon in the summer. I had no desire to deal with that heat.
Let's face it, the weather at the Grand Canyon in June isn't exactly unpredictable. It's going to be damn hot, especially as you get below the rim. Every 1000 feet you go down that trail, you typically gain 4-5 degrees plus the rocks will tend to radiate the heat. So a very comfortable 70 degrees at the rim turns into 95+ at the river. It can hit 120 at the river on a hot day. That can kill you just lying down and taking shade under a tree, never mind with the sun beating down on you trying to hike 10 miles and 5,000 up. First of all, most people should not be trying to hike down and back up in the same day any time of year. Bright Angel is 10 miles long, so that's a 20 mile day hike. That's far outside most people's abilities. Havasupai/Indian Gardens is like 9 miles round trip with 3,000 of elevation loss/gain and will tax most people to their limits. Secondly, read the damn trail map. It says '"DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially May to September." Follow that advice. It's there for a reason. Thirdly, if you're hiking the canyon during those summer times you really should leave before sunrise and hike for the first 2 hours by headlamp. Catch the views on the way back up but don't wait until sunrise to start. You'll also have the benefit of staying ahead of the mules and will pass them head-on coming back up. Getting stuck behind one is annoying (and smelly). So yeah, you're going to have to be on the trail at 3:30 or 4AM. Just do it. If you're a decent hiker and it's summer, take the advice above and just go down as far as Indian Gardens. Leaving a couple hours before sunrise you can make Indian Gardens at just after sunrise, enjoy the views and start hiking back up before the heat of the day sets in. As the day heats up, you're counteracting that somewhat with the altitude gain. You can't stay ahead of the heat entirely but you can certainly mitigate it. It's 8-10 hours round trip, so figure 3 hours down and 6-7 back up. So if you start around 4AM, you'll be back up at the rim between 12-2 PM before the heat of the day really kicks in. Ignore this advice at your peril.
I'm not sure if back then Back Country Permits were required by the National Park Service but I'll guaranteed you that the Back Country Office would strongly suggest not doing a hike like this with unseasoned hikers. I'm not sure why they chose the Nankoweap Trail as it it considered the most difficult of all the trails. It's really sad that someone had to lose their life because of poor planning.
I did some Grand Canyon hikes in the '80's. Back Country permits were required then for any overnight trip below the rim, so I'm sure they were required in 1996, and I would think the Backcountry Office would have done their damndest to put the fear of God in the leaders about doing this hike with a troop of Scouts in June. Apparently they didn't listen.
I learned that leason the hard way in 91 i hiked down to roaring springs on the north kiabab trail a very steep trail going down was easy i jogged it down well at the time i worked at the gc lodge north rim well i got a box lunch and barrowed a qt bottle not realizing that i needed more so i conserved water and filled up at water stations which there is two one 3 miles down to the springs then one at the springs itself well i spent a couple hours at the springs resting well roaring springs is 6 miles from the trail head at the start ate my lunch well i am a smoker which is not recomended smoking and hiking at the same time well i started my hike back up here is where it gets harder and steeper two miles up my water almost gone so i walked up that extra mile to the water station fill up and drank more water then refilling and resting i started this trip at 6:30am in the morning then hit the springs at 11 am then headed up at 1:30pm hit the water station at 3 made the trail head on the north rim at 6:30 when i got up to the trail head it was 6:30 i was totally dehydrated i was whiter than Casper the friendly ghost if it was not for this other hiker from Indonesia he filled my 1qt canteen with some hydration powder i could have had a trip to the flagstaff hospital he drove me back to the lodge where he asked the cafe manger if he knew me since i was dehydrated and barely comprehensive and missed the chow time for dinner this stranger saved my life and that kitchen manager too by getting me fed since the only meal i had was the box lunch i made the mistakes of not having enough water two not having a hiking buddy go with me three not bringing enough food four smoking while hiking back up which dehydrated me faster boy did i learn a leason ftom that would i do things differently hell yes i would now that i learned that leason the hard way
To go through such a harrowing experience as they did, and losing a close friend in the process had to be a terrible experience. Yet deciding to what they could to get to the river, saved the remainder of the group, coming upon those doctors in a raft.
I visited the south rim last week it was ladden with thunder, lighting and rain. It's beautiful to see but but don't need to hike in a dangerous environment
Living in Arizona, the fact they were hiking in June is a bad decision in the first place, I’ve heard this story & these Scouts weren’t from AZ which doesn’t help your acclimation to the environment. I don’t go hiking from June-Sept unless its early morning or at night.
14:36 More sketchy than a free solo climb is a free solo descent. To me (and many), unroped descents are much harder (mentally and physically) than ascents.
It seems to me that one of the many poor decisions they made was to descend the more difficult route instead of ascending it. Downhill is harder, especially off trail in the Grand Canyon. Worst decision was to even attempt that route in June, with no prior experience in the Grand Canyon. The fact that they got cliffed out probably indicates that they were off route.
It is an awesome hike but not for the feint of heart… particularly in the summer months. If you have water and hydrate properly, high temps are manageable. Still, I would not recommend it as you need several times the water you have to carry… and water is heavy causing you to exert more. If you got to the bottom of the canyon and realized you are over your head, you can try to seek help and remain near the river where water is available. Hike back up in the evening after it has cooled off if you must. Bring a light! Plan your hikes at the end of the season and if the weather is hot… just skip it for another time.
I did three Grand Canyon hikes in the '80's. South Kaibab, Clear Creek and Bright Angel in December (snow and ice on the upper part of the trails), Nankoweap and North Bass in October. I didn't make it all the way to the river on either of the last two. They were by far the toughest backpacking I ever did. But I want nothing to do with hiking that kind of terrain in the summer. Even in October, the lower elevations can be hot (and were pleasantly warm even in December, though it was definitely winter conditions on the South Rim).
Because part of their plan was to make it to the river before they ran out and they'd be near it for several of those middle days, able to get all the water they needed and enough to carry them through on the hike back out. It wasn't the water situation that was bad planning - you cannot carry enough water for yourself for 7 days of activity in the desert in a backpack seeing as it's recommended that you need AT LEAST a gallon per day but hiking preparation recommends up to 2 gallons per person per day. It was the fact that they left a marked trail and just decided to "wing it" to get to the water. I'm not sure why- even many of the marked trails are plenty challenging and you still put in a lot of work navigating them. But going off path means potentially- even likely- running into spots that can't be traveled, like your path to the bottom being blocked by a 200 ft sheer cliff that you aren't prepared to climb or a boulder field when every step can dislodge the rocks you're walking on and seeing you tumbling down or a washout/ravine that you can't cross. That means turning around and backtracking to find another way, wasting precious time and wearing you out further. Stay on the mapped routes- that would be my recommendation.
It doesn’t matter what their plan was. You don’t have to take seven days worth of water, but you sure as hell take enough in case something goes wrong. They could have easily brought an extra two days worth and then the kid would likely have survived. This is pure ignorance of the adults, who should have been given jail time.
@@princessmarlena1359 The video doesn't really make clear what their prior experience was, but doing an off trail route (which Little Nankoweep definitely is) in June was a very bad idea. I think they underestimated their water needs or the time required to descend that route or both. It takes a lot of water to stay hydrated when backpacking steep terrain at those temperatures. On gallon per day per person is the bare minimum. Even the Nankoweap trail, which is a designated trail, is a very difficult hike (I've done it). The Park Service strongly reccomends that people without prior experience in the Grand Canyon stick to the easiest trails, and this is good advice.
We've been to GC several times, hiked down just a bit. It is no joke, your depth perspective/ perception is off by the vastness of it all. We talked with somebody coming up and we asked about the first water station that we could see in the distance, he said that it was several hours to that water station, i had guessed 45 minutes or so. We weren't planning on hiking down any more anyway and started to accend. We saw aome young guys, possibly college students from China, very little English. They stated they were going all the way down..... in flip flops and a 16 oz bottle of water. We talked them out of doing it, hopefully saved their lives. Also did Arches during July. We started our hikes at daybreak with a camelback and extra water in the backpacks. We couldn't hike past 1pm due to the heat. It's no joke out west because i feel that even if your lost on say the Appalachian Trail, you could still possibly find a water source. Hike safe out there folks....
I can say from experience, that you don't really grasp just how big the Grand Canyon is until you hike into it. It looks big from the rim, but much of what you see is so far away that you don't really grasp how big it is.
Have you done an episode on Bryce Gillies? He was a university student who went backpacking in Grand Canyon, Thunder River and took the wrong path. He ended up ledge out in a giant sill and perished. I think it occurred in 2009. Good report on the boyscouts. I remember this story. So sad and hope the troop leaders were held accountable. Absolutely reckless.
Water and temperature; the biggest factors in backpacking. When in unexpected conditions, have a flexible Plan B. Always do your research and preplanning for real-time info for the area you plan to hike. I always have a UV umbrella on hikes. It provides instant shade, rain and snow protection. KNOW your water sources and be willing to make alterations to your hike to accommodate water needs. 🌿🔥💦
@@happilysmpl Good question. I have a UV protection umbrella that has reflective UV protection materials. When hiking in open areas (like much of the PCT), it creates shade where there is none for miles. It lowers the temperature under its cover about 10° or so. It has literally saved me from sunstroke. ☀️
I had a dog walk right over a rattlesnake once and not get bitten. It probably helped that it was a cool spring day (about 60 degrees F). I once encountered a little rattlesnake that was blocking the trail. I managed to get it to move by tapping the ground next to it with a stick. Though it was in position to strike (head off the ground in an S), it never attempted to strike me or the stick. Most people that get bitten step on, or right next to a snake that they don't see.
I lived in the Arizona desert many years. I’ve hiked, camped and performed hard labor in that environment. You can die quickly in the summer heat if not experienced and well prepared and die of cold exposure in the winter. A grueling hike in June is not a great idea, not having enough water to make it through even a single day is unconscionable. If weight is an issue to carry enough water just survive than don’t go. During the summer heat in the desert I’d rather go a week without food before 2 hours without water. If you do find yourself in a desperate situation needing water, conserving only works to a point. There’s been many people found dead in the desert of dehydration with containers full of water. Drink what you need to survive. The water will keep you alive and allow you to forage forage for food. If your fortunate enough to find a barrel or prickly pear cactus it can provide you with both sustenance and water. There’s also plenty of reptiles for protein and rattlesnake is actually quite tasty.
I work in the bush I'm a land surveyor in the Pacific Northwest specializing in remote work, not work from home but about as deep into the middle of nowhere as you can get,, and if there's one thing I've learned after 20 years of hiking the wilderness it's that nobody dies of dehydration when you go camping at a spot that you can drive up to and you bring enough beer to drown a whale. If anyone ever ask me to go on a hike like that I would not hesitate to say no. I'm sure there are perfectly good spots around there that you can drive right up to and sit in safety with beer. And before anyone starts chiming and that they were teenagers or that sounds no fun,, do you think being traumatized and having one of them dead is fun....
When your water is half gone, you need to realistically asess whether you have enough to reach your next water source. If you are not absolutely certain, it's time to turn around.
So, they just underprepared for the heat? I'm confused, why didn't they just go back when they realized it was too hot? Those poor kids, these adults should be brought up on charges.
About the time half their water was gone (even before), they should have re-evaluated whether they had enough to get to wherever they were planning on refilly (probably the river or Nankoweap Creek). If they weren't 100% sure, they should have turned around. It would have been disappointing, but far better than having one of those kids die.
I hiked with 2 friends to I think it was called Indian Gardens from the South rim in college we then went to point a that overlooked the Colorado river. It was 7 miles to the point from the rim and we only had one canteen of water. On the way back up I went ahead of the others and left them with the canteen. It got to be about 115F that afternoon. I must have been in great shape because I made it 7 miles to the top with no water. One of my friends got sick and puked. Probably from heat. But they did make it up about an hour after me.
Yes. And a backcountry route in the Grand Canyon like they were on is a whole different level of hiking than the Bright Angel, South Kaibab or North Kaibab. Don't get me wrong, the distance and elevation change on those main trails make them tough hikes, but they are basically narrow roads. You could ride a dirt bike on them if the Park Sevice allowed it. Get off of those trails and you're dealing with very steep slopes with rocks, cactus, thorny bushes, and cliffs.
We hiked at the Grand Canyon last August. Choose known, marked trails, and plan to have about 1 bottle of water per hour when the sun is up. Start the hike around 4 or 5 AM. Wear sunscreen. There are also mule rides for those wanting to visit the rugged trails but are physically unfit
@@happilysmpl I have a one gallon (4 liter) canteen. But many people to carry mutiple smaller bottles anyway. If you have one big container, and you damage it enough for it to leak, you're screwed.
@@russlehman2070 Coming back to this video. It impacted me soo much that I researched about heat exhaustion. I knew little about it earlier. This trip should never have happened. Trekking in the Sun Umbrella is 100% must. Its the first line of defence. Those poor kids.
People underestimate the dangers because they have been made unaware due to the lack of exposure. People live behind a screen and only know what’s in their surrounding environment. For people who live in extreme temperature, they are aware of the dangers and would not push their limits knowing the potential hazards. People live in their egos. When they have ventured into adventurous moments and succeed, they make an assumption that they can tackle anything. Your ego makes you dumb and blind. The movie, in to the wild was such a great example. He ventured into Alaska during the winter, and was surprise on what occurred during the summer season, a river that flowed and blocked his path out of where he was located.
This channel is on that roll that somehow ends up at the top! Pumping out videos of tragedies that can hopefully transform into some good by educating all of us, in an attempt to stop things from happening again. Nice job my guy your hard work is not going unnoticed by your audience 👍💪👏
Take a bunch of kids off trail in the GC? I wouldn’t call them “skilled” leaders. They had no idea what they were getting into and had no business taking kids there. Sheer hubris.
i dont understand this at all. There are so many good trails to take why would you descend 1000 ft on loose gravel/rocks with a bunch of kids. Dumb idea, no reason at all to do that.
The nankoweap isnt a trail for most adults. Now to create a bushwhack route down there is insane. In addition, why are people backpacking THAT route in June? WTH were they thinking? Where were they from? I have done 10 trips backpacking in the canyon and only once in the first week of June. It was the Thunder River Deer Creek loop which has consistent water. It was still probably too hot. I most likely won't do that again, cutoff is May 20th for me. Those boys saved the adults lives. So proud of them. It also sounds like that rattlesnake actually helped Guy, gave him something to focus on and release energy.
I've hiked the Nankoweap, and I agree. It was one of the sketchiest trails I've ever backpacked. I've read accounts of people hiking Little Nankoweap. It involves class 3 scrambling and difficult route finding. The fact that they got cliffed out before the river tells me that they were probably off route. And they chose to descend the more difficult route, which was a bad decision. Up is generally easier than down on that kind of route.
People should keep a couple of gallons of water in their trunk or somewhere in the car because you never know when you might breakdown and you could sit there for hours in the sweltering heat and you need water to drink to survive.
Im not even sure they could have carried the proper amount of water for this trek. They would need 8 gallons of water each. Thats 64 pounds of water a piece. Unless they were absolutely certain they can reach a verified source of fresh water. Which is difficult to be 100% sure during the dry summer months. IDK Anyone else have more accurate info on this?
Moved to Santa Cruz Valley, AZ, in 2016. Fascinated with my new home state. Book: Death Clouds on Mt. Baldy, Cathy Hufault is how I came across the tragedy.
What a lot of people with no experience of a desert in summer often don't realize is that the dry air evaporates the swear from your body almost instantly. I always wore long leg loose fitting trousers and long sleeve shirts in order to conserve that sweat. I also wore lightweight white or extremely light colour over those as the very light colour or white does a good job of reflecting a fair bit of heat. The desert n summer is no place for anyone who's not properly prepared.
I just read that it’s important to take in a large gulp of water less often, when seriously overheated, as a larger amount of water cools off the brain. A small sip won’t help.
Avoid risk ...when camping go to places where there is a shower block with wash basins and hot water , also a block with clothes driers , a block with sinks for washing dishes ...
Why would you hike into the Grand Canyon in the middle of the summer of course its going to be really hot at low elevation in the desert and you could get a flash flood from one of those monsoon thunderstorms. Grand Canyon hikes should be done in the spring/fall sure it may be alittle cool at the higher elevation rim of the Grand Canyon but it will be nice lower down where you are camping. I thought one of the scout mottos was be prepared and this shows and extreme lack of preparation.
Monsoon season is generally July and August, but flash flooding can happen any time in the Grand Canyon. There was an extremely large flood (that took out a 900 year old Ancestral Puebloan ruin) in December of 1966, due to heavy rain falling on deep snow..
Loved your video as usual ❤️ just have to say those images of the grand canyon at the beginning are absolutely breathtaking 😍 all those cliffs an rock with all their different colors an formations tell a story probably right back to Dinosaur days amazing 💯❤️
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For you ISBA fans, you know this story well. A top 5 episode for me. Just a tragic tale of unpreparedness and unfortunate events. Their water reserves were drastically reduced by an unexpected and intense heat wave. What's sad is David's trip to the dry creek likely cost him his life. RIP David Phillips.
Gulps are necessary to hydrate vital organs, yes?
@@nkristianschmidt As doing my research in survival techniques, this one is the most debatable from what Ive seen. Sips vs gulps. Man survivalist believe you have to make your water last as long as possible so any amount of water is good for you, so just sip to make it last. But others believe significant gulps is more beneficial. I'm in no means a desert survivalist. Just relaying the info from experts. But I sas the bottom line is either it's sips or gulps, make sure you're hydrated enough to make it to the next day. Listen to your body. No sense in dying if you have water in your canteen.
I remember hearing about this. My fraternal twin brother was dragged with his scout troop by their scoutmaster into the Death Valley. The stupid scoutmaster tried to take them off trail into the wilderness, but my brother and a few other scouts refused and went back to the campsite by the trail head. Smartest decision they had ever made.
Now while no one died, one of the kids had to be hospitalized because of the stupid scoutmaster, who was jailed and charged on multiple counts of child endangerment, not to mention sued by the scout’s family.
Lucky no one died. Heat is no joke, especially when no water is available.
It's hard to become a man
Ugh. Going off trail is stupid for anyone but a highly seasoned hiker with significant supplies and even then it is not advisable really… At the grand canyon and other difficult terrain nobody should do it. In desert locations it can be done but is very risky.
@@brianhawk1854 Especially if ya die first lol.
I would sue the idiot older hikers who led them to this torture
It sounds like the adults in charge of this trip should be brought up on charges. They're taking young teenage boys into a hostile environment with obviously no knowledge of what the hell they're doing. Completely avoidable. As a sailor, I go to see sometimes by myself. But I know what the hell I'm doing!
The adult leader(s) should’ve been charged with manslaughter. What a bonehead thing to do.
Well, I can’t begin to tell you how saddened I was when David tragically passed! I really couldn’t even fathom how the other boys dealt with this news as I remembered him sharing his water with them and now they are being rescued and will be fine! Above all guys if you are planning a hike where the temperatures potentially could reach the extreme range listen to the advice this channel has to offer! It may save your life! These stories on this channel outdoor disasters just keep getting better solidifying their position as RUclipss best! Keep up the excellent work guys and we’ll keep watching!
I really appreciate your kind words, my friend!
90° at the beach is VERY different than 90° in the desert...with rocks...at the Grand canyon. There is no need to anticipate rising temperatures. 90° is enough having these babies out there. I'm livid.
I don't know what the weather forecast was, but 110 degrees in June is not the least bit unusual for the lower elevation of the Grand Canyon. And you are right. Hiking that kind of terrain is brutal even at 90 degrees.
Water is one of the densest/heaviest things that a backpacker/hiker carries in significant volume.
When trying to limit one's pack weight, it's tempting to "carry only what you think you'll need", esp if you think there will be any water source to replentish along the way.
But - in terrain of that sheer, unfathomable magnitude, and that seasonal heat - that can obviously be a deadly mistake.
I remember once doing a morning hike through Arches, and (mistakenly) assuming there would be a potable water source at the park entrance, to fill an extra bottle before setting out.
Instead, I had just 1 liter, on a Dry morning hike - in MAY - and that was not enough ! I didn't get weak or sick, but later, during lunch in Moab, I pounded down two tall iced teas, followed by 2 quarts of sports drink. When planning, beware your own assumptions.
I concur.
I agree. Having hiked down the canyon more than a dozen times we were always more concerned about the weight we had to carry out. They should have had a lot more water.
Bodies you mean@@olliehopnoodle4628
When a World Class Narrator meets a brilliant and heart stopping script!
All the stupidity of the adults aside, those boys are exceptional. They literally pushed themselves to the point of death to save their friends and themselves. Their effort wasn't a quick flash or spurt of adrenaline. They had to exert themselves for days while pushing past exhaustion, dehydration, heat stroke, etc. Feel terrible for the boy who died, but he contributed to everyone else coming out alive.
When a teen I took a group ride on mules to the “bottom of the Grand Canyon “ with two cowboys as guides. What a good choice that was! Half way down we met two hikers who needed water. One of the cowboys said “look, I am responsible for these people not you.” He let them get water from the pump and they continued on up. After reading this article I know the guide absolutely knew what he was doing. At every pump, he instructed us to get totally soaked and hydrated. I’m sure he prevented at least heatstroke at the least. 115 degrees at the bottom of the canyon!
The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared". This trek feels like it was anything but. I've hiked down to the bottom and back out and I thought it was grueling, and that was in winter and on primary trails with ample water. I can't imagine trying to hike in more than 100 degree temperatures, let alone when you are essentially bushwhacking a way down with inadequate water. This tragedy reminded me of the three Boy Scouts that perished trying to summit Mt. Wrightson just south of Tucson when they were caught in an unexpected early snowstorm and froze to death (1958).
You can attempt those hikes but be hyper prepared and build up to it; go with extreme caution and preparation. Simulate (safely) survival situations and plan for them
What passed as a safe camping trip with my grampa was "being back to camp by sunset". Other than that we were free to explore, shoot our slings, bows and whatever else we had and ride with the men to get fire wood or see the scenery. I had a blessed childhood in the sense that I was allowed to test my own limits and get dirty 😂
@@chengalvalavenkata2401 I wish I could give this comment 1000 upvotes. Without planning you're relying on luck to get you through.
Off designated trails, NO RADIO, not ready to the actual weather, AND minors?!?!?! How the hell was the trip ever put together?
As someone who lives in a desert environment with degree easily reaching 120 f in the summers, I will never understand why so many people & groups decide to schedule treks through desert landscapes in the hottest part of summer? Its just plain dumb. And dumber still to do it with so little water.
Because most people today lack common sense.
Seeking extreme temperatures is similar to summiting peaks or running rivers or any other number of extreme goals to accomplish. It’s a matter of pushing one’s self. You have to be prepared though. This is a sad story that demonstrates the dangers.
@@bushhippie7372 I think it is out of an implicit lack of experience in more cases than it is not. Same as people showing up to high altitude environments or rivers at unusually high flow rates and while being woefully underprepared. Vacation for most families is typically in summer and to go anywhere including the Grand Canyon or the southwest, people book their trip and that's that. I've hiked in 100*+ weather in the southwest on multiple occassions and it's one thing to be on a relatively flat hike near your vehicle and quite another to be away from civilization and moving up in elevation. There were times it wouldn't matter who you were, all you can do is find whatever shade you can and rest; there isn't anything else you can do before you pass out. If I were actually wanting to make it all the way on a challenging hike or climb in the area, I would pick late spring or fall when there's enough light left, but reasonable temperatures. There are some things that you won't be able to do regardless of supplies you bring.
Sometimes, it's the only time we could get a permit.
It’s when most families take vacations. I’m not justifying anything just answering your question.
I try not to be judgmental about some of these stories, but this one frustrates me. The fact they were low on water so quickly means someone did not even remotely plan this trip well. Plus choosing one of the more difficult descents over some of the more moderate trails? The loss of life must weigh heavy on those adults who failed in the planning process.
It seemed like they had little idea where they were going.
Every Boy Scout adventure should require that the planners recite their motto "Be Prepared" multiple times as they go over every contingency of their trip plan. In this case obviously more water would have helped a lot.
The biggest question is, why did they continue to descend? I know going up is harder, but the story says they realized very early that they didn't have enough water.
@@zbutler111 I think they believed the faster route to water was the Colorado River, rather than a difficult ascent.
Not to mention going to hike in the Grand Canyon in June. SMH
Love your channel. Every video is so interesting! Keep up the good work!
I can't tell you how much your videos mean to me. They touch me deeply. I can tell how connected you are to the journeys these people go through. These videos are not simply like short, little things that are fun to watch. They remind me of movies I watched as a kid. They draw me in and make me feel close to the people involved. I remember these stories often. I remember the lessons. When I'm outdoors on an adventure I'm reminded of the hardships others have had to endure. You make me want to be a better outdoorsman. As much as I like your work... I really don't want to be the subject!
Thank you, as always, for your work and dedication.
Thank you for the kind words. I do feel connected to these people. I really dive in when researching these stories, and I get wrapped in their world. While I feel great when I'm finished with the production, there's some sadness when I have to escape the world I just entered. It's so enthralling and compelling. I can't wait to find my next story and connect with another journey. I really try to produce it as like a movie. Unlike some channels that may focus just on the incident, I like to set up the world, learn about the people, follow their journey, and how the ordeal impacted them. Thank you very much for your support. A please stay safe, my friend!
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As a experienced solo backpacker this was very painful and sad to watch. So many mistakes, it’s as if they could not make a single good decision. I have no idea why anyone would do that hike in the summer months and especially with such a large group. Why they did not hit the trial at 1am to avoid the summer heat is inexcusable. I actually love night hiking. It was a very sad story. Poor leadership for sure.
These stories are hard to watch where the people just make horribly bad decision after horribly bad decision. Like you said, it's like they are incablable of making one single right decision. Just wild... and very sad.
That is an interesting point. Of all the documentaries that I've read or watched over the years of people lost in deserts, they travel in the day, and rest at night... Seems that doing the opposite would be better... laying still during the day in whatever shade you can find or make, conserving energy and moisture... in hot Mediterranean countries, for example, even today, people don't go out and don't work during the hottest part of the day from 1200 to 1700....
@@PRH123When people hike the PCT most people do plan on hiking parts of desert section at night and stopping as the heat of the day kicks in. They will find a place in the shade and rest. The will forfeit good sleep for cooler temps to clear large sections of the hottest parts of the trail. The Grand Canyon can be like an oven. Take care
@@mtadams2009 cool, didn't know that, makes perfect sense... "PCT" is the Grand Canyon...?
@@PRH123 PCT is the Pacific Crest Trail. A large part of the trail is in the deserts of southern California and is extremely hot
This is the saddest story on this channel. Poor brave David 😢
What a crazy and incredible story. I can’t tell you how many times growing up in scouting, on how many trips we went on where it’s a miracle that nothing tragic happened. It’s a tragedy that someone was lost but so glad this story came out with as good an outcome as it did.
Yes indeed, we did many things as scouts where in retrospect thinking about it, there was potential for disaster if things had gone a little one way instead of the other...
I remember winter a sub zero campout, when we got freezing rain and tree limbs and trees started falling at night in the forest all around us... when we went caving in an underground river, and the guide decided to take 30 inexperienced kids through a vertical stone pipe 100 yards long and scarcely the width of our bodies.... the survival campout where we were left on an island in the river for 3 days with no adults and only live chickens, pocket knives, and a few matches...
There was one fatality, one of our guys was struck by lightning in a storm holding a tent pole...
We loved all of it though, and it was good for our development...
I have a story I would like to share, when I got lost in the desert on the precipice of a monsoon and no one was in sight and the red rock mountains in Las Vegas.
But instead I'll just share this simple tip. Never underestimate the time it would take you to complete a hike and always pack your 10 hiking essentials and battery operated satellite GPS. Never consider it to be an inconvenience. Even if you don't use it, you might be saving someone else's life.
It's nice to wake up on Sunday morning and watch a new episode of outdoor disasters.
God put those doctors there at the right time.
Or maybe they were just there. A coincidence.
That sounds almost as spooky as "God put those doctors there". @@isabellind1292
Turns out June in Arizona is very hot. Who would have thought?
We “hiked” to that majestic place, The Horseshoe Bend, from the parking-lot 1/4 mile away, and even with hats on and water, enough for a half-hour trek, me and my wife started to shiver and together with our daughter, who was with this on our tour, we managed to get my wife back to the car.
The temperature was 130+ F that day and the sun almost above our heads. We were all surprised how that half hour exposed outside could struck us so hard.
Weather forecasts were readily available in 1996. Not anticipating the weather on the same day is the same as not checking.
My favorite narrator.
Your voice is perfect for these videos. Thank you very much for the hard work involved in the making of these videos.
Wow, thank you!
It might surprise someone who has never been in the canyon that it is considerably warmer down in the canyon than it is up on either rim. Average South Rim high temperature in July is 84 degrees, North rim 78 degrees. Average July high down near the river at Phantom Ranch is 106 degrees.
Yeah, it's such a double edge sword. The lower they descend, the hotter it gets, but that's where the water is.
I had no idea! It sure pays to know about a location.
That's because you're surrounded by rocks that are radiating stored heat. Both sides, front and back, as well as beneath your feet.
I will be judgemental here. Sometimes its necessary. As an experienced hiker and backpacker....as i sure many here are and we call all agree...#1 rule is good judgement. Common sense. Be safe. Be FULLY PREPARED. Know youre route and degree of difficulty. This was meant to be fun and enjoyable. These were not Alpinist there to push their limits of endurance. As a parent i would be beyond furiousness ❤
I've been to the Grand Canyon. It's beauty is otherworldly, but I don't see myself hiking down to the river, especially IN JUNE!!!! I just don't understand why anyone would want to put themselves in this type of danger intentionally. I'll continue to enjoy the canyon from the observation platform, thank you!
So sad and preventable, as i remember the scout leaders were 70+ plus, ended up a liability both in planning a physically. Worst trail you could pick in the summer to do.
Little Nankoweap isn't a trail, it's a route. Nankoweap is a designated trail, and it's just barely a trail. I hiked it in the mid '80's and did not get to the river. I did get to Nankoweap Creek. I had to as I needed to refill my water. But it's a very sketchy trail, with several miles following a slippery sloping ledge above a cliff, and a very steep descent through loose, slippery shale. I've never done an off trail route in the Grand Canyon and never will as I am too old for that kind of stuff now.
I live near the Grand Canyon and most of the deaths I hear about are because of dehydration people don’t take enough water.
Or electrolytes or salt tablets, or a way of reaching the outside world.
Loved the video! I recently rewatched ISBA and saw this episode on there. It's sad that young man lost his life due to heat stroke, but glad the rest were able to be rescued and get safe. May David Phillips rest in 🕊️ 🙏and may his friends and loved ones find comfort and peace🙏
I watched that same episode years ago. Such a tragedy
Stunning visuals. Compelling story. Very sad . These videos make me appreciate life and fill me with awe. The tips are great too. I won't forget to stay put and hug a tree. Bring plenty of water, folks. Great job
I’m from Nevada and yeah, it just seems people take the heat as an annoyance rather than a real threat.
I’ve always made it a point to take around 3 gallons of water on full day hikes. Sure, it’s over 20lbs initially but you start running through it pretty quick. It’s worth taking imo.
Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. I'm sure after this event the message was increased in the minute details of what Being Prepared might mean given any situation
A 6 day hike in the summer without knowing where and if you will find water. What could possibly go wrong?
Jfc, it’s awful hearing these stories about adults taking kids on hikes and completely failing them. Those boys are superheroes. It’s insane that they were able to free solo climb a 60ft cliff with no prior experience.
Only by God’s grace
Love your channel, yr voice,descriptive narrative. And ending with common sense tips on survival
Rip David Phillips
I get overheated easily so won't be trekking anywhere with extreme temps.
Heard this 1st on I shouldn't have survived..
Taking peoples kids with no radio for emergencies was the biggest mistake here...
Such a tragedy! It probably seemed unnecessary to haul gallons of water each, but under those conditions they should have. It’s amazing that they didn’t all die.
Excellent video as always!! Thank you so much for these informative and interesting stories!! Again -- Love this channel!!!
Always appreciate your kind words Mary!
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Amazing video! My husband and I did Rim2rim2rim in August over 5 days in 2020. We planned a lot and hiked between 4am-9am. It is really sad this happened but we always carry 2 3L water bladders with other energy drinks.
The one young man who offered his water to everyone in the group was the one who passed away.
That is heartbreaking 💔
Yes, so sad. That, combined with going to find water was his demise.
I really enjoy your show and love the safety tips at the end!
And I really appreciate you!
This is so odd. How did the "experts" not decide to take one of the regularly patrolled and maintained trails? So someone could find them if something went wrong.
Yeah, South Kaibab would have been such a better decision. I don't know if permits for camping were required back then but camping permits in June are not hard to get. The main problem was doing this in June. Even 90 degrees is hard to deal with. Sad.
@@olliehopnoodle4628 Permits were required for any overnight trip in the Grand Canyon when I hiked there during the '80's. Little Nankoweap isn't even a designated trail. It's difficult route, and I would bet a fair sum of money that the rangers tried to discourage them from attempting it with a group of Boy Scouts. It's not clear from the video what prior experience thay had with that kind of hiking, but it certainly sounds like they really didn't know what they were getting into. I was a pretty experienced hiker (mostly in Colorado mountains), but I'm glad that my first Grand Canyon hike was all on the easier trails (S. Kabab, Clear Creek and Brigh Angel.). I never went to the the Grand Canyon in the summer. I had no desire to deal with that heat.
@@russlehman2070 Clear Creek is one of my favorites. Did you hike up to the falls?
Let's face it, the weather at the Grand Canyon in June isn't exactly unpredictable. It's going to be damn hot, especially as you get below the rim. Every 1000 feet you go down that trail, you typically gain 4-5 degrees plus the rocks will tend to radiate the heat. So a very comfortable 70 degrees at the rim turns into 95+ at the river. It can hit 120 at the river on a hot day. That can kill you just lying down and taking shade under a tree, never mind with the sun beating down on you trying to hike 10 miles and 5,000 up.
First of all, most people should not be trying to hike down and back up in the same day any time of year. Bright Angel is 10 miles long, so that's a 20 mile day hike. That's far outside most people's abilities. Havasupai/Indian Gardens is like 9 miles round trip with 3,000 of elevation loss/gain and will tax most people to their limits.
Secondly, read the damn trail map. It says '"DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially May to September." Follow that advice. It's there for a reason.
Thirdly, if you're hiking the canyon during those summer times you really should leave before sunrise and hike for the first 2 hours by headlamp. Catch the views on the way back up but don't wait until sunrise to start. You'll also have the benefit of staying ahead of the mules and will pass them head-on coming back up. Getting stuck behind one is annoying (and smelly). So yeah, you're going to have to be on the trail at 3:30 or 4AM. Just do it.
If you're a decent hiker and it's summer, take the advice above and just go down as far as Indian Gardens. Leaving a couple hours before sunrise you can make Indian Gardens at just after sunrise, enjoy the views and start hiking back up before the heat of the day sets in. As the day heats up, you're counteracting that somewhat with the altitude gain. You can't stay ahead of the heat entirely but you can certainly mitigate it. It's 8-10 hours round trip, so figure 3 hours down and 6-7 back up. So if you start around 4AM, you'll be back up at the rim between 12-2 PM before the heat of the day really kicks in.
Ignore this advice at your peril.
You explained the situation quite clearly. All of your key points are indispensable and a warning at the same time. Thanks for sharing!
I'm not sure if back then Back Country Permits were required by the National Park Service but I'll guaranteed you that the Back Country Office would strongly suggest not doing a hike like this with unseasoned hikers. I'm not sure why they chose the Nankoweap Trail as it it considered the most difficult of all the trails. It's really sad that someone had to lose their life because of poor planning.
I expected they were going to hike down Kaibab. It's a beautiful trail and no where near as isolated.
I did some Grand Canyon hikes in the '80's. Back Country permits were required then for any overnight trip below the rim, so I'm sure they were required in 1996, and I would think the Backcountry Office would have done their damndest to put the fear of God in the leaders about doing this hike with a troop of Scouts in June. Apparently they didn't listen.
I learned that leason the hard way in 91 i hiked down to roaring springs on the north kiabab trail a very steep trail going down was easy i jogged it down well at the time i worked at the gc lodge north rim well i got a box lunch and barrowed a qt bottle not realizing that i needed more so i conserved water and filled up at water stations which there is two one 3 miles down to the springs then one at the springs itself well i spent a couple hours at the springs resting well roaring springs is 6 miles from the trail head at the start ate my lunch well i am a smoker which is not recomended smoking and hiking at the same time well i started my hike back up here is where it gets harder and steeper two miles up my water almost gone so i walked up that extra mile to the water station fill up and drank more water then refilling and resting i started this trip at 6:30am in the morning then hit the springs at 11 am then headed up at 1:30pm hit the water station at 3 made the trail head on the north rim at 6:30 when i got up to the trail head it was 6:30 i was totally dehydrated i was whiter than Casper the friendly ghost if it was not for this other hiker from Indonesia he filled my 1qt canteen with some hydration powder i could have had a trip to the flagstaff hospital he drove me back to the lodge where he asked the cafe manger if he knew me since i was dehydrated and barely comprehensive and missed the chow time for dinner this stranger saved my life and that kitchen manager too by getting me fed since the only meal i had was the box lunch i made the mistakes of not having enough water two not having a hiking buddy go with me three not bringing enough food four smoking while hiking back up which dehydrated me faster boy did i learn a leason ftom that would i do things differently hell yes i would now that i learned that leason the hard way
To go through such a harrowing experience as they did, and losing a close friend in the process had to be a terrible experience. Yet deciding to what they could to get to the river, saved the remainder of the group, coming upon those doctors in a raft.
The kid was smart ‘we’re going to die anyway, just as well die trying.’
I visited the south rim last week it was ladden with thunder, lighting and rain. It's beautiful to see but but don't need to hike in a dangerous environment
Living in Arizona, the fact they were hiking in June is a bad decision in the first place, I’ve heard this story & these Scouts weren’t from AZ which doesn’t help your acclimation to the environment. I don’t go hiking from June-Sept unless its early morning or at night.
Purchase a Personal Locator Beacon. They’re worth every Penny.
I’d like to know how such an inept trio of adult scout leaders qualified as being “skilled.”
It’s an outrage none of them were jailed.
14:36 More sketchy than a free solo climb is a free solo descent. To me (and many), unroped descents are much harder (mentally and physically) than ascents.
That make sense. So crazy.
It seems to me that one of the many poor decisions they made was to descend the more difficult route instead of ascending it. Downhill is harder, especially off trail in the Grand Canyon. Worst decision was to even attempt that route in June, with no prior experience in the Grand Canyon.
The fact that they got cliffed out probably indicates that they were off route.
It is an awesome hike but not for the feint of heart… particularly in the summer months. If you have water and hydrate properly, high temps are manageable. Still, I would not recommend it as you need several times the water you have to carry… and water is heavy causing you to exert more.
If you got to the bottom of the canyon and realized you are over your head, you can try to seek help and remain near the river where water is available. Hike back up in the evening after it has cooled off if you must.
Bring a light!
Plan your hikes at the end of the season and if the weather is hot… just skip it for another time.
I did three Grand Canyon hikes in the '80's. South Kaibab, Clear Creek and Bright Angel in December (snow and ice on the upper part of the trails), Nankoweap and North Bass in October. I didn't make it all the way to the river on either of the last two. They were by far the toughest backpacking I ever did. But I want nothing to do with hiking that kind of terrain in the summer. Even in October, the lower elevations can be hot (and were pleasantly warm even in December, though it was definitely winter conditions on the South Rim).
how did they set off for a seven day hike with so little water that they ran through it in two days
Because part of their plan was to make it to the river before they ran out and they'd be near it for several of those middle days, able to get all the water they needed and enough to carry them through on the hike back out. It wasn't the water situation that was bad planning - you cannot carry enough water for yourself for 7 days of activity in the desert in a backpack seeing as it's recommended that you need AT LEAST a gallon per day but hiking preparation recommends up to 2 gallons per person per day. It was the fact that they left a marked trail and just decided to "wing it" to get to the water. I'm not sure why- even many of the marked trails are plenty challenging and you still put in a lot of work navigating them. But going off path means potentially- even likely- running into spots that can't be traveled, like your path to the bottom being blocked by a 200 ft sheer cliff that you aren't prepared to climb or a boulder field when every step can dislodge the rocks you're walking on and seeing you tumbling down or a washout/ravine that you can't cross. That means turning around and backtracking to find another way, wasting precious time and wearing you out further. Stay on the mapped routes- that would be my recommendation.
It doesn’t matter what their plan was. You don’t have to take seven days worth of water, but you sure as hell take enough in case something goes wrong. They could have easily brought an extra two days worth and then the kid would likely have survived. This is pure ignorance of the adults, who should have been given jail time.
@@SlXkxmx Exactly. And only use designated trails.
they underestimated their water needs due to inexperience and improper planning
@@princessmarlena1359 The video doesn't really make clear what their prior experience was, but doing an off trail route (which Little Nankoweep definitely is) in June was a very bad idea. I think they underestimated their water needs or the time required to descend that route or both. It takes a lot of water to stay hydrated when backpacking steep terrain at those temperatures. On gallon per day per person is the bare minimum. Even the Nankoweap trail, which is a designated trail, is a very difficult hike (I've done it). The Park Service strongly reccomends that people without prior experience in the Grand Canyon stick to the easiest trails, and this is good advice.
Quickly becoming my favorite channel ❤
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We've been to GC several times, hiked down just a bit. It is no joke, your depth perspective/ perception is off by the vastness of it all. We talked with somebody coming up and we asked about the first water station that we could see in the distance, he said that it was several hours to that water station, i had guessed 45 minutes or so. We weren't planning on hiking down any more anyway and started to accend. We saw aome young guys, possibly college students from China, very little English. They stated they were going all the way down..... in flip flops and a 16 oz bottle of water. We talked them out of doing it, hopefully saved their lives. Also did Arches during July. We started our hikes at daybreak with a camelback and extra water in the backpacks. We couldn't hike past 1pm due to the heat. It's no joke out west because i feel that even if your lost on say the Appalachian Trail, you could still possibly find a water source. Hike safe out there folks....
I can say from experience, that you don't really grasp just how big the Grand Canyon is until you hike into it. It looks big from the rim, but much of what you see is so far away that you don't really grasp how big it is.
They weren't prepared.
I think I saw this on "I Shouldn't Be Alive" many years ago.
Yup Thats where I saw it
Have you done an episode on Bryce Gillies? He was a university student who went backpacking in Grand Canyon, Thunder River and took the wrong path. He ended up ledge out in a giant sill and perished. I think it occurred in 2009.
Good report on the boyscouts. I remember this story. So sad and hope the troop leaders were held accountable. Absolutely reckless.
No, but I'll look into it!
Water and temperature; the biggest factors in backpacking. When in unexpected conditions, have a flexible Plan B.
Always do your research and preplanning for real-time info for the area you plan to hike. I always have a UV umbrella on hikes. It provides instant shade, rain and snow protection. KNOW your water sources and be willing to make alterations to your hike to accommodate water needs. 🌿🔥💦
they did make an alteration to accommodate water needs. they climbed down a 200ft cliff
Does the umbrella stop from body overheating. It certainly protects the head
@@happilysmpl
Good question. I have a UV protection umbrella that has reflective UV protection materials.
When hiking in open areas (like much of the PCT), it creates shade where there is none for miles. It lowers the temperature under its cover about 10° or so. It has literally saved me from sunstroke. ☀️
@@Swimdeep fantastic so an umbrella is a must. I always thought so
If half your water is gone, and you're not halfway to your next water source, turn around.
Great plan.
Great work as always. Love this channel.
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Rattlesnakes ARE NOT aggressive. ONLY defensive. He didn't threaten it, so it left him alone:)
I had a dog walk right over a rattlesnake once and not get bitten. It probably helped that it was a cool spring day (about 60 degrees F). I once encountered a little rattlesnake that was blocking the trail. I managed to get it to move by tapping the ground next to it with a stick. Though it was in position to strike (head off the ground in an S), it never attempted to strike me or the stick. Most people that get bitten step on, or right next to a snake that they don't see.
Another great video!
I lived in the Arizona desert many years. I’ve hiked, camped and performed hard labor in that environment. You can die quickly in the summer heat if not experienced and well prepared and die of cold exposure in the winter. A grueling hike in June is not a great idea, not having enough water to make it through even a single day is unconscionable. If weight is an issue to carry enough water just survive than don’t go. During the summer heat in the desert I’d rather go a week without food before 2 hours without water. If you do find yourself in a desperate situation needing water, conserving only works to a point. There’s been many people found dead in the desert of dehydration with containers full of water. Drink what you need to survive. The water will keep you alive and allow you to forage forage for food. If your fortunate enough to find a barrel or prickly pear cactus it can provide you with both sustenance and water. There’s also plenty of reptiles for protein and rattlesnake is actually quite tasty.
WOW, that is one of the hardest trails. Incredibly poor planning. Making it to the river was their best bet. There are lots of rafters on the river.
Extreme lighting sounds crazy! I’m sure it wasn’t a script typo for lightning.
I work in the bush I'm a land surveyor in the Pacific Northwest specializing in remote work, not work from home but about as deep into the middle of nowhere as you can get,, and if there's one thing I've learned after 20 years of hiking the wilderness it's that nobody dies of dehydration when you go camping at a spot that you can drive up to and you bring enough beer to drown a whale.
If anyone ever ask me to go on a hike like that I would not hesitate to say no. I'm sure there are perfectly good spots around there that you can drive right up to and sit in safety with beer.
And before anyone starts chiming and that they were teenagers or that sounds no fun,, do you think being traumatized and having one of them dead is fun....
LMAO. I love it!
how many bigfoots have you seen?
The time to pull the plug on that trip was the moment the water got low. So, so sad.
When your water is half gone, you need to realistically asess whether you have enough to reach your next water source. If you are not absolutely certain, it's time to turn around.
So, they just underprepared for the heat? I'm confused, why didn't they just go back when they realized it was too hot? Those poor kids, these adults should be brought up on charges.
About the time half their water was gone (even before), they should have re-evaluated whether they had enough to get to wherever they were planning on refilly (probably the river or Nankoweap Creek). If they weren't 100% sure, they should have turned around. It would have been disappointing, but far better than having one of those kids die.
I hiked with 2 friends to I think it was called Indian Gardens from the South rim in college we then went to point a that overlooked the Colorado river. It was 7 miles to the point from the rim and we only had one canteen of water. On the way back up I went ahead of the others and left them with the canteen. It got to be about 115F that afternoon. I must have been in great shape because I made it 7 miles to the top with no water. One of my friends got sick and puked. Probably from heat. But they did make it up about an hour after me.
Yes. And a backcountry route in the Grand Canyon like they were on is a whole different level of hiking than the Bright Angel, South Kaibab or North Kaibab. Don't get me wrong, the distance and elevation change on those main trails make them tough hikes, but they are basically narrow roads. You could ride a dirt bike on them if the Park Sevice allowed it. Get off of those trails and you're dealing with very steep slopes with rocks, cactus, thorny bushes, and cliffs.
Parents before a school excursion need to know the background and caution - oriented skills of who they are committing their children to
We hiked at the Grand Canyon last August. Choose known, marked trails, and plan to have about 1 bottle of water per hour when the sun is up. Start the hike around 4 or 5 AM. Wear sunscreen. There are also mule rides for those wanting to visit the rugged trails but are physically unfit
And those mule rides are quite scary. Walking on the ledges
I suppose it's not possible to carry 5 or 6 litres bottle and hike 😢
@@happilysmpl I have a one gallon (4 liter) canteen. But many people to carry mutiple smaller bottles anyway. If you have one big container, and you damage it enough for it to leak, you're screwed.
@@russlehman2070 Coming back to this video. It impacted me soo much that I researched about heat exhaustion. I knew little about it earlier. This trip should never have happened. Trekking in the Sun Umbrella is 100% must. Its the first line of defence. Those poor kids.
People underestimate the dangers because they have been made unaware due to the lack of exposure. People live behind a screen and only know what’s in their surrounding environment. For people who live in extreme temperature, they are aware of the dangers and would not push their limits knowing the potential hazards.
People live in their egos. When they have ventured into adventurous moments and succeed, they make an assumption that they can tackle anything. Your ego makes you dumb and blind. The movie, in to the wild was such a great example. He ventured into Alaska during the winter, and was surprise on what occurred during the summer season, a river that flowed and blocked his path out of where he was located.
This channel is on that roll that somehow ends up at the top! Pumping out videos of tragedies that can hopefully transform into some good by educating all of us, in an attempt to stop things from happening again. Nice job my guy your hard work is not going unnoticed by your audience 👍💪👏
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Love your work! Comenting for the algorithm 🌻
Take a bunch of kids off trail in the GC? I wouldn’t call them “skilled” leaders. They had no idea what they were getting into and had no business taking kids there. Sheer hubris.
I’ve heard this story before, very sad. To me, this was a little too drastic for young boys.
what does the scout motto "be prepared" actually mean?
i dont understand this at all. There are so many good trails to take why would you descend 1000 ft on loose gravel/rocks with a bunch of kids. Dumb idea, no reason at all to do that.
To think that the Grand Canyon was once filled with sea water during the ice age millions of years ago is fascinating.
Being prepared is supposed to be your thing!
The nankoweap isnt a trail for most adults. Now to create a bushwhack route down there is insane. In addition, why are people backpacking THAT route in June? WTH were they thinking? Where were they from? I have done 10 trips backpacking in the canyon and only once in the first week of June. It was the Thunder River Deer Creek loop which has consistent water. It was still probably too hot. I most likely won't do that again, cutoff is May 20th for me. Those boys saved the adults lives. So proud of them. It also sounds like that rattlesnake actually helped Guy, gave him something to focus on and release energy.
I've hiked the Nankoweap, and I agree. It was one of the sketchiest trails I've ever backpacked. I've read accounts of people hiking Little Nankoweap. It involves class 3 scrambling and difficult route finding. The fact that they got cliffed out before the river tells me that they were probably off route. And they chose to descend the more difficult route, which was a bad decision. Up is generally easier than down on that kind of route.
People should keep a couple of gallons of water in their trunk or somewhere in the car because you never know when you might breakdown and you could sit there for hours in the sweltering heat and you need water to drink to survive.
Im not even sure they could have carried the proper amount of water for this trek. They would need 8 gallons of water each.
Thats 64 pounds of water a piece. Unless they were absolutely certain they can reach a verified source of fresh water. Which is difficult to be 100% sure during the dry summer months.
IDK
Anyone else have more accurate info on this?
Moved to Santa Cruz Valley, AZ, in 2016. Fascinated with my new home state. Book: Death Clouds on Mt. Baldy, Cathy Hufault is how I came across the tragedy.
What a lot of people with no experience of a desert in summer often don't realize is that the dry air evaporates the swear from your body almost instantly. I always wore long leg loose fitting trousers and long sleeve shirts in order to conserve that sweat. I also wore lightweight white or extremely light colour over those as the very light colour or white does a good job of reflecting a fair bit of heat.
The desert n summer is no place for anyone who's not properly prepared.
The traditional clothing of Arabs, with the long robe and the headdress, is well suited to the desert.
After a couple hours of trekking they made it to the north rim of the GC? You can drive to the north rim...
Thanks for posting.
I just read that it’s important to take in a large gulp of water less often, when seriously overheated, as a larger amount of water cools off the brain. A small sip won’t help.
Seen this case on, "I shouldn't be Alive."
Greatest show of all time!
Why are people hiking in this heat? This would be a death wish! Please please don't hike in desert right now!
Arizona is a desert 🏜 please wait till it cools down.
Avoid risk ...when camping go to places where there is a shower block with wash basins and hot water , also a block with clothes driers , a block with sinks for washing dishes ...
I'm camping right now. My campsite even has a sofa and broadband.
Being in my late '60's, I'm mostly a car camper now. But backpacking will get you to some incredible places you can't reach any other way.
I've backpacked most of the trails in the Grand Canyon and I've been baked, soaked, sand blasted, rained on, snowed on, and loved every minute of it.
Why would you hike into the Grand Canyon in the middle of the summer of course its going to be really hot at low elevation in the desert and you could get a flash flood from one of those monsoon thunderstorms. Grand Canyon hikes should be done in the spring/fall sure it may be alittle cool at the higher elevation rim of the Grand Canyon but it will be nice lower down where you are camping. I thought one of the scout mottos was be prepared and this shows and extreme lack of preparation.
Monsoon season is generally July and August, but flash flooding can happen any time in the Grand Canyon. There was an extremely large flood (that took out a 900 year old Ancestral Puebloan ruin) in December of 1966, due to heavy rain falling on deep snow..
I am amazed how they planned a 7 day trip, but they were in trouble day one
Thought experienced scouts would be better prepared especially when it comes to water
It's odd. They were native Utahns, so it wasn't as though they had illusions about the summer heat.
Loved your video as usual ❤️ just have to say those images of the grand canyon at the beginning are absolutely breathtaking 😍 all those cliffs an rock with all their different colors an formations tell a story probably right back to Dinosaur days amazing 💯❤️
Another good vid