Mysterious Hiking Deaths | John Gerrish and Ellen Chung Case Analysis

This video answers the question: Can I analyze the case of John Gerrish and Ellen Chung?
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[@joemamma137]

If you’re ever hiking in a place called “devils” or “death” something…find another place to hike. These places have names for a reason.

[@Mama_Bear524]

Or at the very least don’t take kids/babies/animals.

[@HandleHandled]

We obviously need to up the warning factor of our naming system. I’m in favor of more extreme warnings like “Satan’s Butthole” or “You’re Gonna Die Valley”

[@WoWKackorot]

@@HandleHandled Hiker's Perils, the Maw of Fire, Fool's March, the Trail of Ruin, Novice Bane, the Steps of Foreboding, Far-From-Help

[@highlycriminal3874]

I don't agree with places called "devil" being associated with danger, I mean I guess some could be. But Devil's is common and usually doesn't really have anything to do with dangers. It typically stems from folklore and native superstitions. Really close to me, we have Devil's Den, and it got that name due to the high amount of caves and the fact outlaws would hide in them. Thus, it was the Devil's Den. Nothing to actually do with them being "dangerous" but there is one cave called the Devil's Ice Box that gets really cold. :shrug:

[@luanaspa4400]

The Native Americans named these places for a reason.

[@aimeegwatney5662]

I think people often mis-judge how dangerous exercising or undertaking strenuous physical activities in high temperatures is. This was truly a bizarre and tragic case. Thank you Dr. grande for your perspective.

[@kentuckyburbon1777]

So true.

[@mikeswiental4815]

4 creatures d onot all die of heat stroke at the same time- the mother was only around the bend, probably getting ready to use the bathroom when something killed them all. it was not the heat- what a bunch of total bullshit. they would have known that right away instead of taking many MONTHS to come up with this insulting excuse.

[@djcastano1180]

@@mikeswiental4815 sounds like Dr Todd should evaluate you next.

[@dkeith45]

@@mikeswiental4815 There have been a number of cases of people dying right next to with within sight and close distance to a water source that was muddy or otherwise didn't look safe. Like they were afraid of being poisoned, but died from lack of water instead.

[@seanmckelvey6618]

@@mikeswiental4815 Yeah man, it was probably the mole people for sure.

[@adonirammccarthy3994]

I once took my son (he was about 10 at the time) on a 9 mile loop trail that I had never done before. The trail was steep, rocky, and poorly marked, and about an hour in, I lost the trail for a while. I then slipped and smashed my shin on a rock, and a huge goose egg formed immediately. It hurt, and I was concerned about compartment syndrome, and for the first time ever in my life, I was concerned for my son's safety. I realized right then that though hiking is safe, it's certainly not totally safe. We had food and water and the weather was good. I bandaged my leg and found I could walk, and after a while it felt better. We found the trail and finished the hike (which took well over 6 hours), thankfully that first part was the hardest going. It turned out okay, but I have never forgotten those few minutes of fear. I am now MUCH pickier about knowing a trail before taking my kids on it. This video was a good reminder.

[@TheOldandslow]

I'm glad your story ended well.

[@DrDemented9885]

Bumped you leg and worried about about compartments syndrome. I only say that because I fell 30 ft and had bilaterally tibia fractures that resulted in double fasciotomies that was reason to worry. If you’re that concerned you shouldn’t be walking with you kid down trails ya don’t know. Sounds wreck less to me.

[@sylviekins]

@@DrDemented9885or even reckless with a hint of a wreck on the trail😂. Yikes, your story sounds hideous and I am glad you made it out ok!❤

[@DrDemented9885]

Thank you very much. I’m on my way to a full recovery. Look forward to walking out of here. Much appreciated.🙏🙏🙏

[@MichaelDamianPHD]

"Hiking is safe" lol entirely depends on who, where, how long and weather conditions but sure, hiking is safe. 😅

[@tuvia4082]

As an avid hiker, there are a couple of things to always remember: Be prepared (Boy Scouts) and, unfortunately nature really doesn't care about your survival. Sad story. Happens in the Arizona desert every year. Don't worry about the water weight, it will get lighter.

[@BuzzyStreet]

Camelback keeps SAR pretty busy.....

[@criticRN]

Well said

[@mainemermaid6596]

I keep a few heavy duty, lawn and leaf bags, in my pack. They weigh nothing, and can serve as a rain/wind poncho, a dry place to sit/sleep, a rain/snow proof shelter (or part of a shelter), and a quick form of shade, if needed.

[@Lee-bh9bf]

@@mainemermaid6596 Seriously? Just buy the damn poncho. You can get one that is very light weight and they are versatile having quick snaps, etc. and they come in easily seen colors (neon orange). Mine always came in handy, in a downpour, unsnapped it easily provided shelter for two. Two of them (my hiking companions also carried them) snapped together allowed you to make a tent. Leaf bags; Jeez Louise!

[@janejenkins5137]

I think that when I pack loads of water and food, it will just get lighter as I go

[@EarthborneArt]

They not only needed more water, they needed electrolytes in that water. I'm from that area and have hiked all over. Some visitors seem to think Yosemite is like Disneyland and have no idea how dangerous their behavior can be. Even experienced hikers go missing quite often. You don't mess with Mother Nature.

[@carolv8450]

Plus, predators.

[@exrobowidow1617]

Even at Disneyland you need to stay hydrated in summer. Better not to go there in extremely hot weather. Only difference is they have numerous staff who will assist guests in trouble.

[@deecee901]

Mother Nature won again.

[@willek1335]

@@carolv8450 That's ridiculous.

[@bluehorizons8913]

I’m from the area too and don’t forget the people who go off trail and into cartel cannabis farms and aren’t seen from again.

[@Nothingtoya]

I live in Florida. I'm a Foreman of a construction crew. This is something I have to keep my eyes on, every summer. A lot of times, people won't notice the early signs of heat stroke. I have at least 1 guy on my crew, every summer, go thru this.

[@beaulieuonnp593]

well said

[@THopkins44]

Foreman in dallas here! I learned that one the hard way unfortunately, I definitely don’t want to go through that again.

[@j0nnyism]

Sounds like ur a good foreman. Wouldn’t mind working under someone as responsible as yourself. Safety is essential in construction mining etc.

[@j0nnyism]

I used to work in steel construction/fabrication. I remember when we worked 100s of ft up everyone would become very quiet. Concentration and being aware of your environment is very important in dangerous situations

[@speteydog2260]

Florida is definitely hot in the summer!

[@beckymartin1723]

I had no idea you could die that quickly of heat stroke. I’ve watched a number of survival stories and many it seems last days even horribly injured. What gets me about this situation is taking a baby for an 8 mile hike in hot weather. Two miles, maybe three, would make much more sense to me. As a mom I can’t imagine how fun or cool it would be to haul my baby/toddler on a hike that long. Not one of my kids would have thought, oh boy, this is fun. They would have been bawling after 1/2 mile wanting to go home.

[@reginafelizardo987]

This family had many risk factors: dehydration for the mom, because of nursing, also there is a period of time when our bodies recover after childbirth, need to take it easy. Nesting is a good term for it, back home where they can cool off in a warm bath, relax with a good book. Dad's risk factor: number one was age.

[@rod7177]

@@reginafelizardo987 He was only 45.

[@malumusera]

​@@rod7177 most heart attacks occur after the age of 40

[@ericp1139]

Finding shade makes all the difference. Unfortunately, there was zero shade for them, since everything was burned away by wildfire.

[@mongoose6685]

​@@reginafelizardo987Plenty of people in 45 could handle that hike...

[@sierra-myst]

I’ve grown up in the desert Southwest my entire life. I’ve hiked the expanse of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and cannot stress how important hydrating is. You hydrate at least a day before the hike and bring at least 3L of water for any hike in hot weather . This is truly a tragedy and I can only hope that people become more aware and knowledgeable of their environment before traversing the wilderness.

[@annal7364]

Wow, how sad. My husband and I hiked around some of the canyons in Southern California a few years ago in August, and when I think about how oppressively hot the air was, I can definitely see how this happened. Not only is the air hot, heat exudes from surrounding surfaces (like sand), making it even worse. In a situation like this, it doesn’t matter what physical condition you’re in; too hot is too hot. Thanks for your cautionary words, Dr. G. ❤️⚠️

[@PoeLemic]

Thanks for adding your thoughts and helping us understand.

[@amyrussell860]

Anna L, I agree with your post. I flinched when Dr. Grande said they took their daughter young daughter as well as how little water they took along. I vacationed in the Black Hills this past June and hiked at Custer State Park and the Badlands. The temperature was in the 90's both days. Even hiking a mostly shaded trail that looped around Sylvan Lake it was still oppressive.

[@annal7364]

Amy Russell, glad you guys got through it. Seems like people develop tunnel vision when they set their minds to something they want to do. My friend told me she was planning on hiking a fourteener in the Rockies in the winter with no thought to the low O2 and exhaustion, freezing temps, avalanches, deep snow, high winds, distance from S&R and shelter, etc. Colorado ski resorts don’t even keep their lifts open after 4 pm. Had I not pointed all that out, she would have done it. That’s why it’s so great Dr. G makes these videos. Sometimes it just takes one voice to prevent someone from doing something that could harm or take their life.

[@amyrussell860]

@@annal7364 in spite of the hotter temperatures those days, the hikes and family time was enjoyable. I'm no expert outdoorsman, but we were prepared in general. Many times we underestimate the length of time it takes and our ability to do these type of activities well as what we need to take along. I'm glad you were able to talk sense into your friend.

[@yvonnerolley9676]

Not uncommon in Australian heat due to being unprepared

[@gracefitzgerald2227]

I’ve been to this town in California and could not for the life of me think bringing a baby on a Summers hike would be a good idea. Thank you for breaking this down. Sometimes people are just too confident and others put too much trust in them. What a sad story.

[@beaulieuonnp593]

agreed. who would think of doing that?

[@Noodlepunk]

When it's summer I take hikes in the evening.

[@ruthnolan13]

Inexperience: they were new from SF, where summer temps are way cooler. Also, CA had unusually high humidity this summer, which raised the heat index to death levels. I live in the CA desert and we had many heat deaths last summer during these humid spells, including deaths of several very experienced summer hikers.

[@bloodorangemoon]

​@@ruthnolan13 That's totally what I was thinking. I hail from a cooler region and it took me a while to get used to triple digit heat after I moved

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

People shouldn't bring dogs either but if I say that you can bet some clown will pipe in about it being OK because THEY bring their dogs proving to me they're irresponsible as well. I do like the stories when the people pass and the dog survives but in this case they failed the dog as well. 8 year old dog and a 1 year old baby. These guys were fools.

[@venderstrat]

This kind of thing happens regularly in Australia, especially with overseas tourists. They drive through the outback in extreme heat, the car breaks down and they try to walk for help. Carry large amounts of water, and stay with your vehicle if you are ever in this situation. Tell the local cops about your plans before you leave.

[@AFBudgets]

:(

[@missbraindamage]

God... Australia is scary.

[@rogerwilco4736]

@@missbraindamage no, it's wonderful, great weather in Queensland all year round

[@dsego84]

Happens in Croatia almost every summer, when continental tourists see the nearby mountains from the beach and decide to go hiking on a whim literally in flip-flops carrying a small bottle of water. To them those peaks look closer and smaller than they are in reality so they heavily underestimate the effort. Flip-flop hikers inevitably get lost, succumb to exhaustion or somehow manage to find themselves off the path in some rough terrain and if they can get a signal call for help. The volunteer rescue teams are busy all summer. The weather conditions and harsh terrain make the helicopter rescue missions all the more difficult and risky.

[@stephenwereta7822]

I've done a bit of hiking with dogs and they need more water than I do, taking a 1 year old anywhere for 4 hours takes a lot of preparation, even if its visiting relatives, these people were dangerously stupid, even if they were calm the child would have been uncomfortable being carried around for that long, its sad what happened to them though

[@omayrasdemesne]

I feel so sad for the baby and dog. Defenseless beings who depended on the adults to make right decisions. I hope there wasn't suffering.

[@tycobb2580]

fr

[@davidmenke7552]

Uh, there was lots of suffering.

[@ryanponder679]

Actually I think this has to be one of the most painful ways to die.

[@cje3247]

Me too.

[@mistrjt9213]

That poor dog’s paws and the baby’s head were probably burnt to crisps.

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

What a senseless death, really sad. Adequate preparation and caution should never be underestimated while hiking. In situations like this, Mother Nature usually wins. This is certainly a cautionary tale for everyone. Thank you for the review Dr. Grande.❤️

[@nyc757]

Yes, agreed, Mother Nature will win unless prepared.

[@nickyblue4866]

Mother nature always wins*

[@Rubydoomsday]

This case is still so bizarre to me because temperatures lower than that would have been dangerous to potentially fatal to a young child, they are not able to acclimate to different weather conditions the same way adults are so additional water and shade would have been necessary on a summer hike even in a milder climate. I’m also confused about the dog, animals typically run off when sick or injured but I have heard it was older so I guess that could explain it. Maybe it was leashed. The missing piece for me is the baby, how could two parents be that reckless in that many ways with their child? The time of day, the distance, the water, the shade, the temperature? A change to any of those could have saved them but they went out for an 8 mile hike late in the morning on a summer day in a desert climate unfamiliar with the trail, terrain and temperature? Without water? I don’t get it.

[@SardonicALLY]

Dogs are even more vulnerable to extreme heat than humans... they get sick from it sooner than we do (especially when strenuous exercise is involved) and they can drop dead extremely quickly too. That is why if you walk your dog on a hot day and it starts to get tired and refuses to move you should be very careful, get them into shade and rested and hydrated quickly. If you force them to move it is bad.

[@Rubydoomsday]

@@SardonicALLY Yeah an older dog in direct sunlight not acclimated to desert conditions you would think would start showing signs of hyperthermia on the way down, before the owners were really feeling it. I live in Arizona, there’s no way in hell I’d walk my little dog during the summer but if I did he’d be laying down and refusing to move once it hit the 90s. The whole thing is bizarre to me, how they made it that far out without realizing how hot it was getting. How neither the dog or the baby made them question what they were doing and turn around.

[@mistyvaughn5558]

Sadly, the dog was tethered to its owner.

[@Llyrdriel]

I don’t get it either. These were experienced hikers. Something’s fishy.

[@mongoose6685]

​@Llyrdriel Clearly not in these conditions. Hiking should be easy, this was a nightmare set up

[@gregwilvert]

I’m a lifelong hiker. A hike has to be planned carefully. I wouldn’t have done that hike with a forecast of hot weather like that day. With significant elevation gain and little shade, a high of 80f would be tough. I would have brought about 85 oz of h2o for just myself. These people should have drunk the river water and sought shade wherever they could and wet their clothes and hiked back out after it cooled. They could have dealt with the giardia or whatever gut problems later after they were back to safety. It sounds like they were inexperienced and just didn’t really think about what they were doing.

[@Rubydoomsday]

I would have done all of those things except for drinking the river water. Waiting for the temperature to come down is plenty of time to get sick from the water and vomiting and diarrhea would have rapidly dehydrated them and put them in an even worse position. If they’d found a shady spot by the river to stay cool in and sipped the water they had I bet it would have been a different ending.

[@RuFi0000000]

​@@Rubydoomsday I think their muscles started physically failing them and at a certain point John literally couldn't walk another step. Ellen would never be able to drag him to a better location, and I suspect that the dog was probably the first to have problems with that big fur coat. I think by the time they realized they were in trouble, they were already at the point of no return.

[@BuzzyStreet]

Absolutely. Giardia sucks, but the adults probably wouldn't have had a problem with it for 10-12 hours, if at all. At least they would have lived long enough to self-rescue.

[@shidehhafezi6826]

I agree with you. Unfortunately for this couple, they may not have realized the signs of heat stroke fast enough. When one experience s heat stroke, the brain is not functioning well and decision making fails.

[@marcysikes]

@@RuFi0000000 So why didn’t they use the cell phone when they knew they were in trouble? Guess we will never know….

[@pulaski1]

I suspect that being from Britain caused some of John's overconfidence - in the UK is hard to find conditions that could lead to hyperthermia, and while taking a bottle of water on a day hike in the UK would be a sensible decision, it is extremely unlikely that you would encounter conditions anywhere even _close_ to this in the UK. Obviously John was intelligent enough to research the risks, and learn about safe hiking in California, but his mindset of overconfidence was likely built on growing up in a country with relatively benign weather patterns compared to California. Full disclosure: I am a resident of the US who grew up in the UK (England).

[@blueboats7530]

And then also having lived in San Francisco, which also never gets hot enough to be a health risk

[@gertrudewest4535]

Intelligent?

[@saloninegi7062]

Dr. Grande said hyperthermia, not hypothermia.

[@pulaski1]

@@vixenfire Dr Grande said "hyperthermia", not "hypothermia". And FWIW most of the hypothermia deaths in the UK are elderly people living in under-heated homes, not people out hiking in arctic weather conditions or swimming/ immersed in near-freezing water, though both of those circumstances account for some of the deaths.

[@pulaski1]

@@gertrudewest4535 Yes, but only in the sense of "book smart", hence his silicon Valley job, at a sufficient level to get him a visa to work in the US, which is _much_ harder that most US citizens would ever imagine.

[@kenhill3230]

I feel bad for them obviously. A lot of times really smart people are lacking in the common sense category. You always should know full weather conditions and carry ample water, filtration systems, first aid and emergency rations. You never know what might happen.85 ounces of water for 3 people and a dog is crazy for a several hour hike. You also make a great point about only one container.

[@Hollylivengood]

Yes, and neither one of them were from that area. It makes a big difference when you're acclimated to the heat. And it was so sad that they took their daughter. When he said that in the beginning of the story, I almost clicked it off.

[@kkheflin3]

Who takes a child hiking in 107 degree weather?

[@angelabaird7135]

@dražen g I think the dog may have been leashed up with the guy. :( sad story.

[@cassiekay8633]

@@kkheflin3 They set out really early before 8am when the temperature was only 75 degrees. Maybe they hoped to finish the hike before it got that hot....or as Dr Grande pointed out they may not have even checked the weather before they set out . I think this is plausible because if they had know it was going to be 107 they wouldn't have taken their child and their dog or even gone for a hike because nobody does that !

[@kkheflin3]

@dražen g I really think the most likely conclusion was dehyration. And how ridiculous to take a one year old on a "hike" in 100 degree weather. I am not "blaming' them for making such a serious error as they obviously were most likely just ignorant of how the heat would affect them. So tragic.

[@tdotjason8576]

As a former outdoor guide for over a decade people who rarely hike mountainous regions almost always believe they can hike faster and farther in an allotted time frame. I am happy to see you giving viewers a rough framework of Time vs. Distance depending on terrain variation.... Thanks for all the great content sir.

[@JohnDavidHays]

Inexperienced people on long hikes most often will walk past creeks, rivers, springs and ponds even when they are in critical need of water. They do this out of fear of giardia, pollution, algae, bugs and dirt, but even if you do contaminate yourself you can deal with those symptoms later. Common failure to recognize an emergency. Taking a small child on a backcountry hike says everything about their unfortunate mindset. Further, once you get to the edge of heat exhaustion you are no longer thinking logically. Even trying to do the most simple math becomes difficult or impossible. I know this from personal experience running backcountry archaeological surveys. Finally, unless you are highly experienced and prepared you should confine your hikes to trails that start uphill rather than down. It is then so easy to turn around if you feel distress.

[@charlescz1974]

I agree. I had a similar situation when I went horseback riding double; riding with a friend of mine when I was in 6th grade. Back in 1967. We went way too far in the hills with no water. After 10 miles and triple digit summer heat we ended up finding a tiny water hole or spring that was stinky and green. Drank it out of desperation and got back ok. So… didn’t get sick from the stinking water hole, and learned a valuable lesson.

[@thetraveler1182]

Once in a desert I came to a find that a water source had dried up. I had no independent water source on my person as my camel back had been fully consumed, I drank my own urine and got back alive. I learned a lesson that day Mother Nature is not to be underestimated.

[@JohnDavidHays]

@@thetraveler1182 I don’t use camelback-type water bladders. Sip,sip sip through a tube and before you know it you’re empty. I use water bladder canteens to monitor and regulate my water consumption. I also hydrate like crazy the day before, and the morning of, my excursion.

[@KathleenMcCormickLCSWMPH]

Your analysis is a good one. I lived in The Joshua Tree area for awhile. I can’t tell you how many times people would underestimate the heat issues and end up missing and sometimes be found in time and other times be found dead or not found at all. People underestimate the temperature when heading out if they are not very experienced regarding that particular climate. It is fairly sandy where they were and the sand reflects heat and adds substantially to the air temperature. When a couple was missing at Amboy Crater, one search party couldn’t even continue the search because the ground temperature was at 140 degrees and it was melting the specialized tires on their all terrain vehicles. I learned early on that I needed to get out to hike at sunrise in the summer and get back by 8am. And THAT was stretching it. This couple was used to the Bay Area hiking trails where the fog comes in and cools things off and the bay has a moderating effect on the temperature.

[@PoeLemic]

Your commentary about what you think happened and how their prior experience influenced their perception of the danger, was very refreshing and appropriate. Very insightful.

[@jenm9099]

I'm very much an inside person, but my husband dragged me to Joshua Tree. We had the car close to any area we walked around, and brought a metric ton of water. He was very careful there, and I was shocked at how fast the temps rose! Very scary.

[@megjana]

The note about the sand is so important. I just hiked White Sands in New Mexico. It was 62 degrees, but felt like 80. The sun reflects back up and you get hot quickly. The sand however was cold. It was interesting. But there were a couples of times I was just too hot. So anything warmer than 60 something and it would have been a big struggle.

[@wolfwind1]

This is a great comment and very informative. Thank you.

[@shidehhafezi6826]

Great point! Bay Area hiking is also well shaded.

[@sunshineandapples2128]

I’m an avid hiker, and once hiked with someone who became injured. I had to hike out to get help, bc there was no cell service where we were. Many hikes don’t have cell coverage. It is a good idea to get a satellite phone for emergencies.

[@tiryaclearsong421]

Or at least an emergency beacon.

[@thetraveler1182]

@@hawthorneantilles6755 Yep, I do a lot of solo's throughout California and other places. I do not feel that I came across that comment for no reason, I will be getting a satellite phone. Be safe out there.

[@TheHaratashi]

@@tiryaclearsong421 Emergency beacons don't work if you and in the trees or in the mountains, so it probably wouldn't have helped them anyway. Even satellite phones need an unobstructed view of the satellite.

[@daygon128]

I'm 35 and last year I went with my best friend on a short hike on a small section of the Appalachian Trail. We were over prepared with lots of camping gear, food, etc. I totally underestimated the stress that the terrain can place on your joints, especially your knees. It was late September in Alabama but the temperatures were mild. The hike was only supposed to take about 5 hours, however it took us over 8 hours and we didn't even finish half of it due to the quick deterioration of my knees. I was in so much pain I could barely walk even with a hiking stick, especially downhill. We could have easily survived two or three days in the wilderness before our food ran out but fortunately we got cell service at a mountaintop and were able to reach my fiance and arrange for her to pick us up at the nearest trailhead. It's a lesson learned to NEVER trust GPS hiking apps for planning an eta, especially the trail reviews. Your physical capabilities can be vastly different from an experienced hiker, even if you are in great shape. Never push yourself too hard and take breaks at least every 30min.

[@adventureswithdogs2251]

I am a frequent hiker in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are many injuries and deaths which have occurred there due to simply being unprepared. As a solo hiker, I "pack heavy", which is to say I bring more than what is needed for the time I plan to be out. If on a day hike, I bring enough to get through the night. There are plenty of water sources, so I can get away with bringing a minimum of water, since I also have a good filtration system. Even with my experience, I remember feeling a little nauseated on my first hike of Mt. Washington on the descent. It was in August, and even though the temperature was less than 80 degrees, I knew I was showing signs of hyperthermia. A rest break of 15 minutes, and a good long drink of water, and I was fine again. I also let my family know the exact planned route of my hike, and expected time of return, and I do not deviate from that. Another key element here is having a GPS communicator of some type, such as my personal locator beacon. This is especially important for solo hikers like me. It's important to remember that even with a GPS device, help is still going to take several hours to get to you; sometimes even the next day, depending on weather conditions. Bottom line- there is no such thing as being "over-prepared" in hiking.

[@presleyloves]

I over-prepare too... in many areas of my life!

[@thetraveler1182]

I've been to Mt.Washington I would never underestimate that mountain. I am a proud over-preparer, and wouldn't have it any other way!

[@elanahammer1076]

This is a good reminder for those who like to hike. 1. Never presume that your skill set is superior to any natural mother nature’s forces. She can and will remind us humans of the elements. 2. Sometimes couples just do not communicate and maybe they did not. 3. Always pack plenty of water even on a cloudy day plus snacks. So much energy is expelled in your hiking. Thank you Dr. Grande this was so sad and preventable. 🤔❤️🇺🇸

[@raquellofstedt9713]

This^!!!

[@sharonmcshane5876]

Why would they not use the River water tp cool themselves off? Or was the algae toxic to touch as well as to drink?

[@MrDosanjh28]

Very sad, indeed.

[@tiryaclearsong421]

@@sharonmcshane5876 River water is fine. While they still had cognitive thinking skills they were probably afraid of catching a disease that could further dehydrate them. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess they had no experience with recognizing the signs of heat stroke. Once it hit hard they would lose their ability to think rationally. It's the same loss of brain function that causes people dying of hypothermia to start stripping out of their clothes shortly before succumbing.

[@sharonmcshane5876]

@@tiryaclearsong421 I realize what I didn’t say; which was to use the water to cool themselves off, not necessarily to drink. I have heard that it can be better to hydrate, and live until you are rescued, dealing with the water borne diseases later. Good comments ; thanks

[@jerome1lm]

Another mistake: not bringing a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) into a remote area. For about $ 300 they could have called for help and transmitted their position to emergency services.

[@bthomson]

Technology is of no use unless employed!

[@bloodorangemoon]

Thanks for the tip, maybe they didn't know there was such a thing?

[@tessajones9393]

They had a phone though. They could have used it.

[@wendaltvedt4673]

@@tessajones9393 It's possible there was no cell service at their location.

[@azman6568]

David Paulides recommends locator beacons. Sometimes I think Dr Grande employs the most simplest solutions. This incident was weird no matter how you look at it!

[@christendenise220]

My heart is absolutely broken while listening to this story. I can't imagine the pain and fear all of them had when realizing they were trapped. Absolutely heart wrenching 😢

[@Omar-vc6ws]

I hope this tragedy will save other lives by making people more aware and cautious

[@scarlettsteele7999]

I’m from that area and I’ll tell ya, you need to have a deep respect for the wilderness out there or it WILL get you.

[@wendybond2848]

Very sad. Especially for the little girl and dog who had no control over what happened. We wouldn’t even go to the local park without each carrying a bottle of water, outside of winter , in Melbourne. We generally have more of a Mediterranean climate, but it’s just ingrained that you have to keep hydrated.

[@fifimsp]

That's exactly what I was thinking too. Like you took two innocent beings with you. LOL.

[@MissHannah2036]

Even a dog becomes tired and needs water and rest from heat. I don't know what they were thinking going remote like that.

[@chelsea7229]

I disagree with calling them “experienced.” Not to be overly critical, but the mistakes they made violated the most basic outdoor safety principles- they were *inexperienced* hikers or frankly this never would have happened.

[@sourpatchkid394]

Definitely agree.. I know people like to take children and toddlers hiking. But such a hot day?! And then a newborn baby? They might have had good jobs but I don’t think they had sense.

[@thetraveler1182]

Yeah, an experienced hiker would have factored in bringing a newborn baby into such an environment. The heat, probability of predators, the terrain, first and foremost the lack of planning...I can't see it.

[@criticRN]

I read he was very experienced.. had hiked in many countries and various terrains. He (they) underestimated the heat, I think . It’s so sad they paid with their lives

[@L8MeGuess]

Baby and dog are unforgivable mistakes. I have a feeling the dog and the baby suffered first and the two had to carry both incapacitated members and got exhausted. Honestly, that’s nature’s justice.

[@violent_bebop9687]

The heat has killed a few experienced hikers in the past few years, just one time of being I'll prepared will cost you. Sad tragedy for sure.

[@pamelapiano3904]

While camping once, we drove to a different location to hike. We were shocked upon arrival by the change in temperature. It was much hotter at this new location. Even though we had brought a lot of water, we drank through so much of it and had no water left for a portion of the hike back- which was the hottest and most exposed. The group went on ahead and I stayed back with my daughter who was struggling. We’d stop under the limited shade available and rest for a few minutes before carrying on. I thought we were going to die. I will never forget this experience.

[@nonnobissolum]

Reminds me of the people in Alaska used to snicker about my level of preparedness when going out in the field... they always seemed to think it was overkill on my part. Of course, they were the ones who ended up having to get rescued by the Coast Guard, and be discussed television news as examples of what not to do out in the wild, and the importance of being prepared LOL. Absolute true story. Great work as usual, Dr Grande.

[@HandleHandled]

How many times has this happened?! You’ve met travelers along the way who then had to be rescued by the Coast Guard more than once?! Are you sure you’re not a bad luck omen??!! Loljk

[@sparkysmalarkey]

People snicker and roll their eyes at me when I say 'convenience kills', but it absolutely does.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@sparkysmalarkey “ Convenience Kills” Perfect! Never Heard that one before but I’m going to remember it…. Thanks 👍

[@margaretlumley1648]

Exactly! I am originally from Tasmania in Australia. Tasmania has generally mild weather in summer but around Christmas time it can snow on the highlands. Every year optimistic souls would go hiking there dressed in only their shorts and tee shirts. And freeze to death (there was no telecommunication in those days).

[@soninoscardelletti2844]

LG

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

“Weather reports are not a new technology.” Exactly! Very sad when people become overly confident and forget to use common sense-especially when bringing along others who are vulnerable, like a BABY and a dog, particularly an older dog. What a sad tragedy.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

Yeah, if you're gonna take vulnerable members with you to go hiking, you really need to stick to trails that have more foot traffic so that in case something goes wrong, you're not stuck out there alone. Unfortunately for some people, I think they romanticize the wilderness too much as some kind of idyllic dreamscape and get in over their heads.

[@Mama_Bear524]

@@jasper_of_puppets this!!!

[@Mama_Bear524]

I’m still baffled they took their baby.

[@beaulieuonnp593]

@@Mama_Bear524 and dog in that heat

[@elan3922]

@@beaulieuonnp593 What's up with the dog? Yes, very sad and irresponsible that they took a pet...but three HUMANS lost their lives, one a helpless baby!!!!

[@GiftSparks]

This is a such a sad story. One of the reasons I love this channel is that Dr. Grande brings attention to stories like this.

[@4ms301]

I work SRS in Colorado at 8,000 ft and most hyperthermia deaths in our regions are due to the fact that the victim is on antipsychotics. There is a well-known link between antipsychotics and hyperthermia especially at altitude. I am curious since I have found no information on their meds if this could be a contributing factor. Thank you for the content. Very interesting.

[@christinehutchins123]

Possible,but the temperature lack of water and shade was more than enough...

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

That is interesting. It really should be more widely known

[@AK-hy9vs]

Liked before watching. Already know it's going to be good. Thanks Dr. Grande!

[@DaciaProject]

Does he even see patients anymore? He appears to devote all his time to KZbin.

[@zenawarrior7442]

Me too always 😉💛...here we go

[@AMYV3]

Always !!!!!

[@foreverlove2929]

Me too !

[@jpwhataboutit]

Same!!

[@charlescz1974]

Love your analysis here. Another item for a hike like this would be an ACR gps rescue link or similar device. They are satellite based and use 406 MHz, just like modern aircraft locator beacons use. No cel coverage needed and simply deploying the antenna and push a button if in a life threatening situation. I always take one on these hikes or off shore as well.

[@megjana]

I have one that I hike with! It has the sos feature and two way messenger. I won’t go without it!

[@nyc757]

Awesome! Thanks! Holiday gift idea for my loved ones who hike.

[@KisDraga]

Interesting....🤔 thanks for the tip

[@charlescz1974]

@@nocnoc9931 it’s free. If you add messaging it’s got a monthly fee

[@Cochise6666]

Yeah the dude's a Samurai!

[@nancyourricariet3418]

Hi Dr Grande, one point not brought up in your analysis is they hiked through a major burn area therefore much of the canopy was gone leading to increased temps. I suppose that’s another issue us outdoorsy people must consider theses days, sadly, when planning hikes.

[@exrobowidow1617]

Well, there goes my idea that maybe they could have crawled under a bush for shade.

[@violent_bebop9687]

109 degrees? No shade? Mid summer? Pass..!

[@zombieepx1933]

John: Our baby turned one today, time for Mount Everest! Let’s bring the dog too and no water…couple tank tops will hold us over in -40 c

[@cje3247]

Yes. My son worked the Ferguson Fire.

[@anonymousstrangeness7348]

Thank you again, Doctor Grande, for helping us to really understand what happened to this family, and to understand the facts to remind us about dehydration and extreme hot weather. Such a sad loss of lives, human and little doggie.

[@mellel5594]

I first heard about this case a few days after the family went missing, and I was truly baffled because the couple was described as very responsible and knowledgeable of the hiking conditions. I was saddened to hear that the family was found dead and was still curious as to what had happened. Dr. Grande, your explanation of what could have happened to them, the complete scenario, is the most logical of all the other possible explanations I have heard. But that's what you do extremely well, present the most logical explanations. Thank you, Dr. Grande!

[@phdtobe]

They were probably very familiar with hiking in the mountains near the coast of northern California, which is usually MUCH cooler than in the Sierras.

[@peterphan227]

Sometimes the appearance of being "responsible and knowledgeable" is merely overconfidence or a complete illusion. In this case, it sounds like both.

[@TT-wx4tg]

We need more of these stories publicized - as close as some of us may live to nature and feel close to nature - we are so far removed from it. This has happened to far more experienced hikers & outdoorsmen. 8 mile hike is 8 hours in that terrain for a family. Who wants to carry 3 gallons of water.

[@lunagoodhart5489]

I was shocked when I found out how little water they took with them. I would take that amount with me for a hike in winter.

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

If one is in strenuous terrain to hike and needs that 3 gallons of water, they shouldn't be lugging a baby or have an effing dog with them. I could have done a hike in these same exact conditions with two standard military canteens easily and I'd probably have one full at the end. I know...I've done it. But I'm an outlier. I am responsible, I know the conditions and my body. Better to have that water and not use it than need it and not have it. I'd prefer a 4L Camelbak. 2 lbs...edit: 8 lbs...(still) that's nothing. These guys were fools and they're dead for a reason.

[@youtuber5305]

Concerning that 8 mile hike, is there any evidence that they had completed the 6 miles or so that everyone seems to think they did? Any hiking shoe prints all along the way?

[@shrapnel77]

@@Bonzi_Buddy 4L of H2O is 8 lbs.

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

@@shrapnel77 My bad. 8 lbs in a Camelbak is still nothing.

[@jenm9099]

This is why I don't hike or go outside very often. I got lost in the woods as a kid with an incompetent adult and we were terrified. It was after dark before we found the road and got back to the campground. NEVER again.

[@ChaCha.44]

Lesson I’ve consistently learned from Dr. Grande and Mr. Ballen: JUST DON’T GO HIKING OR CAMPING!!!! Also - Thank you again Dr. Grande for this great analysis as usual. The way you explain and talk about certain not-so-pleasant things always seems to make me feel a little calmer and “safer” while listening to something so highly stressful (I’m a very high anxiety, easily panicked person). You’re always extremely reasonable and logical when faced with analyzing these terrible cases, and you also precisely map out the pros and cons of different choices and actions, etc., which is just more proof of what a wonderful psychologist you are. And if I was ever in a scary situation like some of these you talk about, I’d definitely want you in my group!! 😁

[@exrobowidow1617]

No, you can indeed go hiking. The problem is when you read about a particularly interesting or beautiful trail, they always seem to be a tad longer (or hotter or colder) than you're actually fit for, but you decide to do it anyway. The trick is to go prepared--prepared to turn back before you reach your goal if your timing or other circumstances are off. Even a partial hike into the wild has its rewards. For example, hiking down into the Grand Canyon sounds intriguing, but it is a serious and potentially dangerous hike, and not everyone can do it. We've never had the time and the preparation to so much as book a mule ride down. So one time when we were there, late in the afternoon we set a timer for 20 minutes. We hiked down at a relaxed pace for 20 minutes, and when our time was up, we actually STOPPED, turned around, and went back up. No, we didn't reach any goals or get any trophies. But we saw views you just can't see from the rim, and the views changed every few paces. We saw raptors soaring overhead, and walked through an arch. We also saw the shadows lengthening. What was sunny on the way down was in shadow on the way back up. It was enjoyable, and we have no regrets about it whatsoever.

[@ChaCha.44]

@@exrobowidow1617 I do realize that yes, ppl go hiking and camping obviously…I was being sarcastic a bit. But you’re right - your reasonable, logical, and smart attitude make you a great candidate for hiking, etc., especially your mention of being PREPARED!! I think that’s always pretty much the main issue with all of these cases! Ppl either think they’re too smart or too good at something so they don’t prepare properly or they just don’t think. It’s so sad, cuz even just a good hour or two to prepare could save lives and also allow ppl to really enjoy a hike or camping out. You made some great points in your comment!

[@srsusansummers3070]

Agreed

[@Grandpa-potato]

Ooooookay, I had no idea it was so hot when they went hiking! That explains a lot. Sally Menke, film editor for Quentin Tarantino went hiking in September of 2010 in Griffith Park, same thing happened. She got incredible hot, got disoriented, died on the trail. A trail she hiked so many times.

[@wiseauserious8750]

Holy shit Sally Menke died of heat exhaustion? Wow that's awful she was the master editor

[@erikamccarthy1457]

Sorry to hear ☹️

[@traybern]

It was 75 F when they WENT on the hike.

[@bulld0gmom760]

This story broke my heart. I've never heard of anything like this happening to an entire family and the pet. I thought there was a possible natural gas leak...I'm not familiar with that area. We have to respect the heat here in Texas, too. We lose Texans every year to heat related deaths. Just not to this extent. Thanks for adding a lot more insight into this case, Dr. Grande. ☮️💜🤗

[@elliebellie7816]

You should read the story of the Death Valley Germans. Similar to this one and happened to the entire family as well. Very sad.

[@jguenther3049]

Yes, a gas discharge was on my mind, too, similar to Lake Nyos. The CO2 checks have ruled it out.

[@sarah2.017]

I, too had wondered if they had been exposed to something poisonous, because of the dog's death. However, it does look like they all overheated, and died this way.

[@cassiekay8633]

This story broke my heart ; the combination of a loving young couple with a little girl and the family dog made it made it deeply tragic .Thank you so much for explaining what happened in such a calm , respectful and thoughtful manner. I needed to understand what happened and now I do; thank you. The decision to take one water bottle was particularly baffling .As an Australian where the temperature in Summer can leap 20 degrees in an hour I check the temperature almost obsessively every morning and during the day before I do anything. Everyone in my family takes more water than they need in Summer , even to go to the shops. Nature is beautiful but it can also be lethal . I hope many people learn from this families fatal mistake and lethal lack of judgement and preparation.

[@youtuber5305]

Concerning 'young couple', they weren't exactly 20-somethings.. Ellen was in her thirties and John was in his mid-forties. Wouldn't the ancient Greeks have said that what happened was just another case of hubris?

[@cassiekay8633]

@@youtuber5305 hubris ? Wow ! So judgemental and harsh ! They may not have been in their 20's but Ellen Chung was 31 and as most people live into their 80's and 90's now she hadn't even lived half of her potential life so she is young (it certainly isn't old). Only 2 years ago she was in her 20's ! Jonathan Gerrish at 45 had probably lived half of his life span which once again isn't old although he could be considered mature ! But why quible about their ages when they were far far too young to die especisally when their daughter Miju was only 1 ? I see this as a tragedy but not a ":greek Tragedy" as your word "Hubris" suggests .I don't believe their is any evidence to suggest that they had foolish amount of pride or confidence just very poor judgement and poor planning and a lack of experience .The walk clearly took them longer than they expected and it clearly got far hotter far more quickly than they had prepared for . Because they left so early ( when it was only 71 celcius) and because it was clear from previous evidence that they adored their little baby girl and their lovely 8-year-old dog Oski it appears they simply underestimated their circumstances and truly believed they could complete the walk before it got too hot. I imagine they set off quite happily at first . They all loved nature and all dogs want a walk ! In normal conditions a walk of that distance should be able to be completed in an hour and a half but neither the terrain or the weather made that possible , especially without enough water. The fact a fire earlier in the year had removed the trees that might have offered them shade made things much worse . However they died only a mile and a half from their vehicle ! They nearly made it ! .....However the advice is NOT to use that trail in Summer time ! . I can't begin to imagine how 2 seemingly intelligent people living a really good life made so many poor choices on one morning that they died because of their own mistakes ! However they did make some thoughtful preparations with survival in mind . Investigators found various items in Chung's backpack including a snakebite kit, a knife, bug spray, first aid kit, extra diapers, two empty sippy cups (one had remnants of baby formula inside) .Maybe each one believed the other had brought more water ? We will never know ,but I remain heart-broken even though I didn't know them. They moved from the city to be closer to nature and in their innocense they died .

[@Michele-bm1zu]

Ugh we have a one year old daughter and just thinking about her being with us in a situation like this just breaks my heart. That dad was probably trying to make his daughter laugh and smile until his very last second. I hope that they passed together at the same time so one didn’t have to live without the other. At least they are all together now ♥️

[@helpyourcattodrive]

Respect the elements. When I had a boat, a guy I knew, who also had a boat, said, “Respect the sea.” That’s all he needed to say.

[@juliemarie612]

I have a hard time saying that people who died from something like this fucked up, because we all make stupid mistakes sometimes and obviously they didn't realize they were doing anything reckless before it was too late. But considering they brought their dog and daughter (who both rely on them for safety and basic needs) it's hard to imagine their lack of preparation. If you realize you only have one bottle of water before a 7 mile hike in the middle of summer, I think it's reasonable to call off the hike and do something else. Either way, it's still really sad. 😔

[@christinesbetterknitting4533]

I don't have a problem calling people who mess up what they are. Yes, each of us messes up, but there are degrees of recklessness and consequences that parents have to be aware of.

[@bthomson]

And dog owners!🐶

[@tracymonroe6001]

I can almost understand making the mistake for themselves but I am surprised that dog owners didn’t have water for their dog.

[@jackdispennett744]

Exactly. This is not like a random tree limb falling on someone or a sinkhole opening up. Rather, their own mistakes directly contributed towards their deaths. We must be willing to say that so that we can learn from their deaths.

[@AFBudgets]

For real. We do a 2 mile in a park here and have a bottle of water for ALL six ppl and one for the dog.

[@dorothyfromoz6360]

Thank you so much Dr. Grande for posting this video! I’ve tracked the story for a while and have never had true answers from the media. Very good analysis!

[@marisapaola9010]

So shocking especially heartbreaking are that Miju, and Oski, the two innocents suffered and died. Heatstroke is a long and brutal way to die. As an Australian we are taught about exposure, this doesn't add up, very suspicious.

[@beaulieuonnp593]

education is so important

[@jpwhataboutit]

What a tragedy. I do agree with you Dr. Grande: they made vital mistakes. I hate when people have to pay with their lives for these said mistakes. Love your truthful and unbiased opinions.

[@MsArtemis64]

I don't do a lot of hiking, but this summer when it was really hot my son and I did a 1 mile trail just outside of town. He had a big bottle of water and I had one plus one back up. I had finished my one bottle by the end, and that was just 1 mile. It makes me wonder what were they thinking! So sad!

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

@@Nicole_Thornton8383 ... and dog 🐶 ( 2 adults & 2 dependents )

[@elan3922]

@@walterkaiyuenpang3556 A dog is in no way the same as a human life.

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

@@elan3922 .... the dog was innocent , was it not ??? Did I say a dog is the same as a human life ??? 🤦🤦🤦

[@elan3922]

@@walterkaiyuenpang3556 You called the dog a dependent...yes, innocent and dependent on its human owners, but still, push comes to shove, the baby should get the water, food, all available efforts at salvation, not the dog. Just wanted to clear that up--

[@thesongbird2383]

Dr. Grande, I live east of Sacramento, and was aware of this sad case. But, I didn't know until now what their causes of death were. When this tragedy was in the local news, it was 107° and I couldn't imagine even sitting on my patio in the shade. I once lived close to San Francisco where these people were from, and the weather is much cooler. They apparently failed to check the weather inland, so they had no idea how terribly hot it would get. This was so mysterious back in August, much speculation, but now we know they were simply overcome with the dry climate and high temperature. Thank you for covering this one. 👍💜🌵🎶

[@jonathannixon8652]

That's why I really like the area I live. I reside about 7-8 minutes south of Daly City in Colma City.The temperature 🌡️ here during the summer 🏝️ ⛱️🌞 is cool weather mid 60s to 70 with many days of good ol'SF 🌫️🌁 fog.

[@thesongbird2383]

@@jonathannixon8652 Yep, I lived in San Mateo for 40 years and got used to the cooler climate (after moving there from San Bernardino). I miss the cooler temps, but not the congestion and increased crime. I hope all is well for you these days. It was 106° today, but I've learned to hunker down and do errands early morning, or late night.

[@kiyonahthundersong828]

This makes the most sense of any analysis Ive seen. Thank you.

[@Contessa6363]

I was born in the City of Merced not too far from where that happened. The heat at that time of year would have been extremely oppressive and brutal. It appeared to me that the family did not plan adequately for the hike. ( Lack of Water (too little) shade etc) The baby and the dog should also have been left with a sitter as well. Hopefully this senseless tragedy will serve as a reminder to other hikers to be fully prepared and to never underestimate the weather conditions of the hiking area

[@ljmarino1]

Reminds me of the case of Casandra Bravo. People go underprepared for what they think is just a day hike and wind up dead. After the Bravo tragedy I made sure to try to be prepared at all times on the trail. I also bought a GPS device that can send an SOS at half the price of what a cellphone costs, where there is no cell service. I would wager that up in those mountains, down in that canyon, his cellphone was useless.

[@LivT04]

Thanks again Dr. Grande, this case was baffling and your simplified analysis of complex matters never ceases to amaze me!

[@lisabrightly]

Dr Grande is using this as a teachable moment. Much appreciated

[@kasatka3690]

This happened the next county over from me. It's so heartbreaking. We hike and backpack all the time. We've been on that trail before. Taking a baby, a dog that's part chow-chow (they don't handle heat well) and in the middle of summer had us flummoxed. The sun is aggressive on that trail. In California in this area, if its in the 70s+ early in the morning, it's a no go. When it doesn't cool off at night, and it's still in the high 70, even 80s, it'll for sure be over 100,usually without a breeze it's extremely dangerous. Those apps don't give you accurate information on the topagraphy of some trails. I wonder if they had hiked it before, but the conditions were better. It's so sad. Breaks my heart for them that they couldn't even call for help. Beautiful family. 🥺🙏

[@farnazrostami5302]

Very tragic case. As an avid hiker I agree that it was most probably a heat stroke condition which is very sad (the dog and baby 😔). Thank you so much Dr. Grande for all you do and have a great weekend 💚💙.

[@beaulieuonnp593]

that's what I thought

[@carolynkepler2826]

The TV show Duel Survival covered similar topics. They demonstrated how to use limited resources to save yourself and get rescued. People made fun of the melodrama but they really did ( especially Cody) emphasize how quickly you can get into trouble when you’re not prepared.

[@DrDemented9885]

Love that show! Cody and Cannaberry were the best incantations of the show. After Cody laughter got fired or whatever the deal was I stopped watching.

[@arturzinurov4781]

NEVER underestimate the outdoors people even the professional outdoorsman like hunters get lost there never to been seen again

[@annacoribioanna]

I remember as a as a child something I will never forget I'm used to Mexico's Heat yet one time my uncle drove to a different state on the North part of Mexico similar to Arizona hottest Heat, I was extremely shy so I wouldn't tell him that I felt I was dying out of thirst, I was so extremely extremely thirsty I remember the feeling and it is something that you just cannot even imagine. Then he said I'm going to go buy some water and I was so happy because I wouldn't ask for it because I was very shy, he got a bottle and gave it to my sister and me, I kid you not I drank that whole bottle immediately in less than a minute!!! and as I drinked it I felt extreme relief BUT only to realize that just two minutes later I was back again under the extreme need for another full water bottle, NO don't think you can just go by with a little water, orthanc if you feel fear O Let's just sip a little water so we have enough as we walk you will be in a desperate need to survive ! A person is likely to snatch and drink a whole bottle on their own out of desperation because you are literally dying inside and that's what happened to them people died a slow death do you think if you're dying you would just call me sip a little bit of water? As a family they probably all share the water but if you are with strangers I can see how one of the people will probably become your enemy and take the water for themselves because people are literally dying minute-by-minute. I can see how the fight and flight response would kick in. People who have never experienced that level of heat have no idea what it feels like and how it dehydrates you IMMEDIATELY you need tons and tons of BOTTLES water you, because after you drink one in less than a minute your body needs it right again.

[@nataloves]

Why why why why why is the one question that keeps screaming in my head as I listen. What a waste of life. Tragic.

[@bthomson]

Must agree!

[@effy_kujo]

Must've one loyal dog to stay by the man as it tragically overheated instead of drinking from the river and wondering off to find people or shade at least. This is a very tragic and sad story, especially since none of them made it. Very strange, in my opinion.

[@janeoleary8454]

Dog was tethered to the husband. He had no choice

[@farmerinthedells]

Wow! At some point, one would think the dog would have been let free. This is such a said story. I suffered heat exhaustion once during military training. Its quite debilitating, at best, and definitely interferes with rational decision making. Fortunately for me there were others around me who were able to cool me down and get me to a medical treatment facility. The story of the couple, their baby and a dog is so disheartening on many levels. If only a passerby would have been thier to help.

[@ChrisBlountChannel]

@UCD8mt3S-EfwiA79PfYo_7YA Poor dog .. I love animals

[@tomgcooktown5019]

Dogs are the most loyal, loving of pets. Dog & Mankind have a link that is golden. The dog wants to be wanted & needed more than to live. TgT

[@Preservestlandry]

@@janeoleary8454 dog could have attacked the guy to try and get away but didn't.

[@lucindalaree4666]

Thanks for covering this case . Your analysis will save many lives.

[@beatle1956]

These 2 Einsteins bring their 1 yr old child and their dog on this UNNECESSARY, treacherous trip. An obvious case of child abuse, animal abuse and incredible stupidity.

[@LDiamondz]

Such a sad and tragic end, to what they thought would be a perfect hike in the great outdoors. It seems they only planned for the best, while mother nature had plans for the worst. RIP. Thanks Dr.G. Have a great weekend! ❤

[@bthomson]

This is a good point! Expecting no problems and getting unusual problems!

[@LDiamondz]

@@bthomson Yup. We all know the old saying, "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." It's really sad.

[@matissetrixie7796]

You’re right, it is important to emphasize that this was a preventable tragedy. How heartbreaking. I’m so glad you chose this topic to analyze because it seemed so strange. Thank you so much for your diligence and hardwork. I love the plant arrangement today, and you’re looking very handsome!❤️

[@bthomson]

Flirting!

[@sugarshannie623]

Very insightful, Dr. Grande 👍

[@fireballfitness170]

I'm glad that you covered a topic like this and I appreciate agree with your analysis.

[@bratgirlrules8094]

Dr. Grande, you made a great point to bring extra containers. Thank you, your advice is so helpful.

[@CrazySexyCoolmeisha]

That water wasn't enough for 1 of them much less all 3. I work outdoors and i have a 74oz bottle and i remember a very hot day where i ended up drinking 3 of that 74oz and still wanted more water. Not to mention they probably started feeling weak because of the electrolytes they were sweating out

[@decafmocha211]

Thanks again for your excellent analysis Doctor.

[@user-ic9qm8mb4t]

I'm so glad you covered this Dr. Grande to remind people of this kind of danger. I've lived in southwestern Arizona and even the winter months can be deceptive. Without shade you'll be in trouble, the sun is hot and the air is dry. This was a terrible decision with temperatures that high. I'm used to it and wouldn't do that.

[@nightwood4379]

Morning Dr.G., Thanks for the calm and reasoned thoughts…soothing voice was needed with this tragedy.

[@violettaeve]

Thank you for covering this, I’ve been really curious about this case, and almost no one has covered it. Such a heart breaking case

[@ButterCupMMXXIII]

We visited L.A. in October 2018, and suddenly there was a heatwave, 108 degrees. We were afraid to leave the hotel. But we did go for a drive, only a short one to a shopping plaza. Walking outside from the car was nearly impossible! The air was definitely extreme but much worse was walking on the pavement, thought my shoes would melt! Only a short hop to the doors but my feet were burning! I've seen desert thermometers which measure the ground to 160 degrees when the air temp is 120. I believe that this heat difference can account for the many heat related fatalities we've been hearing about. Walking outside on super-heated ground surfaces - which absorb the sun's radiation - is nigh impossible, like walking on white coals.

[@cordulam]

And now imagine that poor dog. His feet must have beeb totally burnt

[@ButterCupMMXXIII]

@@cordulam Exactly!! I fear that the poor little thing became so crippled and overheated but kept going despite the struggles. 😪

[@mongoose6685]

​@@cordulamYes... let's not forget the dog..

[@traybern]

BAREFOOT??? DUMB!!!

[@CR-ru1kw]

Thank you, Dr. Grande for your objective perspective 😉😘.

[@Powderhound-cb8pb]

This case is so sad, 85 oz of water between the 4 of them. Most accidents and mishaps happen when going out for a day hike due to the casual nature of the situation. It is easy to think oh were just going out for a couple of hours what could go wrong.

[@ljmarino1]

Yes. 85 oz is about 2.5 Liters. That is usually what is recommended for one person.

[@muffinstuffin3303]

What a sad story. This shines light on how important it is to stay hydrated, as dehydration can sneak up on a person with very few symptoms one might simply discard as exertion. While by contrast too much water can cause damage, I’m thinking those “life straws” may be a good investment for some folks. Hiking can be easy in theory but there’s dangers of the elements just the same.

[@pennsydude9723]

Absolutely. They probably had not pre hydrated the evening before, and that in and of itself makes me believe they really hadn't been drinking the amounted water while at home. Most people including myself don't drink a gallon of water a day because we are always within a public area to keep hydrated neglecting the fact that they probably were already somewhat below the level of hydration long before the initial hike. Once the body becomes dehydrated it is almost impossible to get the levels of hydration back to normal simply because we sweat... Yes it was a reckless decision and not well thought out decision being novice hikers.

[@lynncraig6151]

You have a very relaxing voice. I can fall asleep peacefully listening to it.

[@ChristinePerez903]

What a sad story. Great analysis Dr Grande!!!

[@ParallelUniversity]

Maybe the dog died or fainted first, and they wanted to carry it back, and the weight proved to be too much with the heat and lack of water.

[@vodnurse5702]

That’s what I’m thinking.

[@JohnDavidHays]

The dog or the child succumbed first

[@toidean633]

Well there's a thought 🤔

[@JohnDavidHays]

@@toidean633 Not a happy one. Very, very sad situation.

[@darma99]

What parents bring 1 yo baby hiking in high temperature?? That's the first in my logic. I don't care if they bring refrigerator also for preparation, they risk the baby life for nothing!

[@beaulieuonnp593]

and what dog owners would allow their dog in the heat

[@pricklykitty939]

Interesting. Good advice as well. Thank you for sharing. 🌴

[@bombergaming4030]

Great video! Would really love a conversion on the temperature units! Thanks 😊

[@raquellofstedt9713]

There are lots of good points made in the comments. I might add that if they used a guide book/trail guide, the quality of the information that can be gleaned from these varies greatly. My family hiked extensively in the high Sierras, backpacking for up to a week at a time, and so we usually had what we needed with us, but if we hadn´t been familiar with the conditions in the various areas, some of those trail guides were inaccurate enough about trail conditions, (how difficult the terrain is, condition of the trail, distance to ranger stations, camping spots, potability of water) that we could have gotten into real trouble. A day hiker could really get in hot water depending on them.

[@nicklager1666]

Sounds like a rather unusual circumstance considering they were hiking where they were. But it just shows mother nature can give you anything when your in the wild.

[@zenamen5221]

This is an intelligent response. There is no way that these people were actually reckless. I do believe they simply forgot how wild it can be.

[@Flamsterette]

*YOU'RE

[@Flamsterette]

@@zenamen5221 Not intelligent. He used the wrong word. YOU'RE, not your.

[@richardpaulcaird9192]

Such a tragedy😢, thanks for the great review Dr Grande, impeccable as always & logical... 👍🏻👌🏻

[@kingdele01]

This is one of the safest cases you have covered! I can relate with what happened to them because I too have hiked in the heat while unprepared.

[@smellanalan]

Realy enjoy your content, Dr. Grande! Enjoy the level headed thinking and analysis in all your videos. Calm demeanor… I can listen to your videos at any time of the day and fully grasp the storylines and the way you lay it out. Very informative… these poor people. I honestly believe they baby was likely the last to go…. Unable to help herself. Very tragic, over preparing can sometimes be a bummer especially when you come back with a full pack. Never know when the extra water, food, socks, whistle, hand warmers, cliff bars will come in handy. Never underestimate mother nature… shes the grand champion

[@bthomson]

She is a hard task master at times!

[@BigZebraCom]

You can tell it's time for another Dr Grande video cuz the cacti are in bloom!

[@ELECTECHNUT]

Thank you Dr. Grande. A sad story that hopefully people will learn from.

[@clockworktri]

You can have sympathy and empathy for people even if they made mistakes that lead to a tragedy. I don't think it is insulting to acknowledge the mistakes they made. It doesn't mean they somehow deserved what happened.

[@ArtU4All]

Profoundly tragic story. An acquitance of mine went for a regular hike with her dog in the hills in a popular area with many other people there. It was on a day “that wasn’t even supposed to be that hot…” (she said). Half way back one of the hikers had to carry her 80lb dog on his shoulders to safety, but the dog died … “I even gave all of my water to the dog”, she said… The temperature was in the 100s that day. Besides common sense that spans ages, I wonder what lessons we could learn from the native people. How did they manage to survive without water in plastic containers and no AC in their homes? Shade? Stay in place?… This was just the saddest …..😥

[@beaulieuonnp593]

oh no and a big dog too.... jeez

[@Platinum907]

I knew people who did similar things to their sporting dogs as the weather got warmer however, people overlook that dogs have to be conditioned too… if they haven’t been exercised extensively in awhile a big long hot hike is going to be hard for them like anything else.

[@mongoose6685]

The natives were smart enough not to "hike" in scorching heat and European settlers brought enough provisions - I think that solves your question.

[@wildmountainthyme4123]

Very tragic situation that definitely could have been prevented. I feel so sad for the family who lost their loved ones.

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent video 📹 Excellent analysis 👏

[@tvcat3665]

Thanks for the update on this. Sad story.