California was graced with heavy wind and pouring rain this winter season. As a result, higher elevations were blanketed in white powdery snow that made many local hikes ripe for a beautiful snow day. The landscape went from dried rocky terrain to a muddy and slippery hazard before becoming a picture-perfect winter wonderland. However, the snow at some of the higher peaks also drew both experienced and inexperienced hikers who have gotten lost in the wilderness and have yet to be found. Despite knowing this, more hikers are still planning to make the trip up to California’s highest peaks at the most dangerous time of the year.
Outside Magazine recently published an article titled “What Makes Mount Baldy So Dangerous.” The author tackles the question of why people keep running into trouble on the highest peak in Los Angeles County. During the best weather on Mount Baldy, there are still reports of hikers getting lost or killed in accidents, and the recent winter snow only makes traversing the mountain more difficult.
The article gives a helpful glimpse into the world of hiking that is often not shown in social media feeds online. It discusses what you should know before hiking peaks in the snow. The author also highlights the danger of hiking Mount Baldy in particular and calls the readers' attention to the 15 people who have been rescued from the slopes of Mount San Antonio (a.k.a. Mount Baldy), the two people who have died, and the actor Julian Sands who remains missing, so far in 2023.
As I enter my 14th year of hiking, the stories of deaths and rescues are striking closer to home. The degree of connection to these unfortunate situations is tightening as I go from not knowing anything about the people lost in the wilderness to hearing about these people directly from close friends and family of lost hikers. Still, hiking-related message threads on Reddit, text messaging groups, and conversations still discuss going up the mountain.
Many of these conversations are littered with individuals who do not have mountaineering experience and who have only ever hiked on well-marked trails. They lack the training of a mountaineer, who is not only adept at hiking but has learned to rock climb and is familiar with snow and ice technique using tools such as an ice axe and crampons. Many are only packing microspikes and a dream rather than planning and preparing properly for their ascent up the most dangerous mountain.
Of course, you can be the most experienced hiker and mountaineer in the world and still fall victim to the harsh and unpredictable ways of nature. This doesn’t mean you should shy away from hiking or be afraid of the wilderness, but you should hold a level of respect for the wild and put safety first.
Every time you walk outside your home is a gamble, but there are certain things we incorporate into our lives to limit the risks and exposure to danger. We wear seatbelts, attempt to drive at the speed limit, and service our cars to avoid automotive accidents. We wear helmets on bikes, sunscreen, and sunglasses on summer days and warm clothing in winter weather. We prepare emergency kits for natural disasters, have designated people written down on waivers and forms in cases of medical emergencies, and do simple things such as brushing our teeth and showering to reduce the occurrence of bacteria that causes infection and disease. We have to take precautions to avoid injury or death before going out to climb a mountain.
Not every trail is the same. Some can require sneakers and a one-liter water bottle. Others, such as mount Baldy in the snow, require mountaineering boots, crampons, a climbing helmet, an ice axe, and a satellite device at a minimum. You need to know the difference before going outdoors. You can always ask an informed professional before planning your trip, speak with others who have experience and certifications, such as Wilderness First Aid, like myself, and do your own extensive research using credible sources online. You should always plan ahead, check the weather, and tell someone where you are going, even if you are an experienced hiker.