Should Arizona have a 'stupid hiker' law? | FerrariChat
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Should Arizona have a 'stupid hiker' law?

Discussion in 'Arizona & New Mexico' started by PeterS, Jun 30, 2025.

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  1. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 PeterS, Jun 30, 2025
    So a group of eleven hikers ran into trouble over the weekend on a trail at South Mountain, namely two kids, 9 and 11 who were carried off suffering from heat exhaustion a quarter mile into the trail that they started at 10AM (temps were probably around 100oF or more). Bad was that the group did not pay attention to three different signs that read the trail was closed due to the extreme heat.

    For the above, should AZ adopt a Stupid Hiker law that is similar to the Stupid Motorist law where if needed an emergency rescue, the hiker would be on the hook to pay for emergency services that were dispatched?
     
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  2. INRange

    INRange F1 World Champ
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    #2 INRange, Jun 30, 2025
    I am speechless when it comes to the continued stupidity of mankind. This is a group of 11 people and none of them can read? Charging them for being stupid is an interesting idea but it would be better to fine the lot of them $1,000 a piece for being on a closed trail.

    I had an employee's father go hiking in that area with a friend and he died because of the heat and dehydration. I was taking her to the airport so she could fly to the hospital.....when he passed. His hiking friend barely made it out.
     
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  3. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 PeterS, Jun 30, 2025
    And the parents are so in the blame for their stupidity.
     
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  4. SoCal to az

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    #4 SoCal to az, Jun 30, 2025
    We see rescues on Camelback mountain ALL THE TIME.
     
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  5. enio45

    enio45 Formula 3
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    #5 enio45, Jul 22, 2025 at 1:48 AM
    Stupid people - seen them hiking in flip flops - wtf!!
     
  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 TheMayor, Jul 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
    I think everyone over estimates their capabilities.
     
  7. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 Whisky, Jul 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM
    Yes.
     
  8. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Whisky, Jul 22, 2025 at 10:35 PM
    I don't hike anymore, but when we go off-roading in Moab, we take it seriously
    and dress (and hydrate, and eat) just like we are going on a long hike.
    The very first time I did it I wore 'normal' shows - I figured I'd be in the vehicle
    all the time - BIG MISTAKE - surprised I didn't break an ankle.

    The next day I wore my Merrells (boots) along with wool socks, and that's alI have
    worn when 4-wheeling ever since, and I've done maybe 20-22 of the trails there.
    (and after the first 3 or 4 they all look the same...)
     
  9. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 PeterS, Jul 22, 2025 at 11:32 PM
    So many recreational hikers, off-roaders, etc. just do not take the elements and the 'What Ifs' into consideration.
     
  10. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 Whisky, Jul 23, 2025 at 10:37 AM
    We had all the food and drink needed, we were all 'dressed the part' - except for me and my shoes.
    As I remember it now, my very first time I was wearing a moccasin kinda like a Top-Sider - as I said - BIG mistake.
    Having to get out and help on 'Hamburger Hill' was not fun.
    (google it - 'hamburger hill moab'.)
    I myself am not in this picture - I was taking the picture.


    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  11. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 PeterS, Jul 23, 2025 at 11:57 AM
    How much would a 'stuck between two boulders' rescue tow be from there? Couple grand?
     
  12. Gh21631

    Gh21631 F1 Veteran
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    #12 Gh21631, Jul 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
    You should be able to use the trail at your own risk and expense. Not all people will have issues in 100 degree temp so you shouldn't penalize or restrict everyone.
     
  13. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 Whisky, Jul 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
    But what about the rescuers that have to go out in that and rescue people?
    Hauling gear any amount of distance a vehicle cannot get to, carrying someone
    out on a stretcher a mile, or two, or three?
     
  14. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 Whisky, Jul 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
    Yes.
    There is one or two places that do that...

    One time we were on Metal Masher (or Steel Bender), there was a Toyota off-roaders club
    ahead of us, parked, about 10-12 of them, they had one of them up on jackstands, they were
    actually replacing the transmission in a Toyota 4x4 pickup truck. IIRC this was in 2022...
     
  15. Gh21631

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    #15 Gh21631, Jul 23, 2025 at 5:49 PM
    Thats what they get paid to do. No different than EMTs scraping idiots off the tarmac.
     
  16. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 Whisky, Jul 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
    You have NO idea.

    Moving on....
     
  17. Gh21631

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    #17 Gh21631, Jul 23, 2025 at 7:11 PM
    My bad, I didn't realize its so complicated.
     

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