**Update** Cause of death for hiking family w baby & dog found dead in Mariposa Co, CA in August

[hlthe2b]

I followed this story pretty closely because it was such a tragic mystery. But as one who has hiked/backpacked for many years and know full well that one can't carry enough water to avoid supplementing with properly filtered and treated stream water, the thought that toxic algae or other water contamination might have killed the entire family and dog was just horrific. From the press conference just now:

***Cause of death: Hyperthermia (along with dehydration). Temps were 99-103 degrees after hiking the steepest section of the trail with minimal shade following past Ferguson wildfire and temps could have been as high as 107F by 4PM. Containers (only one water bladder) found empty near them ***
https://abc30.com/mariposa-county-family-dead-hiking-trail-dies-california/11151063/

So damned sad...

Here is the backstory and what they had ruled out thus far:
Story at a glance

The Mariposa County Sheriff is expected to announce the cause of death for a California family and their dog on Thursday.

In August, a California family of three and their dog were found in a remote area in the Sierra National Forest.

The initial autopsies and the dog’s necropsy were deemed inconclusive, and the medical examiner’s office had been waiting on toxicology reports.

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/mariposa-county-sheriff-to-announce-what-killed-california-family-on-hike/

Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese will hold the news conference Thursday to discuss the mysterious deaths of John Gerrish, his wife, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and their dog.

The family went hiking on a trail close to the Merced River in the Sierra National Forest, where they were found dead Aug. 17 after a family friend reported them missing.

Mariposa County Sheriff's investigators have worked with toxicologists, environmental specialists, the FBI and other experts. They have already ruled out the causes being related to a gun or any other weapon, extreme heat, a lightning strike, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, cyanide exposure, illegal drugs, alcohol or suicide.

One early theory that has not been ruled out is whether high levels of toxic algae detected in the Merced River played a role. Investigators have results from water samples taken in the area but were still waiting for other test results to help determine if the levels were high enough to kill them.

'Hazards' around site of California family's death prompt Sierra forest closure order
A Mariposa County deputy sheriff stands watch over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, near the area where a family and their dog were reportedly found dead the day before.

[Hortensis]

1. Dreadful tragedy, but it at least should raise awareness of the danger

of hyperthermia and dehydration, even more deadly as global heating continues.

For everyone's sake I'm glad some insidious toxic organism isn't also a danger.

I lived in El Portal for a while as a child. We were in the beautiful Merced River and other streams most of the summer. Every couple of months we'd go grocery shopping in Mariposa. Big town, big excitement. We'd each get to pick a toy, and my little nieces and I would ride in back of the pickup with the groceries as we twisted and turned our way back up the Merced River. Wish I could do that again.

[Lucky Luciano]

2. I recall reading the temperature was well over 100...

…and I thought that was a strange temperature to go hiking in especially with a baby.

[Xolodno]

3. If the temp will be above 90...

...I won't do a hike. The sun can beat you down faster than most realize.

[Kid Berwyn]

8. Nor take an infant.

Babies don’t regulate heat same as adults, apart from the cruelty of the thing.

[Tree Lady]

11. Since I've gotten older

I don't hike over 75 degrees and still bring lots of water, snacks, and emergency stuff. You never know what can happen few miles in.

So I do my hikes in summer early morning.

[Xolodno]

13. I've ran out of water twice.

Both times when I got back to the car. Took a final swig and then it was gone. One hell of a scary feeling.

Once my brother and I were returning from a hike (6 miles one way, starting at 7000 ft and going up another 2000) we ran into a family asking how far the lake was. Told them they weren't even a half mile in and we started early in the morning. Asked where their gear and water was at....showed us their small plastic water bottles. Told them under no circumstances they should attempt this without proper gear and being so late, gave us a demeaning look. Waited to see if they gave up and returned, which they did. Otherwise we were heading to the nearest Ranger and letting them know.

[Tree Lady]

14. In hawaii about ten years ago

We went for long hike, I brought water so did my husband and daughter, but her husband brought none, I mean what was he thinking? Share with his wife? I didn't realize he brought none until a few miles in. He drank from a stream and got sick, not bad sick but could have. We all thought he was stupid.

I told my daughter after that I wouldn't hike again unless I made sure all had proper water.

She divorced him soon after that trip, final straw of a bunch of things.

[Historic NY]

4. Lack of intelligence is a contributing factor.

IMO, at 45yrs of age where is the common sense.

[leftstreet]

5. That's the problem with hyperthermia though

Confusion and disorientation are some of the first symptoms, so your possibly intelligent decisions prior are completely compromised

Sad story

[BlackSkimmer]

6. Yes, but you would think they'd plan in advance.

I lived in Florida for years, always had way more water with me than needed when I hiked or was paddling.

I used to go caving back in my 20s and always had extra everything. Emergencies crop up when you least expect them. You use never know.

But I’d think anyone would know enough to check the forecast when they go outdoors. Avoidable tragedy. Very sad.

[LastDemocratInSC]

10. The same symptoms are typical of hypothermia.

If the core temperature deviates only a few degrees high or low trouble is sure to follow.

[LeftInTX]

7. Their GPS also told the story

It looks like they may have walked about 3 (3.5 max??) miles from their vehicle. (Numbers are bit confusing)


They were returning and were 1.5 miles from their vehicle.

However, these numbers do not take the terrain into account.

They walked downhill 2,000 feet. But were walking back uphill 2,000 feet when they were turning when it was 100 degrees. That's a 19% incline, which is quite steep. It may not seem too steep, but it certainly is when it is hot and sustained.

A trail near my house has a 60 foot incline over less than a 1/4 mile and approx 100 ft over 3/4 mile. (The 60 ft is within the 3/4 mile..and I calculate it to be only 4%..LOL) It's always the worst part of my walk in the summer. This is in a city park and the rest of the trail is fairly flat.

[Tree Lady]

12. Hiking downhill is hard on your knees

And back, why people carry walking sticks. Even though I can get out of breath on a steep uphill I would rather do that than steep downhill.

[Initech]

9. And people wonder why I don't go hiking.