新州官员在搜救后发表了如下声明:
“Sometimes having enough gear is not enough. In weather conditions experienced this weekend it is better to descend and get out of the wind and cold instead of pushing on until it is too late," Fish and Game said in a statement.
陈走Presidential Transverse 步道,全长19.2迈。从停车场到Mt Washington 顶峰,长9迈,升高4600英尺。从峰顶下山走1.4迈,就到了他预定的小屋:Lakes of the Clouds Hut. 预计他准备day hike 到小屋,安排合理。 这样,他的装备就是day hiking。
这条步道的前4迈就已经升高4000英尺。后面的步道升降几百英尺。
关键在于当天逐渐变糟的天气,估计他上山的时候,天气巳经不好,但他觉得能够对付。爬过19座山峰的人,什么没见过。问题出在山上天气多变,风速50-60迈/时,相当于台风10-11级,阵风80迈/时,相当于台风12级。先雨后雪,气温降至零下。
陈发电文时,在Mt Clay 附近的Gulfside trail. 向上走1迈,爬高400英尺,既可到my Washington State park而得救。下山则要与风雪搏斗8迈,落差4000英尺。两难。
其实,爬完前4迈后,他就面临着选择:下山避风雪还是继续走上去。他的选择决定了他的命运。RIP.
请不要告诉我陈穿背心短裤空手上山的。Having enough gear is not enough. 欣赏自然,敬畏自然。