I've never been a fan of news stories which offer the kind of advice which ought to hit you over the head with a resounding thud.
You know what I'm talking about. You've heard us say it.
"Use caution in the heat"
"Drink plenty of water"
"Limit outdoor activities"
RELATED: 14-year-old boy dies after hike in South Mountain areaI don't want viewers to be tempted to say "Duh" after a news story.
But apparently some people need this advice.
I'm only saying this because every year we do stories about people who have to be rescued off mountains because they don't have the sense to wear comfortable clothing, good shoes, drink plenty of water and exercise within their limits.
Call it the "duh" factor.
Recently a viewer wrote in to ABC15.com to suggest Arizona ought to adopt a "stupid hiker law," similar to the state's "stupid motorist law," which forces motorists to foot the bill for their own rescue if they deliberately drive around barriers and cross a flooded wash.
The viewer had a point, although I see the stupid hiker law with some innate problems.
While we've done stories on many a hiker who clearly didn't know what they were getting into, enforcing such a measure would require rescuers to make a judgment call.
Signs would have to be posted, telling hikers that one or two bottles of water isn't enough for a July hike to the top of Camelback (it's more like a gallon).
Real hiking shoes would be required. No sneakers, flip flops, or cowboy boots; no really, people wear these when hiking!
The signs would have to warn about comfortable clothing, and sun protection, and the inherent risks of climbing one of the valley peaks.
And on and on. In other words, who's the stupid hiker, and who's the one who's blissfully unaware they're getting in way over their head?
This viewer also suggested trails just be closed when the temperature reaches 100 degrees. Not a bad idea, but we all know 100 degrees in May is entirely different from 100 plus in July and August.
Besides, that rule would essentially close most Valley hiking trails for about 4 months out of the year.
Maybe a better idea would be to close the trail to new hikers at say, 9 a.m., between June and the end of August, forcing everyone to get to the trailhead early enough to stay out of the worst heat of the day.
The fact is, if you set out on a hike to the top of Camelback at 2:00 in the afternoon in 115 degree heat, you're putting your health and safety at risk. Plus, you're risking the lives of firefighters who have to come get you when you get into trouble.
Do we really need a law for that? Maybe we do, but you have to wonder if the people who really need it are even paying attention.
