Three deaths on Wave trail
This should open the eyes of anyone thinking they want to visit the Wave: Wave I've read the story of one well known photographer who spent the night out on the redrock after staying too late an...
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We hiked The Wave in May a year ago in 90 deg heat and it was brutal. We are hikers and have hiked in deserts and up mountains for much further distances but this was a real test for us. We each carried 2 gal of water and let me tell you, it definitely was not enough. The hike is 6 miles round trip. There is no trail and no cairns to show the way (perhaps there were years ago as stated above, but not now). You are given a hand-drawn map with landmarks (rock formation or mountain shapes on the horizon). No two people will walk the trail the same way so it would be very easy to miss someone laying down in need of help. There is virtually no shade out there and the last push to the actual Wave formation is up a steep hill of very deep sand. This is not a typical 6-mile hike. It's very strenuous and mostly uphill the first 3 miles. There are many desert 'washes' (dry river beds) and if you get into a wrong one it can get you even deeper off the route. It sounds like that's what happened to the first couple. Even having a GPS can get you going in circles. There is no cell phone reception for 30-40 miles.
To explain further..this is a highly protected area to preserve it. If there was a regular marked hiking trail there would be hundreds out there every day and it would be ruined. To keep that from happening only 20 people/day are allowed on the hike and people from all over the world want to do it so therefore, the lottery. If you are chosen by the lottery and have waited years to do the hike, the majority of people will do it regardless of the weather and heat. They just want to do it. If chosen you are required to attend a thorough orientation on what to expect. However, even if you're in good condition, that hike is difficult. Yes, it was a very sad thing for those deaths.
To explain further..this is a highly protected area to preserve it. If there was a regular marked hiking trail there would be hundreds out there every day and it would be ruined. To keep that from happening only 20 people/day are allowed on the hike and people from all over the world want to do it so therefore, the lottery. If you are chosen by the lottery and have waited years to do the hike, the majority of people will do it regardless of the weather and heat. They just want to do it. If chosen you are required to attend a thorough orientation on what to expect. However, even if you're in good condition, that hike is difficult. Yes, it was a very sad thing for those deaths.
