Hiker loses his life saving his wife and friend while hiking during snow storm

[krunchykrome]

SEATTLE - A Romanian hiker who lost his life high on Mount Rainier lay down in the snow and used his body's warmth to save his wife and a friend from the 70-mph winds of a freak June blizzard, national park officials say.

When it became obvious the trio of friends could not find their way back to base camp in whiteout conditions, they dug a snow trench with their hands. Then 31-year-old Eduard Burceag lay down on the snow and his wife and a friend lay on top of him. Later, when they begged him to switch places, Burceag refused, saying he was OK.

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Stories like this are so sad. This reminded me of the guy who worked at CNET who died trying to seek help for his stranded family during the snow storm.

 

[E equals MC2]

So said...

but why did he refuse? They could've indeed taken turns and everyone could've survived.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2
So said...

but why did he refuse? They could've indeed taken turns and everyone could've survived.

Or they all could have died. 2 out of 3 surviving a freak blizzard on a mountain isn't bad.

 

[RichardE]

Since the wife almost died I doubt all 3 would have survived if they took turns. Try reading the article next time.

 

[buck]

I can only imagine how bad the storm was up there, down here the wind was blowing over 50mph. Very uncommon for this time of year.

 

[keird]

I wonder if they all could have made a snow cave. That sucks.

 

[KB]

Hmm I think the friend and wife were seeing each other and used the incident to bump off the husband. What a plan!

Been watching too much Law and Order I guess.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2
So said...

but why did he refuse? They could've indeed taken turns and everyone could've survived.

I'm guessing he wanted to make sure that they survived. Might have been an ego thing, or it may have been a man's natural instinct to protect his loved ones.

 

[fossilburner]

 

[Kelvrick]

I wonder if they could have made it if they were a little more paranoid. I don't know how much it would have helped, but i wonder if a couple hand warmers and a folding shovel could have created a livable shelter for all three.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Burceag refused, saying he was OK.

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Stories like this are so sad. This reminded me of the guy who worked at CNET who died trying to seek help for his stranded family during the snow storm.

Guess he wasn't, taking turns could have saved all 3 though

 

[dbk]

What a gut wrenching story Were there any alternatives?? Blizzard in June?? How common is that?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: dbk
What a gut wrenching story Were there any alternatives?? Blizzard in June?? How common is that?

For their elevation, probably unfortunately not all that uncommon.

It wasn't a freak storm or anything, they should have been paying more attention to mountain forecasts, although in all fairness it can change in the blink of an eye.

 

[UncleWai]

I completely misunderstood your title. I read as:
Hiker loses his life saving, his wife, and friend while hiking during snow storm

I was thinking who would bring all his money to a hiking trip.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: UncleWai
I completely misunderstood your title. I read as:
Hiker loses his life saving, his wife, and friend while hiking during snow storm

I was thinking who would bring all his money to a hiking trip.

i read it the same way actually and thought it was going to be another thing about the subprime market crashing.

 

[halik]

He lost his live savings?

 

[sandmanwake]

Penguins use a similar technique, but they're smart enough to switch places every so often so that no one penguin is left taking the brunt of the winds and cold.

 

[herm0016]

the info i get from the SAR people ( i work on a SAR team) is that they all would have been fine had they been prepared. they were all experienced climbers and just decided to leave their gear at home.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: halik
He lost his live savings?

fail

 

[0roo0roo]

they went up unprepared?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Originally posted by: halik
He lost his live savings?

fail

Note the location of F and V on the keyboard....

 

[JackBurton]

Too bad there weren't a few Taun Tauns around.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Too bad there weren't a few Taun Tauns around.

Tauntaun is one word.

As you were