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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It's not that odd to me that they still had drinking water.  If the deaths were heat-related they were probably trying to conserve the water while they were still capable of rational thought (again I think they likely planned a short AM hike and something happened to keep them out there longer than expected - sprained ankle, dog overexerts and collapses, any number of things can happen to even experienced outdoorsmen and women and they didn't want to burn through all the water they packed for a short hike).  They didn't realize they were in a survival situation until it was too late - at some point you aren't going to be thinking clearly or rationally about the water.[/quote]

Unfortunately, decision-making rapidly deteriorates in conditions like this and even experienced hikers can get themselves into a deadly situation as a result.  One of the things experienced hikers do that can actually be worse for their survival is try to self-rescue.  [/quote]
DP. Agree. I also think the people who find the heatstroke theory implausible are assuming that they all dropped dead at once, and there is no reason to think that. It’s entirely possible that one of them (most likely the dad) wasn’t feeling well. He was in his mid 40s, not thin, and pasty. Could be the heat, a heart issue, who knows. When it’s clear he can’t continue up a steep switchback (1500 feet elevation gain up the remaining 1.5 miles) they maybe waste too much time in the brutal heat panicking about the best way to get him to safety. They decide having him and the baby resting there makes the most sense so she can move fast to get help (the mom is slight and carrying the baby would slow her down if she could carry her that far at all). She puts the baby next to him in the shade of his body (websleuths theory), leaves the dog to guard them, and leaves the remaining water with them. She sprints up the trail to go for help, faints, and that’s the end of the chances for all of them.  Dad passes out from heat.  Baby can’t escape the carrier, nor dog, who, is tethered to them.  Also plausible that dog or baby struggled first and they both tried to sprint the rest of the way home to save them, dad needs to rest because he’s carrying one or both, same outcome.

I think they got overconfident because they thought their hiking experience prepared them for every eventuality. [/quote]
 
Then why didn't she take the phone? The phone blows this whole theory to bits. They have the wherewithal to make an exit plan but she forgets the one thing that will enable her to summon help?[/quote]

I don’t buy this theory but it is possible she left her phone in the car. I do this frequently when going out for a hike if dh has his phone. It would be smart to leave a phone with dad even if there was no service. Perhaps they thought it was just spotty service or it could be used to track his location if necessary.[/quote]

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