“What I thought was going to be a routine hike turned into a deadly situation. A woman had been found dead on a nearby hiking trail, apparently due to the heat. That could’ve been me.” — LaineSeaton
I knew better. Living in Arizona for 17 years, I’d gotten used to the blazing temperatures of summer. Days, and yes, nights, over 100 degrees for weeks on end are typical, and really not much of an issue unless your A/C goes out. Even on those handful of days that are over 110, I only feel the heat during brief dashes between my car and the store or the office. So I am used to the heat.
That Sunday in June, after an intensive morning of work, I was ready to get off the computer and get outside for a while. That weekend was the first excessive heat warning of the summer, so I knew it would be scorching. But I didn’t intend to be out long, and I could handle it — or so I thought. I can still hear my husband Chris’s voice: “You’re going out now, at noon? At least wear a hat and bring some water.” “ll be fine,” I thought as I jumped in my car, headed for the hiking trail.
Phone in hand, listening to my favorite YouTube vloggers, I started on the trail, on a hike I'd done a million times before. My feet crunched along the loose, rocky path incline. I was surrounded by incredible views and nature of the southwest desert. About 30 minutes in, I started up the first leg of the peak on a part of the trail that we’ve dubbed “Lombard” in homage to San Francisco’s famous zig-zaggy street. Lombard is steep and can really kick your butt, so I made sure not to push it.
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