HYPOTHERMIA, HEART FAILURE

Baffin Island, Auyuittuq National Park

On August 25, 1985, a man (42) was hiking alone. What transpired during the day is not known, but when he arrived at Overlord Campground in the evening, he was wet, shivering, and had difficulty walking. A group of hikers who was also camped there took him to an emergency shelter, had him remove his wet clothing, and provided him with a sleeping bag. They took his temperature, finding it to be 35.5°C (37°C is normal). They provided him with soup and heated the cabin. His temperature rose to 38°C, and he complained of pain in his right leg which was cut and bruised. The next morning at 0900, it was reported to park staff that the hiker was sleeping comfortably. At 1000, he was reported dead. (Source: R. Breneman, Auyuittuq National Park Reserve)

Analysis

The post mortem examination attributed the hiker’s death to systemic hypothermia with the mechanism of death being heart failure. General circulatory failure is not usually encountered until body temperature is much lower than 35.5°C. Had the hiker not been alone, a companion might have been able to provide assistance. (Source: R. Breneman, Auyuittuq National Park Reserve)

(Editor’s note: Although the person was hiking rather than climbing, this account is published to document a possible outcome of traveling alone in a remote mountainous area.)