Man in His 50s Dies While Hiking During Heatwave... Hiking Unprepared Can Be Fatal

Body Temperature Was 40.5 Degrees Celsius at Discovery
Wear Light, Loose Clothing and Stay Hydrated

Citizens visiting Gwanaksan Mountain in Sillim-dong, Seoul. Stock photo unrelated to the article content. Photo by Asia Economy DB

A man in his 50s who went hiking with a mountain club during a heatwave has died, prompting a police investigation.

According to the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Department on the 7th, at around 6:13 p.m. the previous day, a mountain club member reported from Jucheon-myeon, Jinan-gun, that a companion who had climbed the mountain together was missing.

Fire authorities launched a search and found Mr. A, a man in his 50s, collapsed near the hiking trail. He was airlifted to a hospital by helicopter but ultimately passed away.

According to authorities, Mr. A’s body temperature measured by a tympanic thermometer at the time of discovery was 40.5 degrees Celsius. In Jinan, where a heatwave advisory had been issued, daytime temperatures had exceeded 32 degrees Celsius for several consecutive days.

When hiking in the summer, it is important to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses during a heatwave. Heat-related illnesses are acute conditions caused by exposure to heat, and when a person is exposed to hot environments for a long period, symptoms such as headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, and decreased consciousness may occur. If left untreated, these conditions can become life-threatening.

To prevent heat-related illnesses while hiking, it is recommended to wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing rather than tight, non-breathable clothes. Sufficient water and snacks containing salt should be prepared and consumed. In addition, avoid strenuous hikes that exceed your physical limits, and take frequent breaks in the shade whenever possible. If symptoms of a heat-related illness occur, stop all activity immediately, move to a cool place, and seek help from those nearby or call 119 for assistance.