PCT Hiker Dies after Tree Falls on Him in Washington
A 28-year-old hiker from Germany died on the Pacific Crest Trail after a tree fell on him Tuesday near Trout Lake in Washington.
Finn Bastian, of Preetz, Germany, was crossing a wooden bridge northwest of Trout Lake when the tree, which appears to have rotted at its base, fell.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s office said Thursday it received a cell phone call at about 4 p.m. Tuesday from hikers on the PCT, according to the Associated Press. Emergency personnel took Bastian to a trailhead, where attempts to revive him using CPR were futile, the AP said.
Feature image by daveynin
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Comments 3
I met Finn briefly as he was making dinner at Reese Lake last week on the PCT. I was doing the Three Sisters Loop trial and he overheard me remark to another hiker that I had forgotten to bring electrolytes and with it being so hot that day was feeling a bit punchy, he kindly offered one to me and my impression was he was a kind and humble man. I’m saddened to hear he passed in such a freak accident and pray his spirit continues on in whatever adventures the other side holds for him.
Hiking the JMT, a hiker fell and died on a small snowfield on the north side just below the summit of Mather Pass Aug. 26, 2019. I watched a chopper and EMT recover the body, but can no info about the hiker or the incident. Any one know where I might find out more?
I hope links are permissible:
https://madison.com/news/local/obituaries/pferdehirt-wayne-p/article_05c97e67-0d5c-5508-9bc7-a31463235548.html
MIDDLETON—Wayne P. Pferdehirt, age 67, of Middleton, Wis., passed away unexpectedly in Kings Canyon National Park, Calif., on August 26, 2019, during his lifelong dream of hiking the John Muir Trail. (more)