PHOENIX — On a rare gloomy day in Phoenix, Camelback Mountain was bustling with hikers Thursday.
One of them in particular was there on a mission, to advocate for hiking safety.
“His death was so preventable,” said Chelsey McHale. “He made a poor choice and that’s what I want to share with others what not to do.”
On May 4, 2011, McHale’s brother, Clint, died while hiking Echo Canyon Trail with a friend. He went off the trail and climbed without the proper gear and fell 50 feet.
“He knew this mountain very well and he was an intelligent person,” the sister said. “He made a terrible choice though, and a lot of hikers have done the same, but with him, it cost him his life unfortunately.”
Since the 25-year-old’s death, Chelsey McHale has made it her life’s mission to share her brother’s story in hopes of saving others.
“I needed to make meaning of his life, I needed to where he didn’t die in vain, but also where other lives could be spared and our family not have to endure this tragedy for the rest of our lives,” McHale said.
In 2014, a safety sign with Clint McHale’s picture and story was installed three-quarters into the trail, after the sister spent years advocating with the city.
She also volunteers her time talking to hikers on the mountains, handing out water, and even reaching out to local resorts, as Camelback Mountain is a top tourist destination.
“I’ve gone undercover before, where I was just wearing flip-flops, had one bottle of water in 100 degrees and some of what they said was alarming, what they were telling guests,” Chelsey McHale said. “Saying, that it’s fine hiking on flip-flops, to just walk slow, and that one bottle of water is fine. So, they weren’t really educating them.”
With temperatures dropping, the sister is pushing people to follow safety measures more than ever, like wearing sunblock.
“You have to be hydrated before you even begin your hike,” Chelsey McHale said. “When you’re halfway done with your water turn back around. Just listen to your body. If today is not the day to hike, and bummed out, you can come back another day more prepared because the mountain will still be here and so will you.”
McHale said she will continue her passionate work, sharing her brother’s story to save even just one life.
“I want you to come home safe to your family,” she added.
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