No matter the level of ability in the outdoors, this man was in rather remote and difficult terrain. While many people would like to capture the 'wilderness experience' in solitude, as extolled by John Muir and others, hiking and camping with a companion generally provides some safety in numbers. Outside of perhaps a fatal bear attack, a more common accident like a broken leg from a fall would be totally survivable with a hiking buddy to assist, but perhaps not for someone who is alone. The man died doing what he loved, but just maybe his ill-fated trek could have been avoided had he hiked with another person.

Peace to all

He's resting with Jesus now.

Makes me feel guilty for not reporting a similar distressed campsite I came across a year ago along the Kern river in California. Some guys tent and gear all flatened out and faded from the sun, with notes that sounded like clear problems with depression. I looked all around for a body but couldn't find one.

What an idiot. I bet he felt like a fool, too.

Judging from the earliest posts at least, people are learning something about hiking, camping, and how GPS works. The comment that GPS wouldn't work in such remote areas was priceless... Anyway, to throw my speculation into the mix, I wonder if he didn't have altitude sickness but a stroke. Would be interested to see more details about what was in the journal. Will probably have to wait for a 20/20 or Dateline sensationalized special to get more info, boo that.

If he was an experienced hiker, he's the first I've ever met with a belly like that. :/ Perhaps he took on more than he was physically able to handle and couldn't back out. Such a sad story.

It's easy to lose your fear of nature in this modern world... but nature is still there ready to kick our collective asses whenever we stray far enough from our SUVs.

Like people are saying experience hikers in this area get lost and never found. If you like to hike alone in the wilderness and value your life you can get an emergency satellite beacon for $500 dollars. Yes people say a compass and a map is cheaper but you can get injured or sick and can't hike out.

I thought this was going to be a mob hit.

Not only did he look like a pig, he obviously lived like one. Don't go hiking by yourself people...

Im wondering if someone had been using that camp site after he was dead. I mean it seems to be a little to orderly to have stayed that close together for the amount of time it was up there. The blue thing is standing. I think that is the bear cannister people are speaking of. It doesnt appear to be heavy. I would assume that is not if he schleped it up there. A year or more of snow, wind, rain, storms and what not and thats as bad as it is? I smell foul play. Yes he might have been suffering from that sickness but still. The camp doesn't look right.

I guess it is possible to wander into someone's campsite, not smell the rotting body and steal his stuff. It is also possible that someone bashed his head in a took his stuff.

some people have the love for camping and outdoors no mater what but an extra person is better also ...hope they can find out the real results of this person death and lay the remains to rest....more later world...

I hiked alone 1000x in eagle county, co. It is true dangers arise and u may not come out alive one day, but altitude sickness is something u prepare for. You should slowly acclimate depending on exposure to altitude, drink alot of water, and take a test hike to check yourself and to help acclimate. I eat grapes, pineapple, and gatorade can help too when u first jump 8000 ft elevation. People die for beliefs, right or wrong. People set goals based on false assumptions, and failure can hurt someones pride. Reguardless, everyone should connect with nature and not man made ideas like money or even civilization. Condolences to this mans' family.

From his picture he looks like he was grossly out of shape. Someone in this condition should not be hiking up mountains at high altitudes. Apparently he didn't think three steps ahead.

R.I.P sir at least you had the opportunity to go out doing what you enjoyed.

Now in a highly sarcastic post on how to fix this:

To ensure no more hiking alone; the bummer should proclaim that all hikers must obtain an expensive permit and register on a national database for an additional fee to find a partner for their hike. A deposit must be made to the government at the base of the trail with a credit card to cover the cost of all the raw materials consumed that were not properly taxed and a government tracking device must be rented and attached to all participants ankles to keep them safe for search and rescue who will gladly come for a nominal fee and pick them up when the technology determines the tracking device has not been in motion for over 6 hours.

This he should proclaim and the sheeple will fall in worship of his ever-knowing wisdom. Polish Death Camps...what a maroon...

Sarc off.

Hiking solo is the best part while at the same time being the most dangerous, hopefully this freedom will not be taken away as well.

I read as many of the snotty, snarky comments as I could stand to read. I'm betting that most are from people who are the "granola" crowd. They are all 130 pounds, soaking wet, and think they are just a dream for others to look at. Personally they get pretty disgusting to me. I live in the Rockies, am a bit overweight, but I still manage to get around through the back country when I need to. Some of the commenters here have never been in the back country, but yet they know everything there is to know about it. Some of you like to flaunt your little skinny underweight azzes around and try to make people think you're special because you are thin. God did not put these beautiful mountains here for only skinny jerks to enjoy. None of you know if this man was in condition for his journey. Get behind me, with my belly a little over my belt, and I'll still be travelling enjoying nature, when you take your place on the lunch menu for the lions, bears and wolves. What a bunch of ignorant turds some of you are ... the only mistake this man made was in taking this adventure alone. The high mountain Rockies should never be done alone. There are just too many things that can happy to even skinny people above 7,000 feet. That is advice to everyone who knows everything, from a 69 year old Coloradoan. Come enjoy our beautiful mountains and high back country ... with someone! It is amazing. My prayers to his family and friends for peace in this troubling time.

For some of you, it's obvious to me that you have never been anywhere near or above 6000 ft. This man's demise came from poor planning and even poorer conditioning. I love how "Flatlanders" get confused when they get winded walking up a flight of stairs or walk across a parking lot when they visit Denver or The Rockies. Did any of you know that the FAA recommends having oxygen available (not required to be in use) or cabin pressurization if you fly over 5000 ft. for periods over 30 minutes to prevent hypoxia? That's just for sitting there on your butt. Actually having to exert yourself (as in hiking up a mountain) causes you to need a lot more oxygen. Being an "experienced hiker" doesn't come into play at all. Being mentally and physically prepared for high altitude hiking that makes you feel like your lungs are burning and filling with blood is what should be the priority for anyone who wants to reach any summit of any mountain in The Rockies. Having grown up approximately 1 mile above sea level, I have no problem with altitudes up to about 8000 ft. Above that you must have great cardiovascular health not to feel physically impaired or mentally drained from even basic things like talking and walking.

I don't understand how it happened in 2010 and it took 2 yrs to find his campsite

or remains????

Strange ~ hiking in higher altitude, out of shape...in bear and cougar country and

no hiking mates or weapons for protection????

He should have just handed the jack links over to Bigfoot,it would have been much easier on him.