Yesterday, I'm on a fairly tough climb. About 3 miles from the top, I run into a guy walking his bike. I ask if he has what he needs. He has a flat and is totally unprepared. However, there are people waiting for him at the top. It was over 100 degrees, but it would have been less at our elevation. Still quite hot.
I carry 2 tubes and 3 CO2, so I could have helped him. Nonetheless, I decided to let him hike. My logic was:
- This hike won't kill him, and he'll learn a lesson at a time that it's not dangerous
- With a little bad luck, I might actually need the tube I give him
- I'm much further from home and have no one waiting for me. I do not want to hike in that heat if there's a risk of running out of water