Sad news on the AT

Very sad, thoughts and prayers to his family.

Bad news indeed but though extremely rare, death from falling large tree limbs does happen. An acquaintance from a local hiking club was backpacking with his best friend several yrs ago when the friend died of similar circumstance out West.

Yes, sadly it happens. This was a friend of some friends:

http://www.sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/yodeler/html/2010/01/chapterclub7.htm

some of the first reports before Jason's name was released simply identified the victim as a musician from Philadelphia. i had several calls from family worried about me. very sad news.

i often decide to head out very last minute and don't inform family of my plans, i need to be more mindful. i also need to talk with my mother more often.

Just a bump but falling tree kills man camping in his tent during a sudden storm in Texas a week or so back

http://www.khou.com/story/news/local/2015/04/27/man-dies-in-freak-accident-during-weekend-storms/26480455/

Probably not ultralight, but shelter weight wouldn't really matter. He posted and did some trips over at Backpacker.com for those who post over there but haven't visited in awhile:

http://forums.backpacker.com/topic/chuckd-has-been-lost-to-this-world/