North Face founder dies kayaking

My wife read this and all of a sudden she thinks kayaking isn't safe 

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/12/09/459046112/north-face-founder-douglas-tompkins-dies-in-kayaking-accident-in-chile

Don't know the circumstances but it would be amazing if a guy like that wasn't dressed for immersion

My wife read this and all of a sudden she thinks kayaking isn't safe 

People have died sitting at a traffic light or even sitting in the living room, too.

Sounds like they were not dressed for immersion and/or proper equipment. Could be didn't see the ocean conditions were unsafe.

the guy was in his 70's. Some can barely walk at that age.  Maybe he shouldn't be out alone.  I happen to wear one of his jackets while typing this at work.  Kept me dry this morning.

It says they were on General Carrera Lake . Don't know much about that region other than it's far south and this is their peak of summer. Weather would have to be severe to capsize a yak (even a SIK).

It says they were on General Carrera Lake . Don't know much about that region other than it's far south and this is their peak of summer. Weather would have to be severe to capsize a yak (even a SIK).

Why would the weather have to be severe to capsize a kayak?

I believe it mentioned not only did the wind kick up very choppy conditions, but that the water temp was 44 degrees F.
That'll kill you.

RIP.

I believe it mentioned not only did the wind kick up very choppy conditions, but that the water temp was 44 degrees F.
That'll kill you.

RIP.

that's f'ing cold.  I've swam in 40 something degree water in a wetsuit in Denver in May.  wasn't sure I was gonna make it out . . .    RIP, man was a commercial and technical pioneer

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151213-doug-tompkins-chile-north-face-rick-ridgeway-patagonia-yvon-chouinard-death-general-carrera-lake/

http://www.canoekayak.com/news/everything-we-know-about-doug-tompkins-death/#oSKsdzpxyikO9d7o.97

That lake is huge, gets ocean like waves during bad weather and is ice cold.  It sounds like it's possible many of them were not dressed appropriately and it's lucky more didn't die.