Thanks for posting that article. Another attempt at a shortcut becomes a Hellish experience.

These are the kinds of episodes that caused me to make my car a rolling REI. I carry a gallon of water at all times plus some energy bars and dog food when my pup is with me -- but not nearly enough to endure two weeks.

Bless the woman who survived and RIP to her husband.


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Very sad.

This reconfirms tucking a waterproof tarp in the car makes sense. Along with all its other uses one could form it into a makeshift tub to collect more rainwater.
-Blast.

When I read these I often wonder -- did no one miss them? I wonder how soon the search started.

I just read that one today, too. Very sad. Compounding the problems was the fact that both were diabetic. Even with food and water they would have been in danger had they not brought along enough insulin for the trip.

Again, very sad and entirely preventable. They weren't really "foolish" per se, more like just unlucky.

Sad story, what a horrible way to go. But it also serves as a good reminder that life and survival never ought to be taken for granted. One bad choice, simple error or coincidence, maybe just a little 'brain fart' and you could easily end up in a world of hurt. No amount of preparedness can eliminate that sort of risk entirely, it happens to the best of us.

I suppose there is another lesson to be learned there, too. As long as you're in good health, physically fit and mentally up to the challenge you may afford to tough it out and muscle your way through almost anything. But once you are 79 and diabetic, your options decrease radically if something turns wrong.

RIP. A sad reminder that accidents to happen, and getting stuck out for a while isn't an unrealistic scenario to consider when traveling.

More than half my car's smallish trunk is taken up with gear, and maybe 10% of that is for work. It's got over 100K miles on it and when I'm dreaming of replacing it, I'm dreaming of a bigger trunk.

Get a truck -- hard tonneau bed covers are a must have. It's great, you'll have room for lots of gear. Mine carries three RubberMaid storage containers and a cooler plus my GHB backpack, sleeping bag, Bivy Sack and folding chair outside the containers. There's still room for other stuff as needed.

I calculated the money I would save by not buying a newer and bigger car. It's cheaper to make your gear lighter and smaller, than it is to make your car bigger.

Altough in such a situation, a large pile of gear won't help. Just getting a beacon and just water and food would go a long way.