Survival related article

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_4149019

Interesting article about a near life-threatening experience at death valley. Funny thing is, I was there earlier this year, so I know exactly the road they were on. I could have been in the same situation, except I had all my camping gear with me and enough stuff to last me at least a week.

Thanks for the article. It sounds like they made some good decisions to get themselves out of trouble.

They considered their options and realized that time was not on their side. They decided to stick together rather than divide their resources and perhaps burden the son with an tough decision and impossible task if the father didn't return with help by a certain time.

Although I can't imagine sitting in a vehicle in 115 degree heat, they knew to wait until dark to travel. When they hadn't reached their destination by morning, they took advantage of some shade.

It appears the flashlight was essential - If they hadn't needed it to find their way, they would have turned it off to avoid the bats/bugs. (Anyone remember the Calvin & Hobbes "Bats=Bugs" episode?)

Obviously they should have had more water. Even if they couldn't carry it all, they could drink as much as possible before setting out.

A tarp or two would have provided much better shade than the vehicle. They could have brought it with them in case they had to wait-out a second day in the sun.

I guess the lesson is, if traveling by vehicle in a very remote area (its not even patrolled by the park rangers more than once a week) be prepared to walk out.

Reminds me of the t-shirt someone got when he visited Arizona. It had a cartoon of a bleached human skeleton sitting in the desert saying "...but it's a DRY heat"

Odd feeling of deja vu...

I grew up in Azusa, and went to Gladstone HS. I've also traveled in the desert a lot. But I would never go to Death Valley in July! One probable reason that the rangers don't patrol the area is that there usually aren't many people there that time of year. The latest I've ever gone to Death Valley is late May, and that was hot enough.

Esp in an area like that, I would find the ranger station FIRST, and tell them where I'm going and that I will check in with them when I return, even if it's only to leave a note on the door.

They used their heads fairly well, but it would have been better not to get into a situation like that.

Sue

record setting heat wave, July and death valley. One car. One adult.

I've often thought about buying one of those mini-motos and keeping it in the trunk. Wouldn't be useful in all situations, but depending on where you are it could. Beats walking!

Might be hard carrying the kids.... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

True <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />