Missing Jeeper near Death Valley

[Fetus]

There's a thread going on in panamintvalley.com RE: a Missing Person in a black Rubicon (Black Rubicon) since Thanksgiving weekend near Death Valley.

http://panamintvalley.com/forum/viewtop ... =11&t=6025

Somewhere between Boomtown NV and Bodie.


I'm also getting emails to my account from different forums. He's was driving sans doors. Hopefully he had enough cold weather gear.

UPDATE: JEEP FOUND

http://claycord.blogspot.com/2009/12/au ... ep-in.html

[cruiserlarry]

UPDATE: JEEP FOUND

Was the guy found, too ?? Or just his Jeep ?

Hopefully he's OK...

Why do so many folks go to exotic locations completely unprepared for trouble ???

Seems "Death" valley should be a clue....

[Fetus]

Bad news. He was found dead today. Very sad.

http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20 ... ofile=1049

[BorregoWrangler]

Ah man, what a bummer!

Why do so many folks go to exotic locations completely unprepared for trouble???

You nailed it there, Larry. When exploring remote areas your chances of getting into trouble are immensely reduced when traveling with another vehicle.

[ssc]

I hate these stories. It just doesn't have to happen. I do alot of solo wheeling--not the smartest move, but I believe in planning for the worst and hoping for the best. I am going to start another thread and ask everyone for their opinion on something that happened to me. I hope it doesn't disappear as it will be on the long side.

Regards, Steve

[DaveK]

I's such an unnecessary tragedy. Very sad.

While traveling as a solo vehicle in remote locations is not a preferred means of travel, traveling by yourself, in remote areas where the weather gets extreme (either hot or cold), always seems to be one of the common threads in these type of situations. Being unprepared, of course, is the other ingredient for disaster.

[BigDave]

I just never leave home with out my SPOT. I do so much solo traveling off-road both north and south of The Border that I just don't know what I'd do with out it and my Radios.

[photojeeper]

Although it is sad that someone has to lose their life when it could have been prevented with some very simple education on how to plan for any trip.

I have and still continue to do trips on my own. I always let someone know where I am going and how to contact me or who to contact. I always call when I get to the destination and just before I hit the road home with an ETA. While on the trip I am always aware of the dangers and exercise caution in the terrain
that I am in, of course my Jeep can handle lots of different types of terrain. I always carry a bag with cold weather clothes and a space blanket regular blanket also I carry non perishable food and 6 gallons of drinking water, I carry many ways of making a fire and of course the regular parts to fix the Jeep.

Now what did he do to reduce his chances for surival?
1) Not having the doors on the Jeep would have been a good start.
2) After being "stuck" he should have stayed with the vehicle. It makes a better shelter and increases your chances of being found.



JJ

[toms]

I recently became aware of a site http://www.trailnote.com that automates the process of letting someone know where you are going and when you will be back. I have not tried to use it myself so if someone does lets have a report. It looks like you can set up an email message to be sent to several people in the event you do not return on time. (I guess this is totally self monitored, so even if you return on time, the messages will go out if you do not cancel them - let me know if I guess wrong). KI6BCA has a good format for such a note. As I recall, it includes, instructions that all monitors contact each other to decide on a course of action.

Here is part of their intro

TrailNote™ is your digital "Safety System"

TrailNote™ is a FREE online alert program for individuals or groups that allows you to "Get There, Get Back, and Be Safe!" Always leave a trail note!

Simply inform TrailNote™ when, where, and how long you will be traveling and if you do not return in time we will electronically inform your contacts of your absence. GPS, cell phones, and wireless devices can not always get through but TrailNote™ can be relied upon. Learn more about TrailNote™!

Never worry or have someone worry about your safety. With a group or by yourself you can roam freely knowing that, in case anything goes wrong, people will be alerted, and know where & how to find you. A online alternative to expensive emergency electronic locator devices (ELT's and PBT's).

Simple, reliable, secure, and free! Protect your adventure today!

http://www.trailnote.com

[cruiserlarry]

I recently became aware of a site http://www.trailnote.com that automates the process of letting someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

With a group or by yourself you can roam freely knowing that, in case anything goes wrong, people will be alerted, and know where & how to find you. A online alternative to expensive emergency electronic locator devices (ELT's and PBT's).

Simple, reliable, secure, and free! Protect your adventure today!

http://www.trailnote.com

Sounds like a great additional service to use.

The only issue, to me, is that is will alert contacts when you do not return on schedule, but it does not give your location - only the location you set up on the website. I would still prefer to have a Spot or EPIRB with me in order to alert rescuers to my actual location, instead of my possible whereabouts...

However, many folks don't feel the need to spend the additional money on that type of device, so this service is much better than no back-up at all....