Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

I've camped there on two occasions during the Las Vegas Astronomical Society events which are great. The camping is ok but it's an established campground in the most visited part of Death Valley.

 

Yes but when you bring the wife and two daughters (plus friends) having flush toilets and running water is nice. Not to mention the pool and all the amenities at the ranch. Good place to park the trailer for a nice base camp. Day trips from there and those sites are pretty spacious. The wife refuses to tent camp anymore. So best to avoid this

 

We tent camped at stovepipe wells many years ago. The wind picked up, and the sand from the dunes is so fine, even the inside of the tent was covered in sand. Needless to say we booked hotel rooms for the rest of the stay.
Since then we use Beatty as a base camp and stay at the hotel. Gas is cheaper there than anywhere else in or around the park.

 

Another summer heat fatality…

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/hiker-fatality-august-2021.htm

Heat stroke in Golden Canyon which seems an all too frequent occurrence despite all the warning signs posted.

 

I just read that on their FB page.

Gotta say, I was a little disappointed to read the details, including his name and then see his death used to make a point.

 

Maybe they should have made the point even more explicit - second fatality in a week in Golden Canyon:

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/hiker-fatality-08212021.htm

(The Park is only going to get the media to look at and report on a single press release for an incident so they are sort of trapped into having to report the details along with whatever public education message in the same press release.)

 

The thing is, they don't know why either died but imply it's heat related. They should either refrain from the implication or leave the names off.

 

They should probably leave their names off regardless.

 

I saw an illustration of a grave marker at Stovepipe -- the epitaph said: "A victim of the elements." And history repeats itself.

 

https://youtu.be/ZO1PcSQM8X0

name rings a bell.

 

My $.02, I’m retired LE and had to do a lot of death notifications as a major crimes detective and supervisor.

As crass as it is, once the family is notified of the death, the details are public record. A death like these will draw some media attention, especially in DV just because of the mystique of the place and the name. If the press does get wind of the death they will contact NPS or LE and ask for the report, they will ask questions if it’s not all spelled out in the reports. Even worse than the reporters is the public comments and questions that get raised on social media. The public will start calling and demanding answers or wanting to know why “it’s being covered up.”

Ian, you are correct they probably don’t know the exact cause of death. Autopsy protocols take several weeks to obtain because the Medical Examiner will be waiting on toxicology reports before making an official cause of death. At this point in the investigation, they will have asked family about any existing medical conditions. Assuming there are no significant medical issues, the likely cause of death is a heat related injury. Even with a minor medical condition, ie. high BP, even a controlled cardiac condition, the heat will be a major contributing factor and will be listed on the death certificate. Bottom line is they have to make some statement on manner and cause of death to satisfy the public.

Bottom line, NPS is in a bad spot. They need to get the word out to the public about the dangers of the heat right now, satisfy the curious, and help the family come to grips with the tragedy. I understand NPS posting it to FB as that will reach many more people as a PSA than any 30 second new clip or newspaper article. Turning off comments is the way to go with the posts and they (NPS) should have done that on the first death also.

 

All well and good. But the NPS doesn’t need to do anything that requires a name. “A 58 year old male was found deceased ... Cause of death is unknown” satisfies the public’s need to know.

 

I get what you’re saying and understand your position, not trying to argue. Your quote does satisfy the need to know, it just doesn’t always work. If Inyo Sheriff's Office is the lead investigating agency in the death the NPS could make that kind of statement and refer all other questions to them. It’s a bad situation for all agencies involved.

 

No doubt. But there’s a dead guy who cannot speak for himself.

 

Here a few pics of my DV trips over the years. I would defiantly recommend summiting Telescope peak if you need a day out of the drivers seat (bring a gallon of water per person). Looking forward to getting out there again soon!
Happy Labor day and Cheers!

 

The first time I did telescope peak, was on thanksgiving week, reach the top. Freezing cold winds. Hike back in the dark with no flash like beside my phone and had thin layers on. My legs were inflamed the whole night hahaha

 

Great pics!

Did you camp at Mahogany flats or was it a day hike?

 

That sounds familiar. When I did it for the first time we did not bring nearly enough water or food so it a long slog to get back down. I thought my girlfriend was going to push me over the edge haha.

 

I got up to Mahogany the night before and spent two nights up there. That is a great campground especially the East facing sites towards the back. The 6th Pic is a sunrise from Mahogany.

 

Hey folks, haven't been around much lately, but enjoying catching up on the thread. I finally put together a mediocre video montage from recent and not-so-recent trips down the Bradshaw Trail, which of course isn't Death Valley at all, but so far y'all haven't seemed to mind my slightly off-topic posts...

https://youtu.be/C-NciHJZMGk

111 in Blythe today, glad I'm not out there... or in DV for that matter. Cheers!