Man treated for heat illness after illegally driving off-road

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Some people are…not smart.

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/off-road-7-4-23.htm

Man treated for heat illness after illegally driving off-road

News Release Date: August 1, 2023
DEATH VALLEY, CA – Two people got lost driving in Death Valley National Park on July 4, resulting in one of them being transported to a hospital for heat illness. The two men got their vehicle stuck in the salt flat after driving illegally almost a mile off road. Two Star Towing removed their vehicle from the salt flat on July 27, carefully using a skid steer to minimize additional off-road damage.

The park visitors got lost while navigating by GPS. They took a wrong turn onto West Side Road, and drove back and forth on the gravel road for about three hours. Around midnight, they became concerned about running out of gas, and decided to drive directly across the salt flat to Badwater Road. Driving off-road is illegal in Death Valley National Park. In this case, it could have cost their lives.

Their vehicle got stuck in mud 0.9 miles after they left West Side Road. They walked about a mile to Badwater Road, then 12 miles north along the paved road. They split up around 3:00 am. One man walked another 6 miles north and was picked up by other park visitors around 8:00 am. They drove him to Furnace Creek, where he was able to call for help.

The same family that picked up the first man then drove back to pick up the second man. They drove him to Shoshone, CA. He had symptoms of heat illness and was transported by ambulance to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, NV. The lowest temperature that evening was 90°F.

The vehicle remained stuck in the salt flat for three weeks until Two Star Towing used a skid steer to remove the vehicle on July 27. The men were issued a mandatory court appearance for illegal off-road driving and the resulting damage to the park. Charges and fines are pending.

“Death Valley is an awe-inspiring place that demands our utmost respect and preparedness,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds “We urge visitors to exercise caution and adhere to park rules. Don’t drive off established roads; this damages the environment and can turn deadly.”

The incident serves as a reminder to have a plan and be prepared before traveling to remote locations like Death Valley National Park. GPS navigation can be unreliable. There is no cell phone service in most of the park. Visitors should travel with an up-to-date road map. It is safest to stay on paved roads during the summer heat.

Driving off road is illegal within Death Valley National Park. Vehicles that drive off road can harm plants and animals--such as the desert tortoise--and often leave tracks that can scar the desert for decades.

[Steve_R]

City people in a rental car.

[Onebadcad]

2 of the 81M

[Bill]

I could fix those tracks with a rake and a broom. Stop sensationalising this .gov.

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I could fix those tracks with a rake and a broom. Stop sensationalising this .gov.

Or….how about we not tear everything up? That salt flat would be destroyed if they didn’t ask people to stay off it. And still some people just can’t respect it.

This is why we can’t have nice things.

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

I will take German tourists doing stupid shit things in Death Valley for $500, Alex

It’s a double edged sword. Overseas tourists are some of the biggest supporters of our national parks…and some of the worst offenders when it comes to ruining things.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by NEED-A-VETTE

Or….how about we not tear everything up? That salt flat would be destroyed if they didn’t ask people to stay off it. And still some people just can’t respect it.

This is why we can’t have nice things.

Fair. Fixing those tracks, no big deal. Fixing thousands of tracks...would be a big deal.

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Fair. Fixing those tracks, no big deal. Fixing thousands of tracks...would be a big deal.

I took my mom to sequoia a few weeks ago. I was appalled at the behavior of some of these people.

But I did secretly chuckle at the RV’ers that ignore all the signs warning of the length restrictions of the roads.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

I will take German tourists doing stupid shit things in Death Valley for $500, Alex

Dumb **** German tourists, no doubt. Like the ones who stole the flag from the Geologist's cabin in '96.

Assholes. Their tracks will be there for decades.

[MTPZ06]

Goddamn GPS is gonna get someone killed these days.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

The .gov caused way more damage to the desert by exploding 1000 nuclear bombs just across the border from here at the Nevada Test Site and they’re worried about tire tracks

1,000? Huh, I wasn’t aware of that.

[Torqaholic]

They might have run out of gas and be dead if not for going offroad. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Rules & regulations aren't written for people in life or death situations.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

1,000? Huh, I wasn’t aware of that.

1,021 between 1951 and 1992. 921 of them were underground.

[Aerovette]

Didn't a forum brother die as a result of being stranded in the desert like this?

[Rodnok1]

At some point why do people not say to themselves... Oh shit this is not a good way to go perhaps I should go back thataway ot continue wandering around.

But if it was life or death I'm driving over sacred burial grounds mowing down unicorns if need be.

[MTPZ06]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Didn't a forum brother die as a result of being stranded in the desert like this?

It does sound familiar.

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Originally Posted by Torqaholic

They might have run out of gas and be dead if not for going offroad. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Rules & regulations aren't written for people in life or death situations.

True. How does that song go…??? If You're Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough.

Rule number one in Death Valley: Have a paper map as a backup.
Rule number two: Don’t go there in the summer (unless you know how to properly prepare).

Not to mention… I don’t know how they were lost on that road. If I am remembering it correctly, it is one long road with a few other roads connecting to it. Just drive back the way you came.

I spend a good amount of time in Death Valley…but not so much in the summertime. Regardless, I always have a way to communicate. Right now, I’ve been using my Garmin inReach.

I think people underestimate how dangerous it is, especially in the summer.

YouTube (Short URL)

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Didn't a forum brother die as a result of being stranded in the desert like this?

Yes but i can't remember his name. Went backpacking and got lost.

[Y2Kvert4me]

Originally Posted by aerovette

Didn't a forum brother die as a result of being stranded in the desert like this?

Michael Holt aka WellAdjusted.
Passed July 2007

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

I will take Floriduh tourists doing stupid shit things in Death Valley for $500, Alex

fify