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GPS navigation systems have already killed: http://www.npr.org/2011/07/26/137646147/the-gps-a-fatally-misleading-travel-companion http://www.npr.org/2011/07/26/

by jws 14y ago

GPS navigation systems have already killed: http://www.npr.org/2011/07/26/137646147/the-gps-a-fatally-misleading-travel-companion http://www.npr.org/2011/07/26/137646147/the-gps-a-fatally-mi... Rangers are frustrated by having defunct roads or paths in GPS navigation systems as roads and having no way to get them removed. I was traveling in Death Valley recently, and the span of "unpaved road" ran from "better than my driveway" to "I could try, but there is a 50-50 chance this rented jeep[1] isn't coming back." EOM [1] If you pass through, spend a day, rent a jeep. Don't do that to your own tires. The rental guy will tell you where to go to see the things you want to see.

afterburner 14y ago
I sort of had this problem around the Great Salt Lake; my TomTom app gave me directions using unpaved dirt roads that were actually closed. At least there were closed, with gates, only 10 minutes into the bad route.
jmspring 14y ago
I know the rental guy, he will most likely direct you towards things that he feels are safe for you to reach. In the last two years, he has had people more familiar with the the back country and renting the jeeps for multiple days. It took a little getting used to for him -- there is a risk involved. We spent most of a week in areas where you do not see any people. In Death Valley, with elevations below sea level, a little bit of rain can cause standing water on roads where people don't expect it. Heck, Inyo County throws up "road closed" signs just based on the amount of rain not based on road conditions. Park rangers, county road crews, etc. in remote areas need to cater to those that really don't think about what they are getting themselves into.
fleitz 14y ago
Might be passing through Death Valley over Christmas, wanted to head out to Racetrack Playa, any recommendations on the closest place to rent a jeep? Was planning on winging it but figured a recommendation or two might help. I'm from BC and usually when I'm out in the back country I'll pick up a forest service map, are there similar maps for Death Valley?
- jmspring 14y ago
  For jeep rental, the best place to rent from is: http://www.farabeesjeeprentals.com http://www.farabeesjeeprentals.com For maps, the NPS site is your first stop: http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm The specific back country road map is: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry%20Roads-2.pdf http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry%20R... If you want specific details and more information, contact me directly. I can give you more detail, depending on your experience/desires.
  - fleitz 14y ago
    Thanks so much, same username on twitter?
    - jmspring 14y ago
      Twitter is fine (same alias, though gmail is better)
- jws 14y ago
  Talk to Farabee (check first, I think he closes during the hottest part of summer). There is an abandoned mining site along the way to the racetrack that is nice (bring a flashlight, but someone sometimes leaves one in the shack). He'll also tell you where to stop to get AT&T coverage. Strange little spot where for some reason there is cell signal. A nice spot to check in with your family. The moving rocks are mostly down on the far end of the racetrack, don't despair if you start looking on the wrong end. Distance is a bit deceptive, you can easily walk all around the racetrack.
rdl 14y ago
Also, dear god, put a couple cases of bottled water in your car. I do that even when driving around the Bay Area (if nothing else, $0.10/bottle water vs. $1.50/bottle water at the gas station is a win), but it was weird being in SW NV seeing people with absolutely no preparations in their car.
- awj 14y ago
  Bottled water, a blanket or two, food that stores well, and a first aid kit. None of that takes up a lot of space, and it could easily save your life. Plus just about all of it is handy to have around for non-emergency needs anyways.
  - rdl 14y ago
    A flashlight and a reflective vest or jacket also helps. (I also have flares, a tool kit including jumper cables and patches, but that might be overkill.)
    - awj 14y ago
      Not really, depending on where you are. I live in the pacific northwest, there's some long lonely stretches of road required to go see some of the awesome sights out here. Plus for me flares, jumper cables, and patches all store in the spare tire area anyways.
- genwin 14y ago
  Even better, use a multi-gallon reusable water container, if it'll be used repeatedly.
  - rdl 14y ago
    Doesn't work as well in a car, in my experience (I have a fair bit of experience with being in the desert, cars breaking down or being destroyed, etc.) Opening and closing the container leads to contamination, and consequently it is generally "emergency only" use, vs. something you use routinely (and thus maintain automatically). If you end up having to walk some distance, you can't really take the container comfortably, vs. throwing some bottles into whatever bag or pockets you have. I like bottles because they fit in cupholders, and it's easy to give out bottles of water to people (e.g. a broken down other car, or someone injured, or drunk people after a party, or whatever). A case of water is $3-5 from Costco.
davidw 14y ago
> GPS navigation systems have already killed: I think that's a bit of hyperbole: people relying 100% on a GPS/map/whatever when they should have used their heads a bit more is what got the boy in the article killed. Doesn't look safe? You're not prepared? Turn around! Don't go into places like that without a full tank of gas, plenty of water, some food, and if it's cold out, some sleeping bags/blankets.

by jws 14y ago

afterburner 14y ago

I sort of had this problem around the Great Salt Lake; my TomTom app gave me directions using unpaved dirt roads that were actually closed. At least there were closed, with gates, only 10 minutes into the bad route.

jmspring 14y ago

I know the rental guy, he will most likely direct you towards things that he feels are safe for you to reach. In the last two years, he has had people more familiar with the the back country and renting the jeeps for multiple days. It took a little getting used to for him -- there is a risk involved. We spent most of a week in areas where you do not see any people. In Death Valley, with elevations below sea level, a little bit of rain can cause standing water on roads where people don't expect it. Heck, Inyo County throws up "road closed" signs just based on the amount of rain not based on road conditions. Park rangers, county road crews, etc. in remote areas need to cater to those that really don't think about what they are getting themselves into.

fleitz 14y ago

Might be passing through Death Valley over Christmas, wanted to head out to Racetrack Playa, any recommendations on the closest place to rent a jeep? Was planning on winging it but figured a recommendation or two might help. I'm from BC and usually when I'm out in the back country I'll pick up a forest service map, are there similar maps for Death Valley?

jmspring 14y ago
For jeep rental, the best place to rent from is: http://www.farabeesjeeprentals.com http://www.farabeesjeeprentals.com For maps, the NPS site is your first stop: http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm The specific back country road map is: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry%20Roads-2.pdf http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry%20R... If you want specific details and more information, contact me directly. I can give you more detail, depending on your experience/desires.
- fleitz 14y ago
  Thanks so much, same username on twitter?
  - jmspring 14y ago
    Twitter is fine (same alias, though gmail is better)
jws 14y ago
Talk to Farabee (check first, I think he closes during the hottest part of summer). There is an abandoned mining site along the way to the racetrack that is nice (bring a flashlight, but someone sometimes leaves one in the shack). He'll also tell you where to stop to get AT&T coverage. Strange little spot where for some reason there is cell signal. A nice spot to check in with your family. The moving rocks are mostly down on the far end of the racetrack, don't despair if you start looking on the wrong end. Distance is a bit deceptive, you can easily walk all around the racetrack.

rdl 14y ago

Also, dear god, put a couple cases of bottled water in your car. I do that even when driving around the Bay Area (if nothing else, $0.10/bottle water vs. $1.50/bottle water at the gas station is a win), but it was weird being in SW NV seeing people with absolutely no preparations in their car.

awj 14y ago
Bottled water, a blanket or two, food that stores well, and a first aid kit. None of that takes up a lot of space, and it could easily save your life. Plus just about all of it is handy to have around for non-emergency needs anyways.
- rdl 14y ago
  A flashlight and a reflective vest or jacket also helps. (I also have flares, a tool kit including jumper cables and patches, but that might be overkill.)
  - awj 14y ago
    Not really, depending on where you are. I live in the pacific northwest, there's some long lonely stretches of road required to go see some of the awesome sights out here. Plus for me flares, jumper cables, and patches all store in the spare tire area anyways.
genwin 14y ago
Even better, use a multi-gallon reusable water container, if it'll be used repeatedly.
- rdl 14y ago
  Doesn't work as well in a car, in my experience (I have a fair bit of experience with being in the desert, cars breaking down or being destroyed, etc.) Opening and closing the container leads to contamination, and consequently it is generally "emergency only" use, vs. something you use routinely (and thus maintain automatically). If you end up having to walk some distance, you can't really take the container comfortably, vs. throwing some bottles into whatever bag or pockets you have. I like bottles because they fit in cupholders, and it's easy to give out bottles of water to people (e.g. a broken down other car, or someone injured, or drunk people after a party, or whatever). A case of water is $3-5 from Costco.

davidw 14y ago

> GPS navigation systems have already killed: I think that's a bit of hyperbole: people relying 100% on a GPS/map/whatever when they should have used their heads a bit more is what got the boy in the article killed. Doesn't look safe? You're not prepared? Turn around! Don't go into places like that without a full tank of gas, plenty of water, some food, and if it's cold out, some sleeping bags/blankets.