Great post. I live up in Mammoth Lakes and spend time around the CA/NV boarder and Death Valley. I have been stuck only one where I had to call for a tow truck and that was due to my Warn winch failing (more on that below). Here is what I carry and do to make sure I stay alive and can be found:
1) Know the area - study maps of the area and surrounding areas. Know where gas stations are at that can help you. In Death Valley there are only a few places with the rigs to come get you out of trouble and know how to get to you.
2) Always tell someone (friend or wife) where you are going (or might go to if you expand you trip).
3) Carry many communications options. I carry cell phone, SPOT, and a Iridium sat phone. Test these device everyone month or so. Know how they work. My Sat phone has all the local help numbers already programmed into it. Tell people what a SPOT help message means VS a 911 message so they understand what situation you are in (life threatening medical vs stuck in mud and need tow truck).
4) Try to roll with a second vehicle if you can. I sadly am usually rolling alone because I am out in the BFE midweek.
5) Be prepared for any weather. Both supper hot and the nasty cold of desert nights. I have been off-roading around Mono Lake when it can been 10 degrees outside. Mud was freezing to my Raptor.
6) Know some basic first aid and survival skills (ie if you have to travel in the desert rest during the day and walk at dusk/dawn/ or night when it is cool). Carry a Steripen or similar to clean nasty water.
7) Carry enough supplies to keep you alive for a least 3 days. I prefer enough for 5 days if I have the space. Power Bars etc are great. You can't have too much water with you when in the desert.
8) Carry tools and know a bit about your vehicle. You should be able to repair simple things like blown hoses.
9) Be able to get out of bad stuff (as in stuck). Better yet realize where you are and make good decisions knowing help is a long way away. People die in the mountains/deserts from making simple and seemingly unimportant decisions and ultimately get them stuck in the middle of nowhere with no supplies and no way to get help. Every year in Inyo and Mono counties people die trying to walk out from some situations and die from heat/ lack of water.
Here is the gear I usually carry in my Raptor:
- Food/water/clothing appropriate for the area I will be operating in.
- two spares
- a REAL SHOVEL (not some folding POS)
- all the comms gear talked about above. Buy the rescue cost insurance SPOT offers to pay for the helicopter ride you may need.
- Tools and knowing how to use them for basic repairs in the field.
- Cash/credit cards to pay for the tow I may need from Death Valey.
- Tow Straps ( a few of them and they are 20,000 lbs+ strength)
- If you have a winch carry all the accessories like snatch blocks and extra line.
- A High Lift Jack - If you only have ONE piece of gear make it a High Lift jacket. Know how to use it. These are incredible pieces of gear and have saved my ass when there was nothing the winch line could reach.
- consider carrying some wood blocks or ply wood. In mud or snow you need the extra base when trying to jack you truck up.
- Know basic first aid and carry a real first aid kit. Know how to stop serious bleeding wounds. Know how to use a tourniquet. What do you do if bit by a Rattle Snake etc.
- Carry a Camelbak or similar if you have to hump it out on foot.
I was off roading near Mammoth and got stuck in the snow because I hit a deep snow bank and did not charge it fast enough. Snow and mud add a suction force that really make it hard to get out. My 9,000 LBS winch fried trying to pull me out of the snow. I should have done a snatch block giving me 18,000 LBS of pull but by the time I went to do that the damage was done to the winch. I had no cell service and it was going to be dark in a hour or two. Luckily I had a Sat phone, knew what tow company in the area to call, and knew how they could get within about 100 feet of me with their rig. I learned some good lessons and it only cost me a $150 tow/ pull out charge.
Once I get my Raptor back from Connor I will be seeing some of you on the runs.
