gdanmitchell Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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...let's be careful before we send are fellow photographers off exploring without also giving them warnings of the dangers...
Well, yes, but...
While there are dangers in any natural area (bears in some parks, high water in some, rockslides, bad cafeteria food, overpriced tourist concessions... ;-), and the risks should not be ignored, we don't need to hype the experience up into a death-defying act of danger or heroism. :-)
Regarding Death Valley, a few decent generalizations:
- Most people will enjoy the cooler half of the year a lot more than the hotter half. If you don't know what you are doing in the desert and you do go in the hot season, stick to the well-traveled areas. While you'll read stories of folks doing all sorts of crazy things "out there" in the summer heat, be aware that some of them are just "telling stories."
- During the hot season (which I think of as extending from some time in April on into the beginning part of November in Death Valley), there are real risks if you get stranded, get hurt, or run out of water. While the risks are a lot smaller along the main roads (where some one will come along soon), venturing out on backroads increases the risks considerably. Depending upon where you go, you may not encounter another traveler for some time, so you must be prepared to function on your own in an emergency. (It can be safer to travel in groups.)
- There are a lot of back roads in Death Valley NP that can take you into virtual wilderness, many hours from civilization. The conditions of these roads can vary from quite decent to abominable — and the conditions can change in response to weather and washouts and so on. If you have not traveled into such areas before, start with a nice short drive on a good road where others travel — perhaps one of the short spur roads off the main highway in the Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Badwater vicinity. Save the big, long, back-country travels for a future time when you have proven to yourself that you are competent in such places.
- It is true... always carry water and food and other necessities. Almost everyone I know has a story from early in their DEVA adventures about being less than careful about this and regretting it.
- Consider carefully your driving experience and the vehicle you are using before heading off into the most remote and difficult areas. There are roads that are just barely possible to drive in suburban vehicles — and I see terrified people driving them from time to time — where doing so is pushing your luck.
- When you hear about (and see) some yahoos driving at 50 mph on gravel backroads, don't model your own driving on that! If you want to bust an axle, loose a tire, spin out into the desert, roll your car... that is a great way to get there quicker! Most experienced drivers take it relatively slow and easy in this terrain.
- Concerning the cool season... First of all, it can get hot even during the supposedly cool period. I've experienced mid-90 temperatures in the first half of April. (In fact, my own personal "wish I had more water" story comes from an early April hike many years ago.) Secondly, the travel situation can be a bit less reliable, since snow blocks some high areas and some roads can be temporarily closed. Third — and perhaps most surprising — it can be extremely cold in parts of the park in the winter... to the point that the cold can become a danger if you are not prepared for it.
Death Valley is a beautiful and astonishing place of huge spaces and deep quiet, and it grows on you more and more as you come back many times. If you are making a quick, one-time visit, head for the deservedly popular spots that are easily accessible. If you are fortunate enough to be able to develop a relationship with the place over time, take it slowly, savor the experience, and learn the ways of the desert as you do so.
Good luck!
Dan
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