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+--- Thread: Fossil theft (old news) (/showthread.php?tid=26067)
Fossil theft (old news) - Brice - 2022-05-30
Does anybody know if these guys were ever identified or the thieves caught? I couldn't find any updates.
https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/fossils-stolen-from-death-valley-national-park.htm
Also, what do you think is strapped to the back of that first guy's pack? The one in profile holding the big jug of water. Is it innocent backpacking gear, maybe a tripod for photography? To me it kind of looks like a metal detector, or maybe lighting equipment that could be used for nighttime digging?
RE: Fossil theft (old news) - DAW89446 - 2022-05-30
Can’t tell. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen any backpacker carry such a large jug of water in their hands before.
RE: Fossil theft (old news) - MojaveGeek - 2022-05-30
Well it looks like solar charged lights... but that would be pretty crazy, much more effective to carry spare batteries. Fossil tracks, that sounds like Copper Canyon, right? I've never been in there.
As for water. well, Copper does not seem like a through destination so that much water is strange unless one is going to spend time in there. Interesting that they have images - must be trail cams hidden in there. Good to know in case I want to poach it
But I've carried 2.5 gals in a water bag, about 4 miles into Grand Canyon to a base camp, Plus another gallon plus in my pack.
RE: Fossil theft (old news) - DAW89446 - 2022-05-30
It’s not the quantity of water that I find odd. It’s the method of carrying it. Every backpacker or hiker I know have more suitable and practical means to carry it. So, in short, they seem suspicious.
RE: Fossil theft (old news) - MojaveGeek - 2022-05-31
(2022-05-30, 10:18 PM)DAW89446 Wrote: It’s not the quantity of water that I find odd. It’s the method of carrying it. Every backpacker or hiker I know have more suitable and practical means to carry it. So, in short, they seem suspicious.
Oh I would agree they seem suspicious all right. Assuming they were seen on a Copper Canyon game cam (I don't the NPS puts game cams in random places in the park, though I did see one at Navel Spring) going in there with that much water is very odd, as I don't think you can make a multi day hike out of it, no through destination.
I have hand carried water. But in a water bag with handles. And people carry gallon jugs of water when their packs are full. Agree these are rather odd containers, requiring two hands.
But yes, they certainly would be "persons of interest"!!
RE: Fossil theft (old news) - trailhound - 2022-06-03
I sent an email to NPS Investigative Services Branch. I received this reply. It looks like the a-holes who did this got away scot free.
Quote:Good afternoon ~
Thank you for your inquiry about this case. Investigators followed up on the many tips generated by the extensive public concern; however, the responsible party has not been definitively identified.
Should you need further assistance, you may contact the public affairs officer for Death Valley National Park.
Kind regards,
NPS Investigative Services Branch
RE: Fossil theft (old news) - TacoLand - 2022-06-04
This happened right after I did the tour. Frickin a---holes ....
RE: Fossil theft (old news) - Brice - 2022-06-04
(2022-06-03, 04:55 PM)trailhound Wrote: I sent an email to NPS Investigative Services Branch. I received this reply. It looks like the a-holes who did this got away scot free.
Thanks for doing that. I wish the news was better.