Death Valley Deep Dive 2024

[Beardilocks]

You've posted some truly amazing stuff, but this one, in my unqualified opinion, takes the cake.  Never did I expect to see scenery and rock formations like this in Death Valley.  You nailed it, it’s like Utah (or some other far more distant corners of the world).

That flat tire reminds me of the time I experienced something very similar several hundred kilometers from civilization on the Gibb River Road (outback Australia).  I was looking for somewhere to pull off the "road" to make lunch, and after an hour, couldn't find anything, when I came upon a very rocky dry wash forking off.  I figured why not, and drove very slowly, but huge bushes closed in fast and I noticed they were full of huge spiders.  I noped out of there, and reversed back out.  Less than a quarter mile further up the road there was a nice, flat clearing and I pulled in.  As soon as I opened the door and got out, I heard the dreaded hissing sound.  Rear passenger tire was completely shredded.  My best guess was that stupid spider infested wash had a sharp rock.

Thanks!  It’s crazy unique area that I’ve always stared at and am slowly starting to obsess over.  Lol.  I guess if it took me 6yrs to actually start exploring it, that says something about how remote it seems to average hikers.  

And man, those spiders did in your tire.   Obviously they had shivs.  You barely escaped a Frodo-like situation of getting wrapped up.  Actually that happened to Bilbo & the dwarves too right?  Bloody Middle Earth spiders…. Obviously a few of those in Oz as well.

PS: I did call NPS and leave a message about the kids on Telescope. No one was picking up. Better safe than sorry.