If DEVA was Great Smokey Mountains?

[Kauri]

Will never understand why anyone would want to sleep in a mouse-infested cabin and potentially expose themselves to Hantavirus.

Same here, I'm paranoid about even walking into some of these cabins out of concern for Hantavirus.

[DeathValleyDazed]

Will never understand why anyone would want to sleep in a mouse-infested cabin and potentially expose themselves to Hantavirus.

Same here, I'm paranoid about even walking into some of these cabins out of concern for Hantavirus.

Thanks for bringing up the hantavirus concerns. Shortly after discovering DEVA about seven years ago I drove over Hunter Mountain and at the cabin just off the main road I first saw the Hantavirus Warning posted by the NPS. I'm not sure but I think the warnings were also posted at the boxcar cabins along the same road. I have no idea if the warnings are still posted up there?

On November 1, 2020 on the way back from Sentinel Peak I stopped at the Panamint Hilton in Panamint City. The interior appeared to have been cleaned up and even swept out. There were two beds with springs and sleeping pads that appeared well used and also clean. No spider webs or rodent turds evident. I regret not snapping some video of the interior but I was pretty knackered after that hike. 

This was in contrast to the first time through Panamint City five years ago when I slept outside of the Panamint Hilton by stringing up my hammock on the patio deck pillars on the south side of the cabin for fear of the Hantavirus and due to the unkempt nature of the cabin's interior. I was awakened a few times by the loud noises of what I believed was pack rats chewing and scampering about. I had strung up my backpack to keep it and my supplies away from pack rats. (I've had to live trap a few pack rats who invaded our horse barn at home in Utah. They are very destructive and even chew through electrical wire insulation.) So was glad to be safely sleeping in a hammock well above the floor and that the rats could not get at my pack. 

Well, when my most recent visit to the Panamint Hilton was such a pleasant surprise and there was clear evidence of many sleepovers inside with people leaving three layers of new looking sleeping pads on top of one of the beds.  I probably would have given sleeping on a real bed inside a try but I was heading back down and it was during the afternoon. 

Photos of the Geologists Cabin look like it's well maintained and slept in regularly. Now I've checked out other structures in DEVA that in no way would I consider sleeping inside unless it was a desperate survival situation. LOL. 

The latest news from DEVA dated August 20, 2020 on Hantavirus Safety is:

Hantavirus: a potentially fatal respiratory disease--is spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. Although no cases have been reported in Death Valley, the virus has been found in deer mice and cactus mice here. Use caution in rodent infested locations such as cabins and mine structures.
https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/s...ice%20here.

I have no idea what they mean by "use caution" except maybe to lay down protection underneath sleeping gear, or sweep out rodent turds (which can stir up the dust increasing infection) or washing your hands after being in the cabin? How about wearing a Covid19 mask inside the cabin? 

I'm wondering if any of the old time miners contracted the disease and even died from it? 

Summary: If the Geologist Cabin appears clean enough such as no rodent turds in the living area I am strongly considering spending the night inside but having my hammock ready as a standby. 

[Kauri]

I've had to live trap a few pack rats who invaded our horse barn at home in Utah. They are very destructive and even chew through electrical wire insulation.

We have pack rats near our home in the SF Bay Area. They've gotten into our house and our neighbor's house in the past, and they'll steal anything small and sufficiently interesting to them, like watches and flash drives... Then we'll find the items later in their nests. We also have mice that got into our garage and cars (and they can do a lot of damage to vehicle wiring etc.) so I've had to build rather elaborate mouse-proofing systems, including an aluminum flashing "moat", and carefully disinfect areas they've visited. So I have a lot of respect for anyone who cleans up the cabins in DV.

[David_Bricker]

I've often wondered what the "proper" method of trying to clean a cabin wound be. In the past, if we arrived early enough on the day, I'd open windows and doors, sweep the floor, and then stay outside for an hour or two to let the dust settle.

In today's environment with the widespread use of masks, I'd certainly add my N95 mask to the list of equipment.

I have slept in a number of cabins throughout the years, and have appreciated the windbreak they provide. I do think about hantavirus, but don't fret extensively. If a cabin is really full of droppings, I don't stay at all.

David Bricker / SYR - O26

[Desert Fog]

The CDC has some recommendations for cleaning up after rodents...

CDC Cleaning Up After Rodents

[David_Bricker]

Thanks for the link. Helpful guidance.

David Bricker / SYR - O26