Posts: 255
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Joined: Sep 2020
Possibly a little off-topic, but the best response I've ever gotten when I've asked about road conditions was from a ranger at Arches NP, about 5 years ago. She first asked what vehicle we had (FJ Cruiser, with no modifications), then she brought out a binder with detailed and relatively recent photos of certain sections of the road and asked us if we were were familiar with how to handle each obstacle. I think we passed the test on the first couple of photos, but I recall there was one that we weren't sure how to handle, and at that point we and the ranger knew that road was more challenging than we wanted to do. We very much appreciated her helpfulness, especially in showing us the photos and trying to determine our skill level before recommending whether or not we should attempt that road, rather than immediately saying not to try it.
Link to my DV trip reports, and map of named places in DV (official and unofficial): http://kaurijacobphotography.yolasite.com
Posts: 9
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Joined: Oct 2020
Many years ago, I was soaking in the Sunrise Pool in Saline Valley with a few other folks including my good friend, the late "Turtle Jim" Haye. A couple drove up and stopped, walked over and asked if we thought they could make it out Steele Pass in their vehicle. They were in a nicely lifted and equipped Toyota Hi-Lux truck ( I told you it was a long time ago!) Before any of the rest of us could answer, Turtle Jim replied, " I don't know. I've never seen you drive." The moment has stuck with me ever since!
As for the original post, I'm very familiar with the Henness Pass trail. I've driven it a couple times in each direction. Obviously, it is not very useful at this time of year. One nice thing about it is how well it's covered by several ham radio repeaters, both on the Nevada and California sides. There are very few spots on that trail where a hand-held radio can't reach somebody. A cheap Bao-Feng radio, which is available for under $30, could have had the guy rescued on the first day.
The guy survived by doing what he should have done. He stayed in the vehicle, he stayed warm, he stayed hydrated, and he figured out how to get help. Too bad he wasn't just a little better equipped. He could have avoided a lot of discomfort, both his own and his friends and family's.
