Two men have survived a harrowing experience after becoming lost while driving through Death Valley National Park in California.
On July 4, the men took a wrong turn while navigating by GPS, leading them to drive back and forth on a gravel road for about three hours in the dark. Around midnight, fearing they may run out of gas, the pair decided to attempt a direct drive across the salt flat to Badwater Road. Instead of reaching their intended destination, their Chevrolet sedan became stuck in mud about one mile from where they left the road.
Faced with a dire situation, the two men embarked on a lengthy trek. They walked the remaining mile to Badwater Road and another 12 miles along the paved road. Desperate to find help, they decided to split up around 3 a.m.
One of the men was eventually found around 8 a.m. by a family visiting the park. They drove him to Furnace Creek, where he was able to call for help. This same family returned to pick up the second man, transporting him to Shoshone, just outside of the park’s boundaries. From there, he was taken to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, Nevada, for treatment of a heat-related illness. The lowest temperature that night was a stifling 90 degrees.
Driving off-road is strictly prohibited in Death Valley National Park because of the potential harm to local wildlife and plant life. The men’s car remained stuck in the mud for three weeks until it could be carefully towed to minimize further damage to the landscape. Both men now face potential charges and fines for illegal off-road driving.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of disregarding park rules and the necessity of proper preparedness when exploring natural environments, particularly those as challenging and potentially dangerous as Death Valley. Accessing help can be difficult in such remote areas, and unexpected circumstances can quickly escalate into life-threatening situations.