Congressional staffer died in Death Valley after his car got stranded

Daily Mail via msn ^ | 13 Apr 2021 | Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com

[blueplum]

The family of an Arizona congressional staffer who died while camping in Death Valley National Park in California have revealed that his SUV had gotten stranded with two flat tires, and his wife suffered a severe injury to her foot during the ill-fated trip last week.

Alexander Lofgren, 32, and Emily Henkel, 27, were found on Friday on a steep ledge near Willow Creek, California, but Lofgren did not survive....

[cyclotic]

After driving a bus across the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan a few dozen times, there’s no bridge that compares.

https://www.mackinacbridge.org/history/facts-figures/

When it’s windy, you have to steer the bus strongly into the wind but then have to straighten out when you get to the suspension piers, otherwise you’ll hit the piers. Oh, and the rail is lower than the wheel hubs. Oh, and you’re responsible for yourself and the 49 lives sitting behind you.

[VTenigma]

All I needed to know was “Subaru Forester”.

[Albion Wilde]

“They weren’t married...?”
Why would they, they’re Democrats.

And she made the newspaper correct the record. Why—tax dodge? Staying virgin? (bwahahaha) Probably changed her Twitter and Facebook to "single" again, too.

[freepersup]

I’ll take a shot- it’s a “w” symbol for the University of Arizona Wildcats football team’s mascot (Tucson).

On the right, US Senator (AZ) (DEM) Kyrsten Sinema seems to be able to make the hand symbol into a reasonable facsimile of the letter “w” whereas the deceased’s hand symbol is a fail, however- there is also a tawdry, one might even say crude hand symbol known as the “shocker” that somewhat resembles what the deceased is displaying. Your mileage may vary.

[Albion Wilde]

For my job I frequently visit construction sites. Flat tires are pretty frequent.

I'm out in the built-already burbs. But I found out the hard way when my next-door neighbor got his roof replaced. Those roofing nails are sharp, not only the point, but also the flat heads!

[Joe 6-pack]

Roofing nails are the preferred poor man's caltrop for anarchists. The broad flat heads increase the chances of them sitting point up when scattered, and even if they land on their side, tires rolling over them can stand them up. For some time, they were the calling card of ecoterrorists in the Pacific Northwest.

In subsequent years kevlar tires have become increasingly popular with serious off roaders and have come down a bit in , and they offer some protection.

[BobL]

“And she made the newspaper correct the record. Why—tax dodge? Staying virgin?”

More likely, she was worried that being married to a man destroys her ‘credibility’ as a Leftist, since the Left considers marriage to be slavery.

[Albion Wilde]

IMO the Rt. 301 bridge over the Potomac is scarier than the BB. Both are bad.

And how about Rt 13 from Cape Charles, off the tip of the Eastern Shore towards Norfolk? It is to pee oneself.

I had never thought about having a flat tire on one of those bridges before. Thanks for the warning, cyclotic.

What I hate about those long water crossings is how low the bridges seem to be, over the water. Probably not much lower than a regular suspension bridge like the ones over the Delaware River around Philly, or that Woodrow Wilson drawbridge out of DC, because boats have to pass under them. But because they are too long to be humped in the middle, they just seem lower. And for a really long time!

[Albion Wilde]

Just looking at some of the pix of the Bay Bridge, I see that it really is low to the water, and boats pass over it! No wonder I've never wanted to drive it again. Yoweeeee!

[Albion Wilde]

Roofing nails are the preferred poor man's caltrop for anarchists.

If we ever have a crowd of anarchists drive through our suburban cul-de-sac (like antifa has been threatening to do), now I'll know what to scatter at the entrance! Thanks! :-)

[faucetman]

NEVER leave the vehicle!

They are easier to spot in a search. You are SAFER staying put!

Water, shelter, food. Why leave your shelter? Your food and water will last you longer if you don’t exert yourself trying to hike out not to mention the possibility of injury.

STAY PUT! WAIT!

[Knocker]

One late August day at the only gas station in Cayucos California I met 2 girls from Denmark asking for directions to Death Valley. They were driving a small rented car and had no detailed map nor any emergency equipment.
Try as I might to explain how going to Death Valley in Summer was the wrong time, and that driving only a few hours South would bring them to Santa Barbara where it was Fiesta week, they insisted on continuing on to Death Valley. Out of options, I gave them a good map and wished them well. I hope they’re back in Denmark now, healthy and happy, but every so often I wonder what more I could have done.

[cyclotic]

I’m not sure I’m buying the balloon idea. I don’t think it’s big enough to be seen from a search plane.

An orange trash bag or tarp would be better. Or a mylar emergency blanket. It would reflect the sun.

A friend is a former Navy rescue swimmer with tons of SAR experience. I’ll have to ask about the balloons.

[Albion Wilde]

Wonder if we are talking about the same bridge? "The Chesapeake Bay Bridge" (1952) is the one connecting Annapolis to the Eastern Shore across Rt. 50.

I've been freaking out at the memory of the "Chesapeake Bay Bridge – Tunnel" (1964), Rt 13 towards Norfolk, which many people also call "the Bay Bridge."

The Rt 301 Bridge that central_va mentioned is the Harry Nice Bridge (1940) towards Richmond, right?

[SunkenCiv]

Death Valley has killed more people than COVID-19. /rimshot

Better close Death Valley as a matter of public safety. /rimshot

BTW, vacations in places with “Death” in the name *may* not be for you.

[cyclotic]

My blowout was on the Annapolis one. I think I’ve crossed the bridge tunnel. That seemed like no big deal

[PLMerite]

Interesting. I’ve read a book or two by him.

[Mr170IQ]

I’ve read all his books, and followed his blog for many years, and corresponded with him through email. He was a fine author and a voice for conservatism and sanity, at least the the last four decades of his life. I miss him.

[PLMerite]

I’ve been unplugged from things and hadn’t realized that he’d passed. My condolences, he sounded like a good guy.

[Hootowl99]

Suggestions for any off-road over landing...

First, assume the worst in terms of stranding. Ad hoc decisions on actions and gear are prone to bad decisions. The first thing to do is to do nothing. Sit and think. Sleep on it is even better.

Prep for hiking out before even going overland. Being on foot is usually the worst choice though. If you do hike out, stick to established trails and roads. Shortcuts can be deadly.

Give a plan to someone so that if you do not show up in time, authorities can be contacted. Friend, family, ranger stations etc can work for this. In addition, strongly recommended is a Garmin InReach satellite communicator, which can send out a mayday pretty much anywhere in the world. There is specialized medical and rescue insurance available that can defray the costs of rescue services.

Have a tire repair kit in your gear and and a way to air up a tire. Most tire problems are due to a puncture that is repairable. Don't forget to include a replacement valve stem and spare valve cores. Once, I have sheared off a valve stem and another time had a bent and leaking valve core both due to rock encounters.