Death Valley Germans.

Discussion in 'Search, Rescue and Technical Skills' started by GunnerP, Jun 12, 2017.

  1. Kevin

    Kevin Member

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    Thanks very much for posting link, very good read.
    Kevin
     
  2. FTG-05

    FTG-05 Member

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    Death Valley NP, Striped Butte Valley.

    Striped Butte Valley, the road is visible right, running northeast to southwest. This pic is looking to the northeast towards Death Valley and Badwater; Striped Butte's namesake is obvious.

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    Geologist's Cabin. Spring with plenty of water, shelter and some food. The Germans stopped here when they made their trip, driving northeast to southwest. They made it to Mengel Pass but could not drive over it in their van. MP is to the left in this pic, maybe 5 miles away.

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    Striped Butte Valley looking south across the valley. The small pass on the extreme right is the entrance to Anvil Spring Valley. When the Germans couldn't go over Mengel Pass, they came back to the Cabin. Why they didn't stay, where water, food, water, shelter and water were available - who knows.

    They left the Cabin and went south on Anvil Spring Road (now closed) heading towards the China Lake Naval Weapons Station. Obviously, they thought that China Lake was just like their typical German military bases with fences, guards, lots of people and probable rescue. And also obviously, they had no clue that CL was +1 million acres of - nothing.

    They went down Anvil Spring Road until they got stuck and died SE of Needle Peak. The parents were found, one of the kids was not (AFAIK).

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    Tragic end for the parents and especially for the kids.
     
  3. 5col

    5col Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks for these pictures! I think about this story a lot, and the way a series of fairly minor, poorly informed decisions sealed this poor family's fate.
     
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  4. Kevin

    Kevin Member

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    Tom Mahood, the writer of the story about the Germans hasn't posted anything for years now. I miss his writings.
     
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  5. Kevin

    Kevin Member

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  6. FTG-05

    FTG-05 Member

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    I used to converse with him a couple decades ago when we were both members of a Skunks Works chat room/blog. Interesting guy for sure.
     
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  7. FTG-05

    FTG-05 Member

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    Here's a map of their route:

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