Email

Geocachers expect to find hidden treasures while scouring the earth for various hidden delights. What these modern treasure hunters don’t expect to find is an abandoned mini-van in the middle of the dessert! This is exactly what happened when Paul Fox and Roy Joseph were geocaching along the Colorado-Utah border.

Take a GPS Device Along for Safety

Upon investigating a, seemingly, abandoned mini-van, the two found a woman and her elderly mother inside of the van. The two women had become stranded in the middle of the desert without food or water when the van that they were driving became stuck in the desert sand. Incapable of pushing the van out of the sand, the two women did their best to survive the stifling desert heat for two days. It is not known if they had cellular phones with them or if cellular signals could be used in that location. As soon as Fox and Joseph approached the van, the two women exited, and were given food and water. This story could have had a more tragic ending.

The two geocachers then pulled the van out of the sand using a tow strap. According to Joseph, the situation could have been a lot more serious, since “…just down ravine, the creek dropped down into a bigger canyon.” Joseph and Fox were well-equipped to face the desert heat, and both geocachers have off-road experience. However, the two rescuers recently stated that anyone exploring desert areas should “go prepared, take extra water, food and blankets.”

If Fox and Joseph did not happen upon the stranded van, the two women might not have survived another day in the desert. When exploring any area, it’s not only a good idea to bring the things that Fox and Joseph noted, but it’s also a good idea to invest in a GPS tracking device. A GPS device could have led authorities directly to the stranded van as soon as the two women disappeared.

Geocaching has become a popular activity that allows those with an adventurous spirit to seek and find hidden treasures all over the world. While geocaching is a fun activity, it is not a good idea to hunt for any treasure in a remote area without first notifying someone of your whereabouts. Many geocached objects are hidden in out of the way places in order to make this activity adventurous for participants. It is never a good idea to investigate remote areas without being properly prepared. With the low cost of a GPS tracking device it is one of the first things you should pack for your trip!

(Article written by Harriette Halepis for Rocky Mountain Tracking. Source acquired via The Denver Channel, August 30, 2010, Colorado.)