BajaNomad - What would you do

What would you do

Sharksbaja - 2-13-2007 at 03:32 PM

if you broke down 20 miles in in rough Baja backcountry. NO sat phone or VHF, and water and food for only three days plus it was summer.

DanO - 2-13-2007 at 03:34 PM

How far am I from the ocean?

Would NEVER happen-------------

Barry A. - 2-13-2007 at 03:46 PM

If I could still "roll", I would hitch up to my buddy's vehicle and have him tow me out to the pavement, and hopefully to some nearby place where we could get it fixed, or park it under security. If I could not "roll" (shades of Neal Johns), then either get in with my buddy and go for help, or if we can identify exactly what I need and KNOW that we can fix it, send my buddy for the parts and stay with my vehicle.

The point being that I NEVER travel into remote Baja without a buddy vehicle, or more (sat phone?).

To do so alone and without communication, in my opinion, is foolhardy.

I have broken down several times in remote Baja and I am still kickin!! because I never violate my own rule.

Slowmad - 2-13-2007 at 03:51 PM

1) Strip down to my birth skin.
2) Salute the six directions.
3) Fish a Tecate out of the cooler.
4) Torch up an arracherra.
5) Listen to the desert.
6) Bemoan the fact that no matter how gosh darnn hard I try, I can't avoid seeing a vehicle every two days!

The only requirement for love or chorizo is confidence.

Doesn't matter

Sharksbaja - 2-13-2007 at 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DanO
How far am I from the ocean?

just 20 miles off a regularily traveled road.

Sharksbaja - 2-13-2007 at 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Slowmad

6) Bemoan the fact that no matter how gosh darnn hard I try, I can't avoid seeing a vehicle every two days!

damn

ah the good ol' days....wait, these are the good ol' days!!

Slowmad - 2-13-2007 at 04:21 PM

Quote:

damn

ah the good ol' days....wait, these are the good ol' days!!

I know plenty of places where I can get REAL lost...just few with my particular "wants and needs" matrix.
"My" personal querencia sees a truck every couple few days.
They rarely stop.
These are indeed the good old days, Tiburon.
Trying to enjoy them relentlessly.

Axel - 2-13-2007 at 04:34 PM

The last time I broke down I sent my buddy out on my daughters pw50. It was the longest ride of his life, but we were able to get help. Beileve it or not we were able to find an ignition module that was good enough to get us home. It died the day after we got home.

Martyman - 2-13-2007 at 04:36 PM

Hey Slowmad:
What is an arracherra? Can I torch one too?

DENNIS - 2-13-2007 at 04:51 PM

Arracherra ---- Grilled skirt steak, according to google. Probably difficult to roll and smoke.

DanO - 2-13-2007 at 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja

Quote:

Originally posted by DanO
How far am I from the ocean?

just 20 miles off a regularily traveled road.

Well fine, if you won't play ball, I'm forced to make a number of assumptions (after observing that Slowmad is more than half right).

1. My breakdown is something so severe that there is no way in hell I can fix it myself with what I've brought or can scrounge up. It needs welding. Or I'm just a dumbass who ran out of gas 20 miles into the bush and didn't bring any extra.

2. Other than the odd quail, scorpion, snake or tarantula, I'm just as far from any substantial source of additional food as I am from the highway (if the ocean were any decent distance away, I'd push the damn vehicle there and camp forever).

3. I won't be rescued if I stay where I am because I have found the only frickin' road in Baja that is not regularly travelled by humans. How it got to be a road in the first place is an interesting question, but the good news is that I can leave my truck there forever and no one will be around to steal or vandalize it.

4. I am the only person there, because if I was ever foolish enough to take my wife and kids that far off the beaten path without having an exit strategy already in place, I'd never hear the end of it. Not like this has ever happened before, you understand. (Well, there was that one time in the Sierra San Pedro Martir when I only brought one spare, but that doesn't really count.)

5. I can comfortably walk two and a half miles an hour carrying a fairly heavy pack, I know where I'm going, and I was smart enough at least to have brought a flashlight, a magic marker, a hat and some sunscreen.

6. I also brought a case of Pacifico.

7. Three days worth of water means three gallons (boy, I really am an idiot if I came all the way up here with only three gallons of water).

Under the circumstances, the answer is fairly obvious. I spend a couple of days camping out in the desert and enjoying myself. I eat the food that's not portable and requires preparation, but I save the rest. I drink the beer, not the water. I pack the portable food and the water, along with medical supplies and a shade cloth, in my backpack and on day three, I start out at 3 a.m. Despite my hangover, I get five hours in, make a camp for shade, food and rest. I wait for things to cool down, starting off again around 4 p.m. and I make the highway well before sundown. I use the marker and my shade cloth to fashion a sign identifying me as a helpless gringo who needs a ride. Amazingly, Barry pulls up and I am shamed into admitting that I am a Nomad but have gone into the wilderness unprepared for disaster. Barry takes pity on me and drives me to the nearest town and mechanic, but only after forcing me to listen to a stern lecture on self-preservation. I get a ride out to my truck with the mechanic, who welds up the truck and sends me on my way (or fills up my gas tank) for a pittance. I go home happy and exhausted, having learned a valuable lesson that I will probably forget the next time I go down.

How'd I do?

Crusoe - 2-13-2007 at 05:20 PM

Good one!!.......Never happen???? Or so you think.....It has....I am always prepared just for this kind of an event and have been stuck a few times.In this particular scenario,I would start walking, late in the eve while it was still light.and had cooled down abit. 20 miles just isn't all that far.Chances are if the day time temps were into 100s-- night time temps would not be below freezing-- and depending on your wilderness skills, you could gather up some brush and make a comfy insulated bed to sleep and rest a few hours on.Lets say you had already covered 6 miles or so,and a rattle snake or scorpions hadn't wrecked your day yet, you could take off at 4am or so and quite easily walk the next 14 miles to rescue. Basicaly assuming this person is in average physical condition and had a decent pair of shoes,and a will to live.Lots of people do almost this just for the fun of it. :cool:

Capt. George - 2-13-2007 at 05:23 PM

cry and call for my mommie.

Dan O-----

Barry A. - 2-13-2007 at 05:42 PM

:lol:

That's great!!!! :lol:

I just can't help myself--------I'm a retired "Ranger"-----what do you expect???? :lol:

Barry

Sharks

tehag - 2-13-2007 at 05:56 PM

Sharks:

Your postcard link is pointing to page 4 of the photo thread, not to the postcards. Which I like a lot.

vgabndo - 2-13-2007 at 06:19 PM

Lencho: I thought you made a good point. I see so many people out in the boonies wearing sandals. Personally, I carry a pack and walking shoes when I'm OUT IN MY BOAT.

They're always with the survival stuff in the truck.

Tomas Tierra - 2-13-2007 at 06:20 PM

I would curse my buddy who insisted on driving his Ford, Chevy,Dodge or whatever, and swear never to go to Baja in anything but a Toyota again!! :lol:

Osprey - 2-13-2007 at 06:53 PM

From 1969 to 1997 I made many trips to Baja from La Vegas. I only had one bad breakdown (in my 1970 Chev ½ ton pu 2 wheel). The main carrier bearing went on the drive shaft on the old dirt road about half way between San Filipe and Puertacitos – no other traffic then because I was the only pendejo who didn’t know about the Brand New Paved Road. Took off my leather belt, fashioned it as a strap to hold up the shaft, limped on to the paved part, got a push to Puertacitos from a schoolbus. Got a temp part put in to hold me to GN, went on down for 10 delightful days at Requeson

Gringos suffer twice when they breakdown: once when they overpack/overload/overprotect everything and for every conceivable situation; then they agonize again when the breakdown was caused by something they could not, did not expect or imagine. Most Mexicans I know start out broke down. They limp along and get where they started out for or they have interruptions --- they are guilt free and carry a knowing smile start to finish.

coconaco - 2-13-2007 at 07:13 PM

I would just use my ONSTAR

Paula - 2-13-2007 at 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
Lencho: I thought you made a good point. I see so many people out in the boonies wearing sandals. Personally, I carry a pack and walking shoes when I'm OUT IN MY BOAT.

They're always with the survival stuff in the truck.

I have hiked 15 miles or so in Montana wearing hiking socks and tevas after my boots gave me blisters in the first 5 miles :dudette:

Crusoe - 2-13-2007 at 07:42 PM

Osprey-----How many trips down into Baja Sur in your 1970 Chev 1/2 ton 2 wheel dr. did you take pre 74 with no problemo? You should write a book. Sorry to hear they want to build yet another yacht basin and wreck your view. So sad. Where will all the wild life go?? :fire:

Bruce R Leech - 2-13-2007 at 08:41 PM

I would wonder aimlessly until I found DanO then help him finish his beer. then set under a tree while he walked for help :lol:

ME - 2-13-2007 at 08:57 PM

Tomas you know the Chevy is the Superior machine, for comfort and power, For get about it. And on the out side chance it breaks down,.. light the Bar-B Que , brake out the cactus juice and embrace the dirt...and then light some shizit on fire :fire:

:moon:

Bruce

Baja Bernie - 2-13-2007 at 09:06 PM

You always come through with that shining torch that reveals the reality of life in Baja! Well said.

Tomas Tierra - 2-13-2007 at 09:07 PM

comfort and power are great! But reliability is whats impotent...

But keep calling for the rides in the Chevy ME, one of these times I'm going to take you up on it :biggrin:

Edit: By the way, how's your daily driver Toyota Truck running??
And your Wife's???

That's what I thought...

2nd edit :biggrin:

[Edited on 2-14-2007 by Tomas Tierra]

[Edited on 2-14-2007 by Tomas Tierra]

Mango - 2-13-2007 at 10:00 PM

Shade, water, wait...

after two days.. leave a note at the car/truck and take all my water and hike/backtrack out to main road (hike only in early morning and late in afternoon) in my hiking boots with my pack.

or...

"When in doubt.. freak out!" - Me

DanO

Sharksbaja - 2-13-2007 at 11:08 PM

Ya did good. I should have set tighter parameters but generally speaking I think if you are in a remote place(which could only be 10 mi off) you would kick in to survival mode if your ride was disabled.. I would immediately develop some plan rather than snivel and cry for mama. :lol:

It would really make a big diff to me also if I were closer to water than the road. If I was near the water it probably wouldn't take long for a boat to go by. On the other hand a well traveled road would be within walking distance if you did it correctly. The water problem is a whole lot more common than you'd think. Beer is a better replacement for food than water.
It would therefore be more prudent to leave almost immediately to seek help. First because if you stay you'll end up drinking the water you will need on the hike out if no one shows and second, because you already know how much traffic that road yer on has been getting and you will know how to get back already.
I have been on back roads where we probably would make better time walking than driving. When you have to build roads, circumvent arroyos and make constant detours the going gets slow. I would think a person in decent shape leaving late afternoon could hike out by sunup.

After reaching the road and getting help make sure it's a Dodge that takes you back in to help retrieve your Toyota or Ford. No reason to have it happen twice! :lol:

Tehag... the postcard thread was moved to that post on page 4. If you scroll down a liitle it's there. Thank you.

Bruce R Leech - 2-14-2007 at 07:40 AM

what if your Toyota caught fire and burned all of your supples, and in the rush to get out you fell and suffered a compound fracture of your leg. also some of the glass from the exploding beer bottles has blinded you.

Bajagypsy - 2-14-2007 at 07:51 AM

Find the tequila.....

Tomas Tierra - 2-14-2007 at 08:29 AM

Bruce,
A good skipper will go down with the ship...

dean miller - 2-14-2007 at 08:46 AM

Such an event happened to my friends, Jack Waite and Bob Alison in 1954. The had spent a month at the Bay of Conception spearfishing fish. They stopped by BOLA for gas & to rest before heading for home. About 20 miles north of BOLA developed a gas leak from a fractured gas line and ran out of gas.

In those days there was a thriving turtle fishing industry in BOLA which the hapless turtles were trasported by truck to Ensenda for the turtle soup factory-- an open air eating establishment across from Gordos-- so the rightfully assumed a truck would be by shortly. After a day or so and none came by, they flipped a coin, Bob lost so set out on foot for a rancho they recalled seeing several miles back. Jack would remain with the jeep pick up truck, which was his

A day passed, two days passed no Bob, at noon the third day a truck came by with a sun burned, exhausted Bob in the back.

The problem was solved the truck was repaired, the truck owner gave them enougn gas to get to another Rancho and a way they went...heading Norte at top speed.

When they arriced in South Gate Bob was confined to a hospital , Jacks PU was a total wreck, frame bent, stress cracks on the skin, etc etc..

A report of this adventure was featured in a three page story in a 1954 edition of Skin Diver Magazine

We, all the Bajaphiles of that era, made a determanation that in the future we would always remain with the vechicle--some one would eventually come along...So remain planted where you run out of gas.

Epilogue;

Bob retired from the South Gate Fire department many years ago and at 80 is doing great--and still recalls the trip when he almost bought the farm.

Jack was killed in a motorcycle accident 30 years ago
Jack's Youngest daughter has the wanderlust of her father but has lived in Moro Bay California for many years where she had a book store before total retirement. --We are in frequent contact.

Any one other than Baja Bernie recall the turtle factory across from Gordos? A sight to behold but a taste delight!

DM

Osprey - 2-14-2007 at 10:16 AM

Crusoe, since I lived in Las Vegas, was always headed for southern Baja to camp and fish, it saved me 259 miles to go down through Brawley and San Filipe rather than go west -- cut out a lot of town/cops/hassle travel too. I only flew down private, no road trips, before the paved road, then after a ton of trips over the sisters I decided flying commercial to Loreto/Cabo/Los Barriles was quicker and I could have more beach/fishing time that way. Only one trip from Newport beach to Cabo in a 30 ft Cal by water --- that broke down and we got it fixed in Turtle Bay. I lived a charmed life for 70 years -- don't know about tomorrow though.

Common scenario Bruce

Sharksbaja - 2-14-2007 at 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
what if your Toyota caught fire and burned all of your supples, and in the rush to get out you fell and suffered a compound fracture of your leg. also some of the glass from the exploding beer bottles has blinded you.

yea, that happened to a friend of mine too.. what if ... we were all nice...
:tumble:

Land Cruiser or Land Rover? Those were the more popular off-road vehicles in the 60s'. The Land Rover actually did pretty well on the trips we took but the Toyota wore us out, but back then it was possible to repair them w/o a decoder.

capitolkat - 2-14-2007 at 12:34 PM

Boy Scout motto- Be Prepared
the hypothetical reminds me of a fishing trip to British Colombia about 20 years ago. We were about 50 miles northwest of Kelowna about 3 miles off a logging road on an old cut and after fishing and camping for 3 days my faithful IH Scout decided to cause problems- the throttle cable broke and it would run but no acceleration and that meant no going up or over some of the obstacles we had crossed going in.

My three fishing buddies got comfortable- got the cooler out and started work on the remaining beer while I struggled with the engine. From all appearances they were having the time of a lifetime- the logging road was seldom used and to get a logging truck to stop might have been more dangerous than imagined. I carried just about everything , hoses, belts, clamps, extra gas, tire sealant, repair kits and tools but a throttle cable was a little out of the ordinary. But, in the bottom of my toolbox I found an old bike brake cable. it was plenty long, and after trial an error I shortened it by knotting it and off we went. In Kelowna I asked the local IH dealer for a replacement cable and was told it would take a week to get it from Alberta- so off the Nevada we drove with the bike cable in place- for two more years--

Adventurous- sure-- dangerous- Not hardly

once upon a time

Sharksbaja - 2-14-2007 at 12:54 PM

out in the middle of nowhere I had a piston separate at the ring-groove. Being 600 mi from home and 100 mi from any town I certainly had to be clever. It was one of the easiest fixes I ever made. We were on the road in about 15 minutes.
When you break a piston it's a nasty thang, smoke, rattle and choke. I did have an engine gasket set and thought about removing the broken one. Then I thought, hey, what if I just removed the two pushrods and disconnected the plug wire to that cyl. Made it home on seven cyls no problema. The Grapevine was a challenge. After fixing the piston and honing and reringing that 318 continues to be what powers the old beast. Only 750,000 mi on the original block.

Moral: if you decide to use hi-octane in a low-octane engine don't add gas octane booster! :no:

DENNIS - 2-14-2007 at 02:22 PM

Yeah Sharky .......

That's my motto when I go to a bar.

motoged - 2-14-2007 at 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Arracherra ---- Grilled skirt steak, according to google. Probably difficult to roll and smoke.

Good point....up here in BC we smoke salmon....but it IS difficult to keep the papers from getting too wet..... :lol:

Ged

DENNIS - 2-14-2007 at 04:54 PM

Thanks ged ...
I thought a good point was lost

Crusoe - 2-14-2007 at 06:17 PM

Thanks Osprey........Me too.....A charmed outdoor life.... Is part of that Nautica Escalera monstronsity to be built in East Cape.?? Where? Hopefully not La Ribera??.....I like that concept--Pesos to Sand.... :wow:

Baja4Rnr - 2-15-2007 at 04:24 PM

A couple of years ago a buddy and I were looking for Indian rock art sites in my old Mitsubishi Montero. We had gone up a dry wash off the gravel road coming back from La Purisima and the Montero just dies. I immediately thought the worst (computer module going bad) and thinking about how I was ever going to get my rig back home. We hiked out to the gravel road and walked to the nearest rancho and asked if they would help us. He said he would be glad to but that his brother had taken the truck to La Paz and would be back in a day or two. So, we hiked back to another ranch (La Esperanza) where the family offered to help us.

We took his truck up the dry wash as far as we could and then carried the battery the rest of the way to the Montero. Fortunately it started right up and we all celebrated with a couple of Modelos. One of the men asked what we were doing and when we told him we were looking for rock art he volunteered to show us some spectacular sites we would never have found on our own. We then went back to his ranch where his wife offered some hot coffee.

Lessons learned. (1) The people of Baja are allways there to offer their help and hospitality. (2) Buy a portable jump starter. (3) Sometimes a bad event can turn out OK as we would have never found the rock art and came away with another great Baja memory.

Crusoe - 2-15-2007 at 04:57 PM

Baja4Rnr........Thanks for such a great story. I have had two very similar expierences and are still good friends to this day with some nice ranch folks after 20 years. It just makes for such a much more richer vacation.

Helpful residents fer sure

Sharksbaja - 2-15-2007 at 05:43 PM

You are so correct. The people down there have always been so generous and helpful to us locos gringos. That time to Mallirimo I lost two tires one of which was my spare. It was a split rim. On my way out I stopped in at Rancho de Castro for a pit stop. Although I have changed out those tires and rims before, I was amazed how familiar they were with them. I told them how pelagroso they were to mount tires on, but they insisted on repairing my tire their way. I nonchalantly managed to be out of range when they inflated the tire.

God bless em!