BajaNomad - Baja travelers rescued in Laguna Salada (52 deg.C)

Baja travelers rescued in Laguna Salada (52 deg.C)

Ken Cooke - 7-17-2013 at 01:46 PM

VHF Radioclub Mexicali and Asoleados 4x4 Club rescued a group of six people who were stuck about 8 miles within the Laguna Salada when their 2WD Ford Rangers encountered sandy conditions.

The incident took place on Sunday, when members of VHF Radio Club and Asoleados 4x4 Club were checking gallon water supply tanks along the rescue poles found in the desert.

Oscar Reveles, VHF Radioclub member of Mexicali, said that when the approached Post 2, they located a man who flagged them down for help. The man told them that since Saturday afternoon, a group of young people went into the Laguna Salada, camping in the foothills of the Sierra Cucapa, but when they realized they had not returned, he went to look for them.

Both car campers who came to help were stuck in the sand, being 2WD vehicles. The group of campers were without water, so they had a moderate degree of dehydration.

sancho - 7-17-2013 at 02:09 PM

I believe the intersection at Hwy 5 and the Hwy over
to Ensenada is termed El Chinero, referring to some
Chinese who, back in the day, never made it walking
Salada, probably not a good place to be mid summer

soulpatch - 7-17-2013 at 02:33 PM

Yikes! Good save!

AKA

MrBillM - 7-18-2013 at 08:47 AM

Dumb Luck.

David K - 7-18-2013 at 06:01 PM

If only they deflated their tires (or stayed on the pavement, like a good 2WD should)!

Dum De Dum Dum

MrBillM - 7-18-2013 at 06:39 PM

People do the Darndest things.

A few years back, driving to SF in August, just north of Laguna Salada around Noon, I saw a guy standing next to his mini-van waving.

Hispanic American from San Francisco who decided via an Internet search that a mid-summer holiday in San Felipe with his wife and pre-school daughter sounded good.

He had pulled off the road for a break. Seeing a ROCK on the shoulder, he "THOUGHT he'd PROBABLY clear it". Losing the oil in the Crankcase proved him wrong.

No Cell Phone.

No Liquids AT ALL.

He said that he hadn't seen a car in over an hour.

Tow Service

Ken Cooke - 7-18-2013 at 06:58 PM

Coming down the San Matias Pass, I came across a family in a disabled van heading towards San Felipe. I pulled the family's van with my Ford Ranger all the way to Downtown San Felipe, and dropped their vehicle off at the Pemex station before the arches.

Black, White, Hispanic, breakdowns can and do happen to anyone. I knew that the issue of race would come up when I posted this article. As Baja travelers, we need to support those in need of help. :!:

BajaRat - 7-19-2013 at 07:13 AM

Race never crossed my mind Ken, just 2wd, Laguna Salida, summer conditions and poor preparation ie NIGHTMARE ! Thank God for those dedicated clubs. :cool:

Ken Cooke - 7-19-2013 at 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaRat
Race never crossed my mind Ken, just 2wd, Laguna Salida, summer conditions and poor preparation ie NIGHTMARE ! Thank God for those dedicated clubs. :cool:

If you read the post by Mr Bill Merrill, you will see what I am talking about.

Cookie on Race

MrBillM - 7-19-2013 at 08:19 AM

Leave it to the guy who sees "race" in EVERYTHING to infer something like that from an accurate descriptive term.

Of course, the fact that he was a Pocho had (seemingly) nothing to do with his unwise decision.

Other than I've found (through YEARS of personal experience since 1964), over the years, that first-time visitors to Baja who ARE Hispanic and share the language feel more comfortable and seem more willing to make the trip sans preparations and reservations that others might, especially in the dead of August.

But, Kennie sees the Pale Boogeyman everywhere.

Ken Cooke - 7-19-2013 at 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM

Hispanic American from San Francisco who decided via an Internet search that a mid-summer holiday in San Felipe with his wife and pre-school daughter sounded good.

What does "Hispanic American" have to do with it, Mr. Bill Merrill??

sancho - 7-19-2013 at 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
If you read the post by Mr Bill Merrill, you will see what I am talking about.

Ken I enjoy your off road Jeep expeditions, and have read
a post or 2 from Mr Bill detractors, but I think you
over reached here, not sure anything was meant by
his post, I don't nit pick

Ken Cooke - 7-19-2013 at 11:28 AM

No worries, Sancho. I see things most ppl don't see.

sancho - 7-19-2013 at 11:33 AM

Good point, I hate when situations make me think

Cookie SEES

MrBillM - 7-19-2013 at 12:10 PM

Kennie sees "Race" first and foremost.

As I remarked once years ago to someone who tiresomely blamed race for virtually every harsh or challenging event he encountered, "did it ever occur to you that it's just because you're an insufferable S.O.B. " ?

I'm sure he thought that Racist.

motoged - 7-19-2013 at 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
..... "did it ever occur to you that ..... you're an insufferable S.O.B. " ?

Well, has it? :?:

Your use of the word "pocho" is insulting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocho

[Edited on 7-19-2013 by motoged]

ABSOLUTELY

MrBillM - 7-19-2013 at 12:23 PM

Given my assessment of the character of those I have taken issue with over the years, it is reassuring that they would consider me an S.O.B.

As I consider Ken.

bufeo - 7-20-2013 at 08:50 AM

Wow, this thread sure took a wrong turn and now is just as mired in the muck as the young campers were in Laguna Salada.

I'll try to apply a bit of "recovery" with an anecdote.

Having traveled to our PB house many times during the dead of summer just to check on things, I've encountered many overlanders who misjudged the conditions. On one occasion it was a threesome using a Rand McNally Road Atlas map and traveling in a Buick station wagon.

You've seen that map of Baja. It's the one that occupies a spot on the page that has the whole of Mexico and showed (pre-pavement days) a "road" from San Felipe to Hwy 1 at Laguna Chapala.

In any case, these travelers were near Okie's Landing, had just blown another tire, and had no more spares. They were also out of water. I was able to plug both of their flats, air-up the tires, and provide them with some water.

They followed me to PB. Only "Tio" was at the camp at the time, but he took care of them for an overnight. I learned from Tio the next day that the group had decided to return to the "known" hazards of travel to San Felipe rather than tackle the "unknown" road south.

When I departed the second day I noticed only one set of tire tracks going north from the PB turnoff. (Slow speeds leave distinct tracks.) At the point where the road begins to climb out of the Huerfanito area I came across a LARGE oily spot and a tell-tale trail of oil continuing.

Sure enough, right at the ridgeline I came across the Buick wagon on the side of the road and the three intrepid (ummmm, that might not be the correct term) tourists sitting inside.

The hole in the Buick's pan was waaaayyy too large for a Lava soap repair, so we loaded their gear in the back of my truck and they climbed aboard.

I took them to San Felipe and left them in the capable hands of a friend there. Several years later I received a "Thank You" letter from one of the three who filled me in on the events that happened to them over the next few days.

But, that's another chapter.

Allen R

motoged - 7-20-2013 at 09:00 AM

Yes, backcountry mishaps happen to all sorts of folks....not just people that Mr Bill hates :light:

BajaRat - 7-20-2013 at 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Leave it to the guy who sees "race" in EVERYTHING to infer something like that from an accurate descriptive term.

Of course, the fact that he was a Pocho had (seemingly) nothing to do with his unwise decision.

Other than I've found (through YEARS of personal experience since 1964), over the years, that first-time visitors to Baja who ARE Hispanic and share the language feel more comfortable and seem more willing to make the trip sans preparations and reservations that others might, especially in the dead of August.

But, Kennie sees the Pale Boogeyman everywhere.

WOW ! Really........ Hope we never meet Mr Bill :no:

Ateo - 7-20-2013 at 09:31 AM

Mr. BM will turn anything beautiful into a giant turd in under 5 seconds.

motoged - 7-20-2013 at 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Given my... character...., it is reassuring that they would consider me an S.O.B..

Well, I can agree with Mr. B on that point :biggrin:

Feeling Hurt

MrBillM - 7-20-2013 at 10:08 AM

Not.

Something I've said for years (50 or more) often is that "IF those you consider Jerks think you're a Jerk, you've got it right".

The feeling of mutual un-appreciation is well,............ mutual.

The FACT that I consider Cookie a "Racist" whiner dating back years to his "I'm always picked on at the border because of my color" is reinforced by his idiotic nit-pick in this instance.

But it is, in any case, no problem.

He doesn't like me.

I don't like him.

Never Will.

And, so what !

motoged - 7-20-2013 at 10:18 AM

Mr. Bile,

So how far back do your "racist whiner" days go?

David K - 7-20-2013 at 03:10 PM

Wow guys, too much sensitivity... I hear 'Pocho' and 'Gringo' used plenty and if those words are going to break you down and make you cry... there isn't much chance for survival in the rest of the real world.

I am a friend of Ken, as we share a mutual love for Baja and four wheeling... also because he likes to show people a great time camping, as do I. Politically we are opposites, perhaps, but so are a lot of other Nomads and personal friends of mine. We really should be beyond that when we all have this love for Baja... the reason we are here on Nomad, yes?

I wish everyone could get beyond the skin color thing and see us all as 'people'...

Ken Cooke - 7-24-2013 at 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

I am a friend of Ken, as we share a mutual love for Baja and four wheeling... also because he likes to show people a great time camping, as do I. Politically we are opposites, perhaps, but so are a lot of other Nomads and personal friends of mine. We really should be beyond that when we all have this love for Baja... the reason we are here on Nomad, yes?

Some of my best friends are Conservative Repubican's! :yes:

I get along with most everyone.

Desertbull - 7-24-2013 at 09:51 PM

Amen brother! I know you and I have helped many regardless of color and creed. At times Baja can reach out and bite anyone! We gotta have beers soon and catch up!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Coming down the San Matias Pass, I came across a family in a disabled van heading towards San Felipe. I pulled the family's van with my Ford Ranger all the way to Downtown San Felipe, and dropped their vehicle off at the Pemex station before the arches.

Black, White, Hispanic, breakdowns can and do happen to anyone. I knew that the issue of race would come up when I posted this article. As Baja travelers, we need to support those in need of help. :!:

Ken Cooke - 7-25-2013 at 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Desertbull
Amen brother! I know you and I have helped many regardless of color and creed. At times Baja can reach out and bite anyone! We gotta have beers soon and catch up!

Quote:

Isn't this the truth!! :lol:

Back in '01, your 'NEW' Trailer got the scars to prove it! :tumble:

SOME of MY Best Friends .....................

MrBillM - 7-25-2013 at 09:58 AM

Now, THERE's a phrase that has been subject to a LOT of derision in the past.

From the Left side of the aisle.

That said, SOME of my friends are misguided, misinformed and mistakenly other than Politically Conservative.

Hopefully, someday they'll see the Light.

Ken Cooke - 7-25-2013 at 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM

That said, SOME of my friends are misguided, misinformed and mistakenly other than Politically Conservative.

You have some very understanding friends, Bill. :!: