Where the hell are we? The dangers of the unknown lie ahead. But it turns out many of these dangers are harmless … or are they? Cue the chainsaw.
The Coso Wilderness (above) is one of a dozen obscure areas in the Range of Light Territory, which extends from the east Sierra to Death Valley and is the largest tract of public recreational land in the contiguous United States. In the territory are thousands of miles of dirt roads that get you to nowhere fast. The notion of being “nowhere” conjures many unpleasant scenarios.
1. Gun crazies are going to kill you. Fact check: Nope. Aside from the fact that weapons are not allowed in national parks and wilderness areas, gun crazies don’t seek the great outdoors, like Eureka Dunes in Death Valley National Park. Even Charlie Manson’s gang, apprehended in Panamint Valley, got busted for vandalism, not violence.
2. Harsh outbursts from nature and wild animals will kill you. Fact check: Nope, with a caveat. You need to be prepared. Proper planning and packing protects against anything Mother Nature can throw at you. Harm from other life forms—bears, mountain lions, spiders, snakes—is far less likely than harm from other humans in civilized places. It just doesn’t happen.
3. Accidental death is all but assured. Fact check: Nope, again with a caveat. Accidents will only kill you if you do something stupid, or are not prepared. Statistically speaking, accidental death or injury is far more like in urban and suburban areas.
4. Starving or dying of thirst await. Fact check: Nope. But again, you have to be prepared. When traveling in the wilderness, you have everything with you, guaranteed. You are more likely to die of starvation from the supply chain breaking down in suburbia than you are camping in the middle of nowhere.
Range of Light Trailblazer includes a handbook for dispersed camping in the wilderness—what to pack and how to recognize and avoid common dangers and accidents. The guide also describes in detail the hundreds of undeveloped camping areas available in Range of Light Territory. You’ll find it on Amazon.com. Happy trails!
RANGE OF LIGHT TRAILBLAZER 