Death Valley Racetrack Emergency Trail Guardian Event

[Michael]

Thank you to all of the Overland Bound Members who helped the National Park Service by participating in the Death Valley Emergency vandalism mitigation event this last weekend (list of participants below).

More and more people are heading outdoors these days, and not all have proper public land stewardship ethics like the Members of Overland Bound. As a result, our public spaces are under threat of vandalism in many different ways. Here you can see Overland Bound vehicles lined up to help the National Park Service mitigate damage by putting up a temporary barrier preventing further damage. You can also see tire tracks on the Racetrack Playa where there should be NONE. These tracks take years to go away, and one set of tracks sends the message that its OK to drive on the playa, causing a cascade of detrimental visitors leading to permanent damage.


Photo: @Ob1

This event was by emergency order by the National Park Service to prevent site closure, and made possible by the efforts of many, notably @Kent R , @Narbob and Waltzing Matilda (aka Robert). Our Members proven track record in Mojave National Preserve, and Robert's testimonial gave the Death Valley NP managing team the confidence Overland Bound was the right group to collaborate with to get this job done. The event was a tremendous success, and the NPS was very pleased with the outcome. This might be an understatement.

Efforts like this prevent closure, and help to keep our public lands open for the public to enjoy. The NPS protects public lands for the people, but unfortunately at times, must protect them from the the people. A positive ripple affect occurs from events like this - educating more people about proper land use, and leading by example. In addition to back-breaking work, we also all had a blast!

Keep an eye out for events in your area to be able to give back in this way. Consider subscribing (watching) the Meetups thread to be notified of events. Information is also provided in the Land Use forums, and if you haven't already, please take the
Tread Lightly 101 online course.

In addition to the work done by the crew with NPS, there were at leaset 3 severe rescues conducted by Overland Bound members during the event. From stuck families, to lost travelers and broke down vehicle repair - thank you for being such an awesome community, walking the talk:

Before I even made it to Camp Friday Afternoon, @Kent R, @Narbob , Nick & I Rescued a Family who was Stuck for 24 Hours Near Tea Kettle JCT - @Kent R Warn's 12S and Max Tracks made quick work of Yanking him out

GREAT pics below AFTER a few credits :)

Thanks to:

4WheelAstroHack
Rank V

AlexAtWagan
Rank V

beck4u
Rank V

BillyS
Rank III

Corrie
Rank VI

er waddell
Rank VI

Frank Powell
Rank IV

Inthewoods
Rank VI

Jeepinit
Rank V

Jillsogw
Rank V

Jmisslyn
Rank IV

Kent R
Executive Director

King Raptor1
Rank IV

LUAU LARRY
Rank III

Mademan925
Rank V

matttrent
Rank IV

Michael
Rank IX

mjhahs84
Rank V

Motley_Screw
Rank III

Motomikeca
Rank VII

Narbob
US West Region Director

Neilechols
Rank II

Ob1
Rank VI

OutbackInTheWild
Rank IV

Ray O
Rank V

Rids93
Rank IV

Runner1
Rank I

shoredreamer
Rank V

socal66
Rank V

socialpants
Rank V

SWLands
Rank IV

Sylvester
Rank V

TOMB
US West Region Member Rep

TrailHawkGuy
Rank V

Vinz Clortho
Rank IV

Waltzing Matilda
Rank V

WilC

Photo: @Waltzing Matilda

Photo: @Waltzing Matilda with @Narbob NPS and @Kent R

Photo: @Waltzing Matilda


@Ob1

@Ob1

 

[Fireskyte]

Thank you to all of the Overland Bound Members who helped the National Park Service by participating n the emergency Death Valley Emergency vandalism mitigation event this last weekend (list of participants below).

More and more people are heading outdoors these days, and not all have proper public land stewardship ethics like the Members of Overland Bound. As a result, our public spaces are under threat of vandalism in many different ways. Here you can see Overland Bound vehicles lined up to help the National Park Service mitigate damage by putting up a temporary barrier preventing further damage. You can also see tire tracks on the Racetrack Playa where there should be NONE. These tracks take years to go away, and one set of tracks sends the message that its OK to drive on the playa, causing a cascade of detrimental visitors leading to permanent damage.

View attachment 224533
Photo: @Ob1

This event was by emergency order by the National Park Service to prevent site closure, and made possible by the efforts of many, notably @Kent R , @Narbob and Waltzing Matilda (aka Robert). Our Members proven track record in Mojave National Preserve, and Robert's testimonial gave the Death Valley NP managing team the confidence Overland Bound was the right group to collaborate with to get this job done. The event was a tremendous success, and the NPS was very pleased with the outcome. This might be an understatement.

Efforts like this prevent closure, and help to keep our public lands open for the public to enjoy. The NPS protects public lands for the people, but unfortunately at times, must protect them from the the people. A positive ripple affect occurs from events like this - educating more people about proper land use, and leading by example. In addition to back-breaking work, we also all had a blast!

Keep an eye out for events in your area to be able to give back in this way. Consider subscribing (watching) the Meetups thread to be notified of events. Information is also provided in the Land Use forums, and if you haven't already, please take the
Tread Lightly 101 online course.

In addition to the work done by the crew with NPS, there were at leaset 3 severe rescues conducted by Overland Bound members during the event. From stuck families, to lost travelers and broke down vehicle repair - thank you for being such an awesome community, walking the talk:

Before I even made it to Camp Friday Afternoon, @Kent R, @Narbob , Nick & I Rescued a Family who was Stuck for 24 Hours Near Tea Kettle JCT - @Kent R Warn's 12S and Max Tracks made quick work of Yanking him out

View attachment 224531

View attachment 224532

GREAT pics below AFTER a few credits :)

Thanks to:

4WheelAstroHack
Rank V

AlexAtWagan
Rank V

beck4u
Rank V

BillyS
Rank III

Corrie
Rank VI

er waddell
Rank VI

Frank Powell
Rank IV

Inthewoods
Rank VI

Jeepinit
Rank V

Jillsogw
Rank V

Jmisslyn
Rank IV

Kent R
Executive Director

King Raptor1
Rank IV

LUAU LARRY
Rank III

Mademan925
Rank V

matttrent
Rank IV

Michael
Rank IX

mjhahs84
Rank V

Motley_Screw
Rank III

Motomikeca
Rank VII

Narbob
US West Region Director

Neilechols
Rank II

Ob1
Rank VI

OutbackInTheWild
Rank IV

Ray O
Rank V

Rids93
Rank IV

Runner1
Rank I

shoredreamer
Rank V

socal66
Rank V

socialpants
Rank V

SWLands
Rank IV

Sylvester
Rank V

TOMB
US West Region Member Rep

TrailHawkGuy
Rank V

Vinz Clortho
Rank IV

Waltzing Matilda
Rank V

WilC

Photo: @Waltzing Matilda
View attachment 224527
Photo: @Waltzing Matilda with @Narbob NPS and @Kent R
View attachment 224528
Photo: @Waltzing Matilda
View attachment 224529

@Ob1
View attachment 224524
@Ob1
View attachment 224525

View attachment 224530

Well done!

 

[T&T Overland]

Great work!

 

[zgfiredude]

Thank you all for your efforts! I went to the racetrack a couple of years ago and it is a magical place...hope to get back there and admire your work.

 

[Kent R]

The second time was a charm, 2400' of fence finished!! This will hopefully help keep the idiots off the playa. We are already working with NPS to see what other projects we might take on in the future.

Thanks to everyone involved with this Trail Guardian Event!
Special thanks to Robert D @Waltzing Matilda for all his work behind the scenes with NPS

Fixing the a tire on the NPS Stake Side;


2400' of fence completed;


Now it's time to clean up the rig, see ya at the next one.

 

[MOAK]

Sometimes I really wish I lived out west which would enable me to participate in these kinds of things. Each of you have commanded my utmost respect. Thanks.!