https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/leaning-towers-straightened-in-saline-valley.htm

Just Bill, I don't like public agencies hiding information that is public. 

National news now 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/18/us/death-valley-tower-visitor.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

Lyrically Driven: the guy outed himself to authorities. He'll be dealt with accordingly and get his due! Why take your time and maybe trouble to out him? It's done. In time I would suspect he'll realize the mistake that was made with the financial consequences and possibly time! Let it/him go!

"it's called off roading" is a pretty ignorant response. The folks who really do off road would know that leave no trace is paramount.

 

I still don't think these people need a mob going after them, but they'll be squarely in the idiot category until they come forward and acknowledge the mistakes that were made, in good faith, with intent to learn from it.

I've seen the park saying they're going to hide his identity. Maybe I'll do a public records request and out him.

 

At least the Lippencott Camry driver was man enough to show up on a few forums to admit the error of his ways.

👍 Yeah, I caught that also. Children these days ... 🙄

@d.A. Wright - people were pointing out in the comment section that they wouldn't have gotten stuck if they stayed on the marked roads.  To which the lady in the video replied that "it's called offroading"

 

They must have been getting a lot of heat as they turned the comment section off. NPS is aware of these videos. 

Two points I would like to add.

1) While I am Highly against YouTube/Social media in its potential for degradation of sensitive resources, this is an instance where it was quite helpful 😋

and

2) I believe this a perfect example of Hanlon's razor : "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

Though lengthy, take a look toward the end of Part 1, the first of Part 2 of the videos made by the woman that Arkose posted early in this thread. They got stuck near the same tower and it is seen at times still standing. But look next to their truck and you will find planks that look very much like they were removed from the tower to be used for traction planks. It's interesting that they walked to the springs at sunset, overnighted, found help the next morning.

 

The guy who pulled over the tower came along days after and you would think that he would see the obvious tracks of those stuck in the mud and kept his truck in the packed mud/dirt. Amazing how people these days think that if they throw enough money in fancy overlanding bling at their trucks and SUVs that they can do such bone-headed acts and can conquer anything.

I tend to agree with S. P.; I also believe there are a couple of additional items which have not been discussed, at least on this forum.

 

This guy had no business driving in the area in which he became stuck; apparently he was not the only one to get stuck recently in that general area; there is a road near the towers. Why would anyone drive on a salt flat near a lake without anticipating mud? Apparently this fellow has little, if any meaningful, off-road experience. Yes, many of us have made similar mistakes, but only once and without disastrous consequences.

 

It appeared as though he then attach his winch cable to an upper portion of the tower, rather than lower; the tower did not slide significantly, it toppled. The tower became detached from most of its footings, whether due to age deterioration, winching, or a combination is not evident from the photos. Regardless, the tower had very low resistance to tipping and would not come close to being capable of serving as a competent winch anchor, given the extent to which this vehicle was stuck. Even worse, the tower DID NOT tip over immediately, it would have almost immediately begun to tilt, becoming progressively worse with continued winching; most winches are slow recovery. To have continued winching while the tower progressively tilted until it actually fell, while the vehicle DID NOT move, was criminal and/or stupid.

 

They walk among us and even soak with us.

P. G.

Yea I don't think they should be _commended_ for doing the expected. I do think that saying "ban them from all parks for life" is a little extreme. 

 

We've all been stupid, and it sounds like they are gonna figure it out, and the fine folk who love this valley will figure out how to get that tower fixed up.

He didn't turn himself in out of good conscience. He did it because he was found on social media. He made poor choices and should pay the price. Hopefully he's banned from national parks as part of the punishment.

 

I've read a lot of comments commending him for doing the right thing. He would have never come forth without being exposed on the internet. I've also seen a lot of comments showing lack of respect for historical artifacts, salt tram towers included. People suck.

The only real difference is that most of us learned these lessons long, long, long before there was social media nor the wrath of social media.

Trial by social media is a just another problem in this modern world and its disintegrating standards. Until the contentious move onto the next juicy bone to pounce on in cyberspace and forget about this one, this form of punishment for a time will probably be worse than that imposed by the Park Service.

 

It appears on the surface to be a young and inexperienced couple who got themselves into this situation. We've all been there, we've all learned from our mistakes, we've moved on.