I’ve hiked in the desert many times, and I always take so much water it’s almost unreasonable. I fill my 3L camelback full, and bring an ‘emergency’ Nalgene full as well.
I'm sure in happens more than we realise, but I really enjoy hearing how the rescued person shows a genuine appreciation and thanks for the people who went above and beyond to get them home safely.
I lived in Joshua Tree for four years off Sunburst Dr...and as a photographer I hiked hundreds of miles in that park off trail doing landscape photography, also just out in the desert exploring out of the park. Here are some key things for myself, growing up in the vast West Texas country I have an absolute amazing sense of direction. I also use a compass and hike directly in then make a full turn and hike in the exact direction a came from. The compass will always tell me if I am hiking in the right direction. If I take a trail that turns, I always stop and check my compass and make mental note of the turn. I only hiked in the moderate times of year, and anytime it was gonna be 90 degrees or above during the day i hiked at night only during a full moon. Paying attention and being alert is key, day dreaming, and losing your sense of being in the now is a receipt for disaster, looking for key landmarks, hill tops, boulder formations and really taking a snap shot of them mentally is also key. I never feared getting lost, I did however worry some about getting snake bit hiking the desert at night. Right now is the best time of year to hike in Joshua Tree....I never understood why LA day trippers would come to JT in the hottest parts of the summer to hike the park during the day. Lots of days are 112/115 degrees during the day, you won't last long hiking in that heat, if lost , bed down during the day under the best shade you can find under a boulder field and actually hike at late evening, night, early morning by 9am it can be 90 degrees. Also being an avid Mountaineer summiting some of the most dangerous peaks like Mt Baldy in the winter I know how important it is to always pack enough provisions for a week, just in case. There is a Walmart in Yucca Valley, you can stop and buy MRE Freeze Dried type full meals in a bag in the camping section. I always have at least five in my pack, with a full camelback and another thermas of water that it used to cook with if need be. I also have a 20 degree super light sleeping bag, and a reflective foil emergency blanket in my pack. I've volunteered more than once to find lost hikers when I lived in JT. The saddest one was the young asian couple that also got lost and had taken a gun with them and ended up doing a murder suicide once there provisions and hope of rescue were exhausted.
Common sense. Common sense. Common sense. I roll my eyes at videos like this. For intelligent people to do really stupid things blows my mind. He's a very very lucky man. Mother nature owns us. Respect her.
Tip of you ever lose your trail. It happened to me outside of Sedona hiking for gems. Dry creek bed split at some point and before you know it I was looking Devils Canyon- totally not passable. Lost the correct dry creek bed coming back so instead of doing circles I did this: 100 paces in one direction then 90* turn to the right. 100 paces. Do this and make a big square. If you don’t find your original trail count out 500 steps and make a bigger square. This worked for me - at some point I seen my truck on the top of a hill and I B lined it back. Never felt that feeling before- very very scary when it all looks the same and is so expansive. I came up with that on the spot. Won’t happen again though I’m getting a Garmin
I‘m so glad he survived! But the most important thing if you get lost: don‘t just wander atound aimlessly. that spot where you realize you lost the trail will be your only point of reference, make very sure you can always find it again and do a search pattern from there.
@ Hey thanks for all the responses I hope my method helps other people. You have to compensate for elevation if counting paces so keep that in mind too. It works. Walk/Jog your paces 100 at a time for your square then count out 500 steps or paces for your square. Next go for 1000 you’ll find your original footprints or dog tracks from where you came at some point.
These stories make me so sad. The tenuousness of life, the ease of just getting lost in a world of indifference. One moment, living your life, then it turns on you, and you realize it cared not.
Wow! 😮 Quite a story!! Thank you J.R. for bringing it to us!! For the life of me I cannot understand why on earth people venture out into the desert 🏜️ without adequate water! 🤔 This makes no sense to me! Glad he survived, hopefully wiser! Take care and thanks again!! ⛄❤️
Great story JR! These survival stories always blow my mind and inspire me and remind me how resilient people can be in the harshest of conditions!! Hurray for Ed, his determination to survive to be there for his daughter, his love for his family kept him going! And hurray for the San Bernadino S&R!! Thanks for another great story and how to survive...an Outdoor Disaster
Highly recommend visiting the desert parks (Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Mojave) during winter. I walked for a good hour one way on the Death Valley sand dunes and barely broke a sweat. That same walk in July would have killed me
You begin certain that nothing can go wrong because you are walking on an established trail. Then, you unknowingly stray, catch yourself and Stop. You try to recall which of the three cups the trail is under. Once you realize your pick was wrong, you look again and there are now 8 cups. You choose the one where you have to jump down six feet. You're spinning this roulette wheel at age 64, an age when your fastball is but a memory. Lucky to survive. Lucky.
There are lovely moderate trails in this lovely campground. No need to risk life and limb. Bring shade (emergency tarp or umbrella) water and granola or other kibble. Turn around when water is half gone unless you are more than halfway back. Do not leave trails. Set phone to low power mode.
Great story and lesson! I think after all this time, the lesson for me personally is to always tell people where I am going along with the details. This story proves, except for the amount of water he brought, you can be prepared, you can know the land, and an outdoor disaster can still happen. I have come to realize after watching Outdoors, my weak link in my adventures is that I don't share my plans well enough with my family. Part of that is because sometimes I don't know my exact plans and I enjoy living in the moment and going where life takes me. But, that "detail" or lack of "detail" in my plans could be the difference at the end of the day. I am so glad Ed got through this! Thank you JR for another great story of adventure and survival! Have a great day!
I thought that too about oh he just needed more water at first, but then he made so many mistakes. He didn't tell someone when to expect him. He did have a cell, but no service, no GPS, no rescue beacon. He went off trail without making sure he could get back. And then he ran all over the place instead of staying put when he knew he was close to the trail. He could have done a systematic search for the trail when he realized he was lost, but instead he wandered off and made things worse. He did have the right idea about signaling for help, but went about it wrong and wasted all his supplies. It's not just having the equipment, you also need to know how to use it. I didn't mean to come write an essay but jeepers if people just followed a few basic rules they could save themselves and their loved ones a lot of suffering.
p.s. you can tell them when you expect to be back but if your plans change you can let them know, because you've brought a way to communicate with you for safety! Or give yourself an extra 12 hours before they call anyone and then you're just facing a single night before help is on the way. It doesn't have to be precise timing.
I hiked Warren Peak Trail from Black Rock Campground last month on Christmas Day. Very good and distinct trail with lots of hikers. I can't imagine how it's possible to get lost there.
Great video. I surprised myself with my ability to keep a cool head during my own outdoor disaster, but the stress came later and for a while. His resilience is inspiring.
One thing about hiking in 2025 is that it's much easier to have a map on your phone (offline versions, obviously) to help you find your way back to a trail. This came in handy for me last week hiking in Arches...not that I was ever in danger of being a story on this channel. But the primitive trail was just tricky enough to follow that the offline map helped more than once.
When the title of Joshua Tree pops up, we just know that someone has made poor choices and is going to suffer for their mistakes. It's just a question of luck whether they get rescued or not. Ed got lucky, despite not carrying insufficient water and not having the required navigation skills or experience to avoid becoming lost.
I hope Ed was able to walk his daughter down the aisle! I found myself in the desert (near Yuma_ 2 years ago. Boondocking for the winter for 4 months. The desert also can offer wind storms in which I found myself, and while trying to save a small structure that I had erected I was blown over and broke my arm! I was lucky to have been within 20 miles of Yuma where I received fantastic care in their ER (a shout out to YRMC). The winds were gusting to 50 mph and I was trying to hold on to a rope tied to a very flimsy structure. Don't do that in that kind of wind!!! Anyway, I healed, and still love the desert, although I live in the mountains now. Love your channel! I alway heed your advice you give at the end of each one. Thank you!!!
Having hiked that trail several times he should not have gotten lost that easily. I have hiked to Warren peak several times and don't recall the trail ever being so faint that I lost it. Maybe his lack of water preparation was causing him to not think clearly.
@@Orca2015 They work there but you have to know how to read a map and the ones at the park really aren't the right maps for getting your bearings using a compass.
The desert gives a false sense that you will not get lost because you can see so far. But landmarks walking one direction look completely different from the other. Something else I have done for multiple day trips, is to bring aluminum foil and step on in and leave it on the dash.
Anytime I’ve hiked somewhere I’m not familiar with I leave orange tape on tree limbs about every 50-75’ and turn around and look at them every so often. Very very aware of the landscape around me is key.
5:56 “when you begin to think that it’s faster to walk around a mountain than over it, when you know your compass is acting up, when you’re certain that the gorgeous lake off to the north must’ve dried up-you are in very serious trouble.” -Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why
Good morning JR, What an incredible story of survival! I'm so glad that Ed made it through his ordeal in Joshua Tree NP. I can't imagine what was going through his mind especially when he was thinking he'd never see his family again or be able to walk his daughter down the Aisle. It truly is a miracle that he made it and was reunited with his family! I hope you're doing okay, I continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers daily. Have a blessed day and rest of a good weekend!
did you say AN INCH AND A HALF ??? who in their right mind would take an almost empty water bag in the desert 🤦♀... hello... i got really sick once in florida because i didnt drink enough water so now i bring as much as i can
One: take LOTS of WATER--almost more than you think you will need, Two: COMPASS Always, Three: MAP Four: MARK your path if you get easily confused and lost. Five: really good first aid kit. Six: Always PRAY BEFORE YOU LEAVE and pray the the entire time you are hiking for God's protection and guidance. Seven: be prepared for disasters--and you will live.
I read his book and I understand Ed was not much of an adventurer but I’ve hiked all over black rock canyon and the surrounding trails and I can’t figure out how he was so navigationally challenged that he didn’t know to head north when he got lost. This isn’t deep in the backcountry and he wasn’t far from civilization. He brought a rope but not a compass? The lack of water is low hanging fruit but there were so many poor decisions made that I can’t help but shake my head. Definitely lessons to be learned from this and I’m glad he continued hiking afterwards but this is the story of one lucky idiot.
Turn your phone off or use airplane mode. Otherwise it could burn battery searching for a network nonstop. Turn it back on to check for signal at high points. Carry a real compass. Your dead phone won't help you with compass you so need. Learn to use one and know that certain minerals /metals can interfere with its behaviour. Consider an aviators compass. there's my two cents.
I have never hiked in the desert, but is it really easy to lose the trail ? I don't know how you can lose the trail unless it is snowing and it is covered up or something.
I'm not going to lie. My sympathy evaporated when I found out he was a realtor.... Not the same as a healthcare executive though..... and if you're getting old and you forget stuff, then take sprinkler flags or whatever the equivalent is for hiking, or marking paint.
So sad he didn’t take more than an inch of water, no compass, the emergency “ gadget” I obviously don’t hike- to signal for emergency response, just a sandwich and tomato for food , to hike 5 miles in the heat, starting at 12:30 pm .? A real genius, for all his real estate success! 😮😮😮 glad he was saved!
Нужно серьёзно готовиться к любому походу!!! Была пора лесных грибов. Я схватила корзину, нож и побежала в лес. А там построили огромный загон для лосей и оленей. Я решила его обойти, но забор оказался слишком высоким и длинным. Я прошла шесть миль, и мне ужасно захотелось пить. Надо было взять воду. Надо было взять куртку для защиты от колючек и крапивы. Поход за грибами превратился в кошмар. Забор не заканчивался, часы шли. Я устала продираться сквозь чащу. Никого не было, я кричала и звала на помощь. Домой я пришла сама поздно вечером, шатаясь от усталости. Одна бутылка воды спасла бы меня от мучений!
In 2004 during highschool one of my classmates went missing in Joshua Tree, his name was Eric Sears from Carlsbad High. They thought his friend mrdrd him but he didn’t. They found him a couple days later and the coroners report said it was undetermined. Really weird case.
In India many of our temples are in mountains, remote places, we have to in a way hike to visit them. Even if it is desert or an island, we always arrangements for atleast water & shelter. Why dont these popular hiking spots have such bare minimum arrangements? Some resting spots, water sources atleast.😮
It’s too big for resting spots, and it’s a huge desert, there’s no water to offer, no water to tap into for people. Water is scarce all over Southern California, especially in the deserts. There’s fighting over the Colorado river water that’s already diverted to numerous places. That’s why as with any extreme environment, you must be prepared, study, do all recommended prep, bring everything you might need, because there’s no one patrolling and handing out water, you’re on your own. Look at JT National Park on a map, it’s enormous and all rough terrain. Those Joshua trees only grow around an inch per year so when you see the tall ones they can be decades old, some 100 years and older. It’s a special tree, special place.
When hiking, turn around every once in a while and take a really good look at your back trail so you can recognize it on your return; use your cellphone to take an image of it. just remember that most cellphone cameras are wide angle so the image will NOT BE EXACTLY like what your eyes see. For example, hill/inclines will appear less steep in the images.
Just commenting - the removal of the upfront music (which I really enjoyed) combined with the new graphic (which frankly has cheesy edges and looks unnecessarily amateur) really is stunting your light, here. I've really come to adore this channel, with the golden smooth radio voice to the world class descriptive writing... It's like an actual professional television show and channel, but it's right here on demand at my fingertips. Don't dim your light if you're rearranging staff - stay amazing! Thank you! ❤🎉
17:04 I’ve mentioned him before on this channel so I’ll keep it brief. One of the Teamsters on the TV show “Castle” was also SAR for the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. Helicopter rescue. He said one of the hardest parts of the job was remaining patient with crazed tweakers who barely understood the level of danger that they were in on days 4-6 of being reported missing. This gentleman of whom I speak is the guy who shared the story that I penned here last year. About the couple who brought no water on a tricky mountain ascent so they drank a bottle of Pert Plus Shampoo & Conditioner. True story.
In the desert water is much more precious than gold. You can live without gold but you won't last long without water especially if you're exerting yourself. Take MORE water than you think you'll need. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
If this was a route Ed had done many times before as you said than why didn't he recognise the landscape when he stood up to go back. You would have thought he would have at least recognised something.
That area of California is probably the second most brutal to death valley..... Hiking at my spot around idylllwild just seems purposely hostile to man and seeking shade seems impossible at times. It's almost like heat, insects, unanticipated cold while previously just drenched in sweat from summer clothes, unrelenting scorching and blinding sun, nowhere to sit, guaranteed to traverse through thorns and poison ivy from lack of trails to easily get lost and spending so much energy stepping over things liable to sprain your ankles and trying to walk around dry itchy vegetation...... It just seems like nature intended man to stay out
For God's sake, he made the summit of Warren Peak. Literally can see everything from there. Less than a 10 mile hike in a straight line from there West, South, or North, gets you to civilization!!!! Oh Brother, This guy STINKS!
Explain why these people keep walking and getting lost further. This man is lucky for God did not want him home. Hopefully he learned some valuable lessons. Blessings
You just stay on the trail and don’t get off. The trail is maintained. There are rocks, etc., but it’s not like a hike in the woods where you can mark trees. Every one of these stories is from people going off the trail.
While there is a general consistency to the desert landscape, there are still plenty of distinctive features one can use to keep oneself oriented. When I hiked in the desert, I made sure to turn around frequently to note how obvious distant landmarks should look on the return trip. Pick out a grouping of distant peaks and always compare there relative position as you go. By the time you turn around to come back, those landmarks should be very familiar and easily visible from almost any vantage point. If you only focus on the immediate surroundings, it may not be distinctive enough to keep you confident in your bearing.
@@jeepliving1 I taught this to my boys when they were just a few years old so that if they ever wandered off, they would know. A stump on one side looking like a dog on the way back, etc.
@@agreetodisagree4751 Like the directions to the Hekawi village from Fort Courage. You take a right at the rock that looks like a bear, then a left at the bear that looks like a rock.
Why does anyone want to hike in the desert? It is just crazy to me. I have been lost in Ohio, hiking in good weather. Granted I was young and stupid. Seriously, people plenty old enough to know better, do this. I love the outdoors but I don't need to challenge myself to feel good about myself. Life is plenty hard enough, maybe some peoples lives are so easy, that they need problems to over come? Seriously the dude had a quadruple bypass and did this? SMH, I shouldn't judge, I am sorry. He didn't save himself God and the searchers saved his life. I am so happy they found him.
The nice thing about those CamelBaks is that it makes it so much easier to carry water than lugging a canteen. No reason not to ever fill it with an extra reserve.
Great story, thank you, I was working a lot when this happened, and even living in the area I missed most of this. As much as I love dark stories, it’s really nice to have a survival story with a happy ending.
In desert places like Joshua Tree there are many, many giant boulders, ravines, hills, all sorts of varying terrain. Just because you reach a high point doesn't mean you can see your car park from there. Add in that the terrain looks very different going in from going back and it can get confusing if you aren't careful.
WATER 🌊 🌊1.5” of water to hike in a desert = lack of common sense 🫣 I live in the Sonoran desert 🌵 I won’t leave the house without my purse and a bottle of water.
Wow... What a story! God loves us all, but the Jewish nation is His chosen people to save mankind (from hell) through His son Jesus. I am not surprised that he miraculously survived.
I cant imagine the relief these people must feel when they're finally rescued. Im glad Ed survived.
I’ve hiked in the desert many times, and I always take so much water it’s almost unreasonable. I fill my 3L camelback full, and bring an ‘emergency’ Nalgene full as well.
I'm sure in happens more than we realise, but I really enjoy hearing how the rescued person shows a genuine appreciation and thanks for the people who went above and beyond to get them home safely.
I lived in Joshua Tree for four years off Sunburst Dr...and as a photographer I hiked hundreds of miles in that park off trail doing landscape photography, also just out in the desert exploring out of the park. Here are some key things for myself, growing up in the vast West Texas country I have an absolute amazing sense of direction. I also use a compass and hike directly in then make a full turn and hike in the exact direction a came from. The compass will always tell me if I am hiking in the right direction. If I take a trail that turns, I always stop and check my compass and make mental note of the turn. I only hiked in the moderate times of year, and anytime it was gonna be 90 degrees or above during the day i hiked at night only during a full moon. Paying attention and being alert is key, day dreaming, and losing your sense of being in the now is a receipt for disaster, looking for key landmarks, hill tops, boulder formations and really taking a snap shot of them mentally is also key. I never feared getting lost, I did however worry some about getting snake bit hiking the desert at night. Right now is the best time of year to hike in Joshua Tree....I never understood why LA day trippers would come to JT in the hottest parts of the summer to hike the park during the day. Lots of days are 112/115 degrees during the day, you won't last long hiking in that heat, if lost , bed down during the day under the best shade you can find under a boulder field and actually hike at late evening, night, early morning by 9am it can be 90 degrees. Also being an avid Mountaineer summiting some of the most dangerous peaks like Mt Baldy in the winter I know how important it is to always pack enough provisions for a week, just in case. There is a Walmart in Yucca Valley, you can stop and buy MRE Freeze Dried type full meals in a bag in the camping section. I always have at least five in my pack, with a full camelback and another thermas of water that it used to cook with if need be. I also have a 20 degree super light sleeping bag, and a reflective foil emergency blanket in my pack. I've volunteered more than once to find lost hikers when I lived in JT. The saddest one was the young asian couple that also got lost and had taken a gun with them and ended up doing a murder suicide once there provisions and hope of rescue were exhausted.
Common sense. Common sense. Common sense. I roll my eyes at videos like this. For intelligent people to do really stupid things blows my mind. He's a very very lucky man. Mother nature owns us. Respect her.
@@anthonymulcahy1166 if Common Sense is so common why then do we see so little of it these days?
Haha “who owed him money” you gotta love it
Right? He's about to die and he's making a list about who owes him money!
For his kids apparently @@howarddrakeford
@@howarddrakefordhe was making a list of his final wishes.
@@thecatatemyhomeworkI get that. But somehow, I just thought that was odd. He's about to die, ya know?
Tip of you ever lose your trail. It happened to me outside of Sedona hiking for gems. Dry creek bed split at some point and before you know it I was looking Devils Canyon- totally not passable. Lost the correct dry creek bed coming back so instead of doing circles I did this: 100 paces in one direction then 90* turn to the right. 100 paces. Do this and make a big square. If you don’t find your original trail count out 500 steps and make a bigger square. This worked for me - at some point I seen my truck on the top of a hill and I B lined it back. Never felt that feeling before- very very scary when it all looks the same and is so expansive. I came up with that on the spot. Won’t happen again though I’m getting a Garmin
Thanks for sharing these very useful tips!
I‘m so glad he survived! But the most important thing if you get lost: don‘t just wander atound aimlessly. that spot where you realize you lost the trail will be your only point of reference, make very sure you can always find it again and do a search pattern from there.
Excellent tip.
That's smart 🤓
@ Hey thanks for all the responses I hope my method helps other people. You have to compensate for elevation if counting paces so keep that in mind too. It works. Walk/Jog your paces 100 at a time for your square then count out 500 steps or paces for your square. Next go for 1000 you’ll find your original footprints or dog tracks from where you came at some point.
These stories make me so sad. The tenuousness of life, the ease of just getting lost in a world of indifference. One moment, living your life, then it turns on you, and you realize it cared not.
No, he was just stupid. Wake up.
Wow! 😮 Quite a story!! Thank you J.R. for bringing it to us!! For the life of me I cannot understand why on earth people venture out into the desert 🏜️ without adequate water! 🤔 This makes no sense to me! Glad he survived, hopefully wiser! Take care and thanks again!! ⛄❤️
I was gonna get lost in J-tree, but then I watched Outdoor Disasters instead
Great story JR! These survival stories always blow my mind and inspire me and remind me how resilient people can be in the harshest of conditions!! Hurray for Ed, his determination to survive to be there for his daughter, his love for his family kept him going! And hurray for the San Bernadino S&R!! Thanks for another great story and how to survive...an Outdoor Disaster
Ha! Ed Rosenthal is a friend of mine. I wrote an introduction to the book he wrote about this experience!
Ed seems quite resourceful. I do like these stories where people survive
@@johnchedsey1306who was more lucky than resourceful.
Let's walk into the desert without extra water. Really?
Bud Ice works
"Rosenthal" 🙄
yeah.... lol i was thinking the same.... he prioritised tape over water??!!!??? lol
I'll never get these people.
Yes,really.
Highly recommend visiting the desert parks (Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Mojave) during winter. I walked for a good hour one way on the Death Valley sand dunes and barely broke a sweat. That same walk in July would have killed me
“Before death, he wrote on his hat who owed him money”. As a fellow Jew, I can relate
Lol
You begin certain that nothing can go wrong because you are walking on an established trail. Then, you unknowingly stray, catch yourself and Stop. You try to recall which of the three cups the trail is under. Once you realize your pick was wrong, you look again and there are now 8 cups. You choose the one where you have to jump down six feet. You're spinning this roulette wheel at age 64, an age when your fastball is but a memory. Lucky to survive. Lucky.
I love this channel. Always amazing quality!
Much appreciated!
There are lovely moderate trails in this lovely campground. No need to risk life and limb. Bring shade (emergency tarp or umbrella) water and granola or other kibble. Turn around when water is half gone unless you are more than halfway back. Do not leave trails. Set phone to low power mode.
Great story and lesson! I think after all this time, the lesson for me personally is to always tell people where I am going along with the details. This story proves, except for the amount of water he brought, you can be prepared, you can know the land, and an outdoor disaster can still happen. I have come to realize after watching Outdoors, my weak link in my adventures is that I don't share my plans well enough with my family. Part of that is because sometimes I don't know my exact plans and I enjoy living in the moment and going where life takes me. But, that "detail" or lack of "detail" in my plans could be the difference at the end of the day. I am so glad Ed got through this! Thank you JR for another great story of adventure and survival! Have a great day!
Well said!
I thought that too about oh he just needed more water at first, but then he made so many mistakes. He didn't tell someone when to expect him. He did have a cell, but no service, no GPS, no rescue beacon. He went off trail without making sure he could get back. And then he ran all over the place instead of staying put when he knew he was close to the trail. He could have done a systematic search for the trail when he realized he was lost, but instead he wandered off and made things worse. He did have the right idea about signaling for help, but went about it wrong and wasted all his supplies. It's not just having the equipment, you also need to know how to use it. I didn't mean to come write an essay but jeepers if people just followed a few basic rules they could save themselves and their loved ones a lot of suffering.
p.s. you can tell them when you expect to be back but if your plans change you can let them know, because you've brought a way to communicate with you for safety! Or give yourself an extra 12 hours before they call anyone and then you're just facing a single night before help is on the way. It doesn't have to be precise timing.
Green laser pointer? $16
Orion flare gun, w/4 flares? $90
Chem stick on para cord? $4
FULL Camelback in desert? Priceless
I hiked Warren Peak Trail from Black Rock Campground last month on Christmas Day. Very good and distinct trail with lots of hikers. I can't imagine how it's possible to get lost there.
Great video. I surprised myself with my ability to keep a cool head during my own outdoor disaster, but the stress came later and for a while. His resilience is inspiring.
One thing about hiking in 2025 is that it's much easier to have a map on your phone (offline versions, obviously) to help you find your way back to a trail. This came in handy for me last week hiking in Arches...not that I was ever in danger of being a story on this channel. But the primitive trail was just tricky enough to follow that the offline map helped more than once.
That's awesome John! Yes, there's so many resources out now. Offline maps and SPOT for me.
You are an excellent writer, you should compile the scripts into a physical book of short disaster stories.
When the title of Joshua Tree pops up, we just know that someone has made poor choices and is going to suffer for their mistakes. It's just a question of luck whether they get rescued or not. Ed got lucky, despite not carrying insufficient water and not having the required navigation skills or experience to avoid becoming lost.
Every single time I see Joshua tree in the title, I know I'm in for a myriad of terrible decisions and dumb luck.
I hope Ed was able to walk his daughter down the aisle! I found myself in the desert (near Yuma_ 2 years ago. Boondocking for the winter for 4 months. The desert also can offer wind storms in which I found myself, and while trying to save a small structure that I had erected I was blown over and broke my arm! I was lucky to have been within 20 miles of Yuma where I received fantastic care in their ER (a shout out to YRMC). The winds were gusting to 50 mph and I was trying to hold on to a rope tied to a very flimsy structure. Don't do that in that kind of wind!!! Anyway, I healed, and still love the desert, although I live in the mountains now. Love your channel! I alway heed your advice you give at the end of each one. Thank you!!!
Having hiked that trail several times he should not have gotten lost that easily. I have hiked to Warren peak several times and don't recall the trail ever being so faint that I lost it. Maybe his lack of water preparation was causing him to not think clearly.
Do people not take a compass on these trips or do they not work if the rocks affect their efficacy? Just curious
@@Orca2015 They work there but you have to know how to read a map and the ones at the park really aren't the right maps for getting your bearings using a compass.
Amazing survival...and wonderful little Horse fly! Thanks to the Rescue Team.
I love all the survival tips at the end of every episode. Great channel.
The will to survive is powerful stuff! Great story JR! 🙌🏼 keep up the gr8 work
Just got home from climbing all day. Perfect, thank you. 👌 (inside. on a rope. doing all the safety checks. 👍)
Thanks for sharing! Great video! Always learning on here!-
Also loved the use of "dawdle" never hear that word
Bravo!
The desert gives a false sense that you will not get lost because you can see so far. But landmarks walking one direction look completely different from the other. Something else I have done for multiple day trips, is to bring aluminum foil and step on in and leave it on the dash.
And bring more than an inch and a half of water if you're going in the desert, no matter how short you think your trip will be.
I decided I watch some of this without the sound. Beautiful. I will return later for the story.
Thanks for fresh 'Outdoor Disasters'😍
If I ever need a life lesson, I'll take being visited by 3 spirits as the bell tolls one, 5 days in the desert seems a bit much
Anytime I’ve hiked somewhere I’m not familiar with I leave orange tape on tree limbs about every 50-75’ and turn around and look at them every so often. Very very aware of the landscape around me is key.
Seriously? Why not just follow the trail?
@ following a trail is ok but going off trail is a real adventure. Your not passing by people every few minutes. I’ve seen things not many have seen.
Love the amazing show Freeman
This is why I never hiked with Ed.
5:56 “when you begin to think that it’s faster to walk around a mountain than over it, when you know your compass is acting up, when you’re certain that the gorgeous lake off to the north must’ve dried up-you are in very serious trouble.”
-Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why
He went into the desert taking how much water?? 😮
"Who owed him money" Some people just insist on perpetuating stereotypes.
Ed put a lot of good people at risk. Hope he did learn from it.
Good morning JR,
What an incredible story of survival! I'm so glad that Ed made it through his ordeal in Joshua Tree NP. I can't imagine what was going through his mind especially when he was thinking he'd never see his family again or be able to walk his daughter down the Aisle. It truly is a miracle that he made it and was reunited with his family! I hope you're doing okay, I continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers daily. Have a blessed day and rest of a good weekend!
Definitely a miracle. Thank you!
@@outdoordisasters you're welcome!
I was at Joshua tree today(1/27/2025) it is absolutely covered in snow.❄️
did you say AN INCH AND A HALF ??? who in their right mind would take an almost empty water bag in the desert 🤦♀... hello...
i got really sick once in florida because i didnt drink enough water so now i bring as much as i can
One: take LOTS of WATER--almost more than you think you will need, Two: COMPASS Always, Three: MAP Four: MARK your path if you get easily confused and lost. Five: really good first aid kit. Six: Always PRAY BEFORE YOU LEAVE and pray the the entire time you are hiking for God's protection and guidance. Seven: be prepared for disasters--and you will live.
I read his book and I understand Ed was not much of an adventurer but I’ve hiked all over black rock canyon and the surrounding trails and I can’t figure out how he was so navigationally challenged that he didn’t know to head north when he got lost. This isn’t deep in the backcountry and he wasn’t far from civilization. He brought a rope but not a compass? The lack of water is low hanging fruit but there were so many poor decisions made that I can’t help but shake my head. Definitely lessons to be learned from this and I’m glad he continued hiking afterwards but this is the story of one lucky idiot.
Turn your phone off or use airplane mode. Otherwise it could burn battery searching for a network nonstop. Turn it back on to check for signal at high points. Carry a real compass. Your dead phone won't help you with compass you so need. Learn to use one and know that certain minerals /metals can interfere with its behaviour. Consider an aviators compass. there's my two cents.
I have never hiked in the desert, but is it really easy to lose the trail ? I don't know how you can lose the trail unless it is snowing and it is covered up or something.
I'm not going to lie. My sympathy evaporated when I found out he was a realtor.... Not the same as a healthcare executive though..... and if you're getting old and you forget stuff, then take sprinkler flags or whatever the equivalent is for hiking, or marking paint.
Mine disappeared at his name, city, Styrofoam coffee, and minimal water.
Yeah, i don't care for realtors either.
So sad he didn’t take more than an inch of water, no compass, the emergency “ gadget” I obviously don’t hike- to signal for emergency response, just a sandwich and tomato for food , to hike 5 miles in the heat, starting at 12:30 pm .? A real genius, for all his real estate success! 😮😮😮 glad he was saved!
I have to get ready! Be back in 15 minutes to watch, I’m sure, another great Outdoor Disaster!
I clicked cause I’m a local! Live just outside of Joshua Tree in Desert Hot Springs. Love JT. My second home. Just be sensible folks.
Нужно серьёзно готовиться к любому походу!!! Была пора лесных грибов. Я схватила корзину, нож и побежала в лес. А там построили огромный загон для лосей и оленей. Я решила его обойти, но забор оказался слишком высоким и длинным. Я прошла шесть миль, и мне ужасно захотелось пить. Надо было взять воду. Надо было взять куртку для защиты от колючек и крапивы. Поход за грибами превратился в кошмар. Забор не заканчивался, часы шли. Я устала продираться сквозь чащу. Никого не было, я кричала и звала на помощь. Домой я пришла сама поздно вечером, шатаясь от усталости. Одна бутылка воды спасла бы меня от мучений!
Yes. In such places it is easy for what you assumed would be a short trip to go very wrong. Glad you made it home.
Good video. I am glad Ed survived.
In 2004 during highschool one of my classmates went missing in Joshua Tree, his name was Eric Sears from Carlsbad High. They thought his friend mrdrd him but he didn’t. They found him a couple days later and the coroners report said it was undetermined. Really weird case.
What ever happened to "stay put if you're lost" One of the first things you learn in boy scouts.
Great episode
In India many of our temples are in mountains, remote places, we have to in a way hike to visit them.
Even if it is desert or an island, we always arrangements for atleast water & shelter.
Why dont these popular hiking spots have such bare minimum arrangements?
Some resting spots, water sources atleast.😮
Because they're protected natural environments
It’s too big for resting spots, and it’s a huge desert, there’s no water to offer, no water to tap into for people. Water is scarce all over Southern California, especially in the deserts. There’s fighting over the Colorado river water that’s already diverted to numerous places. That’s why as with any extreme environment, you must be prepared, study, do all recommended prep, bring everything you might need, because there’s no one patrolling and handing out water, you’re on your own. Look at JT National Park on a map, it’s enormous and all rough terrain. Those Joshua trees only grow around an inch per year so when you see the tall ones they can be decades old, some 100 years and older. It’s a special tree, special place.
Such a great story. Ed made it!
Yes it was!
When hiking, turn around every once in a while and take a really good look at your back trail so you can recognize it on your return; use your cellphone to take an image of it. just remember that most cellphone cameras are wide angle so the image will NOT BE EXACTLY like what your eyes see. For example, hill/inclines will appear less steep in the images.
Just commenting - the removal of the upfront music (which I really enjoyed) combined with the new graphic (which frankly has cheesy edges and looks unnecessarily amateur) really is stunting your light, here. I've really come to adore this channel, with the golden smooth radio voice to the world class descriptive writing... It's like an actual professional television show and channel, but it's right here on demand at my fingertips. Don't dim your light if you're rearranging staff - stay amazing! Thank you! ❤🎉
Thanks for your feedback.
I was in the marine corps stationed out here and this is very dangerous. People have simply turned around and got lost and died.
I think this is the guy who wrote a very popular book on how to grow weed that the california hippies learned from in the 70's and 80's..
17:04 I’ve mentioned him before on this channel so I’ll keep it brief. One of the Teamsters on the TV show “Castle” was also SAR for the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. Helicopter rescue. He said one of the hardest parts of the job was remaining patient with crazed tweakers who barely understood the level of danger that they were in on days 4-6 of being reported missing. This gentleman of whom I speak is the guy who shared the story that I penned here last year. About the couple who brought no water on a tricky mountain ascent so they drank a bottle of Pert Plus Shampoo & Conditioner. True story.
Considering the guy’s religion, it’s interesting he’d think about who owes him money while facing death
In the desert water is much more precious than gold. You can live without gold but you won't last long without water especially if you're exerting yourself. Take MORE water than you think you'll need. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
I remember an episode of survivor man he found water digging in middle of death valley.
I can’t imagine being close to death & writing notes about who owes you money- maybe it’s time to stop worshiping money & do more self- care.
If this was a route Ed had done many times before as you said than why didn't he recognise the landscape when he stood up to go back. You would have thought he would have at least recognised something.
2:51
ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME ?!?!
(every day I hear something worse than the day before)🤦🏼♂️
They need some repeaters on top of a few of those peaks. Then he could use a gmrs radio which is not expensive.
Did the family not report him?
Broccoli be like nah Pete the abyss dehydrates mmhmm
What is a streambed, and how can a desert carry people? Was he hang gliding?
This narrator is like a poet. He's is a gifted artist. This is how pro writers write, the most famous do anyway
That area of California is probably the second most brutal to death valley.....
Hiking at my spot around idylllwild just seems purposely hostile to man and seeking shade seems impossible at times. It's almost like heat, insects, unanticipated cold while previously just drenched in sweat from summer clothes, unrelenting scorching and blinding sun, nowhere to sit, guaranteed to traverse through thorns and poison ivy from lack of trails to easily get lost and spending so much energy stepping over things liable to sprain your ankles and trying to walk around dry itchy vegetation...... It just seems like nature intended man to stay out
For God's sake, he made the summit of Warren Peak. Literally can see everything from there. Less than a 10 mile hike in a straight line from there West, South, or North, gets you to civilization!!!! Oh Brother, This guy STINKS!
Explain why these people keep walking and getting lost further. This man is lucky for God did not want him home. Hopefully he learned some valuable lessons. Blessings
10:12 how would it have done more harm than good to eat the dates while dehydrated?
I wonder if he had a mini stroke on the summit. Or if he actually didn’t reach the summit and that’s why he couldn’t find the trail.
Everything must look the same in the dessert. Can't ribbons or something help mark the trails?
You just stay on the trail and don’t get off. The trail is maintained. There are rocks, etc., but it’s not like a hike in the woods where you can mark trees. Every one of these stories is from people going off the trail.
@ZahraIsMyDog ty!
While there is a general consistency to the desert landscape, there are still plenty of distinctive features one can use to keep oneself oriented. When I hiked in the desert, I made sure to turn around frequently to note how obvious distant landmarks should look on the return trip. Pick out a grouping of distant peaks and always compare there relative position as you go. By the time you turn around to come back, those landmarks should be very familiar and easily visible from almost any vantage point. If you only focus on the immediate surroundings, it may not be distinctive enough to keep you confident in your bearing.
@@jeepliving1 I taught this to my boys when they were just a few years old so that if they ever wandered off, they would know. A stump on one side looking like a dog on the way back, etc.
@@agreetodisagree4751 Like the directions to the Hekawi village from Fort Courage. You take a right at the rock that looks like a bear, then a left at the bear that looks like a rock.
Why does anyone want to hike in the desert? It is just crazy to me. I have been lost in Ohio, hiking in good weather. Granted I was young and stupid. Seriously, people plenty old enough to know better, do this. I love the outdoors but I don't need to challenge myself to feel good about myself. Life is plenty hard enough, maybe some peoples lives are so easy, that they need problems to over come?
Seriously the dude had a quadruple bypass and did this? SMH, I shouldn't judge, I am sorry.
He didn't save himself God and the searchers saved his life. I am so happy they found him.
The nice thing about those CamelBaks is that it makes it so much easier to carry water than lugging a canteen. No reason not to ever fill it with an extra reserve.
I don’t know a lot but I do know that I’m not walking into the desert with a basically empty camel back.
Once youre lost, stop moving.
Let's walk into he'll without any water.
Great story, thank you, I was working a lot when this happened, and even living in the area I missed most of this. As much as I love dark stories, it’s really nice to have a survival story with a happy ending.
I’m never going to this place. Too many outdoor disasters.
I'm still not looking for my wife
He couldn’t see the car park from the top of Mt. Warren?
In desert places like Joshua Tree there are many, many giant boulders, ravines, hills, all sorts of varying terrain. Just because you reach a high point doesn't mean you can see your car park from there. Add in that the terrain looks very different going in from going back and it can get confusing if you aren't careful.
@ Thanks! That makes a lot of sense.
12:45 that isn’t what the Shema prayer is.
WATER 🌊 🌊1.5” of water to hike in a desert = lack of common sense 🫣
I live in the Sonoran desert 🌵 I won’t leave the house without my purse and a bottle of water.
Yup that's just what I'd do. Leave the water behind while trekking into the fing dessert. Wtf
Sounds like a typical money oriented ass
Typically the sky is beautiful blue not hazy and geoengineered. Disgusting.
Is anyone else getting a voice-over of a different language? 🤔
Damn... Maybe I pressed something on my remote 🤦🏾♀️
Wow... What a story! God loves us all, but the Jewish nation is His chosen people to save mankind (from hell) through His son Jesus. I am not surprised that he miraculously survived.
Why don't you just narrate it yourself?
😢