The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans

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MagicMtnDan

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In 1996, a family of German tourists went on vacation in the desert Southwest of the US.

They disappeared in Death Valley sometime late July of that year, and despite repeated searches, their remains were not found until 2009 (13 years later!).

Tom Mahood details how that happened (link below). It's a long read but will be of interest to some DV, desert and expeditionary types here.


Tom Mahood's story:
The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans
The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans



Other links:

Newspaper (The Sun) article on the four German tourists vanishing:
In late July 1996, a pair of German tourists, VANISHED . . . - San Bernardino County Sun

1996 LA Times article on the van being found:
Van of Missing German Tourists Found in Death Valley Park - Los Angeles Times

LA Times article (10/31/96) on search being called off:
Search Ends for 4 Missing German Tourists - Los Angeles Times

Online story about skeletal remains being found:
Skeletal Remains Found in Death Valley
 

Aaron

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Going to check this out later when I'm not on my phone. Sounds interesting.
 

Mil T

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Thanks for the link to the story. I was just in this area last week. I recognized some of the sites he mentioned. I've been to Barker Ranch a few times over the years. There is a spot up Pleasent Canyon that looks down on Striped Butte. Goler Wash is definitly not an area for timid trekers.
Great Read.
Mil T
 
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