Tragedy and Comedy at the Sand Dunes w/pix:

[Trailer Park Casanova]

We left for Dumont Sand Dunes kids Halloween trip this past Thursday nite.
One of our group came across a kid on a new Raptor that went straight over a dune and stuffed a Witch eye and creamed himself and his new special edition deluxe.
Kid was pretty hurt.
They went and got the LEOS that were just unloading the rescue dune buggy, and took one of the rangers back with him, and the other rangers followed a few minutes later.
Life flite out to Las Vegas.
BLM is building a concrete helipad with money raised from user fees BTW.
Then next morning were all out drinking coffee, a motorized hang glider flew over us heading east, and one of the people in the group said he should have passed back over by now.
Then, a few minutes later, we heard the sirens,,, and word came that the pilot center punched a dune near the North Pole,, fatally.
Usually our trips are very uneventfull.
The next day, our group came upon a fatal accident where a Long travel car went over a razor and landed upside down crushing the roll cage,, killing both occupants.
A sad, sad scene. An eye opener how easy it if you're not cautious.
Our hearts were really hanging heavy. We felt so bad for the families.
Preventable.
The early take from all the salts is perhaps the driver let off the gas just before launch.
Dumont Dunes are technical Dunes, and in a situation like encountering a razor - horsepower is your friend, ya launch full throttle so the ass end will land first.
It's different than Glamis, expect every edge, every bowl to be razors, be prepaired to pour on the ponies when in trouble.
Your first reaction is to hit the brakes.
Never cross over a razorback, or traverse a witcheye. But be prepaired if you encounter one and it catches you napping.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06036.jpg
They came over the back side of this razorback, perhaps let off the gas,, and the nose hit first, flipping the sand car onto the rollbars, crushing them.
------------------------ Part II
Tonapah and Tidelands railway run:
6 year old Maynard and I took a trip over the old Tonapah and Tidelands railway route. A teriffic Rhino Run:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06027.jpg
Maynard lands a huge jump on his mighty z50.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06023.jpg
Looking up at the railway bed that we travel on, we bypassed where the trestle was washed out. Gotta watch for these.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06022-1.jpg
Gap throught the pass where the former Tidelands RR ran.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06019.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06018.jpg
Camera started to act up so I couldnt get any Comp hill at nite pix, but it was Rhino city, everyone having a teriffic time. Zillions of Rhinos.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06029.jpg
Kids made sand pumpkins before dressing up after dark and trick or treating around the campsites.
They all loved it.

[Havasu Luvr]

Hey TPC,
that railroad is the Old T&T railroad (Tonopah/Tidewater RailRoad), it was started on 1905 and completed in 1907. This part of history is something I have researched over the years. You should also check out the Mojave Trail. Awesome trail from Fort Mohave to Camp Cady (Approx 137miles) Great part of history with plenty of sites to visit. I took a family of 12 (4 vehicles) on a 3 day trek on this trail 10 years ago and I passed out handhelds and narrated the history of the whole trail.... They called me Wagonmaster/Chuckwagon....lol
Here is the site if you want to learn more about the T&T Railraod. Let the peeps at your camp think your a local history buff...lol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonopah_and_Tidewater_Railroad
I had a group headed out this past weekend and as of 10pm last night still had NOT returned. No answers on the phone this morning either....Hmmmmm?

[Flyinbowtie]

We only saw the chopper once at Sand Mountain over the weekend of the 20th. Felt pretty good about that.
This is a shame.
The accidents these days seem even more violent than in the past. Not to be critical or judgemental of anybody anywhere, but I think perhaps the increased ability of the vehicles out there hasn't been matched by an overall increase in the skill level and technical competency of the average driver.
Gonna get back to Dumont one of these days.
Looks like your family is having a good time TPC. Hope things are going well.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Hey TPC,
that railroad is the Old T&T railroad (Tonopah/Tidewater RailRoad), it was started on 1905 and completed in 1907. This part of history is something I have researched over the years. You should also check out the Mojave Trail. Awesome trail from Fort Mohave to Camp Cady (Approx 137miles) Great part of history with plenty of sites to visit. I took a family of 12 (4 vehicles) on a 3 day trek on this trail 10 years ago and I passed out handhelds and narrated the history of the whole trail.... They called me Wagonmaster/Chuckwagon....lol
Here is the site if you want to learn more about the T&T Railraod. Let the peeps at your camp think your a local history buff...lol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonopah_and_Tidewater_Railroad
I had a group headed out this past weekend and as of 10pm last night still had NOT returned. No answers on the phone this morning either....Hmmmmm?
Did you make it as far as the big bridge/trestle? It's still intact.
Time for a HB Rhino safari.
Nite time run would be cool too.
We've been fighting off the enviros.
They're suing furiously to get it all closed.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

We only saw the chopper once at Sand Mountain over the weekend of the 20th. Felt pretty good about that.
This is a shame.
The accidents these days seem even more violent than in the past. Not to be critical or judgemental of anybody anywhere, but I think perhaps the increased ability of the vehicles out there hasn't been matched by an overall increase in the skill level and technical competency of the average driver.
Gonna get back to Dumont one of these days.
Looks like your family is having a good time TPC. Hope things are going well.
Yeah FBT, it's really changed. Several more bad accidents happened over the weekend.
We were all trying to figure out why all the sudden?
Used to be very rare.

[Havasu Luvr]

Did you make it as far as the big bridge/trestle? It's still intact.
Not yet, we've concentrated mostly between Baker & Ludlow. Virtually untouch and a few RR camps and digging, old bobypins and such. There is still a section with the RR ties still in place and peices of the coal laying around
We'll be out on "T" Day, smok'n a turkey and kicking back. You going to be out that day?

[Tremor Therapy]

I think its actually pretty easy to see why all the accidents are happening, and it is a twofold problem. Back in the day, my Suzuki 250 quad racer and the Honda 250 4trax were the bad ass bikes, but without some major modifications, you would only be able to sustain 25-45 mph through rolling, traversing terrain. There were still a lot of accidents, but I can only recall a hand full of fatalities in the 15 years I spent in the desert.
Now the average quad is what, 400-650cc's, and the horsepower is what, 3x what my Suzuki had? Things happened fast at 40 mph in the dunes, I can't imagine how fast it happens when you are on a bigger, heavier, faster bike! We used to make fun of all the "Barney's" that had new Banshee's and were always plowing into trouble.....but I just can't imagine how fast things happen with these bigger bikes.
The second problem is the people. I am not trying to generalize as I had not been to the dunes in about 10 years, but the amount of people on any given weekend has to be 10 fold. Not only are there more people out there, but there definately seemed to be a greater number of inconsiderate A'holes! Sorry folks, but it seems like the "Raider nation" mentality has hit the desert in a big way! Out of control drinking, staying up and out all night riding like fools, and doing it all on equipment that is light years faster that what I had 20 years ago.
I still have my bike, and I still go to the desert occassionally, but it will never be on the weekends, nor will it ever be at the popular spots. My kids are now old enough to ride, and they have been pestering me for the past few years about riding, but based on what I have experienced the past few times out. I think I'll pass. But I am glad you still enjoy yourself TPC!

[Flyinbowtie]

Tremor;
I think alot of what you say is, sadly, true.
I've been at it over 25 years. I don't dune hard anymore because of back problems, although we still go. From what I see the focus is no longer as tightly on, "Let's Ride", as it is other distractions.
There are still families and groups who ride all day and sit around the campfie at night, and start again at daybreak, but the demographic has certainly changed, which is a big part of the answer to TPC's question, why more/worse wrecks.
I don't really blame the machines, or point the finger at the improved tech.
I think people buy the biggest, baddest they can finance, instead of starting with something they can handle. Ego forces the Banshee upon some guy who's skills would be max'ed out on a 400ex.There is no learning curve; no moving up as skills improve, frankly, for many of the folks you speak of, their has been no more guidance or education into the nuances of the sport for them than there has about life in general.

[dirty old man]

I read the tradegy but where the comedy?

[phebus]

I think the problem is that as the crowds have increased 2X, 4X, 8X, the increased crowds have had an exponential incresae in the accidents. What was safe five years ago became unsafe due to the crowds, and you just can't blindly charge up and down hills anymore, without the risk of meeting someone on the other side.
That, and with the extreme sports mentality, without the extreme sports ability, just set the stage for disaster.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

I read the tradegy but where the comedy?
Part II later,,, wife just crawl'd into bed with buttfloss on and it's been a few days,,,
Be back later,,

[Dan Lorenze]

You should also check out the Mojave Trail. Awesome trail from Fort Mohave to Camp Cady (Approx 137miles) Great part of history with plenty of sites to visit.
We have a group of guys that ride the Mojave trail too... Great area.. We normally start out at in Newberry springs and cut over the Cady Mountains and mostly stay close to the Mojave trail crossing Kelbaker,Cima Rd,Cedar Cyn rd,Piute gorge, cal nev ari,hwy 95 and enter Laughlin from above through Christmas tree pass... Good times...

[Trailer Park Casanova]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/HalloweenDumont06026.jpg
Behind the black Ford PU in the extreem backround and the white Ford in the foreground off in the distance is an open white cargo hauler. At 2 oclock in the extreem distance.
The kids riding their quads by the site in route to Speary Creek and Vendors row said it was the couple we could hear that had been fighting the whole weekend.
The chick screaming at the guy, back and forth that at nite I could hear it with my generator off.
They departed fighting and angry at each other and left behind a new weber grill and some other things.
Just threw their stuff & tent in their cargo hauler, slammed it all shut and drove off.
Like when the sand people in the Star Wars movies appear from no place to trade junk for junk,, guys from our camp went over and got a camping table, and the new grill ect,,

[seanv]

crouds are part of the problem but EGO'S is the biggest issue. like was said before, there is no learning curve. remember when we started? our friends would even say ,"you better start on a 200x or 185 and work up to the bad boy 250r-lt250. i did make that leap from bike to bike and owned a 250r that as my skill improved i hopped it up. never did i go to the dunes. i now regret not going when it was fun and there was no "raider nation" . stories like these is why i stick to open desert and the pines. my.02

[Trailer Park Casanova]

1/2 Hr Ross??? You are slipping
Hey,, she has to get some sleep, so the quickie rule went into effect.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

The fatal Dunebuggy:
http://www.dumontduneriders.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/S2010046~2.JPG

[Danhercules]

Was that rail even finnished? It hard to tell if the frame was powder coated.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Was that rail even finnished? It hard to tell if the frame was powder coated.
Lots of speculation that it's a home garage built.
Waddya think?
They wrecked in the teacups-in-the-sky area near the South pole of the dunes.
Very technical, very sharp and difficult series of small bowls if you're caught napping.
Gotta have all the power to the wheels at final lift off, or the front end drops flipping the car or center punching the bottom of the dune, or both.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Not yet, we've concentrated mostly between Baker & Ludlow. Virtually untouch and a few RR camps and digging, old bobypins and such. There is still a section with the RR ties still in place and peices of the coal laying around
We'll be out on "T" Day, smok'n a turkey and kicking back. You going to be out that day?
Oh yeah, we're stretching it out to a 6 day'r.
Let's hook up!!
Wife gave the green lite on a Rhino,, but I'm going to wait for the next generation to come out.

[Havasu Luvr]

Sure, where do you usually camp? I was just going to be in the area of bathroom 12, just as you come up on the mesa on the right hand side (depending on which direction the wind will be blow'n that week). We're arriving wednesday (5 day'r).
I ususally go with a big group but they usually stray to far towards bathroom 6 in the softer sand. I do not like it there as I sometimes get stuck and then have to rely on someone to pull me out. So this time I am just going to hang back on the harder packed sand.

[Sherpa]

by the looks of the (crushed) cage, it looks under built, as in not very much
triangulation.............
as for these rails, this one looks to have been built with tubing that gokarts
would be built from............ waaaaaaay to light..........
--I don't care if it was chromo, it wasn't built strong enough........
--Sherpa

[Trailer Park Casanova]

http://www.dumontduneriders.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/S2010012~4.JPG
The Ultralite
http://www.dumontduneriders.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/S2010013~4.JPG

[Trailer Park Casanova]

by the looks of the (crushed) cage, it looks under built, as in not very much
triangulation.............
as for these rails, this one looks to have been built with tubing that gokarts
would be built from............ waaaaaaay to light..........
--I don't care if it was chromo, it wasn't built strong enough........
--Sherpa
http://www.dumontduneriders.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/S2010045~2.JPG
No one can make out the builder. Does look small.
The arguements and drama will soon consume the sand sites as to what you suggest if this is a production LT.
I agree, looks weak.

[dkehzrd]

In the last few years dumont has become a very dangerous place, due to more people getting into the sport and more of the idiots from glamis. Last thanksgiving i got hit racing up comp hill by some guy in a long travel sidehilling where everyone was racing. I was luckey that my bike pitched me off before the sandcar completly ran me over. Im glad he stopped to help... o wait no he didn't the f#cker left me there on the side of the hill with a completly screwed up jaw and drag quad. I just recently completed fixing it and tried to make it this weekend but i wasnt able to.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f391/static7066/DSCF0484.jpg

[Big Kahunaa]

found out yesterday the guys in the sand car were from bullhead the super sad part for the family is that they just lost there son a year ago in a work related acident and it was the father and the son in law in the sand car may they all RIP

[Hustler]

found out yesterday the guys in the sand car were from bullhead the super sad part for the family is that they just lost there son a year ago in a work related acident and it was the father and the son in law in the sand car may they all RIP
Very sad. thoughts and prayers go out to the families.
Any idea what kinda car it was?

[Big Kahunaa]

i'm prety sure it was home built i know they just put the ls2 in it this was first trip

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Word now is it's a homebuilt/garage built.
The person who built it is sticking up for his work,, but hasn't ventured into the forums where the pro builders hang out.
It's junk. Immitation buggieworks.
Way undersized tubeing, no triangular support or braces,,
Sad deal really,,

[SCR INC]

Word now is it's a homebuilt/garage built.
The person who built it is sticking up for his work,, but hasn't ventured into the forums where the pro builders hang out.
It's junk. Immitation buggieworks.
Way undersized tubeing, no triangular support or braces,,
Sad deal really,,
I could not imagine how terrible the builder feel's at this point. I would think people should know in case another family does not have the same loss..