by Desert Dog » October 9th, 2013, 7:03 am
Even though freeway ridge is an easy trail, there are serious consequences to going off the side of the road in spots. No different than Panamint Valley, Miller, Sherman, or any other trail cut into a hillside. Even though people have died and been seriously injured on those other trails, it is not as frequent because Freeway Ridge gets so much more use by inexperienced people. That being said, most off-roaders die on the way to the trail, not on the trail. The pavement can be a much more dangerous place.
Like racing cars, skydiving, skiing, rock climbing, and motocross; There are inherent dangers to what we do as a hobby. Some people take bigger risks than others. Some people prepare for the worst better than others. Some people are oblivious to danger while others predict it. Bottom line; when your time comes, it comes. You take a risk every time you hit the dirt and are responsible for your own level of preparedness.
We are sometimes too quick to label people who roll as "stupid" or "inexperienced", but this is not always the case. its often a small mistake, pushing the limits, or just bad luck that causes the roll. The only "stupid" ones are the ones that chose not to wear a seatbelt - as the people who died on Freeway Ridge experienced.
I AM THE TITTY MASTER