Germans Death in Death Valley: How and Where They Died.
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- čas přidán 3. 06. 2022
- In this video I backpack out to the locations where a German family of four made a grave mistake in July 1996 and died from exposure in the hottest place on earth. This journey documents the terrain they had to traverse before they succumb to the elements of Death Valley.
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As a google maps obsessor myself, I just want to thank you for doing this Forrest. Maps are great but they never show the depth of these places and knowing I'll never get there myself I appreciate your hard work.
Thank you for your comment. If you're ever able to make it out there do it during the cooler months. :))))
Sarah Jane WoodalI (Wonder Hussy) made a very informative vid on this needless tragedy. They were entirely unprepared for the desert environment.
Don’t feel bad about monetizing… all the work that goes into creating content is huge and usually undervalued. Most people who have not done it themselves do not realize the time and energy that goes into planning, filming, editing, and then maintaining the content. I’m happy that you took your piece of the pie because CZcams makes Billions of dollars off our backs.
Well said my good man.
Found my way here from a Reddit post, though I've gone through all the usual internet rabbit holes when it came to the German tourists over the last couple of years. It was nice to see the sites Tom talked about on his blog. As the mom of 2 kids, I couldn't imagine the torture those parents went through. I appreciate you treating this subject and the site with complete respect. You treated the area as if it was a graveyard, which it is. You've earned my total respect. Oh, and BTW - your kid is awesome for going with you and driving you home. ;-)
Thank you for your kind comment.
I can't even imagine the dread those two parents felt as they made that final journey.
It had to be heartbreaking and devastating.
I came to know of the death valley germans story. It left a deep scar in me. To think that someone came all the way from GErmanay along with the family including two small kids, visited death valley and remained forever therein is something that made me sad beyond words. Their fate haunted me for days. Sitting in far off place in India, I can't imagine of walking in death valley. But your video took me on a tour literally. Knowing how hard and harsh the valley is beyond anyone's imagination. And you and your son went alone is quite daring. It amazed me to see your son walking cool in death valley, as if it is like a walk in the park.....the power of youth. Your trip is a tribute the ill-fated german family. i just could not shake off the innocent face of the 4 year old kid. Don't know what they had undergone. Even now I pray God for the welfare of the departed souls. This story is very very touching. Thank you for your fantastic video.
I feel the same way about the 4 year old. Very heartbreaking. My son and I properly prepared for the journey. We each carried 4 gallons of water and went when the temperature was much cooler than in July. Death Valley is not a place to take lightly. If something happens out there, there is no one to help. You are on your own.
Thank you for your heartfelt comment 🙏
@@forresthaggertychannel4301 i admire you and your son for such a fantastic video. Yes, I saw how well you had prepared yourself for the toughest journey. Thank you.
The fact you took the time out to do this hike is appreciated. If it was hard on you guys, I cannot imagine the horror that poor family suffered with two small children. This sounds morbid and cruel, but I do hope the children passed away before the parents and weren't left wandering around until they died. Great job on this video.
After being out there I’m very sure the kids went first and the parents weren’t far behind.
I'll say this about the family, they were healthy, athletic, and driven. They did that 8 miles in street clothes where an experienced hiker would be exhausted.
As tough as that hike is, imagine doing it in the heat they had to deal with.
And without proper shoes
There are 1000 reasons why it's called the Death Valley. But you went, you conquered, you came back to tell the tale. Thanks for your hard work and sacrifice.
I have been following this story and I honestly can say I have seen almost everything documented on this family's tragedy. Your vid deserves to acknowledge and credited as the best narrative representative. Thank you
I’m glad your son went with you on the 2nd attempt. This was truly an adventure that highlighted the importance of planning, safety, and preparedness. It also honored the memory of a family that met a very unfortunate fate. May they rest in peace.
The amount of work, time, effort, money and video editing you put in to making these educational and history lesson videos is remarkable! It does not go unnoticed, Forrest. Thank you so much, and cheers from Minnesota.
Thanks for introducing us to Jessie, Vail and your son. Everyone seems like nice folks 😊. Another interesting disappearance is Jared Negrete a boy scout in 1991 was lost in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. I was involved in the search and rescue efforts for him.
Unbelievable some people can watch your wonderful videos and complain about you monetizing them. I don't have a CZcams channel but if I did I'd monetize it. Most people who create content on CZcams monetize their work and there's nothing wrong with that. You need not apologize to anyone. You mentioned you will retire in another year and hopefully will dedicate yourself full time to this wonderful channel. You deserve all the success you get, financial and otherwise. I am sure you will be very successful on CZcams. Cheers from Oz and all the best mate.
I used to hike around the Mojave when I was stationed in 29 Palms. Proper footwear and clothing, tons of water (and "bloating up" on water the evening prior) and those day hikes in spring/summer were still brutal. I can only imagine the torture that must have been for their young children, and consequently the parents. Once that heat stroke starts to hit, you know what's happening and know you don't have long before you NEED shade + water, so they had to know they were about to die in those final moments and that makes it even more harrowing.
Thank you so much for this video. The path of the Death Valley Germans has been stuck in my psyche ever since I read Tom Mahood's blog years ago. Your video gave life to their journey, and you and your son formed a memory that won't be forgotten for the entirety of your lives. Keep up the good work, can't wait to see where your channel goes!
As a man that lived in the desert it’s important to remember one extremely critical factor. If you did not grow up in the desert you have to learn how to live there. That includes our modern world. Just getting a flat can kill you. So can something as simple as a wrong turn. I know of a man that died not far from the interstate in an minor accident. If he had help he would have easily survived. One cell phone is not good enough, neither is one spare tire.
An hour of Forrest? You absolute champ. Thank you for this.
Thank you for doing this. I am in Germany and only learned about this family some years ago. I often think about this family and feel so very sorry for their misadventure.
It was most definitely a tragedy.
Great video. The most baffling part of this story is that the Germans kept going further into the unknown instead of turning around.
They knew how bad their backtrail was.
There was a chance that they would cross over that "Last Ridgeline" and find civilization.
Only hope was going forward.
Though I would of turned back towards the surveyors cabin, once the van became disabled.
There was water there and I've seen reports that there is usually a few weeks of food left there.
Mahood mentioned that Egbert had a map showing the China Lake base, not knowing it was unpatrolled. If they walked 4 miles to the cabin, they would have survived.
Time pressure, money pressure, pressure to deliver the children a good time and get to yellow stone before they went back home, pressure to not disappoint the partner, being tired after what seemed like a very long trip with no good rest, a very different time when information about places was not so easily accessible on a mobile device, differences between how things are in Europe and US. All of it comes together into a big blur, where you cannot think straight and identify the obvious danger. And by the time you do, it is sometimes too late to correct it.
I think I've read the Manhood account three times and poured over Google Maps for tens of hours pondering the German's last days. Mahood's SAR experience, story and pictures are one thing but your video brings a completely different perspective to the absolutely inhospitable and unnavigable terrain. It still remains amazingly compelling how these ordinary tourists, unequipped with even the most basic of necessary items made it that far. Thank you for treating the subject with the respect it deserves.
The one question is: why didn't they hike back the road road they came from? That is the natural thing you do when getting lost: you go back the way you came from. Whenever I got lost in my life I did that and I was fine in the end.
By the way, nice channel. I am from Dresden, Germany, that is the place the the four folks lived in by the time they went on their last trip to Death Valley.
Exactly my constant question and nobody seems to mention it except for you and I
I think they drove a really long time and if they retraced their steps they figured they would have died since if driving took a long time, walking would be impossible. On the map it may have seemed that the military base was very close and some soldiers would see them. But perhaps you don’t get the scale of how tough the route is if its so hilly and rocky. A distance that normally you can walk in one hour, takes 5 hours with the terrain. Also, they thought soldiers would be patrolling the military base. But China station lake is …1 million acres!!!! There’s no soldier out there. It’s a place to conduct bombing exercises. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Air_Weapons_Station_China_Lake
Thank you for posting this video and taking the effort!
As someone who misses their dad good job making additional memories in his adult years. My boy turns seven tomorrow. Time flies on by…take care forest. Great vid….as usual
(I’d like to recommend two per week ;)
Jason from the Oregon.
Edit: and nice job to Simon stepping up and looking out for his pops, and not rolling an ankle or anything! Good stuff u two. I’m sure the empathy for the German father was racing through your mind that whole journey #2…
Thank you for your comment. I would love to do two per week, but I'm still working full time. One more year and I will retire.
Thank you for such great content. You went above and beyond for such incredible detail.
Woah... Thanks Forrest. Appreciate the depth. Can't believe you edited all this together. Thanks so much
By far the best video you’ve made!!! Absolutely brilliant mate!!!
that case stuck with me for so long. came here via reddit and just want to you to know that your work is very much appreciated, thanks for all your effort. really great insights in what the germans had to deal with.
Very good video. Excellent work and incredible effort to get to the locations
Thanks for doing the video and the hard work you put in. I had never heard of this case until you covered it here. Outstanding.👍🏻
I’ve enjoyed all your videos, they’re very educational and entertaining to watch. I like the long video!! Would love to keep seeing more they are much appreciated!!
Wow huge effort mate. All your videos are great and the level of research put into them is impressive. I'll took you no worries. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely love these videos Forrest! I know it takes hell of a lot of research and dedication, just wish they were more often, but knowing how good and detailed they are, I can wait 👍🏼
Great video and well done. Thank you Forrest!
What a commendable piece of work! I only found out about this yesterday, and of course, I went down the rabbit hole. Some moments of the video sent chills down my spine. Subscribed!
Thanks for the content man, epic video big shout out from the UK, can't believe how far that family got with no equipment and no knowledge of the area. You did right not going alone.
Too bad a research was not part or their prep.
@marlene g They did research for the time, and they had an old map they purchased at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center.
Thanks Forrest for that behind-the-scenes look at what went into the finished product. Definitely provides a lot more perspective on what the family faced, and has me shaking my head even more about how they let themselves end up in such dire circumstances. Also, I'm glad you took Simon on the return visit. Hope the feet were happy afterwards. 👍👍
Hey Forrest, thanks for making this. I remember watching your first video on this topic as soon as it came out, but I missed this video until just now. This is truly one of a kind content and I'm so glad it exists
This is the best satelite/street view maps investigation style channel on CZcams. I love it. Thanks for doing this.
Hi Forrest. Gave a thumbs up before I even watched the video. You are the best. I hope your channel grows fast.
Thank YOU, my friend for the time and effort to "take your viewers" on the hike all the way to the actual place those poor folks met their end! Sure was rough and I bet they suffered -- especially the kids. I appreciated this video very much as it's the only one I've seen so far that moved around the site. Others were still fotos. I'm glad you finished this hike after your 1st attempt and did what your viewers suggested. The Tom M. video was informative but only still pictures. I will be watching this again to see the scenery some more👍🎗️
Never realized how much work and time went into making that video in Death Valley. It is probably your best to date and is amazing! Thank you for that! 😊
Incredible job doing this video! I have so many questions, but they’re gonna have to go forever unanswered! Cheers to you and your son (and friends) for undertaking this very tough journey 👍🏼
Very interesting and intriguing to watch the dedication and commitment to investigate this but what I liked most personally was the camaraderie between you guys. Friendships like that are priceless and are what makes life worth living. Good work, subscribing without hesitation! Looking forward to more of your work sir.
Thank you for the great videos. Keep up the good work.
Long video but totally worth it. I really much enjoy your videos, Forrest. Thanks.
Great presentation, thank you for your time, effort, and dedication to this family.
An hour long upload from this channel is a treat. Thanks for this!
Wow this is incredible amount of work put in 👍🏼
The passion you invest in your videos are beyond words. This video is amazing- thank you for taking us along. And to the other gentleman and your son. Applause 👏🏼 to you all. God bless these souls - so heartbreaking.
Great effort Forrest! Excellent content!
This isn't the kind of content I usually watch, but you had my attention for every second, and I'm happily subscribing for more. The case of the Death Valley Germans has fascinated me for years, and it's so much more impactful to see their journey on video than in news articles or photographs. The fact that they were able to make it so far, first in a minivan, then on foot, with two small children, without adequate water or appropriate clothing, in JULY! Death Valley is such a gorgeous and terrifying place. I would love to visit it myself but know I can't due to physical limitations. You, your son, and your friends went above and beyond here and were so respectful toward the family. I really appreciate that you knew your own limits and showed just how dangerous it could be even for experienced hikers. Not all creators would be so responsible. This was such a preventable tragedy, and it haunts me to think of what their last days were like. Thank you for sharing. It means a lot for people like me who will never see this beautiful place for themselves.
Thank you for your kind words!
Just to let you know, I will go back in the very near future and follow the path it is believed they took. I will also be taking a 3D Virtual Reality camera with me to document it.
Wow...exceptional efforts and results. Many thanks to you and your team for capturing the visual perspective of this tragic story and sharing it with us.
I like your videos brother. They are very informative keep them coming from the imperial co California.
I can watch your videos for hours! Its always so entertaining, thanks for all your work Forrest Haggerty! Big fan 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment!
Another incredibly entertaining video, enjoyed every second of it!
Forrest, when you put out a new video it's a must watch. Your video's are SO interesting. Thank you for your efforts.
So nice of you! Thank you.
Thanks for all your valuable time and efforts. Great video! More importantly, I am very glad to see you and your son made it back safely!
Thank you Steve.
This video was certainly a feat. Surreal to get a glimpse into their final moments, and the effort and care you put into the presentation is inspiring. Love from New Zealand!
Thank you!
Wow wow wow Forrest! Haven't ever seen anyone spend so much effort on a CZcams Channel thank you so much!
What a tragedy! I suppose if you're from Germany and you see a road on a map in a national park you're just not expecting anything as primitive and difficult as what they were up against. RIP And thank you for putting in the effort to make a visual record like this, you did an excellent job.
Wow, such dedication to your channel. I’m glad you can get funds to help you channel. You definitely put a lot of time and energy in your videos. I always at least try to comment or like to help you maybe get more views. You always have interesting subjects and are factual and respectful
Forrest Haggerty released a new video. I can't click on it fast enough. You just keep getting better and better. Much respect and thank you Sir.
This was better than the first video I love this style of video. Thank you for making this.
I love this! I've seen so many channels on youtube talk about this tragedy but none of them have actually attempted to retrace the entire route the family took. Well, there was one video that tried but they turned back once the roads became too rough for their ride. You guys actually made it all the way to the bluff where the partial remains were found! Impressive!
Content is getting better and better. Thanks for your time!
What an incredible journey! I hope someday I’ll be able to have an adventure as unique as this. Thank you for the hard work and dedication you put into all your videos. They truly are a pleasure to watch and I always learn something new! Thanks - Jacob
It's a very rugged place. In fact it's so rough out there that I was a little scared both times :)))
Absolutely amazing well done, to see and experience the problems they faced thank you
Great video, I appreciate the effort you put in it. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you!
I was stationed not far from here starting in July of 1995 (in 29 Palms)... It was brutal where I was where I was... Death Valley is far worse... I can't imagine the hell they went through... Physically.. Mentally.. Emotionally... God bless them, but also God bless their families who had to live with the uncertainty of what happened to their loved ones for 13 years... Tragic all the way around...
Best video yet! Glad you monetized, Forest, you deserve to keep the channel self-sustaining. I truly appreciate the countless hours of research and effort you put into all your content. Thank you!!!
Thank you for your kind words!
A thousands thankyous and love for this. Absolutely amazing!!!!!!
Your videos are absolutely amazing. The research and preparation that you invest is evident and the finished product is always beyond fascinating, enlightening and entertaining. You're D.W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille & Werner Herzog wrapped into one.
Amazing behind the scenes footage. I admire the dedication and effort you put into these fascinating videos. I think very highly of you and your work.
Thank you for your kindness!
Thoroughly enjoyed this episode...probably have seen all your vids. Love your passion.
Thank you for your support! I truly appreciate it!
Thanks loads, you have some of the best videos on U-tube
Awesome video Forrest. Can’t wait for more future content!
I had never heard about this before. So sad. It’s totally understandable that you’d say that you’d never do that again. How miserable. And that poor family. I can not imagine the frustration and fear. And how sick they must have felt before going unconscious. 😔
Respect. Fantastic video Forrest!
enjoyed the video...keep up the great work!
I love hiking, but none of the places I went to are nearly as rough and demanding as the Death Valley (mountains in South-eastern Europe, with a moderate climate, 15-25 degrees Celsius). So it just makes me appreciate the effort by you and your companions that much more!
Extra scenes after the previous Death Valley Germans video are as great as I thought they would be, thanks again.
You're the best content creator on CZcams. Amazing work Forrest. My God.
Thanks for doing these story for your hard work to tell a sad story
Made it through the whole 57 minutes. Another great video 👍
The crazy thing is, it is a much shorter and easier hike from the van back to the Geologist's cabin where they knew there was water and shelter and they would eventually see someone.
I agree. I think they went the other way because they were confident they could get out.
@@forresthaggertychannel4301 Yes, I'm sure that's what they 'thought'. But, that was a very bad, no fatal, mistake and makes no sense, to me. A sad story, any way you look at it. The main reason it took so long to find them was because they way they went was completely counterintuitive. Lots of seasoned searchers ruled out the direction they went, as it made no sense to go that way. Everyone searched for them in likely areas, to no avail. Only Tom Mahood got it right, and at the time, I was sure he was wrong and was wasting his time and energy.
@@photobuzz I think Mahood was right when he said they probably had an outdated map that showed the military base to the south and they thought they could find help there.
@@forresthaggertychannel4301 omg..... how unfortunate
@@photobuzzI’m not minimizing what Mahood accomplished - it was a brilliant and successful effort - but after all the prior fruitless searching done by the authorities, he had the benefit of knowing where they *weren’t* before he even started.
This was AMAZING. You are amazing. Got a new subscriber today. This was truly a wonderful feat and great opportunity to get some perspective on just how brutal death valley is, especially for people who have probably never experienced anything quite like it.
Thank you for your support. I truly appreciate it!
Really enjoyed your video! I have been to Death Valley and became interested in the DVG after reading an article in the NYT. I especially enjoyed your unpretentious style, no annoying music and your emphasis on the terrain.
Thank you for your comment. I was trying to get a realistic understanding of what they went through and it was definitely extremely rugged!
I became curious about the distance between the van and their remains and using your route came up with 5.62 miles with some steep grades. I also measured the distance between the van and the cabin: 4.5 miles on a 5% upslope. Farther than I thought but food, shelter and water were known to be there, as well as eventual contact with someone. The terrain was also known and fairly easy. Fivemile Spring was near where the van was, 1/3 of a mile up a steep hill. Was there water there? Wish the map they used was found. The distance down Anvil gulch to the road was 3 times further. Then striking off from the gulch across open unmarked country seems insane to me. Perhaps they were delirious by then. They must have suffered greatly. RIP.
It is believed they took a different route than the one I took. Mine was a shorter distance to the death site. I’m going back, probably in November, to do the route that Tom Mahood thinks they took. It should be a bit longer. I’m also planning on taking a 3D Virtual Reality camera with me so I can make two videos. One with my regular camera and one in 3D.
By the way, great job on analyzing the distances and gradients!
@@forresthaggertychannel4301 Google Earth is a treasure.
As always, great video. The time and effort you put into your videos is second to none. I always look forward to new content
I appreciate that! And, thank you very much!
I wish the YT double your monetizing, your efforts in putting details and travel to the locations is really brilliant and nicely done, this is by far one of the best channels in the entire internet.
The internet is not television. Hi
It must have been a great experience to share with your son. Thank you again.
This is an excellent video. I've lived in AZ for 30+ years & done a lot of off road driving in a Toyota truck. Not 4 wheeling, off road only, there is a big difference. What I've noticed many, many times is that after leaving the paved road, the 1st mile or so is usually a well maintained dirt road. Following that the dirt road often becomes much rougher, undoable without a jeep or a truck. IMO it's very misleading b/c that 1st mile on a well maintained dirt road gives an inexperienced person a false of security. Several times I've seen people on roads like that in vehicles they had no business being out there in. This may have been what happened with the German tourists. Clearly, they were not experienced people. Wrong area, wrong vehicle & the wrong time of year. Sad story.
Hey Forrest, I have watched all your videos and I feel compelled to leave a comment after watching this entire hour long video. Your content is really unique and extremely interesting and intriguing. The sheer amount of work and effort that goed into these videos is amazing! :)
I don’t understand why people would be criticizing someone for monetizing their OWN channel, especially if the creator puts so much effort into making these videos. There is absolutely 0 reason to not monetize it.
All in all, thank you for your amazing content, I could listen to it for hours on end. Greetings from the Netherlands! :D
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a nice comment! I would love to visit the Netherlands someday.
this is a truly incredible account showing a very unique perspective of the roughness of this foreboding terrain and of where these folks eventually died. Without the use of a GPS and all of the trekking equipment used this would have been an almost impossible trip.
Great video! Thanks for this, such a beautiful area but a sad sad story
Definitely are a true educator and teacher. Awesome at your profession.
This was fantastic to see. Thank you all so much
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you too!
@ 52:08, I know the exact feeling about seeing your truck. Once I was cross country hiking with my girlfriend in the Badlands of Anza Borrego State Park. Up and down endless washes using only a compass and a topo map. 9 miles/4hrs from a paved road, if I was off by the slightest, I would have been in trouble, no margin for error and water and daylight were getting scarce. My girlfriend never knew how happy I was upon coming over the "last ridge" and seeing my truck. I got in it like it was no big deal, but I could have kissed that truck.
Yes, that sense of relief and gratefulness is a unique, one of a kind, experience!
Amazing video, thanks for sharing.
Love your videos, keep up the good work! greetings from Sweden
Thank you for watching!
Amazing as always, I'd love to go on a hike like this!