One hundred and fifty years ago, the desert held all the cards. One false move and you were a pile of bones bleaching on the alkali, a warning for the next pilgrim. Today, with the advent of cell phones, satellite navigation, internal combustion engines and propane cook stoves, the desert has lost its advantage. 
That's what you think.
Vehicle breakdowns, getting lost, thirst and starvation, the occasional rattlesnake, injuries from falls, and the results of uninformed decisions all await you with open arms. These dangers are just as real as they were in 1850.
Food, Clothing, and Shelter
If you go out with the expectation that you'll be doing some camping- even if you're just going on a quick afternoon trip- you should fare pretty well. Loading and unloading extra water in your drive way is so much easier than frantically clawing at the desert floor with your bare hands under an afternoon sun. The rule here is- if you're thirsty, you're not drinking enough water.
Some extra granola or jerky will be much more rewarding than trying to sneak up on a jackrabbit.
An extra sweater or jacket is not going to cut into your gas mileage, and if you do end up spending a night in the desert because of a breakdown, you will be oh-so-very thankful for it. A couple of sleeping bags would be even better, as automobiles are notoriously un-insulated. Bring a hat, and some chapstick, and a few personal toiletry items, such as toilet paper.
Transportation
If you're traveling solo, it's a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back. The best way to go exploring is with a friend in another vehicle, preferably a four wheel drive vehicle. (It's always nice to have another rig just in case you break something.) While it's nice to have 4WD available, usually the ground clearance of a pickup is all you really need to visit most spots. In the following pages, we'll let you know if you need one or not. Keep in mind, though, that the roads you'll be traveling on a
re not exactly what we refer to as "maintained," and what is a good road this year could become no road next year. Nature is like that.
Bring some chain and/or rope to get unstuck, even if you're by yourself. A Hi-Lift jack. Shovels come in very handy for digging your vehicle free (or, in the worst of situations, laying that careless friend to his final rest.) While you're not going to be doing any major repairs out there, it's always nice to have a few gallons of radiator water/antifreeze mix, a can or two of oil, a can of fix-a-flat, and a few tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and a few strategically-sized wrenches. When was the last time you checked your spare? Does your jack work? Does your lug wrench fit? Don't forget duct tape. Spare fan belt. Most places can be reached on a tank of gas, but if you're going to be crawling around the countryside for a weekend it might behoove you to bring a bit of spare gasoline.
If you're interested, you can see the vehicles we use, and the equipment we take by clicking here.
Common Sense
Flats
We've all seen the fancy cars racing across the alkali flats, trailing the spectacular clouds of white dust as they speed across the desert. I have news for you. Auto manufacturers do not pay for these ads. Fallon tow truck companies pay for these ads. During much of the year, the thin, dry, top crust of the flat can hide its true nature- a bottomless quagmire of fine mud in which your vehicle will sink up to Jack-In-The-Box antenna ball. Best to stay on the road.
Trespass
The rule of thumb is, if you pass through a gate, close it. Even if it's open when you get there- some dumb tourist may have left it open. If there is a NO TRESPASSING sign, though, that can only mean one thing- the owner of the property doesn't want you there. If there isn't a sign, that doesn't mean you're not trespassing. Exercise caution, and treat the property better than if it was your own. Don't litter. Don't steal. Figure who ever owns the place is watching you through a rifle scope.
Mineral exploration played- and still plays- an important part in Nevada history. Thousands of mines still dot the landscape since mining began in earnest in the 19th century.
Mines
Many mines have been abandoned, and therein lies the danger. As enticing as it seems to explore an old mine, there is no getting around the fact that going near one can kill you, or or your friends, or your pet.
Think about this. Mining is a dangerous occupation. Miners know this, are prepared with training and equipment, and it's still dangerous.
You're just a goofball with a flashlight going into a mine that hasn't been maintained in 20, 50, or maybe even 100 years.
Not exactly a stellar idea, Jackson. There are several ways for you, your friends, your family, or your pets to be seriously injured or die by messing around with old mines. They are:
Falls
Quite obviously, a fall down a hidden shaft or winze can be many hundreds of feet, and I can guarantee you it won't be a smooth ride, either. You may think you're walking on solid su
rface but you never know what's underneath you, what's rotted, or what is hidden in the shadows.
Score: Gravity 1, You 0
Falling Objects
Since abandoned mines aren't maintained, and the ground is moving all the time, and timbers and supports are slowly deteriorating, gravity eventually wins.
Score: Gravity 2, You 0
Hantavirus
Anywhere mice hang out, there is a potential for contracting hantavirus. Symptoms don't appear until 1 to 5 weeks after exposure, and are similar to the flu. After that, the disease progresses rapidly and can be fatal without treatment.
Explosives
In many of the later mines, much work was done with the use of explosives. The interesting thing about explosives is that they usually deteriorate and become unstable over time. Disturbing them even slightly could cause them to detonate.
Ever been inside a mine when explosives go off? I understand it's extremely loud.
There are other chemicals used inside a mine too- over time their containers may break or leak, creating a veritable witches brew of toxic, explosive, and/or deadly chemicals.
Not exactly the place you want to spend your Saturday afternoons.
Cave-ins
Same story- eventually, Mother Earth will want to fill the cavity left behind and she won't mind if your body is added to the mix. In fact, she'll appreciate it. If you're unlucky enough that a cave-in doesn't kill you, the lack of oxygen while you attempt to dig yourself out using your Visa card as a shovel will.
Score: Gravity 3, You 0
Asphyxiation from poison gas
Mines can be filled with poison gas, "poison" being anything that you wouldn't normally breathe, and lacking enough oxygen to sustain your life. By the time you realize you're becoming faint from breathing carbon dioxide or methane, it will probably be too late to turn back to get to fresh air.
Oops.
Animal Bites
My personal favorite. I think we all know what kind of animal we're talking about here- your chances of being bit by a raccoon are pretty astronomical. Yes, we're talking about snakes.
Snakes, as you know, are cold blooded creatures, and must regulate their body temperature by moving to someplace where it's cool during the hot summer day. Mines are cool. Snake food such as rodents also like to be cool in the summer, and so they like to hang out in the mine too. (Neither one of them can read the safety brochures.)
So here's the scenario. Cool mine. Hungry snakes. And oh- look who's coming- it's a goofball armed with a flashlight.
Think you can make it back to town once a rattler has pumped your leg full of venom? Sure you can, you're a tough guy.
Drowning
Mines are holes in the ground. Many times, they're holes dug out of rock. When it rains, these holes fill up with water. Sometimes, the mines intersect the natural water table and the water will seep into the mine.
Sometimes it's a combination of both. Whichever it turns out to be, water at the bottom of a mine shaft is not an unusual occurrence- in fact, it happens quite frequently. If you were to somehow survive your fateful plunge to the bottom, it's quite possible you might drown, or the water would keep you cold enough to allow hypothermia to do its work. Either way, you lose.
Again.
OK, so you finally figured out that an abandoned mine is no place to play, visit, or be around. But what about your friends? How will you convince them?
Luckily, you are not alone in your quest to share your newfound knowledge. The United States Government is concerned about your well-being too- after all, if you're laying broken, busted, and snake-bit at the bottom of a mine, how will you pay your taxes? They therefore created this brochure just for you. It's the best brochure on abandoned mine safety that I've seen.
It's a 1.68 Mb Adobe PDF file. Try their link first, since it's the latest and greatest version. If for some reason it doesn't work. I've stored a copy here.
Oh, and one other thing. Let's say you decide- after all this- to go into a mine. Let's say it collapses on you, or you fall, or somehow get trapped inside that mine.
Let's say you're lucky enough to have a friend that went to get help, or a friend who noticed you hadn't been home for a few days and they sent for help.
Now- besides yourself- you've placed several people in mortal danger. These people with spouses and children and families- people with better things to do that to drag your sorry excuse for a behind out of the mine- these people are going to try and rescue you anyway- risking their own lives. Even if you're dead- they'll want to retrieve your body.
We won't even mention the pain and anguish you'll cause your friends and family.. So remember- if you go into a mine- you're not going in alone.
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