hi tech assault equipment......

[Kyle]

I was curious about exactely what happened and I found Evan`s blog. This is what he wrote: I've been gathering my gear for this adventure for over a month, not a long time by most standards, but far too long for my impatient nature. Being a minimalist by nature, wanting to carry only the essentials, and being extremely particular, it has been a little difficult to find just the right equipment. I plan on going so deep into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my life. I've been doing a great deal of research and study. I want to know all I can about where I'm going, and I want to make sure I have the best equipment. One more week. I think one more week, and I'll be ready to go. I had been waiting on some parts I ordered for the bike. Aluminum luggage panniers, crash bars, and other necessities for a real adventure. It's always like Christmas when the Wells Fargo wagon comes to town. UPS, I know. My friend Jorge getting to work reading the instructions. I stay away from them as much as possible. It seems that aftermarket parts never seem to fit quite right. Slowed things down a bit. Got caught finishing up in the dark. A few more small things, and the KLR will be ready for the great desert adventure. ==================================================================== When he first got his KLR he kept having battery & starting problems. After he installed a new battery he accidently left his key on the parking lights instead of the locking position over night and killed his new battery. After he left on his trip he called his friends to say he was having bike problems and will have to start walking. A couple of days later he was reported as a missing person because he wasn`t answering his phone. His body was found by a Marine helicopter. To me it sounds like another battery problem, or perhaps he didn`t do the safety switch bypass mod`s. Or at least beware of the potential problems and how to fix them. Or have enough gas? He definetly wasn`t aware of the problems he could have out in the desert, that`s for sure. A buddy of mine in the Marines died while on manuevers at 29 Palms,CA (1989) was accidently left behind. He was directing traffic and the last truck forgot to stop and pick him up. Just like Evans he made stupid mistakes that cost him his life. If your going to walk in the desert your suppossed to do it at night and hide in shade during the day, breath thru your nose and not your mouth. Have something like one gallon of water with you per day. My friend drew an arrow on the ground to show which way he walked (he was supposed to stay put and build a signal fire at night) and he walked in the opposite direction. (??) They finally found his body one year later and only one mile from the town of Amboy. They (Sheriff Search & Rescue) estimated he only lived for 24 hours with two canteens of water. Bits of clothing,gear, & rifle strewn out for miles from the path he walked. Something else that`s strange about the desert. Objects seem closer than they really are becuase of cleaner air and no humidity. Evans should have just made some shade and just waited for a rescue. Instead of calling his friends to say he was having bike problems he should have called the sheriff. This is just another case of blind ignorance of your situation and surroundings. I just can`t figure out how Evans planned to carry several gallons of water on his bike? I can relate on how nice it would be to go out and do some solo camping like that. But you should always have a back up plan in extreme situations like this. RIP Evans

[boulder_adv_rider]

First and foremost it's a tragedy. However, inexperience and mistakes appear to have contributed to his demise. It's a message to all. People riding into hostile environments (there are many, not just heat-related) need to understand the risks. Some are not clear to people with many years of normal riding experience. Knowing your moto completely and intimately is critical. YOU are the head mechanic. You need to know how to be resourceful, everything about the bike and when to call it hopeless. Knowing you can improvise a solution to getting things going can save your life. But you need to understand how things work not just say "my mechanic does all that." Unacceptable. If you're the type of person that doesn't pay attention to details, you need to take far more precaution, offer yourself more redundancy and greater margin for error. In the Mojave I carry extras like a 25-watt solar panel, a compressor, bike pump, patches, Slime, extra tubes, signal flares, signal smoke, VHF hand-held radio, etc. I've spent years perfecting things...not months. Just getting to know my KLR has taken 10k miles and a few years. Survival training is a whole other story. Testing yourself and knowing your limits is key. How long/far can you swim in 35F water? How long can you go without sleep? Food? Water? What native things can you eat where you'll be? Nearest reliable sources of water? These are all basic and being stranded out in a kill zone is NOT where you want to begin learning. Safety through preparedness the military says. My guess is his equipment did not include a field survival manual. I recommend all adventure riders learn SAS survival skills or equivalent and carry a pocket guide if you're not active and up-to-date in training. I have extensive medical training, but I even carry that guide, too. Conditions sometimes put tremendous pressure on our minds--including the ego--so it's important to stay focused, patient, and not become overwhelmed. Want to simple test? Learn how to tie 10 really useful [rope] knots. Think you know them? Think you can handle doing them under pressure? Ok. Test: Go into your bathroom and turn out the lights. Find your way into the shower and turn on full cold. Now step in and tie all 10 knots. That's what it's like being up 3,000 feet on El Cap and a rogue winter storm blows in while you're climbing it. That's the panic that tries to crater you. You'd be amazed how difficult it is to accomplish basic tasks under heavy pressure--gasping for air, hands shaking cold it forces desperation quickly. Yeah, I'm sure Mr. Tanner felt something similar at some point albeit hot, grossly thirsty, nauseous and ultimately incapable of functioning properly and completing even the simplest of tasks. It's very unfortunate for the family and friends of Mr. Tanner and himself. I appeal to you all to learn from his tragedy. Personally, no equipment failure should ever dictate life or death. Even in combat you carry a back-up and call for more. Likewise, plan on your KLR quitting at the worst possible time/place. Really, expect it. Expect the weather to turn bad. In foreign countries, expect someone might try to kidnap you or take you hostage. Mentally if you walk through scenarios enough, you can increase your odds of surviving such events. You are right, a backup plan is MANDATORY for high-risk trips like this. The fact Mr. Tanner indicated the trip might be do or die is the trip you all should be desperately avoiding. You always resolve whether or not any trip will end the possibility you will enjoy other rides or things in life or leave others to mop up your mess. If you can't answer the question honestly and with confidence, then the best decision is not going. It sounds to me like Mr. Tanner made several mistakes, but it doesn't take away from the fact he suffered a horrible death and leaves others to mop up oceans of tears. Be safe folks. I think this tragedy is uncommon but nonetheless leaves a lasting impression how delicate life can be and how to avoid tragedies like this in the future. Respectfully, Brian

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Kyle" wrote: > > I was curious about exactely what happened and I found Evan`s blog. > This is what he wrote: > > I've been gathering my gear for this adventure for over a month, not > a long time by most standards, but far too long for my impatient > nature. Being a minimalist by nature, wanting to carry only the > essentials, and being extremely particular, it has been a little > difficult to find just the right equipment. I plan on going so deep > into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my > life. I've been doing a great deal of research and study. I want to > know all I can about where I'm going, and I want to make sure I have > the best equipment. > > One more week. I think one more week, and I'll be ready to go. > > I had been waiting on some parts I ordered for the bike. Aluminum > luggage panniers, crash bars, and other necessities for a real > adventure. > > It's always like Christmas when the Wells Fargo wagon comes to town. > UPS, I know. > > My friend Jorge getting to work reading the instructions. I stay away > from them as much as possible. > > It seems that aftermarket parts never seem to fit quite right. Slowed > things down a bit. Got caught finishing up in the dark. > > A few more small things, and the KLR will be ready for the great > desert adventure. > ==================================================================== > > When he first got his KLR he kept having battery & starting problems. > After he installed a new battery he accidently left his key on the > parking lights instead of the locking position over night and killed > his new battery. > > After he left on his trip he called his friends to say he was having > bike problems and will have to start walking. A couple of days later > he was reported as a missing person because he wasn`t answering his > phone. His body was found by a Marine helicopter. > > To me it sounds like another battery problem, or perhaps he didn`t do > the safety switch bypass mod`s. Or at least beware of the potential > problems and how to fix them. Or have enough gas? > > He definetly wasn`t aware of the problems he could have out in the > desert, that`s for sure. > > A buddy of mine in the Marines died while on manuevers at 29 Palms,CA > (1989) was accidently left behind. He was directing traffic and the > last truck forgot to stop and pick him up. Just like Evans he made > stupid mistakes that cost him his life. If your going to walk in the > desert your suppossed to do it at night and hide in shade during the > day, breath thru your nose and not your mouth. Have something like > one gallon of water with you per day. My friend drew an arrow on the > ground to show which way he walked (he was supposed to stay put and > build a signal fire at night) and he walked in the opposite direction. > (??) They finally found his body one year later and only one mile > from the town of Amboy. They (Sheriff Search & Rescue) estimated he > only lived for 24 hours with two canteens of water. Bits of > clothing,gear, & rifle strewn out for miles from the path he walked. > Something else that`s strange about the desert. Objects seem closer > than they really are becuase of cleaner air and no humidity. > Evans should have just made some shade and just waited for a rescue. > Instead of calling his friends to say he was having bike problems he > should have called the sheriff. > This is just another case of blind ignorance of your situation and > surroundings. I just can`t figure out how Evans planned to carry > several gallons of water on his bike? > I can relate on how nice it would be to go out and do some solo > camping like that. But you should always have a back up plan in > extreme situations like this. > RIP Evans >

[blocloc]

Great Popst showing alot of wisdom. Geezer in Montana.

----- Original Message ----- From: "boulder_adv_rider" To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 1:46 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Evan Tanner (NKLR) > First and foremost it's a tragedy. However, inexperience and > mistakes appear to have contributed to his demise. It's a message to > all. People riding into hostile environments (there are many, not > just heat-related) need to understand the risks. Some are not clear > to people with many years of normal riding experience. > > Knowing your moto completely and intimately is critical. YOU are the > head mechanic. You need to know how to be resourceful, everything > about the bike and when to call it hopeless. Knowing you can > improvise a solution to getting things going can save your life. But > you need to understand how things work not just say "my mechanic does > all that." Unacceptable. If you're the type of person that doesn't > pay attention to details, you need to take far more precaution, offer > yourself more redundancy and greater margin for error. > > In the Mojave I carry extras like a 25-watt solar panel, a > compressor, bike pump, patches, Slime, extra tubes, signal flares, > signal smoke, VHF hand-held radio, etc. I've spent years perfecting > things...not months. Just getting to know my KLR has taken 10k miles > and a few years. Survival training is a whole other story. Testing > yourself and knowing your limits is key. How long/far can you swim > in 35F water? How long can you go without sleep? Food? Water? > What native things can you eat where you'll be? Nearest reliable > sources of water? These are all basic and being stranded out in a > kill zone is NOT where you want to begin learning. Safety through > preparedness the military says. My guess is his equipment did not > include a field survival manual. I recommend all adventure riders > learn SAS survival skills or equivalent and carry a pocket guide if > you're not active and up-to-date in training. I have extensive > medical training, but I even carry that guide, too. Conditions > sometimes put tremendous pressure on our minds--including the ego--so > it's important to stay focused, patient, and not become overwhelmed. > Want to simple test? Learn how to tie 10 really useful [rope] > knots. Think you know them? Think you can handle doing them under > pressure? Ok. Test: Go into your bathroom and turn out the > lights. Find your way into the shower and turn on full cold. Now > step in and tie all 10 knots. That's what it's like being up 3,000 > feet on El Cap and a rogue winter storm blows in while you're > climbing it. That's the panic that tries to crater you. You'd be > amazed how difficult it is to accomplish basic tasks under heavy > pressure--gasping for air, hands shaking cold it forces desperation > quickly. Yeah, I'm sure Mr. Tanner felt something similar at some > point albeit hot, grossly thirsty, nauseous and ultimately incapable > of functioning properly and completing even the simplest of tasks. > > It's very unfortunate for the family and friends of Mr. Tanner and > himself. I appeal to you all to learn from his tragedy. Personally, > no equipment failure should ever dictate life or death. Even in > combat you carry a back-up and call for more. Likewise, plan on your > KLR quitting at the worst possible time/place. Really, expect it. > Expect the weather to turn bad. In foreign countries, expect someone > might try to kidnap you or take you hostage. Mentally if you walk > through scenarios enough, you can increase your odds of surviving > such events. > > You are right, a backup plan is MANDATORY for high-risk trips like > this. The fact Mr. Tanner indicated the trip might be do or die is > the trip you all should be desperately avoiding. You always resolve > whether or not any trip will end the possibility you will enjoy other > rides or things in life or leave others to mop up your mess. If you > can't answer the question honestly and with confidence, then the best > decision is not going. > > It sounds to me like Mr. Tanner made several mistakes, but it doesn't > take away from the fact he suffered a horrible death and leaves > others to mop up oceans of tears. Be safe folks. I think this > tragedy is uncommon but nonetheless leaves a lasting impression how > delicate life can be and how to avoid tragedies like this in the > future. > > Respectfully, > Brian > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Kyle" wrote: >> >> I was curious about exactely what happened and I found Evan`s blog. >> This is what he wrote: >> >> I've been gathering my gear for this adventure for over a month, > not >> a long time by most standards, but far too long for my impatient >> nature. Being a minimalist by nature, wanting to carry only the >> essentials, and being extremely particular, it has been a little >> difficult to find just the right equipment. I plan on going so deep >> into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my >> life. I've been doing a great deal of research and study. I want to >> know all I can about where I'm going, and I want to make sure I > have >> the best equipment. >> >> One more week. I think one more week, and I'll be ready to go. >> >> I had been waiting on some parts I ordered for the bike. Aluminum >> luggage panniers, crash bars, and other necessities for a real >> adventure. >> >> It's always like Christmas when the Wells Fargo wagon comes to > town. >> UPS, I know. >> >> My friend Jorge getting to work reading the instructions. I stay > away >> from them as much as possible. >> >> It seems that aftermarket parts never seem to fit quite right. > Slowed >> things down a bit. Got caught finishing up in the dark. >> >> A few more small things, and the KLR will be ready for the great >> desert adventure. >> ==================================================================== >> >> When he first got his KLR he kept having battery & starting > problems. >> After he installed a new battery he accidently left his key on the >> parking lights instead of the locking position over night and > killed >> his new battery. >> >> After he left on his trip he called his friends to say he was > having >> bike problems and will have to start walking. A couple of days > later >> he was reported as a missing person because he wasn`t answering his >> phone. His body was found by a Marine helicopter. >> >> To me it sounds like another battery problem, or perhaps he didn`t > do >> the safety switch bypass mod`s. Or at least beware of the potential >> problems and how to fix them. Or have enough gas? >> >> He definetly wasn`t aware of the problems he could have out in the >> desert, that`s for sure. >> >> A buddy of mine in the Marines died while on manuevers at 29 > Palms,CA >> (1989) was accidently left behind. He was directing traffic and the >> last truck forgot to stop and pick him up. Just like Evans he made >> stupid mistakes that cost him his life. If your going to walk in > the >> desert your suppossed to do it at night and hide in shade during > the >> day, breath thru your nose and not your mouth. Have something like >> one gallon of water with you per day. My friend drew an arrow on > the >> ground to show which way he walked (he was supposed to stay put and >> build a signal fire at night) and he walked in the opposite > direction. >> (??) They finally found his body one year later and only one mile >> from the town of Amboy. They (Sheriff Search & Rescue) estimated he >> only lived for 24 hours with two canteens of water. Bits of >> clothing,gear, & rifle strewn out for miles from the path he > walked. >> Something else that`s strange about the desert. Objects seem closer >> than they really are becuase of cleaner air and no humidity. >> Evans should have just made some shade and just waited for a > rescue. >> Instead of calling his friends to say he was having bike problems > he >> should have called the sheriff. >> This is just another case of blind ignorance of your situation and >> surroundings. I just can`t figure out how Evans planned to carry >> several gallons of water on his bike? >> I can relate on how nice it would be to go out and do some solo >> camping like that. But you should always have a back up plan in >> extreme situations like this. >> RIP Evans >> > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >

[Michael Nelson]

> > > First and foremost it's a tragedy.

I don't see it as a tragedy. I see a tragedy being when someone is killed without having contributed to it, such as the people in the Twin Towers on 9/11. People die all day long every day without it being a tragedy. This guy's death is a tragedy exactly why? Because he was semi-famous? Because he was on a KLR? I don't get it. He used extremely poor judgement from start to finish on this whole thing, his mistakes compounded, caught up with him and he died because of it. I don't see it as a tragedy at all. Michael

[Bogdan Swider]

Hmmm......My understanding of the term is opposite of yours, Michael. To check, I just looked it up in Webster s II New College Dictionary. Here s the relevant part: A classical verse drama in which a noble protagonist is ruined as a result of an extreme quality that is both his greatness and his downfall. Seems to describe Evan Tanner exactly: ok...I m sure the noble part is debatable. Bogdan, who also likes to travel alone and has found himself in dangerous situations. How about an unforeseen storm in the Coahuila state of Mexico. I was crossing a desert and was far from anything. Found myself powering through a wide running arroyo not knowing the depth of the water. Better stop because I get nervous remembering.

On 9/11/08 9:53 AM, "Michael Nelson" wrote: > > > >> > >>> > > First and foremost it's a tragedy. > > I don't see it as a tragedy. I see a tragedy being when someone is killed > without having contributed to it, such as the people in the Twin Towers on > 9/11. > > People die all day long every day without it being a tragedy. This guy's > death is a tragedy exactly why? Because he was semi-famous? Because he was > on a KLR? > > I don't get it. He used extremely poor judgement from start to finish on > this whole thing, his mistakes compounded, caught up with him and he died > because of it. > > I don't see it as a tragedy at all. > > Michael > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

At 10:30 AM -0600 9/11/08, Bogdan Swider wrote:

>Hmmm......My understanding of the term is opposite of yours, Michael. To >check, I just looked it up in Webster s II New College Dictionary. >Here s the relevant part: > > A classical verse drama in which a noble protagonist is ruined as a result >of an extreme quality that is both his greatness and his downfall. > >Seems to describe Evan Tanner exactly: ok...I m sure the noble part is >debatable.

Tragic, yes. Give-a-damn? No. Mark

[Jud Jones]

Glad I read this post before I ran off and googled "tragedy" to bolster my own reply, which would have echoed yours, without being as concise.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Bogdan Swider wrote: > > Hmmm......My understanding of the term is opposite of yours, Michael. To > check, I just looked it up in Webster s II New College Dictionary. > Here s the relevant part: > > A classical verse drama in which a noble protagonist is ruined as a result > of an extreme quality that is both his greatness and his downfall. > > Seems to describe Evan Tanner exactly: ok...I m sure the noble part is > debatable. > > Bogdan, who also likes to travel alone and has found himself in dangerous > situations. How about an unforeseen storm in the Coahuila state of Mexico. I > was crossing a desert and was far from anything. Found myself powering > through a wide running arroyo not knowing the depth of the water. Better > stop because I get nervous remembering. > > > On 9/11/08 9:53 AM, "Michael Nelson" wrote: > > > > > > > > >> > > >>> > > First and foremost it's a tragedy. > > > > I don't see it as a tragedy. I see a tragedy being when someone is killed > > without having contributed to it, such as the people in the Twin Towers on > > 9/11. > > > > People die all day long every day without it being a tragedy. This guy's > > death is a tragedy exactly why? Because he was semi-famous? Because he was > > on a KLR? > > > > I don't get it. He used extremely poor judgement from start to finish on > > this whole thing, his mistakes compounded, caught up with him and he died > > because of it. > > > > I don't see it as a tragedy at all. > > > > Michael > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Kyle" wrote: SNIP > > A buddy of mine in the Marines died while on manuevers at 29 Palms,CA > (1989) was accidently left behind. SNIP > Something else that`s strange about the desert. Objects seem closer > than they really are becuase of cleaner air and no humidity. > Evans should have just made some shade and just waited for a rescue. KYLE, In the summer of '82, we were sitting in a school circle at the 29 Palms Expidtionary Airfield discussing many things about flying--to include walking out of the dessert of our helo made a precautionary landing. The 'senior pilot' present innocently asked, "How far (distance) is that mountain peak to the West?" Most estimates were between 10-20 miles, none over 20. "Pull out the map and plot the distance." 60 miles. If you were silly enough to try, it was a view/destination to die for... revmaaatin.

[Jeff Saline]

On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:37:04 -0400 Eric Foster writes:

> When the military can't afford KLR's.......... > > http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/mos2111/IMG_0240-1.jpg

<><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><>> Eric, I ran a TS185 in 1974. I'd suggest it was more capable in rough conditions than the KLR. Or maybe that's just a faulty memory but I do remember jumping mine a lot and also being able to lift it easily when it was on it's side. I could throw it around in the woods and rode a lot of single track at a fairly fast pace. That might be a good machine for the conditions shown in that picture. Our military special operations guys used to use the XT350. I had one of those until I sold it when I bought my KLR. There are a few times I wish I had it back. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT ____________________________________________________________ Start providing for your family by becoming a paralegal. Click Now. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nffPMhBc0Oironl64v7zIUGZk5L4fbSbH8qeBn4LOTcPdX2/