Stranded in the Mojave Desert: A Terrifying Overland Story

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In this video my wife and I explore the Mojave Desert. Things do not go as planned when we decided to take a road we knew nothing about. My advice to those who plan on venturing into remote places is to buy yourself a satellite communicator just incase you are in an emergency situation and without cell service. I hope you enjoy the video and if you aren't subscribed to my channel make sure to click subscribe.
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#overland #camping #offroad #southerncalifornia #cooking #youtube #jonny #trd ##dji #djimini2 #djindonesia #djimavicmini #mavic #drone #drones

[@YUcare]

The overland community is full of good people.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

That’s for sure!

[@Apoplectic_Spock]

Ain't that the truth! It can get dangerous out there, but as long as we meet the call for help, we'll all be able to continue our adventures! Teamwork makes the dream work!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@Apoplectic_Spock amen to that 🙏🏼

[@avoverlandsupply]

Glad we could help!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

There he is!

[@georgecarousos6735]

Please leave the short D handled shovels to the mall crawlers. When you need to really dig out a vehicle, a standard length $14.00 shovel from Lowes or Home Depot will allow you to move a lot of material without killing your back and give you the leverage to actual dig into tough material. I'd be willing to bet that with 4 traction boards and a traditional shovel, you would have been able to self recover yourself from that situation.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

George your bets been placed 🙏🏼😁

[@caseysherrill377]

Badass crew to get you out! It's what the offroad community is about right there. Was stuck despite all the recovery gear in a similar situation but no service, so I always carry the inreach now.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

They sure were! 🙏🏼 I also carry the In-Reach

[@roberttaylor7451]

That is so obviously wet from a distance, you had to know there was a really good chance of this happening. I know it’s easy to Monday morning quarterback but damn! Also you shouldn’t tighten a shackle with a wrench, you should tighten by hand and back off a half turn. This is done so that if the shackle is bent you will likely still be able to remove it. It’s a standard practice in industry and off off road recovery. Glad you got out safe

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

It looked dry to me, once I hit that spot I knew I was going to be stuck for sure. Thanks for the tip on the shackle not using a wrench is just totally easier as well(one less thing to do). I really appreciate your comment as recovery is not my area of expertise but I hope to learn more about it as I venture off into these sometimes unforgiving places. 😎 I’m thinking also maybe with the color grading I’m the video it looked darker and wet but In person it was a really dry salty color. Maybe mention your experience or what you saw in the video that makes you see it was obviously wet. I appreciate your advice. 👊🏻

[@christianlucas6553]

Very cool story about Bickel Camp! Tony 😂😂😂😂😂 im dying!!!! Dude! The drop off 5:55 😲 Did Monica just predict the future @ 6:34 😲 Im so sad right now! 10:10 My heart is sinking! OMG 13:45 🙈 PRAISE GOD! IM AN EMOTIONAL WRECK WATCHING THIS! Major props to all that came to your rescue! 🙏🙏🙏 There are still REALLY GOOD PEOPLE LEFT IN THIS CRAZY WORLD! 🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Yeah Bickel is super cool! Sure are right! Duane, Hector and Chris are friends of mine now. Good people in the overland community. Genuine people that just want to help others.🙏🏼

[@dustyroaddestinations]

That was a wild ride. I still can’t believe you took last chance backwards. To do all of that and then to get buried in the mud like that. Glad you guys were okay, when we got out there it was 113 that’s a rough day to get stuck out there.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thankful for you guys.

[@jandr72]

Dude, you must have been so stressed. I feel for you, I've been stuck a couple times and thanks to some awesome family and a really cool buddy they saved me but I was stressed. I was stressed just watching your recovery (LOL). My heart sank when you showed us how buried you were. I'm glad you were able to connect with people and they jumped on it. Good video, thank you for sharing.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Hey I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Glad my video could stress you out 😝

[@chrisbarton1517]

That dry lake bed is no joke. And the acidity of the mud EATS up everything it touches. Once you get stuck like that you'll be cleaning mud off the underside for ever lol.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

I did lol

[@jhorton1600]

Rule #1 NEVER GO WHEELING ALONE! Rule #2 STAY ON THE ROAD / TRAIL! Rule #3 Have a winch AND an anchor of some type.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thank you so much you’re amazing

[@You_Me_and_Glady]

Happy ending to a serious situation. Glad you shared this story with all of us.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching

[@toddbowers5423]

Glad you got out!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Us too! Thanks so much for watching.

[@TrailNewbie]

This was your best episode EVER! Great work buddy!! 😃😃👊🏼👊🏼👏🏻👏🏻

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks!

[@TaylorGibleroffroad]

I finally got the time to watch this, and I’m glad I did bro! Awesome video!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks!

[@MadskillsBeatz]

Great video, solid guys for showing up to help.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

We agree!

[@cowboy63645]

Amazing scenery, great history and a great group of guys came to the rescue!! Looked like a pretty epic trip to me!! 🤘🤘

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

It was!

[@Toyjotunn]

Lots to explore out there! Glad there’s some good guys willing to help you both out there! One for the books!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Most definitely!

[@niteranger6376]

Wow that was crazzzzy!! Glad you made it out and they came to your rescue

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Was crazy! Thanks for watching

[@b3shamrock]

Another great video man🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks!

[@blueduster74]

Yeah those “dry” lake beds are a nightmare for up to a week after a good storm. Glad you got out okay. It takes some power and wheel speed to get out without someone pulling you out. And sometimes that doesn’t work. Grew up in Vegas and have been out there and other places like it and rescued seven people in the same boat.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Sure wasn’t dry

[@lexus_offroad_adventures]

DUDE sick video! I was ready to drive 3 hours out to get you guys if nobody closer could help. Huge shoutout to AV Overland for stepping up 🔥🔥

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

But you won’t go camping anymore

[@lexus_offroad_adventures]

@@jonnytacooutdoors 😭😭😭

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@lexus_offroad_adventures 😓

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Don’t cry sir

[@avoverlandsupply]

🤘🏽

[@juniorcontreras642]

I’m so mad at myself bro!! I had just taken my truck to the dealership for some warranty work 😭 I live like 40 minutes from jawbone and wish I could’ve went out to help

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

I’d say Maybe next time but I don’t want there to be a next time 😎✌🏼 appreciate it

[@drewolm]

Man, getting stuck like that, middle of nowhere on a quick decision to change course is scary. I got stuck in the mountains this winter the same way. Good job getting out. Kinda funny you’re stuck and decide to a product promo. This video brings back a few memories. When I was a kid, we’re talking 40 + years ago, my dad was part of a mining claim in the Mojave. We did all kinds of exploring around jawbone and last chance canyon.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Haha it is super funny I’m stuck and still gave Martin Offroad a shout-out I’m sure you could tell I was a little stressed and hungry. It’s a beautiful area I’ll definitely be back but I won’t be driving anywhere near the lake bed.

[@dirtnsmores]

Its why i carry inreach. Also... I stay away from the desert in the summer 😅. Glad you guys were ok. You remind me of me, offroading with flip flops 😂. After getting stuck in deep, hot sand with a snake nearby i now try to keep some slip on boots in my truck at all times.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Flips flops are comfy but definitely not snake proof. I do have an in reach also luckily we had service and didn’t have to bum a ride with someone.

[@Mtbtaco]

Great video and rescue! Also badass dudes that came out 🤙🏼 AV overland supply, amazing brother!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

They were our guardian angels!

[@avoverlandsupply]

Thank you!

[@XPLRNW]

Wild adventure, Brotha! Glad you guys got help 💯💯

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

No doubt!

[@raphaelcastro3673]

Definitely one for the books! Glad y'all are safe!!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Sure was! Thanks so much we are glad too

[@bobjoned3398]

The camera man never dies

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Never🌮

[@callmeluci4501]

Pretty awesome community. Looks like 3 different rigs showed up within 1 hour to help out just for the sake of helping out?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Great people

[@dustyroaddestinations]

It was actually 4, GMC Canyon from Cal City, F150 and Nissan Van from Lancaster, and a Tacoma from Bartsow (and he had 3 more people on the way in case it turned into a disaster).

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@dustyroaddestinations 🙏🏼

[@user-bp8sq5wu7q]

Bro that was nuts man

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

It sure was! It sucked.

[@RJT11]

My heart was pounding watching you and your family. Glad you had guardian angels to rescue you.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching LJJSA

[@kmaamk1620]

Dang this just shows community is everything. The unexpected can always happen

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Community is definitely awesome people 🙏🏼 & yes it can maybe that’s part of what makes these adventures so fun. 😎🤛🏻

[@useryggfdcc]

It take many days to die from hunger. Three days without food is absolutely nothing. Pity the Tacoma couldn't make it but that mud was extremely sticky. That kinetic rope did the trick.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

How long does it take to die from dehydration and heat exhaustion? Lol Pity the Tacoma I’ll let her know how you feel

[@useryggfdcc]

@@jonnytacooutdoors lol. Yes dehydration and heat exhaustion can kill quickly. Lack of food takes time.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@useryggfdcc thanks for watching 🎬

[@bajar.m.6953]

It is an awesome video my friend. We all learned something. 👍🏽

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

I learned my lesson🤣

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching

[@DGILtv]

Lol what up Tony!! 😂😂

[@TreasureGeo]

Lesson learned, should always go out with fellow Overlanders.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for leaving a comment 😎

[@Raptor-gd6sk]

Sticky situation, literally sticky.. glad you guys made it out fine..

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

It was crazy sticky! I could barely walk on it without sinking in. Thank you so much! Trucks doing well.

[@kennethwomack8678]

Glad Ya’ll got out of that!!! A good underbelly wash to get all that salty mud off has to come soon I presume. Be safe and Happy Trails!!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

It was a mess.

[@stevej7139]

I have a Badlands Apex winch on my 4Runner so I bought a "Deadman Offroad anchor" because I'm going south into the Nevada and Arizona deserts and I travel with just my dog so I have to depend on myself alone and there aren't many trees in the desert. I also have a lot of other recovery gear as well, traction boards, snatch blocks, 4 synthetic shackles, 2 tow straps, and 3 really long climbing ropes with climbing gear as well, I have no intentions of getting stuck anywhere.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Ready to go!

[@bradfox22]

I didn’t know martin off road was a mom and pop shop I’m 100% going to get one now was on the fence between them and prinsu

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

I love my Martin rack I know you will too, your pocket book will also thank you. 😎

[@benb2123]

I hope you tried getting out with crawl control. Toyota advertised getting out of being buried to your axles using crawl control. It may not work as well in mud, but it is worth the try at least. May have saved you 3 hours in 100 degree heat.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Hey how’s it going. I definitely did try it twice and the truck didn’t move an inch 😎 // hope you enjoyed the video.

[@jackstitt1395]

The Mojave Road is not something that should be done alone. Even though nothing is technical the length of it can take it's toll on a vehicle. Without someone with you help can be days or more away if at all depending upon where you are. Walking out would not be an option. Soda Lake is very deceiving. You are lucky you didn't get farther out there before breaking through the crust and had to abandon your vehicle until the mud tightened up enough to get rescue vehicles in there. Make sure you completely get all of that mud out of everything and follow it up with ensuring you completely lubricate everything and oil everything on the underside with a compound that neutralizes the salt. If you don't you are sure to start seeing rust everywhere and multiple electrical shorts. That mud out there is extremely caustic even when it is just dried dirt the dust is very damaging to wires and electrical systems.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

This is not the Mojave Road.

[@YellowbirdSauce]

100% would adventure with you!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

I always bring the sauce!

[@Clouder77]

Shout out to the SuperPacific owner!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

That’s Duane! I’ll be going camping with him soon.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Wow that was steep! I almost went down a trail like that but it was much longer and on sand. I decided to back all the way out. I've been stuck in soft shale before and it was expensive to be pulled out for such a short distance.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Sand sounds sketchy! Expensive tow that’s a double whammy. Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

[@efone3553]

Great adventure and a good story for your wife to tell all of her girlfriend's. "You won't believe what my crazy husband got me into the other day." I can hear it now.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching

[@riseuporganic]

Glad you got out of the muck brother.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Us too!

[@nicholovlogs4690]

Can’t wait

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Boom

[@MenOfArms]

good to see GM saving a Taco this time😉

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Haha the GMC definitely saved the day!

[@DGILtv]

Holy shit that was crazy dude, glad you had some service man!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Us too

[@desertadventures4221]

Good video!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching (:

[@juliolopez8145]

get a proper Kinetic rope if you want to snap recovery like that. use regular tow strap will easily shock load the transmission or brake the diff. have seem in person 2 times broken ring teeth...

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching be sure to check out some of my other videos I post every Sunday at 6pm where you tuning in from?

[@juliolopez8145]

favorite new channel now. no bs all content..@@jonnytacooutdoors

[@Toasty_0_o]

Damn crazy how stuck you got so quick !!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Sure was! We sank like the titanic

[@erickaesman4001]

Last march I got my F 250 stuck in snow. I was going to jack up the truck one side at a time and put fire wood in the rut/hole under the tires but tried the traction boards first. I dug out a lot of snow from around the tire to reduce friction. It took a couple of trys but i got out, breaking the both boards in the process. They work as advertised. I bought a new set of boards but thought a second set would have been better.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Wow, glad you were able to get out. It’s awesome that your traction boards worked. I think if I would have rolled back onto the traction boards and then put would just pass the traction boards. I think I would’ve rolled right out but instead, I rode past the traction boards, and then I got stuck there. Like you said to having a second set, a total of four traction boards would make a difference also.

[@takenpictures]

The El Paso's are pretty cool to explore. Last Chance Canyon is a fun trail! Did you do any of the optional obstacles? A Tacoma can do everything, except the V Notch. It might, I don't know, but after seeing a few built Jeeps take damage on the V Notch, I've always been too paranoid to try it. Hella years ago, before I bought a Tacoma, I had a first gen Tundy. Last chance was the first trail I tried in it. It was an EPIC failure. I was by myself and ended up stuck. It took me a few hours to get moving again. I took the L and turned around and went home lol. Glad you got off of that lake bed, that shit will eat a Tacoma. Wash the hell out of that frame!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

So glad I wasn’t by myself. Not too sure about the V notch we just got down the trail to get out of there. Pretty knarly trail for sure.

[@Master-Blaster-4x4]

15:22 i really really hope that is a Kinetic strap otherwise you are NOT supposed to yank on a static tow strap only gently pull....just sayin

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

It is NOT a kinetic strap. IT’s a kinetic ROPE. Check out JonnyTacoOutdoors.com for all your outdoor adventure gear. 👊🏻

[@sledge7583]

Did you drive off the main road?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching !

[@ryanmoritz312]

Did you have cell reception? How did you post to Facebook?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

We had a couple bars off service 🙏🏼

[@ryanmoritz312]

@@jonnytacooutdoors my worst fear is to be stuck with no commmunication!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@ryanmoritz312 that’s be scary for sure! I also carry a Garmin just incase I don’t have service and need help

[@curchin6877]

What wheels are on your truck?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Relation RR7

[@curchin6877]

They’re sick. New Tacoma owner here. Love the channel

[@curchin6877]

@@jonnytacooutdoors how big a tire can I put on those w/o rubbing on a stock 4x4 off-road?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@curchin6877 congrats on the tacoma. Glad you’ve found the channel. I post videos every Sunday at 6pm.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@curchin6877 get a 3” lift, I recommend a suspension lift. 35” tires do well with a body mount relocate and maxing out caster on the upper control arms.

[@Raging2inches]

What’s your rim, tire and life on this bad boy. Looks great!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

17” Relation Race Wheel RR7 35” Yokohama Geolander tire

[@Raging2inches]

@@jonnytacooutdoors great looking. No life huh?

[@jezzie1965]

But 100 degrees is barely warm

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Thanks for watching and thanks for leaving a comment it helps my channel grow🙏🏼

[@niteranger6376]

What did you go down that hill in 4 low or crawl?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

4 low and praying my drums brakes didn’t fail

[@niteranger6376]

@@jonnytacooutdoors That was insane!! Glad you all got out of there!!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@niteranger6376 it was insane and it sucked haha. Glad we are safe too.

[@useryggfdcc]

The fancy crawl control with "Mud" selection, MTS didn't work, help at all?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@useryggfdcc didn’t work at all lol

[@AdventureSquadOverland]

Deng to the rescue!!!😅

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

🍿🎬 most definitely muchacho

[@onix5060]

I hope you let your tyre pressure down first before you got all those people out there to help you 😅

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Im not that much of a rookie lol

[@onix5060]

@@jonnytacooutdoors Solid!

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@onix5060 🙏🏼😁 thanks for watching

[@gregorderas5296]

Soda Lake?

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Sounds about right

[@tomb9953]

Not even close, you were at Saltdale. Soda Lake is on the Mojave Road about 200 miles away. Still a great video. Keep chargin.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@tomb9953 I did give the name of the dry lake bed in the video in one of the voiceovers what I found was Koehn Dry Lake

[@tomb9953]

@@jonnytacooutdoors yup, that’s the place.Saltdale is the railhead in one of your shots. Again great video and glad you made it out.👍

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@tomb9953 thanks

[@cocchirodolfo7004]

We love you from italy ❤❤❤

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Italy! Wow how cool! Can you guys tune in this Sunday at 6pm Pacific Standard Time. New video will premiere. ⚡️

[@cocchirodolfo7004]

@@jonnytacooutdoors thanks Jonny ,we bought a Ford ranger wildtrack and we would make overlanding in Europe...we follow you with simpaty

[@luzmariagomez359]

WAY TO GO CHRIS @AVOVERLANDSUPPLY. LOVE TO SUPPORT HIS BUSINESS. HIS SHOP HAS ALL THE LASTEST GADETS AND THINGAMABOBS.

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

Great guy. awesome shop.