Thanks & Respects

There have been human travelers in Death Valley for thousands of years. The native Timbisha-Shoshone are known to be the first on record and the Lost 49ers have proven to be the most infamous. Prospectors like Shorty Harris and characters like Death Valley Scotty have all contributed to the lore of this special land and I can’t help but pay respect to their rightful place in Death Valley’s history.

In more recent times, travelers like myself have quietly left footprints on the salt and sand in pursuit of adventure. I don’t know them all personally, but I have read and heard accounts of individuals who have all challenged Death Valley. Men like Al Arnold, who was the first to run from Badwater to Mt. Whitney. Denesh Desai, who traveled up the roads of Death Valley in the July heat. Gary Gray & Bert Courtney, who together, hiked a contiguous path along the drainage of Death Valley. Ken the Nomad, who made a very impressive loop through the park. Colin Fletcher, whose books taught me how to carry my home on my back. Chris Willett, who gave me great information following his own trek down the valley floor. Grubstake, who plotted many of the miles I walked. Charlie Callagan, who has spent an immeasurable amount of time gaining knowledge of the park’s wilderness.  And more…

The point I want to make is that what I have done should not be received as more important or impressive than any other trek completed in or out of Death Valley. I claim no ownership, entitlement or feel at all possessive over the beautiful land we know and love. If I found out today that I followed, step for step, the exact path of another walker, my life would not change.

The fact that a cross-country/cross-range (versus valley floor/highway routes) trek from border to border was not known to have been done before was brought to my attention by the park’s Wilderness Coordinator after my trek was completed. I was not setting out to do anything other than go for a walk and photograph the beauty of the land. It just so happens that the walk I took along the length of the park had not been done before.

My prayers are with all of those who have and will travel through the desert. I hope you find that for which you search.

The following is a growing list of names of individuals who contributed in making my trek and book possible:

Erin Homrich
Roger & Norma Homrich
Brandon Lippard
Grubstake (President, Death Valley Hiker Association)
Charlie Callagan (Wilderness Coordinator, Death Valley National Park and Backcountry Expert)
The Men & Women of Death Valley National Park
Residents of the Death Valley and Surrounding Areas
Brian Frankle (ULA Equipment)
Chris Willett
The Men & Women of REI
The Men & Women of Adventure 16
The Men & Women of Patagonia
Mike from Salsberry Pass
“The Great Desert Hiker”
Shoshone Gas Station Attendant
Marcus Hoffman
Steve Albiston
Tim Shisler
MacKenzie Ryan
The Men and Women of Backpacker Magazine
Rachel Johnson
Ron Montri
Zeke Barlow
Dana Bartholomew

Thank you to all my family and friends who have shaped my life and offered your prayers. Your love and support hold my life together.

I dedicate this walk to my grandfather, Ivan Homrich. May his laughter rustle the stalks in the fields of Heaven.

Roger Homrich