Devil's Road 2
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Hi, I'm Bryan yeaton and this is the Weather Notebook.

Yesterday we heard about the story of Pablo Valencia. At the turn of the century this prospector became lost in the hundred degree heat of Arizona, and survived for 6 1/2 days with no food or water. More than 75 years later, a desert historian set out on an expedition to retrace Valencia's route. He got more than he bargained for, as Jeff Rice reports today.

Bill Broyles is an experienced desert rat, and is used to camping in the hottest conditions. He was expecting this to be an expedition just like any other.

BB: I read an account by W.J. Mcgee called "Thirst as Disease" published around 1906.

It was the tale of pablo Valencia. And as a writer and historian, Broyles couldn't resist. He would retrace Valencia's tortured route through the desert. Of course, he hoped to avoid the torture. He planned his trip carefully. But when he got to his water cache...

BB: The coyotes had dug it up, had shredded the plastic jug... I got to this place. it was about 116 degrees and I had no water.

In such extreme temperatures, even walking a mile without water can be life threatening. Under these conditions, experts recommend drinking as much as two gallons of water per day. Without it, dehydration and heat stroke can strike within hours. This was a little bit too realistic.

BB: Turkey vultures circling were circling overhead. I was beyond hope out there.

Broyles drew on his knowledge of the area and knew his only chance was to reach a remote ranch house 10 miles away. He waited under the narrow shade of a palo verde tree, and when nightfall came, he made the journey. He was fortunate. The ranchers were home. But for a short time at least, history disappeared and certain truths proved timeless.

BB: That's one of the things about heat is if you don't have water... you're not going anyplace.

Jeff Rice lives in Boise, Idaho. The Weather Notebook is a production of the Mount Washington Observatory. It is underwritten by the National Science Foundation and Subaru, the beauty of all-wheel-drive.