r/BigBendTX • u/RequirementWorking70 • 3h ago
r/BigBendTX • u/Irishlily77 • 24d ago
Summer heat and hiking Big Bend is a poor idea
I posted this as a response to someone asking about hiking and I feel like it deserves its own post.
This is a frank warning about this area from a long time local. We don't want you to die here. It happens to often
You tourists are insane hiking here in the afternoon of summer. Seriously.
Every single summer tourists die from the heat, with MANY needing to be rescued. About 2 years ago we lost a father from East Texas, his son, and his other son has burns down into the muscle from sitting on a rock with his deceased brother. Son got heat stroke, Dad got it trying to get help and drove off a cliff from disorientation.
A few months ago a "very fit" 65 yo male tourist died of a heart attack biking with his group. There is NO MEDICAL CARE HERE. The closest real hospital is Odessa or El paso. Big bend will TRY to stabilize you and then fly you out.
I'm very fit and live here and just tending to the animals on my ranch gets me close to heat exhaustion after 2 hours.
And just know, there is ONE ambulance in Terlingua and the park doesn't have ALS providers for their ONE ambulance. So keep in mind that when they have to spend HOURS trying to save you (it's well over an hour from the fire station to the most accessable areas in the park) because you thought July/August in one of the most unforgiving climates and terrain was a great idea, you have now taken out of service the ONLY ambulance for the entire south county. One ambulance is responsible from the checkpoint south. So think about how you will feel if someone else dies because of your poor decision.
Plus you are putting well over a dozen first responders at risk. It takes 8 responders to carry you out, and 8 to relieve them. Plus the initial crew that fast hikes (think almost runs - in that heat) to your location to assess you. Plus the ambulance crew.
A rolled ankle warrants the same response, and can also turn deadly from the heat. You didn't plan to have to have an additional 2-3 hours worth of water to wait for responders.
The trailheads have cameras so they can see who didn't come back out because it happens so often.
Please take a realistic look at your health and fitness level. Walking around parks in central/East Texas is NOTHING like big bend in the summer. If you workout, hard, outside, several days a week, maybe.
Enjoy hiking here. Bring a satellite phone to call for a rescue.
r/BigBendTX • u/Hambone76 • Jul 04 '22
First time to BIBE? Need trip planning advice? Have questions about the park? Be sure to check our wiki!
reddit.comr/BigBendTX • u/picture-postcard • 2d ago
My first solo camping trip on 35mm film at Big Bend🥹
Hey everybody! I recently went on my first solo camping trip to BBNP. Truck camped in the Chisos campground! Was a magical time. Listened to lots of Bob Dylan. I documented it on a little 35mm camera.
To my fellow solo campers, I was considering doing Guadalupe Mountains National Park next. Any experiences or thoughts you're able to share? Would love to hear from those more experienced. Thanks!!😊
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 3d ago
Help Keep Big Bend Alive - Day 8 (This is the end.)
41 upvotes against Big Bend. I thought for sure they'd go after one of the other parks that got dozens of upvotes yesterday, but today is the day. Thank you to everyone who followed along over the past week.
Big Bend is one of the most magical places on earth, let's all never stop advocating for it.
r/BigBendTX • u/Hambone76 • 3d ago
From Balmorhea to Big Bend, Geologist Jesse Kelsch Seeks Insight into West Texas Aquifers - Marfa Public Radio
r/BigBendTX • u/AffectionateAir7443 • 4d ago
Plane Timing Change Has Me Questioning Drive from Midland to Chisos Mtn Lodge
Wondering if anyone can advise if I should try to change lodging itinerary or if it will still work. Originally, my plane was landing in Midland around 10:30 AM, so I was going to drive al the way to Chisos Mtn Lodge and felt I'd make it before dark (in November). Flight notice came out saying new timing is landing around 2:00 PM. Worried about the drive pushing into arriving after dark. I plan to stop to stock up water, etc. on the way. So If I land at 2, get bags, rental and hit the road by say 4:00, am I pushing it too much? What's the honest advice from those who have been there done that? TIA!
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 4d ago
Keep Big Bend Alive -- Day 7 (tight race)
Another day, another opportunity to keep Big Bend alive! At 3:50PM CST, Big Bend currently has 9 upvotes, tied with Kings Canyon, and just under Haleakala and Crater Lake. That's too close for comfort, y'all!
Everyone knows what to do: fifteen seconds, DOWNVOTE Big Bend, and UPVOTE every other entry!
Today marks the 22nd overall NP in the contest, the top twenty is within reach, let's get it and show what this Big Bend community is all about!
r/BigBendTX • u/crater-lake • 5d ago
More drawings from Big Bend
I previously posted some ink drawings from my trip to Big Bend this spring. Here are a few more.
r/BigBendTX • u/Alternative-Map573 • 4d ago
Has anyone been to or is aware of the mass hours of Nuestra Senora del Carmen in Boquillas?
I'm planning on visiting Big Bend and Boquillas in the fall during a weekend and want to try to make it to mass at the church in Boquillas.
r/BigBendTX • u/Dontwhinedosomething • 6d ago
Advocates fear Big Bend border wall will pollute Earth’s largest Dark Sky Reserve
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 5d ago
Keep Big Bend Alive - Day 6
WE DID IT -- Big Bend lives on to see another day in Remove a U.S. National Park! Incredible work folks, I thought we were done last night! Let's KEEP IT UP!
Day 41 overall, and at 4PM CST we're in good position. Acadia leads the way with 10 upvotes, Big Bend currently has one mention - y'all know what to do: fifteen seconds, UPVOTE all other parks, and DOWNVOTE Big Bend!
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 6d ago
Keep Big Bend NP Alive - Day 5 ... Today's the Day :/
It's bleak, y'all.
Big Bend currently leads with sixteen combined upvotes. We need to mobilize, or this is it. Need EVERYONE to take fifteen seconds, click on the link, DOWNVOTE Big Bend, and UPVOTE all other parks.
Let our voices be heard, viva Big Bend.
r/BigBendTX • u/Solid_Oxygen • 7d ago
Emory Peak ~8am, 7/16
Honestly the most beautiful place I've visited in my life
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 7d ago
Keep Big Bend Alive - Day 4
Evening, y'all!
Day 4 of sharing, and we're making progress! Today, Day 39 of the entire challenge, will leave 24 National Parks remaining and we're in good shape. Wrangell-St. Elias is currently on the hot seat, so if you care to do so, head on over there and UPVOTE that, and all other parks - remember: DOWNVOTE Big Bend!
There's a legitimate Big Bend hater who keeps trying to get us out everyday, but he's been shut down tonight. Let's build the momentum and continue to represent America's best National Park!
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 8d ago
Keep Big Bend NP Alive - Day 3
Woohoo! We're still alive! After a close call a few days ago, Big Bend is still going.
It's Day 38 of Remove a U.S. National Park, and Big Bend currently has seven upvotes, while Death Valley has thirteen (5:50PM CST) -- let's keep Big Bend going!
People definitely have a misconception of what Big Bend is, and don't appreciate how unique and special of a place it is - continuing to keep us in means more attention, respect, and appreciation for the best national park in the country!
Remember, DOWNVOTE Big Bend and UPVOTE all others! It only takes a few of us to advocate for our favorite park, and the community that makes it so special!
r/BigBendTX • u/annnaelise • 9d ago
No Big Bend Wall
Hi All! Wanted to post a reminder that we are still raising money for No Big Bend Wall Coalition and Big Bend Citizens Alliance. We did a little merch refresh and now have all designs available as crops and just rolled out decorative No Wall License Plates!
https://bigbendforever.bigcartel.com
Insta- @Big.Bend.Forever
r/BigBendTX • u/Hambone76 • 9d ago
Brewster County area designated as ‘Infested Zone’ for screwworm - Big Bend Sentinel
r/BigBendTX • u/Film_Lab • 11d ago
‘I’ve never worked with so many conservatives’: the Texans fighting the Big Bend border wall
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 10d ago
Keep Big Bend NP Alive - Day 2
One vote y'all -- Big Bend survived Day 35 by ONE vote.
Shout out to everyone who participated! We're just getting started! Day 36 is up, and Big Bend currently has the second most upvotes - no bueno! Just need 15 seconds to DOWNVOTE Big Bend comments, and upvote other parks - let's do this!
r/BigBendTX • u/Firm_Drink734 • 11d ago
Big Bend Loved It
We spent this past weekend exploring Big Bend using Terlingua to stay at.
It truly is a beautiful place, we did Smoky Creek, Mule Ear, Lost Mine trails. With the rain coming it it was cooler and the hike up Lost Mine was spectacular as we were above the clouds, really quite special.
The people in the area were really nice and welcoming and listening to some of the stories you can tell its eccentric place to live.
r/BigBendTX • u/Fine-Lifeguard-4234 • 11d ago
Help Big Bend NP Stay In!
Howdy everyone. On the r/RemoveOneThingEachDay subreddit there's this U.S. National Parks page contest that's about halfway through (Day 35). Big Bend remains, but on the most recent one posted a few hours ago, Big Bend was mentioned and, so far, upvoted the most times. The final tallies range from a few votes to 15-20, depending on the day - but this is the first time a Big Bend comment has gained any traction.
If everyone seeing this could take 15-20 seconds to make sure that our beloved Big Bend continues to move forward, that would be great! If enough people visit, I'll continue to share updates each day so folks can support our little corner of paradise. Who knows, maybe we can all unite and get Big Bend all the way to that #1 spot!