I found something I never wanted to find and what we all fear of finding.

[hothardrocks]

I was in the very far reaches of the Amargosa Desert prospecting out of my buggy in some very remote rugged country and there he was laying there in front of me and had been there since 1987. I reported it to the sheriff and guided them to his location. This was a few weeks ago and I wish one of the agencies would give news, work on the case or something. I hope they tell his family and friends.

Robert Lapergola

oag.ca.gov

 

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[DizzyDigger]

Perhaps a mention of what you found, minus the image, would have been more than sufficient. I would have happily spent my whole life without seeing that pic.

 

[alan1572]

Any good finds?

 

[ARC]

there since 1987 ?
This seems odd that he was still intact like that.

 

[RustyGold]

Sad ending. Godspeed! Whomever you were.

 

[pepperj]

there since 1987 ?
This seems odd that he was still intact like that.

It can occur in the arid conditions of the desert.
Mummified basically, if not disturbed by predators.

 

[ARC]

It can occur in the arid conditions of the desert.
Mummified basically, if not disturbed by predators.

Agreed... but exposed as this situation seems unusual.
Also....
Clothes intact after that period of time also seems odd.

Just seems like the timeline does not match.

 

[robertk]

It can occur in the arid conditions of the desert.
Mummified basically, if not disturbed by predators.

Even the clothing seems intact -- after 40 years laying out in the sun?

 

[tamrock]

Sad, but good to finally have an answer to his disappearance. I guess it's just one more reminder that hunting for treasure can and will have consequences.

 

[pepperj]

Even the clothing seems intact -- after 40 years laying out in the sun?

Synthetic fibers take a lot longer since they are predominantly made from plastics. Nylon fabric takes 30 to 40 years, whereas lycra and polyester will take 500+ years to decompose.

 

[ARC]

Synthetic fibers take a lot longer since they are predominantly made from plastics. Nylon fabric takes 30 to 40 years, whereas lycra and polyester will take 500+ years to decompose.

Bah... you can take those "stats" and scratch it.
I have watched plastics of all types degrade in only a few years here.
Some... in one year.
The Florida sun must be harsher ? ?
Guess thats why we are called the sunshine state.
Um... the BEST made tarp here will last no more than three years before finally turning to dust.

 

[pepperj]

The authorities would of done a post-mortem to determine the cause of death. (natural causes/exposure)
I'm sure they'll be looking for extra holes, and the skull for fractures.

The search and rescue (if conducted) failed as he was in wide open. One would think that the shorts would of been a contrast to the ground and stood out being a light color.

At least now if there's any family members they can lay him to rest and have closure.

 

[pepperj]

Bah... you can take those "stats" and scratch it.

I have watched plastics of all types degrade in only a few years here.
Some... in one year.
The Florida sun must be harsher ? ?

Guess thats why we are called the sunshine state.

Um... the BEST made tarp here will last no more than three years before finally turning to dust.

Not every plastic or cheap tarp is created the same.
It's comparing apples and oranges with baseballs, sure they're round, but it stops there.
Buy heavy woven hay tarps-oh ya the price point is the factor-$300
Ponder this one-Shrink wrap covering a boat-plastic and it will be there for years.

Fl.- Hot and humid
Death Valley- Hot Arid and dry

 

[robertk]

Synthetic fibers take a lot longer since they are predominantly made from plastics. Nylon fabric takes 30 to 40 years, whereas lycra and polyester will take 500+ years to decompose.

Agreed. But the description of what the man was last seen wearing said he was wearing denim -- which is mostly cotton.

 

[pepperj]

Agreed. But the description of what the man was last seen wearing said he was wearing denim -- which is mostly cotton.

Yes good point Robert.
That's why the shorts appeared to be white in the photo, just sun bleached.

Still dry arid conditions with hardly any moisture exposure things stay in better condition.
Dehydration of foods lasts 25+ yrs-left on the counter a few days.
(Kind of like the Fl & Death valley example)

 

[hothardrocks]

Perhaps a mention of what you found, minus the image, would have been more than sufficient. I would have happily spent my whole life without seeing that pic.

Perhaps you are correct. Also, take into account my post HAD to be approved before it would go public. Also, take into account this is only one picture I posted out of many because I didn't want this post to be gore but I want to be believed and not mocked. Perhaps I too could have gone my entire life happily and never found something like this. But, here we are and you have my cotton ball padded apology for horrifying you. I truly hope you can recover and move on from this. FYI just look at the evening news at any given day for much more horror and gore than this.

 

[hothardrocks]

Any good finds?

I did find a little piece a few miles north from there. I'm following some historic claims and I do plan to go back out there. It is just so vast, harsh and dangerous. Are there any NYE county prospectors out there that want to team up and watch each others backs? I think I am on to some stuff.

 

[tamrock]

I did find a little piece a few miles north from there. I'm following some historic claims and I do plan to go back out there. It is just so vast, harsh and dangerous. Are there any NYE county prospectors out there that want to team up and watch each others backs? I think I am on to some stuff.

Well I am retired and it does sound intriguing. I always did like taking trips to Beatty when they were operating a gold mine back in the mid 1990s in the area. I can't remember the name of that mine, but I think it was a company by the name of LAC Minerals that came in bought a bunch of stuff and fizzled out like so many. I hit a decent jackpot in a little casino there in Beatty, which was one of those kind of towns where everyone made you feel like they knew you as a friend.

 

[hothardrocks]

Well I am retired and it does sound intriguing. I always did like taking trips to Beatty when they were operating a gold mine back in the mid 1990s in the area. I can't remember the name of that mine, but I think it was a company by the name of LAC Minerals that came in bought a bunch of stuff and fizzled out like so many. I hit a decent jackpot in a little casino there in Beatty, which was one of those kind of towns where everyone made you feel like they knew you as a friend.

I am in Pahrump about an hour east of Death Valley. About 15 minutes south of Jonnie Mine. If you want to PM me and see if you might want to come out I am happy to chat and see if we can make something work. Summer is coming soon. Last year I saw 140 in the shade and the rocks in the sun were 160. It becomes like our winter here on those days where we stay inside a lot.

 

[tamrock]

I am in Pahrump about an hour east of Death Valley. About 15 minutes south of Jonnie Mine. If you want to PM me and see if you might want to come out I am happy to chat and see if we can make something work. Summer is coming soon. Last year I saw 140 in the shade and the rocks in the sun were 160. It becomes like our winter here on those days where we stay inside a lot.

Well it might be a passion I would need to put some thought into. I live in Lafayette, Colorado. Dang right it's a big time cook'er out there. Sadly no one was making a Camelbak Water Bladder Backpack in poor Robert Lapergolas time. Is there any active mines doing anything out that way today? I'm still peddling mine supplies a little on the side part time now, but do have the ability to obtain a travel expense if it's a fairly promising prospect.