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WICKENBURG TO PHOENIX BY HELICOPTER

.jpg" style="float:right; padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:10px;
padding-top:0px; padding-right:0px;" alt="Author Photo" />Posted by Maria Langer
on January 24th, 2011

Although my helicopter is still officially based in Wickenburg, it spends a lot
of time down in the Phoenix area where my customer base is. On January 20, I
repositioned it from Wickenburg to Phoenix and shot this video along the way.

In this 2-1/2 minute movie, you’ll see the helicopter’s shadow as I lift off
from Wickenburg Airport and then catch glimpses of downtown. My route took me
past the runway at Rio Vista Hills and then across the open desert where a
handful of RVers were camped out on BLM land. I passed over Carefree Highway
just west of Lake Pleasant, crossed over Route 303 (under construction) and
I-17, and then headed south for landing at Deer Valley.

Take a look; I think you’ll like what you see. Keep in mind that I often offer
cheap seats on one-way or round trip flights for up to three people following
the same basic route; you can get notified of these offers as they become
available by subscribing to Flying M Air news and special offers at Flying M
Air‘s Web site.

Enjoy.



Tags: aerial, helicopters, video | Topic: Photo Tours | 5 comments - (Comments
are closed)


SMUGGLING — OUT WICKENBURG WAY, PART III: WHEN BACKPACKS TALK…STUDYING DISCARDS
AT SMUGGLING SITES

.jpg" style="float:right; padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:10px;
padding-top:0px; padding-right:0px;" alt="Author Photo" />Posted by Ben Leucking
on January 17th, 2011

Part 2 of this series analyzed four clusters containing thirty-eight sites that
are used for human smuggling and trafficking south of Wickenburg and Aguila. A
network of foot trails established a link between one drop-off point and
multiple transfer sites several miles away. Further analysis established the
transportation corridors between Interstate 10 and U.S. 60, and we examined a
region near the Mexican border as a likely source of illegal migration through
our area. Part 3 is a discussion of what can be learned by studying the discards
that litter these sites

Like a moment frozen in time, discarded piles of clothing, backpacks, food and
other items found at transfer sites provide useful insight into smuggling
activities. If the site has not been excessively disturbed, you can determine
the number of individuals in each group; the ratio of male/female migrants; and
the number of juveniles or children. You can distinguish between groups that
have made long treks on foot from those that hiked relatively short distances
(eight hours or less) from a drop-off point, where they had earlier been
re-supplied with food and water. You can even infer the level of confidence —
some might say “arrogance” — of the smuggling organizations by whether the
transfer point has celebratory cases of empty beer bottles littering the scene.
In this third segment we will examine a few of the observations I have made. I
would caution you to not generalize my findings at these thirty-eight sites.
Discard piles at other locations, such as at Antelope Peak, in the Table Top
Wilderness south of Interstate 8, might have very different characteristics from
those I have examined. I speak only about what I have seen.



Figure 1, Ski mask lying atop bare soil, indicating a winter arrival.


SITE USAGE VARIES BY SEASON

The majority of transfer sites south of Aguila appear to be used primarily in
the fall, winter and spring seasons. No “fresh” discard piles or backpacks were
found at any of the 26 sites in the July to October 2010 time frame. The most
recent discards found at several sites were from the April-June 2010 period. It
can be reasoned (but not conclusively) that illegal migrants passing through
these sites depend upon smuggling routes that are more dangerous during the
summer months, such as the Cabeza Prieta NWR and the Goldwater Air Force Range.
With a return to cooler temperatures, activity at these sites will probably
resume.

Unlike the Aguila clusters, activity at transfer sites south of Wickenburg can
be characterized as year around; with the discovery of new discard piles and
backpacks made throughout the summer. Why some of these sites remain active
during the warmest part of the year is uncertain. In any case, the discard piles
also contain winter clothing, including sleeping bags, and an uptick in activity
there is also expected.


APPARENT MIX OF MALE-FEMALE AND CHILDREN OR JUVENILES

Based upon discarded items in the dump piles and the contents of backpacks, 22
of the total sites were exclusively used by males. The remaining 16 show
evidence of use by both males and females. At the sites where women’s clothing
and personal items are found, I estimate the mix to be no greater than 33%
female, although the average is probably closer to 20%. [FOOTNOTE 1] This
necessarily excludes the single known instance, where more than 40 women were
victims of human trafficking. Based solely upon evidence on the ground, I cannot
say whether trafficking is common or rare at the sites used for this study.

I found less than a half dozen backpacks containing juvenile or children’s
clothing or other personal items, such as a little girl’s purse, small mittens
or jackets. The time required to sift through multiple layers of discards in the
dump piles is prohibitive, and children’s clothing could easily be missed.
[FOOTNOTE 2] Nevertheless, I estimate the number of children and young juveniles
to be a very small component at these sites. Migrants passing through these
sites appear to be overwhelmingly adult or older juvenile males (15 years or
older).


PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION

Only one backpack provided information on the identity of an individual — Panki
Pinchupa, from Ecuador. Several backpacks contained items that could be traced
to Central or South American countries — particularly Guatemala. That does not
prove country of origin, only that some number of illegal migrants are passing
through Guatemala to reach Mexico.


COMMONALITY OF BACKPACKS

If you visited several of these sites and merely looked at backpacks lying on
the ground, you would quickly realize that the business of human smuggling is
highly organized. [FOOTNOTE 3] Variation in type of backpacks is very limited,
and is typified by what you see in Figure 2.



Figure 2, Sixteen identical backpacks in one dump site at SMG4. Dark objects are
black, hooded pull-over jackets removed from three packs.

I estimate at least 85% of discarded packs are identical in style and
manufacture to those shown above. These are cheap, poor quality day packs with
one large compartment and one smaller zippered pocket on the outside. Although
they have a deep black color when new, they quickly fade to a greenish color. It
takes no more than two or three months for the sun to bleach the exposed side to
a light gray, as seen above. When new, they look like the black backpack shown
in Figure 3 (center-left).

Within a radius of 50 feet of Figure 2, there are two more discard piles — one
containing nine backpacks and another with eleven. All are identical, and this
scene is repeated at nearly every smuggling transfer site. These are not the
type of packs you would purchase for a journey that frequently begins in Central
America — their capacity is simply too small and their durability is very poor.
How can there be such uniformity involving a common product when there are
dozens of manufacturers from which to select?

The answer, I believe, is that the smuggling organizations either control or
greatly influence the type of packs used for border crossings — at least in the
clusters near Aguila and Wickenburg. Here are several likely reasons:

 * These packs are always black and are difficult to spot at night. Maintaining
   that type of uniformity is beneficial.
 * Their limited capacity makes it unlikely that a migrant will separate from
   the group and strike out on an independent course. If you have only enough
   water or food to survive one or two days, you are likely to remain with your
   guide — especially if you don’t know where the next re-supply point or water
   source is located.
 * If the pack is to be used for only a few days before discarding, why invest
   in a more durable (and costly) product?
 * Human smuggling organizations probably have a financial interest in the sale
   of these packs, as well as the food and water which they contain. By
   purchasing thousands of backpacks each year, they surely obtain volume
   discounts.
 * Using backpacks with only two compartments makes it easy for the guides
   (Coyotes) to check through them before they are discarded at a transfer site.

Though much less common, the discovery of larger, multi- compartmented backpacks
is always a matter of interest to me.

Figure 3 shows several of these packs, as well as one of the “standard issue”
type discussed above. Because they have greater capacity and several small
zippered compartments, they contain a wider variety of items and, frequently,
reveal more information about what a migrant considers important. Non-standard
packs may contain more clothing, medicines or personal hygiene items. The
contents frequently (though not necessarily) indicate the owner was involved in
long distance treks on foot. There is always the possibility with non-standard
packs that a small compartment might still contain documents revealing the
country of origin and route taken by its owner. Some packs have been found
containing hand drawn maps of routes.



Figure 3, Lack of fading shows recent arrival.

The discards shown in Figure 3 reveal other useful information, as well. This
group arrived at a site near Wickenburg during the summer, yet all of the packs
contained lightweight jackets or long-sleeve fleece pull-over tops, similar to
hooded sweat shirts. There was a wider variety in changes of clothing. Notice
also the unopened bottle of electrolyte drink in the center of the photo. These
packs also contained unopened food containers, indicating this group had been
re-supplied within the previous day or two — well after crossing the border into
Arizona. The short elapsed time and distance between the re-supply and pickup
sites did not require consumption of the food items or drinks that were found in
these packs. [FOOTNOTE 4]


NATURAL SIGNS

Winter and spring rains bring new growth to the desert each year. Wildflowers,
common weeds and tall grasses burst from the ground, turning the desert floor
green for a brief time. Low lying areas, especially near washes, may develop
dense undergrowth. Illegal migrant groups who use these areas during the growing
season leave an unmistakable imprint that confirms when they passed through a
transfer point. See Figure 4.



Figure 4, Discards lay on top of flattened spring growth, indicating a late
spring/early summer layup and transfer site used by a small group.

In this image, a small group discarded their travel clothing in tall grass
beneath a mesquite tree. Each discarded article lies on top of bent grass. The
group then settled in under the tree while awaiting pickup at the road’s edge,
(about thirty feet to the right). For comparison, look again at Figure 1. The
ski mask has been moved slightly up and left of its original position. You can
see there is no plant growth under the mask. The person who discarded it was at
that transfer site before spring growth began. The grass grew up around the
mask, where there was sunlight.


MULTIPLE DISCARD PILES

Whether large or small, nearly all transfer sites contain multiple dump piles of
discarded clothing, backpacks, and other items. This observation might seem
confusing, at least initially; but after studying the patterns at each site, the
reason becomes more evident. For example, Figure 5 shows there are two dump
piles at this transfer point. The common factor is that they are both located at
a particular mile post sign near a wash on Wickenburg Road.



Figure 5, Transfer points may be used repeatedly over long periods.

The most ideal transfer points are not always located at or near a highway mile
marker simply because the terrain may not be suitable, or the area is too
exposed. Figure 6 illustrates a transfer site that is between mile markers and
provides exceptional night-time concealment and rapid loading.



Figure 6, Discard piles at SMG18, in wash below road.

The roadway at this location passes over two adjacent washes and is protected
from erosion by a vertical concrete and stone wall. Smuggling organizations use
this site because small groups can wait at the base of the wall without fear of
detection.

Unlike the site in Figure 5, where discards are widely scattered, each of the
dump piles here are compact and well defined. This could mean the coyote guides
maintain tighter discipline over their groups at this site. It is also possible
these groups have not been as rushed. They may have had longer wait times for
transportation. All of the packs at this location are identical to those shown
in Figure 2.


CONTENTS OF BACKPACKS

Illegal migrants may spend six or more days traveling from the border to any of
the sites described in this article, yet their backpacks are incapable of
holding a week’s supply of food, clothing and other personal items. They surely
do not carry 15 or more gallons of water. Instead, their survival depends upon a
logistical system that ensures they are supplied with provisions along the way.
The fact that many backpacks contain uneaten food and unopened bottles of
Electrolit supports this observation.



Figure 7, The standard issue electrolyte beverage found at nearly all sites.
Produced in Mexico by PiSA Pharmaceutica.

Here is a representative sampling of the “typical” contents found in a discarded
pack:

 * One pair of jeans
 * One black or dark pullover jacket
 * One T-shirt or long sleeve shirt
 * One or two changes of underwear
 * One pair socks
 * One or two heavy duty black oversized garbage bags
 * Toothbrush and small toothpaste
 * One small bar of soap
 * Disposable razor
 * Deodorant
 * Comb or brush
 * One roll toilet tissue

Food items:

 * One or more bottles of electrolyte beverage — usually unopened
 * One loaf of Bimbo Blanco Super Pan bread — partially consumed
 * One jar of marmalade — unopened or partially consumed
 * One or more packages of Crackets or Saladitas saltine cracker packs
 * One package Marias Gamesa cookies — unopened
 * One or two cans of tuna — usually unopened
 * One can of refried beans — usually unopened
 * One or two pieces of fresh fruit

The discarded clothes are usually soiled articles from previous days of travel
that have been exchanged for fresh clothes in the pack. The toiletries typically
show use over the duration of the trip. The only appreciable amount of protein
would come from the tuna and beans, but these cans usually remain unopened.

Regardless of a person’s physical condition, it seems unlikely that migrants
could travel six or more days and arrive at these transfer points with food left
over from the beginning of their trek. I believe the food items are provisions
for the final day (or final few hours) of trekking on foot. This can only mean
that two or more re-supply operations occurred before arriving at these sites.
Moreover, the “sameness” of the food — across 38 smuggling sites — strongly
indicates a common source of provisions — an assembly line of standard issue
food meted out in prescribed quantities. In other words, the smuggling
organizations have a logistical system that not only moves people, but it knows
where they are, when they will require fresh provisions, and when they can pick
them up for transport to more distant locations across the state or country.


WHO’S WINNING?

The smuggling sites near

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Aguila and Wickenburg seem to represent an end to traveling primarily on foot
and the beginning of motorized transportation over longer distances. Otherwise,
the backpacks and trail clothing would not have been discarded. The location of
these transfer sites almost certainly means that U.S. 60, SR 71, U.S. 93, and SR
89 are transportation corridors for groups who have transitioned to cars, vans
or trucks. In that sense, you might think of these sites as the last best chance
to apprehend human smugglers, traffickers and their cargo before they vanish
into the vast Interstate highway system. Instead, the discard piles demonstrate
the long term and continuing success of transnational smuggling organizations.



Figure 8, Thirty-one ski masks found in a single discard pile.

Are there more human smuggling sites near Wickenburg and Aguila? In a word —
yes. I began finding layup sites and routes three years before beginning
research for this article — sites that are not included here. Importantly, I
believe more sites will be found as time permits.

There is a small cave near one of the largest smuggling sites. The view of the
desert and mountains from this location would be spectacular, were it not for
the nine transfer points visible from its entrance. The cave may serve as an
observation point for smugglers; it holds the high ground and is well positioned
to perform that role. Inside, you will find votive candles like the one shown in
Figure 9. Judging from the volume of trash littering the desert floor below, and
the chronic indifference of federal immigration authorities in this area, it
would seem that the Patron Saint of Smugglers has been winning for a very long
time.



Figure 9, Cave Votive Candle


FOOTNOTES

 1. Past removal of backpacks can skew this estimate, making it difficult to
    determine the number of migrants that have passed through a site over time.
 2. Excessive disturbance of dump piles also produces the risk of tipping off a
    smuggling organization that their sites are being monitored. Analyzing the
    contents of backpacks provides better context and they can be examined at a
    location away from the smuggling site.
 3. It is also highly profitable. The human smuggling market at the US- Mexico
    border is estimated to generate $6.6 Billion a year for smuggling
    organizations. Lise Olsen and Dudley Althaus, Houston Chronicle, “Lawmakers
    told border crime getting out of hand,” July 22, 2010.
 4. Based upon items found in the discard piles at this site, smuggling groups
    were active in October and November, 2009; and the six months of March
    through August, 2010. There may have been activity during other months of
    2010, but I cannot confirm it.

Tags: immigration | Topic: Observations, Politics | 7 comments - (Comments are
closed)


WICKENBURG CLOUDS TIME-LAPSE

.jpg" style="float:right; padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:10px;
padding-top:0px; padding-right:0px;" alt="Author Photo" />Posted by Maria Langer
on December 31st, 2010

One more time-lapse and then I’ll leave you folks alone.

I shot this yesterday from two different positions at my home in Wickenburg. The
first segment shows pretty much the same view as the time-lapse I shot the day
before: southeast to Vulture Peak. Much prettier with blue skies and sunlight,
no? I especially like the way the sunlight moves across the ground as the sun
climbs into the sky.

When I realized that there was more cloud action out the front of my house, I
moved the camera there for the remaining video, which points northeast. It was
an extremely windy day, with gusts to 30 MPH, and you can clearly see the wind
in our palm tree and my neighbor’s palm tree on the horizon.

Again, I used the camera setting of one shot every 15 seconds, but instead of
compiling at 30 fps as I did the day before, I compiled at only 15 fps. Oddly,
even though I slowed down the movie speed by half, the clouds are still moving
2-3 times faster in this movie than the previous day’s. That’s because of the
wind.

Here’s the movie. If you have high-speed internet, I recommend viewing at the
720p size, full-screen; use the controls at the bottom of the movie frame to set
options.



Comments are always welcome. Use the link or form for this post.

Tags: nature, video, Vulture Peak, weather | Topic: Photo Tours | Comments are
closed


RAINY DESERT DAY TIME-LAPSE

.jpg" style="float:right; padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:10px;
padding-top:0px; padding-right:0px;" alt="Author Photo" />Posted by Maria Langer
on December 29th, 2010

I set up my time-lapse camera before dawn today, determined to catch the entire
day’s weather as a time-lapse movie. The resulting movie covers more than 12
hours with 2,800 individual images.

The photos were shot on the southwest corner of Wickenburg. The knobby mountain
visible in the first half of the movie is Vulture Peak. After the low clouds
moved in, it disappeared from view.

While this isn’t my best effort, it is interesting to see how the weather moved
in and changed direction throughout the day. Enjoy.



Tags: nature, video, weather | Topic: Photo Tours | 3 comments - (Comments are
closed)


SKELETON RIDGE CAVE

.jpg" style="float:right; padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:10px;
padding-top:0px; padding-right:0px;" alt="Author Photo" />Posted by Kathy Block
on December 27th, 2010

In November, 2008, we hiked up Calamity Wash towards Skeleton Ridge. The wash is
two miles up Constellation Road and was described in the late Lee Pearson’s
writeup of January 29, 2007.

In this photo, my husband Ed is getting some welcome shade in this nice little
cave! We are still somewhat active cavers, so enjoyed finding this one.




Tags: geology, nature | Topic: Photo Tours | 3 comments - (Comments are closed)
 
  Older Entries »


RECENT POSTS

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 * Smuggling — Out Wickenburg Way, Part III: When Backpacks Talk…Studying
   Discards at Smuggling Sites
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