Couple Follows GPS, Gets Stranded For Three Days

While GPS can be a great tool, following the directions of a GPS system without question isn't always the best move, as one couple from Nevada recently found out. After leaving Portland, John Rhoads, 65, and his wife, Starry Bush-Rhoads, 67, followed their Toyota Sequoia's GPS system as it directed them down a remote forest road.

The GPS system took them south on U.S. Highway 97 to Oregon Highway 31, which goes through Silver Lake and Lakeview before connecting with U.S. Highway 395 to Reno. While in Silver Lake, the GPS system told the Rhoads to turn right on Forest Service Road 28 and then take a few other spur roads. Nearly 35 miles later, the Rhoads found themselves stuck in about 1 ½ feet of snow near a place called the Thompson Reservoir.


Thankfully, the Rhoads were prepared: They had warm clothing, water, and food as well as cell phones with GPS. The problem is their phones were unable to get service. Finally, three days later, atmospheric conditions apparently changed enough so that their GPS-enabled phones could get a weak signal and relay coordinates to a dispatcher. A Lake County deputy then found the Rhoads and pulled their four-wheel-drive Toyota Sequoia out of the snow with a winch.