And to think...a $3 map and a $50 GPS could have prevented all this.

Or, taking HWY 42 to the Coast like any sane person would have...this was a pretty hefty price to pay for taking the 'Scenic Route'.

/I live 40 miles north of the area where he died. The outback hereabouts is nothing to trifle with.

Well the road he went down was vandalized by some punks who removed the road block.

Well, sadly, they just made some basic bad decisions. Don't take a dodgy off the path road when bad weather is pending. Don't leave your only source of shelter and heat when you are not clothed to survive the night. They didn't do too badly, they did some smart stuff. James leaving the car overnight was not smart.