Death by La Aguja

Smugglers direct migrants to walk from the border towards La Aguja, meaning “the needle” in Spanish, as their navigational target.

An Attractive Death-Trap

Known locally as Sheep Peak, La Aguja (“The Needle”) is a place of immense danger. Over 120 people have died within a six-mile radius of this landmark. They are victims of the extreme heat, combined with lack of water. The absence of cell phone coverage prevents them from calling 911 and hence they are vulnerable to fatal heat exhaustion.

During the summer months, temperatures can exceed 120 F on the desert floor near La Aguja. If a traveler has walked the 35 miles from the border to the vicinity of La Aguja, they are certain to be out of water. A minimum of 2 gallons per day is needed. Walking 35 miles takes 2-3 days depending on the individual. A four-day supply of water would be 8 gallons (64 lbs). Once the traveler gets near La Aguja they still have several days of hiking ahead of them.

La Aguja: A 1,200 Foot Landmark

Smugglers use La Aguja as a landmark to guide undocumented migrants, and it has become a grim and some say haunted symbol of the deadly risks that Growler Valley travelers face. The isolation and harsh conditions make it the deadly center of the Growler Valley within Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. This motivates the urgent need for CPR (Cabeza Prieta Rescue) using two portable cell towers to save lives.

We have spoken repeatedly with Land Managers at Cabeza Prieta and Luke AFB as well as Border Patrol and Search and Rescue Groups. They were all verbally supportive of Cell Coverage in the region since it helps their personnel and their different missions.

One Cell Tower in the North and in the South of Growler Valley will provide enough cell coverage to reach 90% of the Growler Valley as well as part of Organ Pipe and Luke Air Force Base.