+ Films
+ Photography
Corporate
Social
About
Contact

Menu

Jason Outenreath

Filmmaker

+ Films
+ Photography
Corporate
Social
About
Contact

No More Deaths is a humanitarian organization based in southern Arizona.

In order to carry more water, J straps an additional gallon to his chest using a strap from his backpack.

J, an experienced volunteer, leads the final hike of the day in Ajo, AZ, a mile and a half into the desert.

While bushwhacking, J uses GPS to find the waypoint and ensure that the team doesn't get lost.

"Clean water, may God bless you."

In addition to water, non-perishable food such as beans, are placed in covered buckets.

Crates protect the water from animals and the elements.

Everyone rests at a waypoint, exhausted.

After several hikes totaling 6 miles, the temperature reaches 111 degrees, where it is scheduled to hold until 8pm, at which point the forecast drops to 108.

While resting at the trucks, everyone finds shade wherever they can. It's 111 degrees in Ajo, AZ at noon.

Each day the truck must be loaded with water, food, and medical supplies before entering remote, nearly inaccessible roads in the desert. At 6am it is 103 degrees in Ajo, AZ.

Volunteers carry 6-8 gallons of water into the desert, in addition to their own personal water. They carry in excess of 60 pounds of weight in their backpacks on any given hike. At 10am it is 106 degrees.

Water drops are coordinated at waypoints in the desert using GPS. Old water is examined, notes are taken, and new water left.

Encouraging notes are written on all of the water canisters.

While the trucks have access to unpaved roads that splinter throughout the desert, most of the work must be done on foot. At 7:30am, it is 106 degrees in Ajo, AZ.

All of the used water canisters are removed from the desert.

No More Deaths coordinates volunteers in teams. Each team consists of at least one Spanish speaker, one medically trained individual, as well as support members. The team aspect is essential to the work No More Deaths does, as the heat and ter

C refills her water bottle in preparation for another hike.

A small fleet of 1990's dodge trucks are the workhorses of No More Deaths. They break down sometimes.

Extensive notes detail which waypoints receive the most traffic.

Note taking time.

No More Deaths volunteers prepare to hike into the desert again in 111 degree heat.

The water is hot enough to make coffee, as it sits in the back of the truck for long periods of time exposed to the sun.

J rests and recovers. The heat feels the most brutal on the last hike of the day, now on mile 10. A cool breeze in the shade still clocks in at well over 100 degrees, but provides some much needed relief from the sun.

The terrain is desolate and otherworldly. The plants are sharp and jagged, there are rocks everywhere, and one must always watch out for rattle snakes, gila monsters, and other dangerous animal life.