Trans NV 2008

[dlbrunner]

Trans NV 2008, June 21-29

OK folks, This is my first "documented" Adventure, so bear with me.

June 21-29 2008, I will be undertaking a transit across Nevada from East to west. The trip will be all north of I-80. We plan to start at the UT border and make it to the CA border touching as little pavement as possible.

So far there will be 2 rigs, my buddy's 66 FJ 40 and my roommate's 99 Disco 2. There may be another FJ40 jump in, but they are not for sure yet

First some specs:

66 FJ40: ARB F/R. 350 Chevy/NV4500. Rhino lined inside and out. No top, no doors. 40 gal fuel capacity (400 mile range). 31" BFG. 2" OME suspension. Warn 8000 2 spares "The Coolmobile"

99 Disco 2: 4.6 Engine conversion. Center diff lock. Viair oba. Rear ARB (not in yet) Rovertyme bumper/ Sliders. rear armor. 2 spares. "The big tomato"

Some History: Having lived in NV for 15 years, I cut my teeth wheeling out there. I have done most of the transit before up to Tuscarora, but further east my travels are limited. I worked at a few of the mines, and spent 30 days one winter out in Black Rock. I am well familiar with the terrain, weather and topography, so I know that things can get dicey in a heartbeat.

My buddy with the 40 has well over 60,000 miles off pavement in N. NV, and he has done the transit in it's entirety 2x before.

Next post will be the tenative schedule and route

:jump:

 

[dlbrunner]

Tentative Route:

June 20, Friday 5:00 PM:

Leave Phoenix, travel to Ely, NV.

June 21, Saturday:
Travel up the east side of the Ruby Mtns, meet my buddy in Wells, NV continue to UT border via Montello. (Rob menu, Beef Barley soup?)

June 22, Sunday:
UT borter to Jarbidge, NV. Drink beers in Jarbidge (hunters stew)

June 23 Monday:
Jarbidge to Midas NV. Drive through Tuscarora/Wildhorse. (long day) (killer cuscos chicken. thanks flounder!!!!)
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14372


June 24 Tuesday:
Midas to Santa rosa MTNs (possibly go to Winnemucca for dinner) We will travel up the east side of the snow storm mountains, to chiminey reservoir, then over to Hinkey summit. (matin hotel/

june 25, Wednesday:
Santa rosa Mtns to Black rock desert. I am hoping to find a dirt road from paradise valley to sand pass road, then over the sand dunes to Jungo/Sulpher. We have a special camping spot east of Black rock hot springs that we roll into. ((blackrock cheese-steaks)

june 26, Thursday:
Day off. we will hang out in Back rock all day. The purpose of this trip is to spread the ashes of my old male Siberian husky. I put him down May 10, 2008. He was 12 and has been on all of this trip himself. my buddy with the FJ-40 used to take him camping when I couldn't. They even hiked buckskin gulch together and had a real bond. I plan to build a small cairn in his memory in the black rock range. Sniff. I'll probably drink a lot that day. (omlettes, big cookout/prime rib/crablegs) Mucho Guiness.

June 27, Friday
Black rock to California. I only plan on setting one foot in Kali, promtly turning around and driving back to Reno. (ox tail soup)

June 28, Saturday
Chill in Reno with some old friends, I may try and set up a happy hour at louie's Basque Corner, with an open invite to Portal dudes and gals. (louies basque baby!)

June 29, Sunday
Marathon Day! Me and my roomie will power out the last 700+ miles From reno to Phoenix. I'll need a can of chew for this one! (fast crappy food)

We are estimating 2200 miles total (to give a little wiggle room)

i amost forgot, my 9 year old female Siberian Husky will also be coming along. She loves camping trips and will be stoked to see the snow.

Feel free to comment.

 

[calamaridog]

Sounds fun

What are the more challenging sections?

 

[dlbrunner]

Terrain is 4000 to 9,000 feet. some of the mountain passes may not be melted.

It is High Desert, so the temps could be 105 out on the Black Rock. My dad was up near Elko last week prospecting, and he said it was snowing and cold. I have been in near zero degree weather in june in NV. 20 to 30 below in the winter is not uncommon.


there will be all kinds of terrain. some slick rock, deep sand, mud, rocks, snow. You name it. 450 miles of dirt and 2 track will be plenty challenging. We want to pretty much hit it all. The biggest challenge will be washed out roads and fallen trees.

The hill climb out of midas to the snow storms is GNARLY. My first trip to Midas the back way was at night, I was looking at the GPS and it said we were 3 miles from Midas and 1600 feet higher!!!

The trip will rule because it will be wild flower season!!!!

I'll see if I can scan in some old pictures as teasers

 

[dlbrunner]

I think the most challenging section will be from montello to Jarbidge, it is kind of the "Empty Quarter" of the State. The big mountains are in that area.

I could be totally wrong though, We may get out to the Santa Rosas, and a road I have driven on a zillion times could be washed out to be impassable.

The unknown is half the fun!

I am very concerned about snow though, my buddy flew over NV a few days ago and he said a lot of the mountain ranges still havea lot of snow.

:sombrero:

 

[dlbrunner]

Jan 2007 Crossing the Black Rock Desert. This will be at the end of the trip

 

[dlbrunner]

The mascott

 

[SOAZ]

Danica wants to know why the HECK you didn't bring that dog over. Fair warning... she may try to steal that dog!

Looks like a great adventure!!
Any more pics ot past Nev adventures of the areas you'll be covering.

 

[BLKNBLU]

Just out of curiosity, did I coin the phrase "big tomato", or was that already the Disco's moniker and I just fell into it by dumb luck?

BTW, I'm jealous of this trip.

 

[jcbrandon]

I am very concerned about snow though, my buddy flew over NV a few days ago and he said a lot of the mountain ranges still have a lot of snow.

The snow is melting fast. I live at 4,880 feet, just east of Lake Tahoe. Mountains ten miles to the west are just under 11,000. Snow up top but none below 9,000. That cold spell we had a couple of weeks ago brought some freshies, but it melted quickly. What's left is the remains of winter.

You're wise to beware, though. It can change very quickly.

 

[dlbrunner]

Mike- You did coin the term, you get full credit. I said it to Grady, and he lowered his head, so it stuck

Tim- You and Danica don't have a cat do you? Niki aka: crackhead, loves cats, she thinks they are fun to chase and taste really good. I'll have her with me tonight

She will be making a lot more appearances on trips etc... I did not really have them out this last year since the male was in poor health. Now that she is without her companion, I will be taking her everywhere, again. She is attached to my knee.

Niki is quite a bit more shy than the male was, he would hang out with anyone, as long as you had food, or gave him a good scratch, kind of like me! She was a rescue at 3yrs, she has a shy personality, but getting knocked around certainly didin't help.

She did real well on our last trip, knew to get in the shade, keep clear of the trucks etc...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Wow, I'm excited to see how your trips turns out, you've laid out some great routes!

We will be re-fueling in Wendover (NV/UT) on Saturday morning-afternoon on Saturday June 21st)... figure we'll be ~20 miles from you. Would be neat to meet up! We will be exploring the Newfoundland Mtns, fueling in Wendover and heading into the Silver Island Mountains.

PS, your dates are wrong on your itinerary. :shakin:

 

[dlbrunner]

Wow, I'm excited to see how your trips turns out, you've laid out some great routes!

We will be re-fueling in Wendover (NV/UT) on Saturday morning-afternoon on Saturday June 21st)... figure we'll be ~20 miles from you. Would be neat to meet up! We will be exploring the Newfoundland Mtns, fueling in Wendover and heading into the Silver Island Mountains.

PS, your dates are wrong on your itinerary. :shakin:

Fixed the dates

It would be sweet to meet up and sniff tailpipes if it works. I should have my SPoT unit on and traking. Our Friday/Saturday meet up with my buddy is still a little fluid at this point. He is undecided if he is coming out the 50 to Ely, or do the 80 to Wells. We will also be fueling in Wendover on Saturdy for sure, we will need to top off before we start the trek. I imagine we will be there in the afternoon. I was a FJ 40 guy, still am at heart!

Since it sounds like the snow will be mostly gone, now we get to deal with Mud!!!!

 

[jcbrandon]

Keep us posted on that Saturday the 28th happy hour. I'd be happy to buy you a Picon after that trip.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Fixed the dates

It would be sweet to meet up and sniff tailpipes if it works. I should have my SPoT unit on and traking. Our Friday/Saturday meet up with my buddy is still a little fluid at this point. He is undecided if he is coming out the 50 to Ely, or do the 80 to Wells. We will also be fueling in Wendover on Saturdy for sure, we will need to top off before we start the trek. I imagine we will be there in the afternoon. I was a FJ 40 guy, still am at heart!

Since it sounds like the snow will be mostly gone, now we get to deal with Mud!!!!

Lets stay in touch before you start. Our Saturday plans are pretty fluid at this point too. We could meet you in Modello, or meet in Wendover?