Shigeta
W6EXP
All photos shot with Sony A7C, 24-105 F4
"Sorry [mom & dad]; we're not coming down for Thanksgiving this year."
The call to cancel our traditional Thanksgiving this year was short andsweet bitter, but with our careers and family plans ramping up, my girlfriend and I didn't know when we'd get another opportunity to take a week to escape to the wilderness over the holiday season.
Coincidentally, we had done enough shakedown weekends throughout Northern California in my recently-acquired 2006 Land Rover LR3 to feel prepared enough to head out for the week with minimal contact with the general public.
Leading up to the trip, I wanted to get a few projects knocked out—namely new front suspension bushings and some auxiliary lights. I also had a winch on order, but a few parts arrived late and I didn't have the time to get that fully installed before the trip.
We left from the SF Bay Area with a close friend and hauled over to the Eastern Sierras, then pivoted south. Our target for night one: Eureka Dunes in Death Valley.
Although I have a few lifetimes worth of experience on motorcycles, this is my first 4WD vehicle. It took me a while to build up the confidence that the suspension on a 7,000 lb vehicle would withstand (relatively) high speeds on the gnarly washboard roads that seemed to follow us everywhere.
As such, the southward drive into the Eureka Dunes camp was... slow-going. We snagged an isolated spot and set up camp for the night.
The sunlight peeking over the adjacent mountains lit up the Dunes with a soft light that one might only otherwise catch as the sun dips below the horizon.
Despite the gorgeous views, we packed up camp as we had a huge day ahead—Steel Pass through Dedeckera Canyon, over Lippencott Road, then camp at Homestake Camp near the famous "Racetrack."
The steps in Dedeckera Canyon looked gnarly, but the LR3 (and stock Tacoma!) breezed through after some careful planning. I made a lot of time for all the poser shots.
By the time we got to Saline Springs, we were in the mood to chill out the rest of the day. Considering the shorter daylight hours and unknown condition of Lippencott, we decided to set up camp and adjust our schedule the next day accordingly.
Epic views. Epic brews.
For the "Do you sit on your roof when no one is looking?" thread; the view was quite a bit better up here compared to sitting behind chest-height shrubbery.
The next day, we followed some burro tracks in the road and came upon these two.
Lippencott—as expected— was pretty tippy, but very manageable. With the extra weight on my roof, I was particularly concerned about the camber; I may rethink my weight distribution strategy.
After the trials of Lippencott, the Racetrack and Teakettle Junction awaited us.
"Sorry [mom & dad]; we're not coming down for Thanksgiving this year."
The call to cancel our traditional Thanksgiving this year was short and
Coincidentally, we had done enough shakedown weekends throughout Northern California in my recently-acquired 2006 Land Rover LR3 to feel prepared enough to head out for the week with minimal contact with the general public.
Leading up to the trip, I wanted to get a few projects knocked out—namely new front suspension bushings and some auxiliary lights. I also had a winch on order, but a few parts arrived late and I didn't have the time to get that fully installed before the trip.
We left from the SF Bay Area with a close friend and hauled over to the Eastern Sierras, then pivoted south. Our target for night one: Eureka Dunes in Death Valley.
Although I have a few lifetimes worth of experience on motorcycles, this is my first 4WD vehicle. It took me a while to build up the confidence that the suspension on a 7,000 lb vehicle would withstand (relatively) high speeds on the gnarly washboard roads that seemed to follow us everywhere.
As such, the southward drive into the Eureka Dunes camp was... slow-going. We snagged an isolated spot and set up camp for the night.
The sunlight peeking over the adjacent mountains lit up the Dunes with a soft light that one might only otherwise catch as the sun dips below the horizon.
Despite the gorgeous views, we packed up camp as we had a huge day ahead—Steel Pass through Dedeckera Canyon, over Lippencott Road, then camp at Homestake Camp near the famous "Racetrack."
The steps in Dedeckera Canyon looked gnarly, but the LR3 (and stock Tacoma!) breezed through after some careful planning. I made a lot of time for all the poser shots.
By the time we got to Saline Springs, we were in the mood to chill out the rest of the day. Considering the shorter daylight hours and unknown condition of Lippencott, we decided to set up camp and adjust our schedule the next day accordingly.
Epic views. Epic brews.
For the "Do you sit on your roof when no one is looking?" thread; the view was quite a bit better up here compared to sitting behind chest-height shrubbery.
The next day, we followed some burro tracks in the road and came upon these two.
Lippencott—as expected— was pretty tippy, but very manageable. With the extra weight on my roof, I was particularly concerned about the camber; I may rethink my weight distribution strategy.
After the trials of Lippencott, the Racetrack and Teakettle Junction awaited us.
