"Death Valley Chiller" Jan 12th-15th!

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Ok, after the Thanksgiving trip, i am one of the many hooked on Death Valley and itching to go back. Also, it was the first time i have got to use my cold weather gear since i have lived on the "Left Coast".

I am itching to do more cold weather/high altitude/snow camping.

I propose the first annual "Death Valley Chiller" on Martin Luther Kings B-day weekend!

Plan will be to

-Meet up EARLY Friday AM at the Lone Pine Mobil
-Explore the park as much as we can and navigate our way to a nice "Established Campground", peferably Mahoganey Flats to set up camp for the first night and take it easy!
-Have a nice and warm sleep
-Wake early (probably no other choice, )
-Head to "Badwater Basin"which is the LOWEST point in the park
-Explore as much of the park as possible
-Make way to "Dantes View" to setup camp for the night at 5500ft
-Wake Sunday and head to "White Top Mountain", via Titus Canyon, The Ubehebe Crater and the Racetrack.
-Camp atop "White Top Mtn" (7200ft) Sunday PM
-Head out Monday AM for home, via Stovepipe Wells and Checking out the Mosaic Canyon on the way out!

Anyone interested? :smiley_drive:

I Would like to limit this trip to 5 trucks that have the following:

-Previous Cold Weather Camping Experience (it will most like drop BELOW Zero all 3 nights of this trip, looking for folks that have already experienced this and are prepared for it)
-Self Extraction Gear (tow straps, winch, etc.....)
-Rig prepped for cold weather travel
-Sufficent gear for long periods in cold weather!

Of course, everything is TENTATIVE and subject to change! Also, dates are adjustable to accomodate others.

Who's in?????

UPDATE!!!!! The destination and/or trip maybe cancelled due to road closures!

Big kudos to SOCAJFJ (which should be SOCALFZJ, HA) for doing some research and finding out that a good portion of the roads in DV are usually CLOSED and unpassable during the middle of the winter!

I will call the rangers sometime this week and report back my findings!

 

[Ursidae69]

If I lived closer I'd totally go. I'm trying to save vacation time though. Sounds hella cool, no pun intended. :ylsmoke:

 

[Robthebrit]

Dam it, I am going just before you. We originally planned to go next weekend but the wife had other plans so I moved it to the new year.

Rob

 

[Desertdude]

This will have to go in the record books - You guys are maniacs :Wow1: - I will have to participate on this one from the comfort of my leather sofa in front of the fireplace

Take some video please :wavey:

 

[adventureduo]

That sounds bitchen.. however i don't have any zero degree experience... ?

 

[BajaTaco]

Kevin, this sounds like an awesome trip. I wish I could go.

 

[Pskhaat]

I may be down for this, pending approval for time off. Sign me up. What is the depth/condition of snow in that area?

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I may be down for this, pending approval for time off. Sign me up.

Ok, as of now, its:

-Me
-Pskhaat (tentative)

What is the depth/condition of snow in that area?

Uh, its over 1.5 months away! No idea! :ylsmoke:

I imagine, we can go find whatever level we are comfortable with though. I dont want to be in anything too deep and would like to avoid chains if possible.

 

[Colorado Ron]

I would suggest that if its going to be a Expedition Portal type annual get together that it shouldnt be limited to those with experience. Half the people on here are here to learn. Cant do that if we start limiting trips to just the experienced. Just my $0.02

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I would suggest that if its going to be a Expedition Portal type annual get together that it shouldnt be limited to those with experience. Half the people on here are here to learn. Cant do that if we start limiting trips to just the experienced. Just my $0.02

Hey Ron

I agree with you that we are all here to learn, myself included of course.

However, in this situation, i think its safest to limit the trip to people with below zero camping experience for no other reason then SAFETY

I dont want someone "learning" that their bag isnt warm enough 50 miles from no where when its 10 below zero and so on and so forth.

I will do my best to try to have the name/title of the run changed, so it doesnt appear "official"

 

[Desertdude]

Just a thought - You might create an equipment requirement set forth - due to the extreme nature of the trip? Something that would have to be checked at trailhead before departing by the group leader? This would be a good saftey net for everyone

 

[Colorado Ron]

Just a thought - You might create an equipment requirement set forth - due to the extreme nature of the trip? Something that would have to be checked at trailhead before departing by the group leader? This would be a good saftey net for everyone

That was my thinking. The person can be inexperienced, just as long as the have the required equipment. Just a thought.

 

[adventureduo]

Yeah, that's a good idea.

I already know my bag isn't rated for zero degree weather.. but i could pick one up.. possibly..

I've never camped out in snow before.. i've only ever wheeled in it with the heater on :ylsmoke:

I would have to jet early.. cause im pretty dang sure we wont have that holiday off from work.

 

[Pskhaat]

A lot of solutions without having to repurchase a bag. The current bag can go into another old cloth sleeping bag which can be wrapped in wool blankets. All you need to do is get a good layer of pourous/air in between you.

 

[adventureduo]

Gotcha.. so i could just bring both my sleeping bags... and combine the two.. along with tons of blankets.

What about protecting the tents/roof top tents from snow? Like if we get a ton of snow one night.. won't the tents want to collapse?

I'd probably just sleep in the cruiser i guess if that happened.

Another dumb question.. i googled Telescope Peak and it looks like you hike there?? Is this a hiking trip? Wheelin to the campsite trip? Just askin'.. cause im out of shape right now and i don't want to hold anyone up.

"Hiked Telescope Peak on November 12th, 2006. Cold! Left Mahagony Flats @ 8 AM with 23°F temperature plus a steady 20 MPH wind, which picked up during day. Myself, wife and 10 Y.O son hit the summit at 1 PM. Last 1000 ft of elevation had snow and ice, but trail was mostly clear. Camera and water froze. Still, wouldn't trade view for anything. Made it down by 5 PM and just before it got really dark. Trail was in excellent condition and there were only 5 other people on trail entire day. Great solitude and unforgettable experience."