DEATH VALLEY RUN - President day weekend
- Thread starter cap510
- Start date
SoCalMonty
Explorer
Yes.
calledtocreation
Adventurer
As of now Wife can not get Thursday and Friday off se we may need to meet up Friday night or Saturday on the Trail. Will that be possible?
off-roader
Expedition Leader
SoCal, Not too many trail spares should be required for a Gen II Montero. If anything Tie Rod Ends or Center Steering Link maybe. The rest should be fine assuming the rig is actively maintained. I usually carry extra Coolant (1G) / Water (2-5G), Oil (5-6 qts), Transmission Fluid (1-2 qts).
Of course we should all have a spare tire in good condition. I rotate mine in so it's usually replaced when the other tires go.
For/Gear equipment each rig should have the following (in addition to cold weather camping gear):
- 1st aid kit w/ an assortment of bandages, pain killers (non-prescription/prescription), anti-acid, pepto-bismol, etc.
- Communication: FRS/GMRS, CB, or Ham radio for comm's. Let us know if you don't. Some of us may have an extra FRS walkie talkie you can borrow.
- A Printed topographic map of the valley (can download & print a map of the valley section by section at http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspo...wmap.cfm?alphacode=deva&parkname=Death Valley). You can also get one from the park gate if you come in during normal operating hours.
- GPS/Compass/Map: Having a compass & map (topographic) are easiest to use (albeit cumbersome in a car). Albeit I'm far from any kind of expert, I can probably remember some of my BoyScout/CubScout training years ago & give you some decent pointers on how to orient yourself using them.
Of course we should all have a spare tire in good condition. I rotate mine in so it's usually replaced when the other tires go.
For/Gear equipment each rig should have the following (in addition to cold weather camping gear):
- 1st aid kit w/ an assortment of bandages, pain killers (non-prescription/prescription), anti-acid, pepto-bismol, etc.
- Communication: FRS/GMRS, CB, or Ham radio for comm's. Let us know if you don't. Some of us may have an extra FRS walkie talkie you can borrow.
- A Printed topographic map of the valley (can download & print a map of the valley section by section at http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspo...wmap.cfm?alphacode=deva&parkname=Death Valley). You can also get one from the park gate if you come in during normal operating hours.
- GPS/Compass/Map: Having a compass & map (topographic) are easiest to use (albeit cumbersome in a car). Albeit I'm far from any kind of expert, I can probably remember some of my BoyScout/CubScout training years ago & give you some decent pointers on how to orient yourself using them.
SoCalMonty
Explorer
You can roll with me, this is what I'll be doing I'm fairly certain.
Carlos, sounds good!
I forgot to mention...I know it's good to be prepared and all, but we're going to be in a very well-traveled area during a holiday weekend. Even if something were to happen, help wouldn't be far away or far behind. It's a remote area in terms of pure geography, but it's a popular destination. Even on the random day I went up there a couple weeks ago, running the same route as marked, we had at least a half-dozen vehicles pass us during the day. As long as we have (IMHO) 2 HAM's and 2 first responders in the group in case of a worst case scenario, we have nothing at all to worry about.
Plenty of repeater info for the area:
http://forums.radioreference.com/california-radio-discussion-forum/33428-death-valley-freqs-4.html
Scott n Sean! You are more then welcome to join us fri night.
Pls pm each other for details.
Any body else that's coming in fri night?
Ok, since we did not hear any I complaints on the 1st leg, we gonna work the second leg and post a suggestion soon.
I like to have everyone's phone number and email if possible to create a email list and pass it to all attendee
Pls email me your info if you like to be in the list to: cap510@comcast.net
Pls pm each other for details.
Any body else that's coming in fri night?
Ok, since we did not hear any I complaints on the 1st leg, we gonna work the second leg and post a suggestion soon.
I like to have everyone's phone number and email if possible to create a email list and pass it to all attendee
Pls email me your info if you like to be in the list to: cap510@comcast.net
Last edited:
Inyo_man
Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
Howdy fellas,
Just thought I'd give you some current/semi-current trail condition reports.
I ran Pleseant Canyon in late Nov. The main trail through the wash is extremely narrow. I was with two full sized rigs and there was some "serious" pin striping on them and a bit of damage from large branches. You can bypass the worse sections of the lower trail by staying left at the first "Y" junction. Back in Nov. there was some snow at the pass.
Mengal Pass is not in bad shape. The step section on the west side has a few holes, and is wet. The east side
"spot" is just a "pick your way through"- very small.
I just returned from five days in DV./Inyos.
Lippencott has some washouts, but passable.
Steele Pass is fine- with the usual picky spots.
We spent two days on Hunter Mt. blasting fresh tracks. (one full day of winching) Beautiful weather with temps. in the 20's at night.
Have a great trip.
Just thought I'd give you some current/semi-current trail condition reports.
I ran Pleseant Canyon in late Nov. The main trail through the wash is extremely narrow. I was with two full sized rigs and there was some "serious" pin striping on them and a bit of damage from large branches. You can bypass the worse sections of the lower trail by staying left at the first "Y" junction. Back in Nov. there was some snow at the pass.
Mengal Pass is not in bad shape. The step section on the west side has a few holes, and is wet. The east side
"spot" is just a "pick your way through"- very small.
I just returned from five days in DV./Inyos.
Lippencott has some washouts, but passable.
Steele Pass is fine- with the usual picky spots.
We spent two days on Hunter Mt. blasting fresh tracks. (one full day of winching) Beautiful weather with temps. in the 20's at night.
Have a great trip.
Hey Carlos,
We'll stay in Ridgecrest or Trona Thursday night and meet up in Ballarat Friday morning but it would be really great if we could figure out how to be somewhat close to a town one of the nights so my wife and I can get a shower. Otherwise she may demand her own tent.
-Kirk
We'll stay in Ridgecrest or Trona Thursday night and meet up in Ballarat Friday morning but it would be really great if we could figure out how to be somewhat close to a town one of the nights so my wife and I can get a shower. Otherwise she may demand her own tent.
-Kirk
Torquey
Adventurer
I have a Health Care Provider certification for CPR and AED (defib).
I may have to come up Friday, if so, I will PM the other two guys and we could caravan.
Last edited:
nikosan
Member
I ran Pleseant Canyon in late Nov. The main trail through the wash is extremely narrow. I was with two full sized rigs and there was some "serious" pin striping on them and a bit of damage from large branches
Based on the above post
Am I expected to have body damage since I have a 100 Landcruiser which I consider a full size rig.? I am stock with lockers and 33"tires but do not have sliders or under armor yet so not expecting to go rock crawling or having the desire of paint damage. Not sure if there is an option given to bypass the difficult trails. It is my first time and do not want to slow you guys down. I was hoping that it will be more expedition style run.
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Based on the above post
Am I expected to have body damage since I have a 100 Landcruiser which I consider a full size rig.? I am stock with lockers and 33"tires but do not have sliders or under armor yet so not expecting to go rock crawling or having the desire of paint damage. Not sure if there is an option given to bypass the difficult trails. It is my first time and do not want to slow you guys down. I was hoping that it will be more expedition style run.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Inyo_man
Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
The lower section with the tight brush can be bypassed, as I stated in post #83.
The only other part you might "worry" about is crossing The Bridge with its load capacity. There is no bypass for The Bridge.
However, I've seen full sized rigs roll it...
SoCalMonty
Explorer
We're gonna be in the wilderness, and a few small sections of trail will be narrow and challenging. While you probably won't damage your truck at all, there is always a chance of some pinstriping or dinging a rocker panel when you're on trails like this.
That said...you'll probably be fine. Maybe some minor pucker factor up by the bridge, as that section is narrow and you're up on a ledge. But that's about it.
richard310
pew pew
Ooh this sounds interestingly fun. I'm a maybe (with a +1) depending on work and the status of the truck.
SoCalMonty
Explorer
Montero guys...
Does anyone want this bumper?! I am having to downsize and I can't hang on to it anymore. Unless it gets spoken for this week, it's going to be picked up by a scrapper on Saturday.
It's a like-new Smittybilt tube bumper meant for a TJ. I welded Montero brackets on and viola. It could go back on to a Jeep, or any number of other trucks if you weld on the appropriate brackets.
$100 and it's yours...PM me and let me know, I can bring it to the OC meet or you can come pick it up by this weekend. Thanks!
Does anyone want this bumper?! I am having to downsize and I can't hang on to it anymore. Unless it gets spoken for this week, it's going to be picked up by a scrapper on Saturday.
It's a like-new Smittybilt tube bumper meant for a TJ. I welded Montero brackets on and viola. It could go back on to a Jeep, or any number of other trucks if you weld on the appropriate brackets.
$100 and it's yours...PM me and let me know, I can bring it to the OC meet or you can come pick it up by this weekend. Thanks!
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