Desertcrawler Posted March 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Thought trip participants might be interested in the attached Fresno Bee article. It gives a good overview of Saline Valley, where we will be camping for our first night. http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1292403.html We will be trying to camp up near the "Palm Springs" , away from the more developed area. Make sure to pack yourself a swimsuit for the hot tubs! P.S. - Note that at the springs there is usually a whole camp of individuals -- so we will be sharing this camp with others, a eclectic mix of desert rats , 4 wheelers, and people who have come to get away from it all. For that first night, anyway, you will need to bring a pretty liberal and accepting attitude. Even though this is a National Park camprground, most rules (such as the one banning nudity) are not enforced. You'll find it not uncommon to see people taking a walk in the desert (or a soak in the tubs) wearing nothing but their Nike's and a smile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted March 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Here is a site showing Pix of where I hope to have us camp the second night. http://www.ubehebe.com/minietta_cabin.htm The cabin is first come, first serve -- there is a chance we may run into others who have "staked their claim" before us. If this is the case, we will move our group over to the ghost town of Ballarat, where we will set up camp out on the desert floor.. http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/apr/stories/ballarat.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted March 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 I hope to again "stake our claim" at the Geologist Cabin. Pix below are in the link... http://deathvalleyinaweek.com/day7/Geologist%20Cabin/index.htm For a little recent history of the area, note that the Geologist Cabin was the last place visited by the infamous "German Tourists" who disappeared back in 1996. Here is a link with some details... http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41771 Hopefully, we will be able to scare off any ghosts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLOHybrid Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 The Geologists cabin looks interesting... I think it needs a load of LRM mags in the library though. I hope to again "stake our claim" at the Geologist Cabin. Pix below are in the link... http://deathvalleyinaweek.com/day7/Geologist%20Cabin/index.htm For a little recent history of the area, note that the Geologist Cabin was the last place visited by the infamous "German Tourists" who disappeared back in 1996. Here is a link with some details... http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41771 Hopefully, we will be able to scare off any ghosts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerDan Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 Due to loss of job (and necessary income) I have to bow out. Brian, would you be willing to sponsor Tim as your guest, since you know him from the Oregon trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMBRover Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 Sorry to hear of your job situation, Dan. We'll miss you on the trip. Sure, I'll sponsor Tim, no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLOHybrid Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I am sorry but that is no excuse I have been out of a job for over 6 months now and yes I initially had a sense of guilt considering this trip but look @ it this way if you had a job you definately would not be able to go... so do it and go and enjoy it while you can that's my excuse:) Due to loss of job (and neccessary income) I have to bow out. Brian, would you be willing to sponsor Tim as your guest, since you know him from the Oregon trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCRover Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I have a job and that is why I will not be attending this trip. It can work both ways... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerDan Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 It's the "Necessary Income" part of my above post that makes the difference here. My finances haven't recovered from the loss of my last job (I've only had this one since November) and I just have no reserves. About all I can do right now is piss in the tank, and somehow I don't think that's gonna get me very far... And Brian, thanks. I hated to say I'd sponsor him as a guest and then have to back out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCPDX Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 G'day NCLRC members. Dan, I understand your situation and am sorry to hear you will not be on this trip but am confident you will be on another one soon. Thanks be to you and Brian for your offering to sponsor me as a guest on this expedition! Keep on truckin! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted April 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 So sorry to hear about your situation & impact on the trip. I'd offer you a shotgun seat if I had room -- we will miss you at the campfire. The guy going with me (Barry) has a full up rig as well so no room there. You will have to live vicariously through the exploits as we post them on the web page! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLOHybrid Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 I have a job and that is why I will not be attending this trip. It can work both ways... I think I already said this but yes if I had a job I would not be attending either hence me taking advantage of this:) Sorry you can't come Dan and best of luck on the JOB hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandRonB Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 Chuck/Brian, Jim aka Mr Video has 2 SPOT devices; he will be at the MORG/ready to pass on the SPOTs to either one of you. Ready for your to activate and use for this Death Valley trip. Call or PM if you want a quick orientation on activating these devices (or MORG this Saturday if you can activate them sooner). You will need a credit card (cc) to complete registration/activation; won't get charge as the promo code (I will send it to you on a sep PM or email) will waive the subscription and tracking charges. And please print and read the user guide (pdf format) - covers how to use the SPOT and program the distribution list for "I am Ok" and "Help" (a copy of this is in ea box, but good to pre-read if you want to use for Sat MORG): http://www.findmespot.com/en/downloads/SPOT_UsersGuide_2007_10_16.pdf I would have activated them for you if had the club cc number, but that's ok - it's easy to activate; should take you 10-15 mins ea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMBRover Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Here are some repeaters I found in the west Death Valley area. I'll look at what there is along 395 as well. Of course if we're close in we can use the NCLR official simplex frequency: 146.460. W6IY 146.940-/103.5 Silver Peak W6IY 147.060+/103.5 Silver Peak K6RFO 146.760-/----- Mazourka Peak K6RFO 147.210+/----- Ridgecrest WA6YBN 146.640-/----- Ridgecrest WA6YBN 145.340-/100.0 Ridgecrest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted April 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 170.100 Death Valley National Park 169.550 Death Valley National Park 163.100 Death Valley National Park 168.350 Death Valley National Park 461.025 Xanterra (Death Valley) 466.025 Xanterra (Death Valley) Xanterra is the consessionair in the valley (Stovepipe Wells store and motel; Furnace Creek motel, restaurant, etcetera). If you go to my webpage at http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/scannerfreqs.htm you will find a list of frequencies for Inyo County, and more. I am not 100% positive, but I think there is a HAM repeater at Rogers Peak and near Cerro Gordo Peak. Here is another nice list with a map of repeaters http://ham-shack.com/repeater_ca.html And another http://www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/rpt.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted April 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 I got messages over the weekend from a individual from the San Diego Land Rover Club and a new, prospective member. Sounds like both will be meeting up with us in Big Pine. Makes the size of the group 8 rigs, and about 15 - 20 people. Remember, if you can, to bring your bag of marbles, an old teakettle if you have one, and a bottle of bleach.... Looking forward to the trip -- except for the packing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMBRover Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 I now have portable HF antennas for both 40 and 20 meters so we'll potentially have communications back home. Gary, are you up for a schedule on 40 meters say around 9:00 PM? What's your favorite frequency?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMBRover Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 For you who are planning to go over Hwy 50 to Big Pine there is snow in the Thursday forecast from about 20 mi east of Placerville on Hwy 50 to Hwy 395 and then again from Mono Lake to just north of Bishop on Hwy 395. Maybe 150 miles total. I'm considering going south on I-5, through Bakersfield, past Lake Isabella and then up Hwy 395 to Big Pine. It's about 480 miles vs 400 miles on the northern route and rainy but no high altitude and therefore no snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted April 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 I now have portable HF antennas for both 40 and 20 meters so we'll potentially have communications back home. Gary, are you up for a schedule on 40 meters say around 9:00 PM? What's your favorite frequency?? We've got some HF guys here in my local radio club. Once you set frequencies and times, post em up and I'll see if they can try with some of their long range stuff.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCRover Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Brian, 40 meters at 21:00 is pretty full of broadcast signals and is usually sketchy for anything but local contacts. Earlier in the day would be better. Can you operate while moving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Have questions on SPOT activation. Is there a promo code for me to use? And what should I use for the usernames? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCRover Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Maybe on the codes, Check with Ron. Use NCLR003 and NCLR004 names. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLOHybrid Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 For you who are planning to go over Hwy 50 to Big Pine there is snow in the Thursday forecast from about 20 mi east of Placerville on Hwy 50 to Hwy 395 and then again from Mono Lake to just north of Bishop on Hwy 395. Maybe 150 miles total. I'm considering going south on I-5, through Bakersfield, past Lake Isabella and then up Hwy 395 to Big Pine. It's about 480 miles vs 400 miles on the northern route and rainy but no high altitude and therefore no snow. The Lake Isabella way is a very long and windy route but a beautiful way to go if you have not gone this way before... I too am going this way Thursday afternoon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandRonB Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Have questions on SPOT activation. Is there a promo code for me to use? And what should I use for the usernames? Didn't want to post sensitive info here; more on this on this link plus I posted the promo codes here, and suggested password (cap locks off): http://nclrclub.org/forum/showpost.php?p=7544&postcount=56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMBRover Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Chuck - Regarding Spots, if you have two of them working, I'll get one from you in Big Pine. For those going over Hwy 50 to Big Pine ... Be advised that Hwy 89 is closed for the winter over Monitor Pass between Hwy 4 and Hwy 395. Alternate route is to go to Gardnerville, NV and catch Hwy 395 there. As of 1:45 PM there are no other road closures or restrictions on the Hwy 50 route from the Bay Area to Big Pine. 40% chance of light snow is forecast for the route about 4500 ft. Accumulations less than 1 inch. Guess I'll go that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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