April Fooling Around Death Valley,* sponsored by Anti-Dark

Haha none in the stash currently. Can usually scrounge some up on CL

 

Just got back home from 3 days in JT (hopping in the shower after I post this).
Lol on the bears. Y'all kill me!

No bears in DV, or anywhere remotely close to where we'll be. Unless you bring one. Please don't.

Likewise mountain lions. Likewise, please don't bring one.

The single most common animal you'll see on this trip is a burro. And I can damn near promise you'll get real tired of them real fast.

Rattlesnakes? Meh, maybe. Only came across one, ever, in my MANY trips in and around DV. Just don't be dumb and go piss in one off, IF you come across one. Which is very unlikely.

Y'all are scaring yourselves about things you needn't worry about. Your bigger worries should be equipment re: truck. Critters are going to leave us alone. We're travelling in a big group with large noisy vehicles- how much interest do you think any critter would have in bothering us?

Chicken Rock and the bridge: Are JUST past the cabins. You can see the bridge from the cabin decks, and if you walk a few steps out you can spy Chicken Rock. I have gone across both in my heavily-loaded DCLB, without issue......admittedly, it was the most intense obstacle I've ever tackled in my life, and it took a week to pry the seat out of my ass, but if y'all decide to go for it I might just ride along in your truck instead of mine.

Radio: Transmitting on mobile simplex is very difficult to track down and write a citation for. You have better chances of being struck by lightening while riding a sabre-tooth burro in downtown Los Angeles. Plus, we're going where you have even less chance of coming across any form of LE.

Weather: Use Ballarat. It's only like 6 miles away, though lower in elevation.

I'll get back on tonight with some more info. After I get scrubbed down.

 

Oh, and just FYI:

First notification I got when I crossed back into cell service range was that my 76yo dad was admitted into ER due to pneumonia or possible TB. I'll be visiting him tonight in the hospital.

There is a remote chance I may need to leave early on a moment's notice. But that is a very remote chance. VERY.

 

Get well soon pops!!

I've spent a lot of time walking cross country in JT, and I saw my first rattlesnake this past weekend.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

 

I had my first rattle encounter in JT a couple weeks ago. Stepped away from camp about 30 yards to take a slash and mid stream I heard a rattle. Aimed my headlamp where the noise came from and boom there it was... 4 ft from my foot. I went and grabbed another TW member with a quality camera and he snapped this picture:

 

There he is! You definitely know your way around a light catcher. Respect!

 

I'm not joining this trip but I've gotta tell you that MRE's suck ass. Just get some good backpacking food from one of the local outdoors shops if you're not accustomed to cooking out of your rig.

 

Best to your dad. Hope all is well. So I'm on for this trip! I'll be in DV tomorrow and do some touristy stuff there and probably camp out at Hole in the Wall. I'll meet you guys up either in Ridgecrest or Ballarat on Friday then most likely camp out at Trona Pinnacles Sunday night. I have HAM and CB so I'll monitor the chatter as I get closer to PV. @Mach375 I'll keep an eye out for your cell number tomorrow but I'll PM you my number in case I miss your post. As for the food, I'm just bringing some hot dogs, cold cuts, and other stuff. Nothing fancy but I should have some extra in case anyone wants any.

 

Shane(@Mach375)best wishes to your dad!Hope you all have a terrific and safe trip as well!

 

That rattler was awesome!We sure were all getting up on it probably a little closer than we should of been!

 

Oh, no. Maybe you guys. I left that serpent well enough alone after stumbling across it. haha

 

If you ever HEAR a buzzworm, that means you are way too close. They generally reserve their rattle as their last warning. If they're coiled and rattling (as the one in the pic is!), they're getting ready to strike -- you should immediately freeze and make no sound, and wait for it to leave. Remember- a rattler can only strike a distance the length of its body -- a four-foot snake can strike up to four feet away.

 

Damn luck was on our side than!

 

It definitely rattle at me. I didn't have my light on until I heard the rattle. The moon was bright and I was buzzed. Then it buzzed. Then I instinctively jumped back and flashed my light on it. It certainly ranks right up there with my bear encounter in the Sierras as far as pucker factor. haha

 

Hope your father is doing alright! I'll be at the meetup in rancho cucumonga

 

17:00 and I'm finally putting my dash back together.
Still gotta figure meals, grocery shop, pack, load, and sleep. Whee?

 

Well I'm heading to the shop as soon as I get off to try and get my light bar installed lol. Otherwise it shouldn't take me long to pack.

 

However far behind you are, just know I am crying for everyone going......

And so is my produce...

 

Finally ready for bed. Just need to grab firewood and water at that Walmart stop tomorrow. Cya at 0800!

 

Finally all prepped and packed. Not bad, considering I didn't even get started until after 1700 (prior to that was new electrification for the cab). Now for five hours of sleep.

Next check-in will be when I leave the house.