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Subject: [endurance] Southern Cal Rides in DEC Jan Feb - Questions
Author: JOSEPH PETER UHLARIK JR <jpu@kaiwan.com> at CCMAIL
Date: 11/29/95 5:23 PM
Since one finds differing opinions and views from differing folks and what
is obvious to one person is not to another, I would like to ask the
following questions from a person who is looking into the thought of
perhaps volunteering to do P and R at the Death Valley ride and the two
Ridgecrest rides.
Things that come to mind to me include:
What temperatures are likely day and night (like in how cold)?
: last year the temps ranged from 75 degrees in furnace creek to below freezing
after day one. We woke up to six inches of snow friday morning! The ride was
re-routed because of the deep snow. It was cold!
Does everything happen out of one base camp? (My understanding that is
not true for the Death Valley ride)
: No- every day has a different base camp. It is a true point to
point, and there is a LOT of driving involved fro the crews. Make sure
you fill upthe gas tanks at every opertunity!
How are the logistics handled to move between sights?
: You need a driver for your rig each day. The ride management can help provide
drivers, but they should be paid about 60 bucks a day. Your best bet is to
bring your own crew who is familliar with your rig. If you are driving a car,
it is goign to get very dirty. There are lots of miles of dirt roads, but
nothing a car cannot handle.
Are people camping at campsites that have water and electricity or are
people in self contained RV's?
: Both. The start of day 1 has an RV camp and restraunt there. Day
2 is in the wild, so be self contained. Day 3 starts at furnace
creek, which is the only "town" in the valley. You can get anything
there you need, except diesel. Day 4 starts in the wild again, so be
self contained again.
What elevations are encountered for the vehicles (as opposed to the
trails for the horses)?
: from 6000 feet to below sea level. There are soem MAJOR mountain
passes to climb in the rigs, so bring lots of horsepower, and good
brakes!
What type of roads are encountered? All paved? Off roading?
: MOstly paved, about 30 mile sof dirt in total. The dirt road to the end of
day 1 is fine for any car, but the dirt road to the end of day 3 is a nasty
washboard teeth rattling thye of thing. It was 6 miserable bumpy miles withthe
trailer/camper.
Are chains probably only going to be "advisable to have with you" or
would you be surprised if they are not used?
We have four wheel drive, but if you dont, bring chains. There was
snow on the highways in a few places. Some rigs got stuck in the snow
who were parked in the desert.
Relating to the horse side, are the Jan and Feb rides loop rides or
do the P and R folks go out onto the ride for that? If so what
altitudes are they at since that might affect temperatures to be
expected?
: the non death valley rides (20 mule team and the other one) start
and end at the Bumgartners ranch in Ridgecrest, Ca. The rides do big
loops, with vet checks out from camp. More driving is required, but
not nearly as much as death valley.
Are there likely to be water crossings for the vehicles (ie, actually
driving through deep water where deep is more than half a foot)?
: Nope- never saw any standing water. The desert really sucks up rain,
unless there are flash flood conditions. If it really rains, big floods
are possible.
Is this whole thing best summarized by the following"
"If you have to ask, then you are not ready"
: not really. We survived the rides, although the first time we came with an
experienced rider who had done it before.
Anyways, hopefully, you can see the type of questions that are on my mind.
At the moment I am strongly leaning to skipping the Dec ride and have not
reached any decision or leanings about the Jan and Feb rides.
:no, I would suggest doing death valley, especially if you have never been
there. It is a fantastic way to see the entire place, especially for the
crews. I really liked the experience both times, and the ride managers are
great. The ridgecrest rides are just long, desert rides. Death Valley is
much more fun to see.
Nick Warhol
Differing viewpoints and perpectives to these questions and any other comments
that come to mind will be appreciated.
TIA
Joe jpu@kaiwan.com