camping

OAUSA SummerFest (Field Day) – Big Bear, CA

June 29th, 2010, 08:57 hours

4×4s, camping with friends, great food and wine, and amateur radio – what a great weekend. Here’s the contact map (and a link to the forum) from OAUSA’s first Field Day…

Dani finally got a chance to tinker with HF, and managed to log a few contacts herself (including Guam). She has been bugging me for new radios and equipment ever since. I’ll have to admit, while I’ve appreciated the capabilities of HAM radio for some time now, I never fully understood it’s potential for practical application until we used the repeater to co-ordinate dinner plans between 4 different groups on the road with 35-miles of mountains between us on Saturday night. Doing so was actually easier to accomplish under those conditions than it would have been with all of us sitting at home on a conference call.

While our primary purpose on the mountain this weekend was participation in ARRL’s Field Day, several groups did get out for some wheeling. On Saturday morning we headed over by Arrowhead Lake to run Willow Creek trail, a scenic route I’ve never been on before.

After Willow Creek, we continued up Dishpan Springs, a trail I haven’t seen in 10 years. The fire a few years back has left the place in a barren, almost desert-like state. The forestry service has also removed the best part of the trail, the T-6 water crossing, and replaced it with a concrete bridge and a parking lot. The first picture is pre-fire and pre-bridge back in 2001…

Despite being short a water crossing and a rock garden, Dishpan is easily twice as difficult as it was 10 years ago. About half way up the trail we ran into a six-foot-tall wall of rock where once there had been fire road (courtesy of fire damage and a harsh winter). We considered our options while watching the Jeeps tackle the newly improved “waterfall”, and bumped into a couple fellow ExPo‘ers visiting California to pick up a Flip-Pac. Ultimately, our new friends and us decided we were better off heading back to camp for chili and cornbread. Maybe next time… after I get my rock sliders installed.

Back at camp and resupplied with firewood we enjoyed a small potluck of chili, steak, cornbread, various wines, and of course… cake! I also had a chance to try out some low-light, long-exposure photography with the tiny Canon SD940is.

On Sunday a few of us ran up Gold Mountain before Dani and I headed back to the desert. It has also been torn up pretty bad since I was last here (a mere 3 weeks ago). The trail looks as if someone sat in all the difficult spots and spun their tires for a few hours, and many of the bypasses have been blocked off. Still, we all made it through and even managed to bring a stock Xterra with us unharmed.

As always, the rest of the pics are in the Flickr set…

Tags: amateur, Big Bear, California, camp, camping, Field Day, OAUSA, Outdoor Adventure USA, radio, San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino National Forest, SummerFest
Posted in Trips & Travels | 1 Comment

OAUSA SummerFest Pre-run – Big Bear, CA

June 7th, 2010, 12:33 hours

Any trip that ends with your vehicle running better than when you started is a good one. Such was the case with this past weekend’s trek up the mountain, and the electrical gremlin that has plagued me since April has finally been found and eliminated. I’m not a big fan of letting computers look out for me, but this time the error code that popped up led me straight to the melted wire on cylinder 6 (these short Magnecor wires have to go). A quick trail-side band-aid later the Disco is running nice and smooth again and the troubles with my Yaesu 350 are gone.

Maps just aren’t what they used to be, partly it seems because of the efforts of misguided “environmentalists” to discourage all vehicle-based travel in the back-country. The 2009 edition of the official USFS maps are missing half of the trails, particularly the less well-known routes to the more isolated (and more desirable) areas, and I cannot find a decent trail guide for this area anywhere. Instead, the entire map section of the Discovery Center is filled with beginner’s hiking books and titles like Sex in a Tent. I suppose this is both good and bad: good because it will keep those less well-known areas less well-known, bad because history shows us that is the first step toward sealing such areas off behind a federal Wilderness boundary permanently.

First on our agenda Saturday was the pre-run up Gold Mountain (3N69), which was torn up so bad by The Great Snow Storm of 2008 I had to turn back the last time I tried to run it (in a stock vehicle). Entire sections that used to be semi-smooth dirt road are now boulders and rock ledges to be climbed, making this beautifully scenic trail a fun challenge once again. With the aid of a friend’s GPS we were able to find the loop through the talus slope I’ve been trying to find (score one for that modern gadgetry I hate so much) – also more difficult that the last time I visited.

We finished up Gold Mountain with a lunch stop on Jacoby Canyon (3N61) before heading back south. Jacoby hasn’t changed much since last year. There are a few new rough spots, but nothing a stock vehicle can’t negotiate with a little finesse. Perhaps more challenging is finding a comfortable spot to eat lunch with the massive swarms of ladybugs flying every which way… it is their mating season, after all. Purple, yellow, white and red wildflowers still cling to the slopes here, taking advantage of the shelter and water offered by the canyon.

With full stomachs and the pre-run complete we headed south towards camp, opting to take the scenic route up to an unnamed peak above Wildhorse Meadows. This is the highest point in the San Bernardinos that can be reached by vehicle, and offers panoramic views of the mountains and valleys in every direction. I really want to make a trip up here for sunrise or sunset. The trail heading up to the summit is even narrower now, it almost seems like no one has driven it since I was last here (not surprising, as it is not on the map anymore). After running these 3 trails today I think we’re going to combine them into an all-day “Peaks Tour” for SummerFest.

We camped at Coon Creek Cabin on Saturday night so we could get a first-hand look at the place before SummerFest. The “cabin” is HUGE, and the campsite is right next to a high drop-off (known as Coon Creek Jumpoff) overlooking Palm Springs and, on a clear day, the Salton Sea. Highway 38 is far away on the other side of a ridge, so the only sounds here are nature and yourself. Reservations are required for this group campsite, but if you get them through the Recreation.gov site make sure you also call the ranger station at San Bernardino NF and let them know you’re coming (you’ll want to call them anyhow to see if campfires are really permitted). It seems Big Brother is not in the habit of notifying their men in the field, and as a result both the trash and the toilet were practically overflowing. The poor guy they sent up to check on the “possible trespassers” had only been on the job for a week.

Sunday morning we took a narrow, long-forgotten road (1N30) behind the cabin that leads directly over the ridge to Highway 38. The route is a narrow, twisting maze likely better suited to ATV/bike travel, but it offers some spectacular views of San Gorgonio, the Santa Ana River Valley, and even Mount Baldy. The last part of the track takes you through what appears to be an abandoned trailer park.

Next we headed out to Heartbreak Ridge via 2N01 for a little fun on the rocks before taking Burns Canyon home. I’d forgotten how much fun this kind of trail can be…

Tags: Big Bear, California, camp, camping, OAUSA, off-road, Outdoor Adventure USA, pre-run, rocks, San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino National Forest, SummerFest, trail, trails
Posted in On the Road, Trips & Travels | 2 Comments

Old Woman Mountains II, CA

May 18th, 2010, 10:23 hours

Last weekend we headed out into the southern Mojave to see a few different areas in and around the Old Woman Mountains (previous trip). It was good to get out with some like-minded folks, and we had a great time exploring both places we’ve been and new places we never would have found.

The opportunities for wildlife, and particularly reptile viewing were excellent. Lizards and snakes were in a lazy mood this weekend and stuck around long enough for us to get close-up pictures of several different species. We were also able to explore a new (to us) mine area in Carbonate Gulch – a canyon I’ve driven partially in the past, but never quite went far enough to discover the mine before. Old engines, massive pulleys, cables, crumbling foundations, scattered debris and a dripping spring all bake in the sun a the top of this hidden canyon. We’re planning to head back when it gets cooler for the hike up to the main shaft.

All of our pictures from this trip can be found in the Flickr set. Many thanks to everyone that made the long trek out to the desert and made this a wonderful weekend.

Tags: Bristol Dry Lake, Cadiz Dunes, Cadiz Valley, California, camping, Carbonate Gulch, Joe de Kehoe, Mojave Desert, OAUSA, Old Dale, Old Woman Mountains, overlanding, Skeleton Pass, The Silence and The Sun, Wonder Valley
Posted in Trips & Travels | 1 Comment

Carbonate Gulch

May 16th, 2010, 17:37 hours

This has been an absolutely wonderful trip so far for reptile viewing. Lizards of all shapes, sizes and colors have paused long enough and often enough for great photo opportunities. Many of them have even let me get close enough to use the little backup pocket-camera I’ve been limited to since my SX200 died. While packing up camp this morning we noticed a Mojave brown rattlesnake taking a nap, right in the middle of camp!

Today was Joe’s turn to lead us up Carbonate Gulch, a canyon I’ve driven partially in the past. After making a turn out of the wash (which I missed the last time) we passed by several cabins and remains of an old cable tram before reaching the main site. Old engines, massive pulleys, cables, several foundations, scattered debris and even a dripping spring all sit at the top of the road. Most of the good stuff is right next to the road, but the main shaft looks to be about a mile’s hike up the mountain – not something we’re up for today.

After saying our farewells we stopped for a look around the mine at Windy Point. Windy Point was… windy. Very windy. I checked out the main shaft this time, but about 50 feet down it has been deliberately collapsed. Even at this short distance, it is at least 25° cooler than the hot wind outside.

Tags: camping, Carbonate Gulch, Mojave Desert, OAUSA, Old Dale, Old Woman Mountains, overlanding, Skeleton Pass
Posted in On the Road | No Comments

Cadiz Valley

May 15th, 2010, 23:10 hours

The morning brought more of this perfect desert summer. Its odd, my body somehow knows I am “home” and wakes me up with the sun, rested and relaxed, every time I’m on the road. Normally, I’m lucky if an alarm clock will get me out of bed before 08:30. Today, we’re packed, fed and ready to go before 08:00.

Our agenda for today took us by the unknown ruin just to the west of National Chloride’s Amboy facility known only as “that round cabin by the lava”, to Roy’s Cafe for some cold Route Beer 66 (root beer), across Bristol Dry Lake to Calumet Mine, and out to Cadiz Dunes before heading for camp in Skeleton Pass. While I’m always happy to go it alone, it was nice to have the company of like-minded folks for a change.

At Calumet we found the mine shaft occupied by a family of hawks, so we kept our distance and took to exploring the surrounding ruins. There isn’t much information available about this place beyond that they were mining gold in these unlikely sand and mud hills. There is a rumor that one man did make out on the claim, but it is more likely his profit came from a foolish buyer, not gold.

The wilderness boundary at Cadiz Dunes has been expanded since the last time I visited, though I’m not sure if the actual border was moved on paper or if it was just a lazy federal employee that felt like marking the road half a mile short. The result was a long and very hot hike through the sand to get up on the dunes. The pictures were worth it.

Shortly after setting up camp I started to regret the sunny 100° sand hike from this afternoon, and had to skip dinner for some much needed rest. Next time, perhaps I’ll listen when my body tells me something is a bad idea… perhaps not.

Tags: Bristol Dry Lake, Cadiz Dunes, Cadiz Valley, camping, Mojave Desert, OAUSA, Old Woman Mountains, overlanding, Skeleton Pass
Posted in On the Road | No Comments

Wonder Valley

May 14th, 2010, 19:59 hours

It never ceases to amaze me how a campfire will, without fail, single someone out from the group at which to hurl plumes of smoke. It does not matter what side of the fire they move to, whether it is calm or windy, or if the fire is large or small. Tonight, that someone is me…

I love summer in the desert. The days are just hot enough to drive out all but the heartiest of tourists, the nights are warm and calm – perfect camping conditions. Tonight is one of those perfect nights, no wind, just cold enough for a fire, and a small group of friends looking forward to tomorrow’s drive.

Tags: camping, Mojave Desert, OAUSA, Old Woman Mountains, overlanding, Wonder Valley
Posted in On the Road | No Comments

OAUSA BorregoFest 2009

October 27th, 2009, 15:10 hours

We spent a long weekend with OAUSA out in Anza-Borrego. I have enjoyed our solo explorations (and will continue to), but it is great to finally meet a group of people with similar feelings about vehicles, camping, land use and laws, and backcountry exploration in general.

Details on OAUSA and BorregoFest are here, and the rest of our pictures are here.

Tags: Anza, Anza-Borrego, Borrego, BorregoFest, California, camping, desert, Laguna Mountains, mountain, mountains, OAUSA
Posted in Trips & Travels | No Comments

Precious

May 29th, 2009, 19:31 hours

I don’t trust the dollar.

That much is pretty obvious to anyone that has spent any length of time with me (including e-time). Being born in 1980, well after any stability had been ripped out from under our currency, I don’t think I have ever trusted the dollar. Even growing up I never could maintain a piggy-bank or a savings account, I just never could understand how a measly 1-percent per year (or even the 5-percent it once was) could ever amount to anything on the pocket change the average person is able to put away monthly. That commercial where the dollar is a bored and brainless slinky-wielding goofball summed up my feelings on the matter pretty well – what good is a dollar unspent? I’d find myself buying things I knew I would need down the road and storing them instead of money.

I don’t trust “precious” either.

With the economy and currency markets going wacko like they have been the last couple years (dare I say decade?), it isn’t surprising that so many people have invested in gold and silver. While such investments may protect against the decline of a currency (or the collapse of an IRA), they do not offer any sanctuary against a world gone mad. What happens when food or water are simply unavailable due to disaster, famine, war or simply poor management? If you have to evacuate, how do you move all that heavy metal? If the governments start a mandatory and discounted “buy back” of the precious metals (hey, it has happened before), then what? What is it that makes these so-called “precious” metals precious anyhow? They aren’t useful in any practical manner, what do you do when no one cares about shiny yellow bars?

In a pinch, you can always eat food.

So aside from continuing the (good) habit of buying things you know you’re going to need and storing them until you do need them, what else can be done as an alternative to a traditional savings/investment that is stable, has longevity, and will still be useful when disaster strikes and you are left with nothing but your “investment”, some water and a fire?

About a year ago I stocked up on some #10 cans of Mountain House freeze-dried food. Dani and I have become partial to the stuff as our main hiking and camping food because of it’s light weight, small size and great taste. Since I placed that order a year ago, the price of the cans has nearly doubled and they are continuing to become less and less available. If I needed money right now I could sell them on eBay for about 70% profit, and they are advertised to last for 15 years unopened (though they have been proven to last upwards of 30 years). If things get really bad I can just eat them and won’t have to worry about turning gold into money to buy groceries, or whether or not the store would actually have any food left.

If you’ve paid any attention to non-mainstream news lately you’ve no doubt noticed many other items like this with long life spans, good returns, and practical emergency purposes. Things like firearms and ammunition likely come to mind (they have only become more scarce, gone up in value, and can be used to acquire food or provide defense). Even with things somewhat calm there are previously common calibers that you cannot get anywhere at any price.

If you’re alive, it isn’t too late.

Many folks I converse with on a regular basis feel it is too late to save, stockpile or do anything to prepare for hard times. I just can’t subscribe to that train of thought. If you are still able to draw breath, it is never to late to get started. None of these things are prohibitively expensive either. For example, when you break down the per-meal cost of Mountain House (in a #10 can, not pouches) it comes down to an average of $2.00 per person, per meal. You can knock that down even further if you buy the basics like rice, wheat, oats, legumes and spices and are willing to do a little cooking. Such foods can even be purchased pre-packaged in long-term storage buckets, and I dare say they taste a hell of a lot better in a home cooked meal.

Tags: 401k, camping, food, freedom, gold, hiking, hope & change, ignorant, independence, investment, investments, IRA, liberty, metal, metals, money, precious, responsibility, savings, sheeple, silver, socialism, survival, survive, US, USA
Posted in Signs of the Times | 3 Comments

Zion National Park

September 15th, 2008, 10:39 hours

Way too crowded for my tastes, but then I did overhear a conversation on the shuttle on how Zion NP is the most tourist-dominated park in the system. Still, the area of the park where the shuttles (and thus tourists) run is quite small. While we missed out on rappelling, we did get to do some creek walking away from the group and scout out areas to hike deep into next time. I hope to return soon and check out the harder to reach areas of the park.

Tags: camping, Clear Creek, creek walking, hiking, river, rocks, tunnel, Utah, Virgin River, Zion, Zion National Park
Posted in Trips & Travels | No Comments

JetBoil Personal Cooking System

September 4th, 2008, 12:49 hours

Rating: 4.75 / 5

Pros:
Simple, durable, compact and light-weight, easy to maintain, fast, boils enough water to make food for two, fold-up stabilizer base fits in the pot with burner and fuel for transit

Cons:
Dependence on canister fuels, a little top heavy when full (buy the fold-up base to fix this), just barely does not fit in pouches/pockets designed for a 1-liter Nalgene bottle, danger of burns from boiling water-volcano if you leave it running too long

The Bottom Line:
This is an excellent, efficient, light-weight stove that would compliment anyone’s backpacking rig well. It would also be useful in emergency kits or in the trunk of the car with a couple single-serving Mountain House dinners and a bottle of water.

Using the JetBoil is simple enough, I almost think it came with a manual just for the CYA warnings. The JetBoil really is a no brainer. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any JetBoil-branded mini canisters along the remote route we took for our last trip, so I had to settle for a full-size Coleman canister. I’ll have to take their word for the whole “2 cups in 2 minutes” thing, as I was distracted by something and came back at around 3 minutes to find my water violently boiling and the pot difficult to approach. Suffice to say it works very well, but don’t let it run too long or you might need a glove to get through the molten rainstorm to shut it off…

As I have read in reviews elsewhere, the completed assembly is a bit top heavy, especially with water in the cup. Caution around the stove, and perhaps even one of those stabilizing stands they sell separately would be a good idea. We had no problems on this outing, but I could see this being more difficult at a poorer campsite.

For some reason, when ordering the JetBoils it didn’t occur to me how easy it would be to simply boil a few cups of water and pour the boiling water into single-serving food containers. As a result, we purchased two of the stoves when one stove is quite sufficient for two people. I generally have the food packed this way anyhow so we can grab whatever meal we feel like. Of course, if you’re using individually packaged food you also have this option. If you intend, as I originally did, to finish preparing and serve your food in the JetBoil itself you will probably want one per person (or at least an optional extra cup/pot per person). Our second, unused JetBoil will be for sale shortly…

The Bad

My only real quarrel with the unit is that a JetBoil stove will not fit “anywhere a 1L Nalgene will” as commonly advertised. Be forewarned: it will not fit in the 5.11 Bottle Carrier, the Maxpedition 10×4 Bottle Holder, the Nalgene pockets of any of the Maxpedition cases and Versipacks or even in the expanding Maxpedition Mini-RolyPoly. Maxpedition does make a 12×5 Bottle pouch it will fit in, however.

Tags: camping, cooking, JetBoil
Posted in Food & Beverage, Gear & Skills | No Comments