Preliminary thread for Dec 16-17 in Death Valley

[quentinc]

Seriously, I have Emigrant campground down cold. Thanks for the offer though!

[wingding]

Add me to the list for that weekend. I'd like to do Pinto or Tucki.

[Ranboze]

OK, it's on my calendar.

[wingding]

Would the hike to Pinto Mountain start right at the campground? That sounds good to me.

[Trailtrekker06]

Pinto sounds good. I'm not sure where to start. Tom- do we start in Jayhawker Canyon? It looks like from there it would be 9.3 miles to the peak (one way). Is that right? For some reason I thought it was a lot shorter of a hike. Is there another route?
I thought maybe we could do Panamint Dunes on another day, depending on time and when we are getting to and leaving from Death Valley. They look pretty cool. It's about 9.0 miles round trip to the tallest dune, but it doesn't look like real hard hiking or anything. Or maybe another time.

[Trekker]

Hi all;

I had a few ideas about making sure we had this trip properly organized as well as maybe dividing up some of the responsibilities so as not to put everything on Snowy's (admittedly strong) shoulders. I emailed this to her and also brought it up with Trailtrekker.

The first thing we should make sure of is that there are no problems hooking up. Pick a first night/Sat. morning camp/meeting place that is easy to find and get too. If this is Emigrant campground this should be easy enough. Remember that there are only 10 sites there. Have everyone meet at that place either Friday night or Sat. morning. We should have direction to the campsite made up from all possible directions that people will be coming into the campground. Tomcat seems to have a good handle on that area, so Tomcat, if you don't mind, I nominate you for that task. You would also make up directions to the trailhead from there, print it out, and bring copies to leave at camp if someone shows up late! Trailtrekker has already agreed to take a count of people going on the trip like she did for Matlock; she did a great job! Snowy, Trailtrekker, Tomcat, etc. can post the suggestions/decisions on where we will meet/hike on both days, then sit back and see what everyone wants to do. The week before at the latest, make the decision. The week of the trip, someone who has just been to the desert and who is experienced in desert camping and hiking should post clothing, water, food, etc. requirements for those of us who are not used to hiking in the desert, particularly at this time of year. Do NOT assume people know what to bring!!! I will keep an eye on the weather forecasts and post updates and temps/rain reports, as needed. A few days before the weekend, get a vehicle count with licence plate numbers, so that we may be able to recognize others in the group even if they are asleep or arrive late; that way, if we see their vehicle, we will know they are out there. I will be willing to do this. The last point that I can think of at this time, post an approximate starting and ending time frame for each day's hikes. Anybody who arrives late after the main group arrives is to post a note stating their hiking goals for the day, if different from the group, and an estimated return time. This is to ensure their safety and the groups piece of mind!

There is a Ranger station near Emigrant Campground. We can use this for any last-minute postings or campground changes if necessary. Do NOT depend on your cell phones out here; plan with the idea that they will not work.

If anybody has any additional ideas, please post them.

[Trailtrekker06]

Trekker-
As far as clothing, I would bring a small variety of stuff but definately cold weather gear as it can get cold at night (we wore our down jackets). Last wknd the daytime weather was beautiful but it was still kind of cool at mid elevations (5000-6000) and colder in the shade by 10 degrees or so.(great hiking weather) Also rain gear, as usual, just in case.
I always bring drinking water as I usually don't stay at campgrounds, I am not sure about Emigrant CG, but I would bring water anyway.
For the most part, cell phones do NOT work there. I have Verizon and rarely get reception. I would definately NOT count on that to communicate. Walkie talkies can be helpful, though.
-TT

[wingding]

I'll probably just be along for the day hike on Saturday to Tucki or Pinto, so I'll be interested to find out where everyone is planning on starting on Saturday. I've been wanting to check out Panamint Dunes too, so I might head off to near Panamint Dunes area to camp on Saturday night (the morning light on sand dunes is usually pretty terrific).

[Ranboze]

Great ideas Trekker. About communications... since cell service is totally unreliable in area, we might want to consider the communication devices everyone has, eg, FRS, GMRS, CB, ham. I guess that most folks have an FRS radio. Subchannels really aren't good to use, because if you get into trouble, ONLY people on the subchannel can hear you (or is it only people on the subchannel can talk to you?). Anyway, it's better to stay with a main channel, eg channel 7. Perhaps we could pick a device and pick a channel that at least those with the device can monitor during arrival time as well as hiking (of course no CBs while hiking ;-) )

My devices:
FRS to channel 20
CB

[tomcat_rc]

Sorry to take so long to respond - was out playing after work. Saturday I have a hike out IWV but was considering driving over to Emmigrant on Sunday to do some reconoitering. I can check out the situation of the campsites at that time and report back on Monday. including how crowded the campsites are, etc. If Emmigrant looks like it might be full up or something - there are other options in the area. We should all be prepared for "dry camp" conditions.

I think we should bring radios for people arriving at odd times to contact - no cell service except poss on the peaks. Last weeks trip we used 10sub 10 and were able to stay in contact fine. But we can all agree on a frequency - that is small issue.

When I did Pinto from Townes Pass - my total track line shows just over 8 miles round trip. It appears to be about the same mileage when I plot from the road just near the springs where I had intended to hike from. I will verify this on after Sunday - as I was intending to come down Jayhawker Canyon - that may involve leaving a pickup vehicle - we can discuss that more.

Also Snowy and I have discussed maybe a secondary hike for those who don't want to hike as long. Wildrose is a easy hike from the Kilns - Jayhawker canyon may be fun if you don't need to bag a peak.

As for weather I would prepare for nights dipping down into low 30's - will continue to watch the forecasts. if you go to this sight for weather:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/ ... -117.38125
you can move the pointer and it will update the forecast for that lat/long position.

feel free to e-mail me for specifics including if you would like any tracks, maps, or waypoints.