General Planning and Gear

[toms]

Dave,
My list duplicates yours in places. No special order.

Toroweap
Napaweap
Trumbull school house
Mt Logan
Mt Trumbull
Bar X ranch
Poverty Mt
Wolf hole
Black rock gulch
Purgatory Canyon
Main Street Valley
Whitmore wash
Kelly Point
Pipe Springs
Twin Pts
Navahoe Trail
Hells Hollow
BLM 1023 (up back side of Logan)
Tuweep Town site

Some of these are destinations orthers are areas we pass on the way.

[DaveK]

Itinerary: Note:This post will be updated as our trails change. (Revised 3/25/09)

22 - Depart and set up camp at Tassi Spring. Hector, Tom, Steve and Dave will leave the LA area in caravan. We will pick up Bob in Vegas and Bruce in Mesquite.

23 - Tassi Spring

24 Twin Point

25 Kelly Point

26 Mt Logan

27 Colorado River

28 Toroweap and the other weeps

29 Return home

Approximate mileage

55 Mesquite to Tassi
87 Tassi to Twin Point
43 Twin Point to Kelly Point
89 Kelly Point to Mt. Logan
22 Mt Logan to Colorado River
45 Mt. Logan to Toroweep
63 Toroweep to Colorado City



Approximately 404 miles. These roads are all (or almost all) dirt and the mileage estimate does not include any exploring. I will be bringing 25 extra gallons of fuel with the possibility of 10 more, depending on space. If you like keeping gas in the can and since every drop of gas will be important, I recommend a Wedco type of steel can. No plastic. That is important, of course, only if you like keeping the gas in the cans.

We will be well served to double up when we explore.

[NotAMog]

If necessary I could make a fuel run with the Pinzgauer. I can roll up the sides back tarp for ventilation and lash down all of the empty fuel cans in the back for a trip into St. George. My fabricator assures me that my jerry can rack will be finished in the next couple of weeks so I can bring an extra 25 gallons if I pick up another fuel can.

Will we be in camp long enough to want some shade? I have camo netting, tarps, and an EZ-up. The easiest option is to string the camo netting or tarps (if it's raining) between two vehicles with a tent cross pole in the middle. I've been looking for some of those cool military camo net spreaders but so far I haven't found any at a reasonable price.

[DaveK]

Bruce:

I think that with some careful planning, it won't be necessary to make a fuel run. A run to St George will suck most of the life out of a day. During our next Skype conference, we can discuss how to distribute gas cans.

On the issue of shade, it's always hard to predict the weather, but if you can bring it without much trouble, it can be a very welcome addition to our gear. I know that the EZ up is a little harder to bring, but if you have room and it is not too big of a deal, it could work out very well. The only thing I would recommend (if you don't already have it), would be to make sure to bring some stout tie downs so that the wind doesn't blow it into the Grand Canyon.

I did notice that the last time I used my EZ-up in the rain, it leaked a lot, as the fabric was not waterproof. Even then, it was better than nothing. Since then I keep promising to Scotch-Guard the top, but just haven't had the time.

[DaveK]

ITINERARY UPDATE

We are making an adjustment to the travel plans for the 26th and 27th. We are still planning to camp at Mt Logan for one night but we will travel from the plateau of the North Rim down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at the Colorado River and camp at or near the river for one night. From the information that I have obtained from the Ranger, and from our review of the maps, it appears that the road goes almost all the way to the river. There is a hike to the actual water's edge, but it is very close to where the vehicles will be parked. It is not confirmed yet, but in the interest of full disclosure, the hike is about .76 mile and involves about a 700 foot elevation change. It may not be as much of a drop as this, but I will get more information from the rangers and will update soon.

Anyone care to make the trek with me to the bottom at Whitmore rapids????

[toms]

If we get that close - I am going down to the waters edge! We can drop water bottle as we go down for the trip back.

[NotAMog]

Getting down to the river would be pretty cool!.

[DaveK]

Any one have a telescope you can bring?

[NotAMog]

I have a solar telescope (Coronodo PST) but that's probably not what you were thinking of.

A friend of mine gave me a 6" Newtonian that I'm planning on making into a field scope for off roading trips. It needs some work since it won't hold collimination. I hope to get some time work on it before the trip and bring it along. The Pinzgauer is still at the fabricator so I've pretty much given up on the idea of getting the EFI installed before the trip so I should have a chance to work on the scope.

The viewing should be great if someone brings a scope since the new moon is on the 24th. If I don't get the 6" ready I can bring a Mead 97E with an iOptron cube mount.

[DaveK]

We need a follow up to our last conference call to finalize several issues. Please add any topics that we need to discuss. My list:

1. assign the remaining meal/food responsibilities
2. assign general item responsibilities. Examples are water, toilet paper, paper towels etc.
3. assign and coordinate gear responsibilities. Examples are stoves, lanterns, shovels, rakes, saws etc.
4. coordinate departure and meeting times
5. finalize trip itinerary
6. coordinate and finalize ham frequencies and APRS
7. coordinate gas requirements
8. review gear for everyone to make sure that we are all covered

We need to exchange cell phone numbers, via PM.

Please make sure to let family know where we are going. I will provide a map of our expected travel that can be used for this purpose.

Following a response to this post, I will schedule a further Skype conference call.