Devils Golfcourse



Our recon experts..Blitzsm and Sam

 

Ballarat General Store



Ballarat Jail

 

Articulation on the stock 4Runner ain't bad!

 

This is the straw that broke the camels back. On Sunday night my family got hit by a gale force dust storm that wreaked havoc at the campsite. Tents were being blown over and people were moving their camper vans around to avoid danger of being flipped over.

In this photo, it shows both our tents were pancaked at about 2.30am Monday morning. I continued sleeping in one tent while the wife and kids retreated to the truck earlier in the night. Even in the car, the family were concerned by the amount of swaying the truck was enduring.

I had visions of an icebox or the like flying into my tent during the night and taking me out.

I can honestly say it was more scary than being outdoors during one of many typhoons I experienced in Asia.

As with most tents, there is a venting system which I discovered for the first time, does not prevent dust from entering. I slept (as much as I could) with a wet towel over my face to stop the dust clogging me up further and getting into my eyes. My tent, including sleeping bag etc was covered in dust. When the tent collapsed, I propped up a small space in the far corner with my camp lantern to give my face some breathing space. You can probably see that in the picture above, in the front right hand side of the tent.

 

We tried calling HKOLLIE on the CB on Saturday to no avail. On Sunday this guy comes driving into camp at Furnace Creek and low behold finds us just as we are about to head off for the day. Unfortunately he missed our calls, and our route for Sunday he had already done on Saturday, so after a few quick intros and a shorter farewell we bid him farewell. Here's the lineup at SPW




This is Lover Boy (Lance/GoodTimes) and Bob departing. Something about Lance needing to get to a place with cell reception

 

Great pictures of the wildflowers! I wish I would have spent more time photographing them. Looks like you guys had fun!

 

Looks like a great trip--I really need to get out there one of these days.

Where is Lance's truck?? I don't see it in any pics...

 

Lance is still working on his rig so he rode shot gun for Bob. Can't wait to see Lances rig - will be the best setup 4Runner

 

Great pics! Can't wait to see more
Expat, sorry you got caught in a windstorm, sounds like you had a time of it!

 

My truck stayed home. Bob and I decided to carpool since we're cheap and wanted to save $ on gas Actually I'm in the process of rebuilding my 4runner so it's sitting under the knife at the moment. Should have it up and running by the end of the year ish? It's slow.... work taking time away from working on it! hehe

Here are some of my photos: (sorry I only resized a few)

 

More photos:

 

And a few more:

 

Hey guys,

I was hesistant to be the first one to post pics since Lance and I only rode for 1 day Anyways, here are my pics in no particular order:

Chiefiji (Henry) at our campsite w/ those wildflowers in the background


Some of the group members waiting around


Lining up, airing down for the day's trip


Andries and dog, Bliksem. That dog gets all the attention, good food, more food, and lots of rest. Remind me to be a bulldog in my next life


We're goin' places!


Expat and family


...more pics below

 

In the mother of all battles, the score is "Dog: 1, Sam: 0"



Scottiac's fiancee, Molly



Cowboy and Cowgirl



Pierre going uphill


Everyone going uphill



Bob's 4runner being driven by Lance



Chiefiji's 4th gen going through the same ditch



Yellow Flowers



Purple Flowers



Good Times (aka "Loverboy" Lance) talking sweet nothings on top of the mountain


I thoroughly enjoyed the trip! Props to Scottiac and Bulldog for organizing and expertly leading this trip. They did a great job! Also, it was great meeting new people too and hanging for the group bbq on Saturday.

Since Lance and I cut it short, I'm willing to go out again to see the rest of it. So if anyone goes again, let me know!

Bob

 

Ah, I forgot to add that I suffered some minor damage and some lost parts:

- My slider outriggers took a beating (chipped paint) from all the rocks...most definitely caused by the DV Rally 500 that Andries clearly lead and won

- I lost a mud flap bolt

- front right headlight sustained a rock strike. anyone know what to do to stop the crack from spreading?

- Lost my rear shackle!!! And I'm the one who came up w/ the zip tie method to secure the screw pin to the shackle too. DOH!

Bob

 

Lost your rear shackle!?!? I noticed that Sunday AM and thought you took it off for the drive home. I used a zip to secure the screw to the shackle, and I used the factory receiver pin which has a tension ring and cotter pin to prevent loss. As for the cracked headlight, were you ever driving behind me? My AT's fire off rocks like a mini-gun. I'm anxious to head out there again. Man there is alot to see. Between DV, Panamint, Saline, and Eureka the place is HUGE!! I wanna check out some mines and backcountry camping next time.

 

Pierre,

Yeah, I noticed that I lost the shackle when we were filling up gas in Ridgecrest or whatever city it was on the way back to LA. And the stupid thing is that my rear cargo storage (side panel) is FULL of thick zip ties!

Oh well, Mcmasters sells those shackles for a good price

I'm sure I was driving behind someone too closely. I remember a few times where I heard sharp rock strikes. Most likely it occured during the high speed run.

Yeah, I'm with you on checking out mines and doing some backcountry camping

bob

 

here are some of my pics

pierre hugging the wall


going up some switchbacks


the racetracks. quote pierre "sounds like rice krispy treats when you walk on this"


photographers at work


everyone say poser!


the vw beetle mod courtesy of lover boy


bulldog riding on scottiacs bumper


spotting on mengel pass


twins


broken down dodge pickup. should have bought a taco!

 

So where'd you guys stay on sat night?

 

In an overflow (read: dirt field) at Sunset Campground / Furnace Creek about 100 yrds. east of the Chevron station