This is Lippencott Mine Road up to the Racetrack (we went up Lippencott and camped near the Racetrack, and back down Lippencott. I think there is another way up to the racetrack also.
first pic by my friends Scott & Mary


The Racetrack


South Park was kinda intense in this section- really narrow w/ 200ft dropoffs.
this pic by Carolina of South Park- this was just a bit intense b/c it kicked you off-camber away from the cliff as you climbed.
http://images.ofoto.com/photos1084/2...3203_0_ALB.jpg
another of South Park

 

Oh man, sweet pics!! Can't wait to go, the scenery looks great.

You need to do a proper write up and get lots of pics

 

oh boy, that looks awesome. looks like my h/t tires will be an issue with the talks/pics of sharp rocks. i'm gonna go tire shopping tomorrow and see what i can score.

 

Here's some more motivation for you...
http://www.echo29.com/dv05/pages/IMG_0502.htm

 

I think for the most part we try to avoid places like that.

I am running P rated Revos so they ar enot that much stronger than the stock tires. Mike will be stock as far as I know. Careful spotting

 

Anyone bringing wife, girlfriend (both!) kids (not counting pets!) ?

 

Bringing GF and dog (wife has to stay home )

Changed screenname? Worried about all the anti-US protest lately?

 

I am foregoing the wife and kids (5 & 6+) this time becuase of the camping and hectic daily driving schedule; I don't think my kids will want to be contained in the Runner for so long. :cry: I'm really kicking myself for not getting reservations at the Furnace Creek place as they could've hung there while I do my thing.

The kids do want to camp, but I think the first time for them will be in a more controlled enviornment, like a 1 or 2 night event at an improved campground, in a few weeks.

So, it is me, solo.

 

If there is room in the caravan, I will join on Sat or Sun...need to see if I can get the wife to come along.

Will proabably score some tires before the trip, have 38,000 on the factory junk...

Will check in Tues or Wednsday...

 

Bringing fiance and mom, actually!

(or you could say my mom is going, and bring her kid and future-kid! )

 

No actually this is my username on other BB and I've decided to keep them all the same. Also I get too many confused pm's because my old username (04Runner) was too close to other people's (especially on T4R).

 

Can you guys pm me your email addresses so I can attach the "DV Contacts" spreadsheet (table actually!). The email link within this BB does not provide for attachments.

Scott - you should already have the email from me with the attachment

 

Great...the more the merrier!

 

I wanna go NOW! Damn work

I had a fun weekend tho..setting up the GPS, CB, Cell, Sat. Radio....

Also went shopping for a new cooker, dining table, chairs, lamp...

VISA rocks

 

looks like you went to town in a big way!! Looks cool. My CB is still temp, I want to mount the antenna on a bumper at some point.

 

Hey Andries - have you read the info on the Firestick site about bumper mounted antennas?

The reflection of the glass and the proximity to the sheet metal of the rear door (according to them) is not desirable. I guess it would be a non issue if you had a 7ft antenna as they suggest you need something like (bad recall!) 2/3rd's of the top of the antenna clear from obstruction. I believe that when you key down, the signal will bounce back to the antenna if the antenna is blocked by glass and body work.

Again I am guessing, but if you are receiving from a com behind you it would not be so cruical.

Just my (their) 2 cents.

 

expat,

i tell ya, when you buy for a trip, you buy for a trip!

andries:

re bumper mounts vs hood channel mounts: i had the hood channel mount but i couldnt stand the 4ft antenna swaying to and fro on the trails. thus, i banged the hood channel mount flat and adapted it to my rear bumper mount. a few people on the forum have done exactly the same:

Original hood channel mount
http://www.4runners.org/articles/cobra

bumper mounted antenna
http://www.4runners.org/articles/rearfirestik

turns out that firestik does sell a mount specifically suited for bumpers

while there is a degredation in range and a slight difference in quality, overall it is just fine. i've never, ever had a problem talking with anyone in my group. check mine out at DV

looking fwd to this trip!
bob

 

Yeah...when we left Australia for Hong Kong 7 years ago I sold (more like gave away) pretty much all my camping equipment. I'm going to look like a virgin camper this trip, with all these new things in boxes

 

The best place for the antenna is on top of the roof, I will have a temp Radio Shcak soution for this trip. Teh problem is actually mounting the thing in the middle of the roof in a permanent way without mesing up the 4Runner. Also when driving you always have to watch out for the truck being 6 ft tall plus another 4-6 ft of antenna. Say hello to branches

The rear mount is not ideal, but seems to be the most commanly used one now.

Anyway we can discuss this at length over a few cold ones this coming weekend.

ANy suggestions in terms of trip agenda?? I was thinking we should do Saturday clock wise to do the slower and more difficult section in the morning and then it would be easier to gauge the time once we are at the race track.

 

Andries, I'm not familiar with all the names of the places you are going (I could have done them and not known the name) but the ones I recognize are ok for everyone.
Saline Valley Road is the washboard. Tie everything down and hang on!
I hope you dont get the idea it's treacherous out there- it's really a great offroading experience. The only real danger is flat tires- which is common out there (and can happen to anyone). Saftey Seal would be a great addition to your kits- makes for a permanent, 10 min. fix if someone has CO2 or onboard air you are good to go in no time.
Some of the spectacular views




That off-camber shelf road (pic by friends Carolina&Roberto)


end of the trip