Death Valley

Activity: Death Valley Backpack

[info flyer]

Objective: Backpack and Orienteering Training + sightseeing Death Valley

Activity Chairperson: Ryan B. (see below for committee info)
Consultants: Mike Buffum, Dave Rozelle

Dates: Friday April 30 (5:00 pm) to Sunday May 2 (10:15pm)

Attendance:

Crew:

Robbyn R
Ryan B
Kym S
Danny R
Cory F
Kyle L
Shana R

Adults:

Dave Rozelle
Mike Buffum
Scottie Hastie
Debbie Ballew
John Luker
Connie Brown

Trip Synopsis:

Fri. met at Rozelle's, got on the road by 6:30. Stopped at In-and-Out for dinner in Lancaster, made to the Hunter mountain by 11:00pm

Rain started near top of grade, soon turned to snow! After recovering from a wrong turn (early recovery thanks to the GPS) headed up snow covered road last 2 miles to Hunter Mountain, NEVER MADE IT. Mr. Rozelle's Aerostar got stuck first, then Mr. Hastie's 4WD Land Cruiser. Thanks to chains, shovels and much persistence we made it back down the hill safely. All finally got into bed around 4am.

Saturday, woke "late" and got on road. Long drive to PLAN B - VIrgin Springs. Stopped in Furnace Creek for lunch, took pictures at Bad Water -258 ft elevation, lowest spot in North America. When got to Virgin Springs found road didn't go where maps show. Backpacked into campsite ~1mile, had dinner, then had a moonlight GPS hike where all crewmembers passed the Ranger Land Navigation requirement (d) navigating to a fixed coordinate at night!

Sunday, broke camp, backpacked up canyon to peak, then back to cars. Drove back to Furnace Creek stopping on Artist's Pallet on way. After lunch stopped a Zabrinski's Point then headed back. Heavy traffic slowed us considerably, causing an extremely late return time of 10:15pm.

total miles driven: 797

Death Valley Backpack Photos

Preparing for the Adventure.
Robbyn & Connie. Kym. Debbie
Snowed out of Hunter Mountain! (May in Death Valley??)
	Danny shovels us out!
Bailed to the Saline Valley to thaw out. camped in the cowpies
	Dan preparing a feast		Kyle off roading
not exactly an early start backpacking		Mr. Bull came to visit.
Sat. we drove to "Plan B" site, stopping to sight-see on the way
The Crew about to enter Death Valley			Enjoying the drive? (Robbyn, Shana & Kym)
	Badwater -282ft Lowest pt in the USA	What a view!
Finally at Virgin Springs area we get packing at 4:30
	finally on the trail
	the grub was great!
		our return backpack visited a local peak
On the way back a little more sight-seeing
			That's Kyle way down there
	<=Advisor & family Debbie w/ vehicles=>
The "Artist's Pallet"!
Home late (10pm) after getting stuck in the Vegas traffic. A tired but happy bunch!