Utah and Big Bend and stuff

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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Sat Dec 22, 2018 10:30 pm

No idea what my bag is rated for actually, I need to go look
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Tue Jan 01, 2019 6:35 pm

Ok December BB trip is done, one to planning February.

I'm going to sit down with the Boss man this week and get a feel for projects and timelines so I can dial in my days off ASAP.

So far my packing list includes:
Head Lamp
Timberline tent - not as fancy as a garage tent but it's cheap, small, fast and easy up, fast and easy down.
tarp
Chair
Sleeping pad (air)
Sleeping bag
Folding shovel
AWP
Camping Pillow
Dromedary bag (water)
Camel Back
Air Compressor
Patch Kit
9mm
280watt 67,500 mah battery bank - I have a 40K one that JUST powers my cpap for one night, and another lipo that goes about 10 hours, I stack them in series. Problem is as soon as I charge anything else I don't have enough power so I am bringing the bigger bank, even if I don't charge I can get days of power between the two batteries.
Jetboil
Dehydrated food
Road snacks
Extra layers (heavy thermals) - my sleeping bag is not heavy enough so I'll make up the difference with layers
My normal travel pack (tooth brush, tooth paste etc)
First aid kit
Minimal clothing changes, mostly going to just change under layers and keep wearing the same other layers.
I'll find a way to sneak a few beer in a bag
Sneakers - any walking around is more comfortable in sneakers

Park entry permit, I think it's $20 for a bike, don't remember
We'll need to hit Panther Junction to get a camping permit, I think it's like $10 then see what sites are available, telephone canyon is off the beaten path by a lot:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/29.2021 ... m2!4m1!3e0

If that's taken Grapevine 4&5 are also off the beaten trail, there won't be any cars back up in either of these locations:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/29.3383 ... 074769!3e0

After that we just go down the list, pine canyon etc etc about the only place I won't go is anything off of river road, old maverick (crazy wash board right now) or black gap.

Showers are available in town, $2 for 6 minutes of water, I don't expect to shower but, if one is needed there are places we can go.

Boarder agents and checkpoints are very active so Sam make sure you have all your info with you, I hear they can be pricks if you don't and just in case they pick up an accent. I've watched other non gringo's go through these checkpoints with 0 harassment and 0 issues because they had their ID's so I don't expect any problems just don't forget your ID/Passport.

While I was there, you could see the milkyway - fun fact, this is the darkest sky in the U.S.

If it rains I'm out, if it doesn't you can expect humidity in the single digits.
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:29 pm

How many nights were you thinking of staying? My CPAP battery should be able to last two without charging.

From the Big Bend website:
The National Park Service (NPS) announced that Big Bend National Park will modify its entrance fees to provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs to enhance the visitor experience. Effective June 1, 2018, the entrance fees to the park will be $30 per verhicle or $25 per motorcycle. A Big Bend annual park pass will cost $55. All of the money received from entrance fees remains with the National Park Service, with at least 80 percent of the revenue going to Big Bend National Park.
Things I still need:
Head Lamp
tent - I have one but might buy a new one
Chair
Dromedary bag (water)

I might need help wiring up the PDM and charging in the top box.
Jim

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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:34 pm

What size dromedary bag do you have?
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Wed Jan 02, 2019 5:48 pm

dufremle wrote:What size dromedary bag do you have?
No clue but I think I have more than one, I'll need to go look.

I used them for my no mount cave diving rig so I had several
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by JeffStrom » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:52 am

I think I have most of the equipment I would need. Going down Rick's list...
Head lamp and backup flashlight - check (make sure batteries are fresh)
Tent, ground tarp, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, - check. My bag will be sufficient for any reasonably expected temperatures, pillow will likely be clothing in a stuff sack
Plug kit, air pump, other tools - check
Gas stove, pot, instant coffee, - check
Aux Battery - 20K mah, can jump start bikes or charge devices
Camelback, 2nd Camelback, extra water jugs - check
First aid and Toiletries - check (don't forget the TP)

Chair - I'll need to figure something out
AWP - I don't think I need a Sniper Rifle
9mm - Closest thing I own to a 9mm is a .22, otherwise I only have real guns

Food details are TBD, but shouldn't be a big deal. (Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam...)
Clothes will be layers and depend somewhat on the forecast, but whatever the forecast I should be set
Rain gear, maybe even if not in forecast
Handheld Ham radio
Extra Gas, being that I don't have an 8 gallon tank like some of you
I'm thinking about recovery equipment (ropes, pulleys, anchors)

I have a National Park Pass. Should cover entry for up to two motorcycles, but not camping. Assuming we are only in the National part and not the State part.
I'll need to switch back to knobby tires before we go. Fortunately I can do this myself now and the 'Strom wheels are pretty easy.
I'll want to trial pack the bike well ahead just to make sure I know how to make everything fit.
Jeff - Street Triple 675R / GSX-R600 / F850GSA

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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Thu Jan 03, 2019 8:27 pm

I've requested off the 22nd and the 25th of February

JeffStrom wrote:I think I have most of the equipment I would need. Going down Rick's list...
Head lamp and backup flashlight - check (make sure batteries are fresh)
Tent, ground tarp, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, - check. My bag will be sufficient for any reasonably expected temperatures, pillow will likely be clothing in a stuff sack
Plug kit, air pump, other tools - check
Gas stove, pot, instant coffee, - check
Aux Battery - 20K mah, can jump start bikes or charge devices
Camelback, 2nd Camelback, extra water jugs - check
First aid and Toiletries - check (don't forget the TP)

Chair - I'll need to figure something out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glh-3zM5r0U
JeffStrom wrote: AWP - I don't think I need a Sniper Rifle
9mm - Closest thing I own to a 9mm is a .22, otherwise I only have real guns
AWP = "Ass Wiping Paper"
my .50 is a bit big for the saddle bags so 9mm is efficient
JeffStrom wrote: Food details are TBD, but shouldn't be a big deal. (Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam...)
Clothes will be layers and depend somewhat on the forecast, but whatever the forecast I should be set
Rain gear, maybe even if not in forecast
Handheld Ham radio
you licensed?
JeffStrom wrote: Extra Gas, being that I don't have an 8 gallon tank like some of you
I'm thinking about recovery equipment (ropes, pulleys, anchors)
I doubt you'll need extra gas, we ran sport bikes down 90 (~130-140 miles) at high speed and didn't' have issues with gas.
JeffStrom wrote: I have a National Park Pass. Should cover entry for up to two motorcycles, but not camping. Assuming we are only in the National part and not the State part.
I'll need to switch back to knobby tires before we go. Fortunately I can do this myself now and the 'Strom wheels are pretty easy.
I'll want to trial pack the bike well ahead just to make sure I know how to make everything fit.
We'll have to keep an eye on the shutdown, we may get pushed to the state park side
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:30 am

How many nights were you thinking of staying?

I'm also on call the last week of Feb.
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by JeffStrom » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:51 am

I've tried the Helinox chairs at REI, they are nice and comfortable but fairly expensive. REI has a store brand knock-off that is about half the price. I may consider it. I'd prefer to be able to try before I buy.

I have a general class Ham license. There is a 2M linked repeater network that covers most of Big Bend and gets you all the way to Fort Stockton. While i'm likely to be able to get someone most times of the day, I assumed you'd take your Spot for real emergencies. Anyone bringing FRS/GMRS/MURS radio(s)?

If the shutdown is still going at the end of February it will have been 3x longer than the previous longest shutdown in history. I'd like to predict that it won't be an issue but I don't want to jinx it.
Jeff - Street Triple 675R / GSX-R600 / F850GSA

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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:13 pm

dufremle wrote:How many nights were you thinking of staying?

I'm also on call the last week of Feb.
Fri night Sat night Sun night - what does it matter if your on call that last week?
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:52 pm

dufremle wrote:How many nights were you thinking of staying? My CPAP battery should be able to last two without charging.

From the Big Bend website:
The National Park Service (NPS) announced that Big Bend National Park will modify its entrance fees to provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs to enhance the visitor experience. Effective June 1, 2018, the entrance fees to the park will be $30 per verhicle or $25 per motorcycle. A Big Bend annual park pass will cost $55. All of the money received from entrance fees remains with the National Park Service, with at least 80 percent of the revenue going to Big Bend National Park.
Things I still need:
Head Lamp
tent - I have one but might buy a new one
Chair
Dromedary bag (water)

I might need help wiring up the PDM and charging in the top box.
You have a step bit and plugs?
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:46 pm

I don't have a step bit. What do you mean by plugs?
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:23 pm

dufremle wrote:I don't have a step bit. What do you mean by plugs?
to go in the hold for the power
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:31 am

Yes
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:26 pm

dufremle wrote:Yes
silicone?
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:26 am

I'll have to look
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:59 am

What tires are you going to run? I'm thinking I might replace my rear tire since I have been commuting quite a bit on mine. Running the Karoo 3 right now. Think we might need more of an off-road tire?
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:35 pm

Karoo
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by JeffStrom » Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:13 am

I am just going to put the Shinko 804/805 back on. I don't know how much tread they will have left after all the slab between here, there, and back.
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:10 am

I still have decent tread on mine, but after the ride down I'm not sure how much will be left for the ride back. Figure I'll be safe and replace at least the rear tire. I think the front will be good.

How are the Shinko's in mud? I had some issues last weekend in sticky mud with the Karoo's. Wondering if I should go with the Shinko's instead.
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by SputnikSam » Wed Jan 09, 2019 1:41 pm

I got laid off work last week, so I don't know how things will go in February with job search and all... Most likely I will be able to make the trip. Might as well while there's time.

I still have the rallycross tire from Utah trip I could throw on, hoping it'll hold up for the trip down and back.
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by JeffStrom » Wed Jan 09, 2019 2:14 pm

Sam: Bummer. But at least you see the bright side that you will get to spend more time on your motorcycle for what is hopefully a short down period.

Jim: The Shinko 804/805 combo is a little sketchy for mud in that they do tend to slide side to side. That said, they clear themselves pretty well and will push forward if you can keep the back in-line with the front.
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Wed Jan 09, 2019 3:14 pm

Sam, that sucks. Good luck in the job search.

The Karoo's would hold the mud to the point the front tire would not turn. Even going down the road it did not want to throw it off the tire. I'm leaning toward getting a set of Shinko's to try on this trip and running the Karoo's for commuting. The Shinko's are a bit cheaper, too.
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by dufremle » Wed Jan 09, 2019 3:36 pm

Scrap the Shinko's, they don't make them in the size I need. Continental does make a 40/60 (on road/off-road) tire in the size I need. Any opinion on the TKC80?
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Re: Utah and Big Bend and stuff

Post by fixxervi6 » Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:00 pm

SputnikSam wrote:I got laid off work last week, so I don't know how things will go in February with job search and all... Most likely I will be able to make the trip. Might as well while there's time.

I still have the rallycross tire from Utah trip I could throw on, hoping it'll hold up for the trip down and back.
I have an open position - pm me if your interested and we can see if your a match
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