2 hours from S. California

[Siggie]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

On this one point, we are different. I would try to go to death valley on the hottest day of the year.
Also, as one can only acclimate to a certain point in the extreme cold before other measures are mandatory (proper clothing etc. so it is with the heat.
Don't know if you've ever read the short story (very short) by Jack London titled " To Build A Fire". The cascading sequence described thereof is actually a common finominon that occurs in extreme elements.
Still , you sound quite capable so am looking forward to your discription of death valley.
Been a long time for me & so many things have changed. Used to be one of the most desolate roads & quietest.
Enjoy

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

With proper conditioning, the human body can accomplish amazing things...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badwater_Ultramarathon

I wouldn't go from living an air conditioned life and working out in a gym to Death Valley on a 130 degree day and go on a 10 mile hike with no shade. That's just stupid. But if you hike regularly and slowly increase exposure with the changes in the climate, you do adjust. It would also help to spend time at higher temp without exerting oneself with much activity to further acclimate safely. Also going early enough or late enough to avoid the worst of the sun/heat, with proper cooling clothing, and double the water one thinks will be needed, can be safe enough. As always, the other general good practices apply as well about what to carry, how to navigate, leaving a route with time info with someone, etc. but I'm not trying to write a guide. A little bit of thought, planning, and forethought can go a long way.
To say there are limits to acclimatization is obvious to the point of not needing saying, isn't it? Obviously one can't acclimate to the point of not needing to hydrate, not needing to take a map or compass, etc.

[Artashes]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

On this one point, we are different. I would try to go to death valley on the hottest day of the year.
Also, as one can only acclimate to a certain point in the extreme cold before other measures are mandatory (proper clothing etc. so it is with the heat.
Don't know if you've ever read the short story (very short) by Jack London titled " To Build A Fire". The cascading sequence described thereof is actually a common finominon that occurs in extreme elements.
Still , you sound quite capable so am looking forward to your discription of death valley.
Been a long time for me & so many things have changed. Used to be one of the most desolate roads & quietest.
Enjoy

[Haykakan]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

I will be ice fishing and hunting in the snow. Love a cold long winter.

[Siggie]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

Wow, Machu Picchu. Hope to see some pictures of that posted.
In the USA when the weather forcasters tell where the hottest spot in the nation are, they generally are telling where the 2nd hottest spot is, because virtually every day (not winter) death valley is the hottest place. It ain't called death valley for nothin. Likewise in winter it's usually the coldest.
The place is not a joke. It's appropriate to bring backup.
Enjoy.
Artashes

My photos as a set may seriously suck. I'm leaving my dslr at home and taking a rangefinder instead and only a 35mm and a 50mm lens. Who knows what I'm gonna end up with... I'll share if they're not too awful.

Death Valley can be dangerous certainly, but I'm experienced enough to know to go prepared to get lost. I'm hoping for something like April or Oct/Nov for a visit, but I may be able to tolerate something closer to summer even. I tend to hike enough even in the summer to build up some tolerance to the heat. so if I condition, it shouldn't be too bad. Nonetheless, I think I would steer clear during the hottest months of July/August. I don't know that the cold is as much of an issue as the heat though. It was pretty cold in Joshua Tree when I went for NYE weekend last year (even snowed briefly) and I was cozy enough while the sun was out. I did have my roof rack filled with just firewood for the evenings though!

[Artashes]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

I managed to catch 1.5 comet trails, but mostly no, they weren't great. I switched cameras and am tackling the steeper learning curve. I goofed and didn't take a cable release so I couldn't use the bulb setting. Hadn't realized I needed that. I'll have to pick one up and try again. I am trekking to Machu Picchu soon though, so I'm hopeful that there will be at least one clear night during the wet season to see our galaxy!

Have you done Death Valley? I've been meaning to research that. I'm hoping they allow off-road and "backcountry" camping.

Wow, Machu Picchu. Hope to see some pictures of that posted.
In the USA when the weather forcasters tell where the hottest spot in the nation are, they generally are telling where the 2nd hottest spot is, because virtually every day (not winter) death valley is the hottest place. It ain't called death valley for nothin. Likewise in winter it's usually the coldest.
The place is not a joke. It's appropriate to bring backup.
Enjoy.
Artashes

[Siggie]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

Nope .. and nice! Hope you got some good shots of the sky?

Artashes, I have yet to make it to the Sequoia's. We were thinking of doing the southern parts of the Sierras this summer but ended up going north towards Lassen National Park and eventually ended up by Crater lake in Oregon. That was a great trip ... but that meant I still have a big part of the sierras to go visit

I managed to catch 1.5 comet trails, but mostly no, they weren't great. I switched cameras and am tackling the steeper learning curve. I goofed and didn't take a cable release so I couldn't use the bulb setting. Hadn't realized I needed that. I'll have to pick one up and try again. I am trekking to Machu Picchu soon though, so I'm hopeful that there will be at least one clear night during the wet season to see our galaxy!

Have you done Death Valley? I've been meaning to research that. I'm hoping they allow off-road and "backcountry" camping.

[Sip]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

Sip, did I tell you I went out to Johnson Valley on your recommendation?....

Nope .. and nice! Hope you got some good shots of the sky?

Artashes, I have yet to make it to the Sequoia's. We were thinking of doing the southern parts of the Sierras this summer but ended up going north towards Lassen National Park and eventually ended up by Crater lake in Oregon. That was a great trip ... but that meant I still have a big part of the sierras to go visit

[Siggie]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

Haven't been to Kern, but would like to go to Red Rock Canyon SP sometime.

Sip, did I tell you I went out to Johnson Valley on your recommendation? Went for a darker spot to see the Perseid meteor shower. Got there in the dark and was worried about the trails, but stayed on the tame dirt stuff and it was conveniently deserted so we just pulled directly off a larger trail.

[Artashes]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

Camped by lake Isabella once a few years ago. The 35-50mph wind didn't stop a second the 2 days I was there. Hated it ... haven't been back. It's not one of my favorite spots but I haven't spent much time along the river other than driving around.

Bummer. When I was there last there was no wind at all. Spent at least a week, always by the giant trees except when enjoying the icy cold waters of the kern river. The forest is a particularly clean ground with little or no undergrowth. Easy to wander there.
Did you go when the Santana (Santa Anna) winds traditionally blow?
How about the Sequoia's? Are they literally beyond belief or what.
For me to knock around there with those trees & that icy river in the mountains was only second to heaven.
Artashes

[Sip]

Re: 2 hours from S. California

Camped by lake Isabella once a few years ago. The 35-50mph wind didn't stop a second the 2 days I was there. Hated it ... haven't been back. It's not one of my favorite spots but I haven't spent much time along the river other than driving around.