Comm in Death Valley

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bpenn1980

bpenn1980

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We're thinking of doing 4 days in Death Valley before Christmas and since I've never been I wanted to get your input on communications. Most of the info I've found states that the ham repeater coverage is patchy at best. Agree? Beyond the repeaters, which I have created a small list of, are there any "known" DV specific simplex freqs that are used?

For those of you who have been before, how much traffic are we likely to encounter out there this time of year? I know I should just spring for the SPOT device, but money is tighter this year. Still not a good reason to gamble, I know.

I thought the MNP was remote, but there I could easily hit the repeater in Big Bear 100+ miles away. I guess the more mountainous terrain in Death Valley creates some serious black holes.

Thanks all
 
You can also PM Cruiserdrew or Alvarorb here on mud. Both those Norcal guys have frequented DV for years and as hams will be able to help you too.
 
There isn't much out there. Don't rely on repeaters because you won't get out to them. They just put a new cell tower .. New Cell Tower Helps Save Three Lives in Death Valley

We use SPOT and it works fine, just make sure you aren't dying and need help quick. It can take up to 30 mins to hit the satellite and then hours for a helo if you really need it.

You'll see plenty of folks this time of year. This is their busy season. Summer is off season. In fact, new years we'll be in Saline which is northwest of DV.

Your biggest defense to DV is not going alone. Bring a rig or two with you and plan ahead.
 
I'd like to make a run out there with some of you all, but its always so tough to coordinate with a group. If any of you are interested in a Death Valley run between the 20th and the 24th we'll be out there.

Here is our rough itinerary if you're interested:

Day 1: Drive up from socal through Trona, check out Ballarat ghost town, go across Mengel pass, check out the Barker ranch and make camp at one of the cabins in Butte Valley.

Day 2: Head out to the 128 and see Badwater, Devil's Golfcourse, Artist's Palete, then drive across through Stovepipe Wells and find Minnieta cabin. If its occupied, we'll probably camp at Panamint Springs camp ground, or maybe primitive at Lake Hill. This might be a long day, but there's no cut across the mountains south of the 190 unfortunately...

Day 3: Head north from Panamint Springs, take Lippincott over to the Racetrack, brave the washboard up to the Ubehebe Crater, tour Scotty's Castle, then back down to Stovepipe Wells for the night.

Day 4: Cholride City, Rhyolite, Titus Canyon the head out of the park to Death Valley Junction and see the Armagosa Opera House, then end the day at the hot springs in Tecopa.

We'll be driving up to Big Bear on Christmas Eve.

Of course, this is a pretty packed trip, so I expect we'll make some changes here and there if we end up wanting to spend more time at certain places.
 
car-car said:
That is a pretty packed itinerary. Good idea to be flexible and roll with it. Such an awesome trip, we did it earlier this spring. Could have easily stayed there another week and still not seen everything. Can't wait to go again.

Here's our trip from earlier this year: https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-san-diego-cruisers/376361-death-valley-camping-trip.html

Have fun, and post up your trip report after too.
Click to expand...

Your trip report is what gave me the idea of Lake Hill camp and made Titus Cyn a must see :)

Its cool you had a lot of families take their kids on your trip. Family trips are great. I have wonderful memories from the backseat of my parents car on our yearly road trips.
 
So the Saline Valley South Pass closure is a non-issue right? I'm correctly assuming that the "south pass" is the area around where Hunter Mtn road splits off and from what I've read it sounds like it is always closed, but passable?

With this precipitation coming over the weekend I'm trying to decide between Lippincott or Hunter Mtn to get to the Racetrack. I wouldn't think very much snow could accumulate this early, but you never know.
 
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