PLANNING: SoCal/Anza-Borrego : Nov 24-25th, 2009

[Philberto]

Hey everybody.

The site of Anza-Borrego has been chosen, and the dates set, November 24th and the 25th.

Borrego Trip begins in 1 day

Current attendees are as follows:


1. Philberto
2. The Roadie
3. Teebes
4. OregTrailBlazin
5. NickNorie


INVENTORY:

Philberto:
*Beer
*Tent (comfortably sleeps 4)
*15 gallons water
*Various tools
*Small shovel
*FRS radios
*Hot Dogs & Buns
*Trash Bags
*TP
*Paper towels and plates
*Plastic cups

-edit: cleaned up first post and added counter.

[The Roadie]

There aren't a lot of yellow-post sites, but I don't know the status of the organized campgrounds in the off-season. Seriously, I go there in the summer because tenting at 30 degrees has lost its appeal. Borrego in the winter is my habit. Teebes - you go to Big Bear more. What's Thanksgiving likely to be for temp?

Heck, the temps even NOW are 58/32. There's always a chance of Santa Ana winds, but the yellow post sites don't allow campfires. Ahhh, checked the National Forest site. Holcomb Valley campground is open. With a campfire, that one wouldn't be horrible.

I still like the desert.

[Philberto]

I was just hoping to drag OregTrailBlazin into it, and seeing how Big Bear is much closer than Borrego, seemed like a good spot... Any relatively close areas you can recommend based on your guidebooks and personal experience?

[teebes]

There aren't a lot of yellow-post sites, but I don't know the status of the organized campgrounds in the off-season. Seriously, I go there in the summer because tenting at 30 degrees has lost its appeal. Borrego in the winter is my habit. Teebes - you go to Big Bear more. What's Thanksgiving likely to be for temp?

Heck, the temps even NOW are 58/32. There's always a chance of Santa Ana winds, but the yellow post sites don't allow campfires. Ahhh, checked the National Forest site. Holcomb Valley campground is open. With a campfire, that one wouldn't be horrible.

I still like the desert.

Borrego for me too... You're looking at elevation over 7k in Big Bear, Philberto.

Another alternative would be Joshua tree on the eastern side of Big Bear - plenty of trails out that way and you're basically on the desert floor.

[Philberto]

So... would you or Bill be interested perhaps?

[teebes]

Abso - //// - lutely



I need to get my butt in gear and fix the trailer/tent, though. I'm dragging it out to the desert tomorrow AM and will inspect the damage more closely. I've avoided looking at it all week; just can't bare to see it in the state it's in


Did I mention both tent hinges are fubar'd

[The Roadie]

Guess I'm never going to get my stickers.....

[Philberto]

You worrying about stickers Bill? Hehe so where should we plan on going? I'm good for a night or two... just have no idea about the area.

[The Roadie]

Teebes has my stickers.

I've been running the Borrego trails for four years, and did some trail boss gigs as well. Know it very well now. Depends on Johnny's schedule when he comes down from Oregon.

I'd propose a Tues/Wed kind of trip with one overnight. Drawback is it's about 150 miles to get there for you guys, versus 80 for us. But there's some spectacular trails there, and unique geology, where Big Bear is merely a gorgeous couple of lakes and some mountain scenery, not much different than what's in Oregon that Johnny's already wheeled in.

[Philberto]

Speaking of, think he'll chime in soon? I'd love to know what his schedule is, and I'm aware we'd be basing it around that, so no problem there. Otherwise, we could always have a mini-meet up here. I know of a few places, and Rose Valley should be fairly temperate around then.

[The Roadie]

Hehe. He'd chime in more often if I didn't follow up every one of his posts with a nag about the coilovers. Now it's not Icon who's the bottleneck.

[teebes]

Are we really the other 3 on this site from this region?

So is the decision borrego? What days are realistic for everyone given the holiday?

[Philberto]

I think NickNorie is from out here too, but he's 2wd. Borrego sounds fine to me... 150 miles from Ventura you say? *saves change for gas* As long as I'm not driving back on Thanksgiving Day, any day from Sunday on is fine for me. I just need to take the days off.

-edit: 'doh!! I forgot I don't have a proper spare! Anybody have a 265/75/16 lying around somewhere on a stock rim?

[teebes]

No, but I have 4 stock rims/tires laying around that you are welcome to.

[Philberto]

I could use a stock rim... is it a 16"? I'll try and pick up a used 265/75/16 before I go..

-edit again: Other than basic tools and the stock roadside tools and water, I don't have a lot of equipment for offroading atm... Is there a basic list that you can give me of things I NEED to get and bring? I hate to rely on you and Bill for the equipment, but I'm in no position to get a whole bunch of things right now. I have camping equipment in the form of a cooler, tent, sleeping bag, and basic one-burner stove. And that's about it. I currently have no recovery equipment.

[teebes]

Yup, regular 16" rims. I have a 16" spare rim, too. I'm just loaded with stuff not that useful to me anymore

(you'll need to remind me as the date nears, though )

[Trail X]

There is one thing you need when traveling with highly equipped people...

Recovery points... front and rear.

So that means at least stock tow hooks and a receiver shackle.

[The Roadie]

Yah. We have all the stuff, and I especially like Coleman cooking. Teebes, on the other hand, can screw up Rice-a-roni, but has great skill at grilled meat.

I'm certain we can arrange some demonstration high-centered tests, so you can practice with our Hilifts.

You typically only need one or two winches and one Pullpal in a group. Do you have the front hooks?

I have two 17" steelie spare rims with an OEM size tire on one of them - not useful anymore.

[Philberto]

Yah. We have all the stuff, and I especially like Coleman cooking. Teebes, on the other hand, can screw up Rice-a-roni, but has great skill at grilled meat.

I'm certain we can arrange some demonstration high-centered tests, so you can practice with our Hilifts.

You typically only need one or two winches and one Pullpal in a group. Do you have the front hooks?

I have two 17" steelie spare rims with an OEM size tire on one of them - not useful anymore.

I am pretty certain I have stock tow hooks in the front... Will check tomorrow when it's light out. Coleman cooking is still a step up from my old camp standby of hot dogs on the nearest convenient sharpened stick. Yeah I still have my factory spare and tire, but as mentioned, it's only useful as a step, since it's a full 2 inches+ smaller in diameter than the other tires. I think I'll try and pick up an OEM 16" from teebes and slap a used tire on it, but I won't be able to do that until after this trip. Any word from Oreg yet on the dates? If he wants to talk to me, I won't nag him about coilovers It'll just be me, and not Ttop, as she can't get the time off work. I'm trying to get her to allow me to bring our German Shepherd puppy though (11mo).

[Philberto]

Oh No!!!! I don't have stock tow hooks! *sigh* will have to look on OS for how to add them, or did we ever find an alternative to the stock design?