[Video] Buggying at the Alvord Desert, Oregon

That is a great looking place indeed. So similar to Ivanpah except the mountains appear to be closer and larger. The playa, that looks just the same. I suspect it would be super cool to buggy there; truly middle of nowhere stuff. I absolutely love Ivanpah but this would be cooler once you got yourself there I bet.

Depending on where you are coming from it looks as if you take I-80 to Winnemucca and then head North for a good spell. I suspect the road dwindles to next to nothing by the time you finally pull up on the playa.

I checked out the distance for me from SLC. Something like 7-8 hours drive. Just about exactly the same as my drive to Ivanpah. Could happen!

Nice video too. Nice picture within picture footage.

nice video ....it a breathtaking and awesome place to ride .

thank for sharing ..

Quote: Originally posted by ikemiester

how are the conditions? Is it gusty? Is the cracked ground rough? If a landboarder crashed from a decent height, would they want to die?

Surface looked very, very similar to Ivanpah. If like Ivanpay, the playa's cracked mud is likely rock hard and sort of like 40wt sandpaper. Really destructive to rip stop, dermis, fragile stuff like that. When I kite skate on the Ivanpah playa I am armored from head to toe. Going down in that stuff at speed can wreck your whole day.

I've had to send one or two kites out for repairs after both of my Ivanpah trips. My Peak2s are pretty light weight and seem prone to damage on that surface. And I'm not talking about crashing them or rolling them on the ground in some sort of mad death roll; I'm talking about flying along in my buggy at 30-40 mph and touching the tip of the kite on the ground. Those sort of short interval touch downs at speed put some serious wear on the kites in my experience. Maybe it's just a peak thing.

Body parts? Best pray they are covered and padded when you yard sale. :o

I don't know about all that. But I do know that the place is surrounded by natural hot springs. I think I'm going to have to take a road trip! I certainly don't want to destroy my gear. But...worst case scenario is the gear stays in the truck the clothes come off and I soak in a hot tub.

Quote: Originally posted by Morrie Williams

We've gone to Alvord a dozen or so times and never had probems with the surface chewing up kites. I do have friends who have had holes worn in thier kites particularly those that had plastic stiffeners in the leading edge. It's a wonderful place to buggy or landsail with beautiful scenery. Just be prepared, the closest services are 20 miles away, Fields, and those are minimal. The closest real town, Burns, is 120 miles away. Bring your own water, food and camping gear. There is a group going to Alvord in October.

Morrie - it was great meeting you at IBX. The Peak2s do have the plastic stiffeners in the leading edge. Great for giving the leading edge some structure with the single skin design. Yes, the places where I have had wear issues is exactly where those stiffeners are. I don't have much experience with dual skins on the playa. Flew my 6m Access once and it came through unscathed. It as you say, the stiffeners don't let the Peaks give when you rub them on the ground going fast. As I get better I do it less and less. Thanks.