UPDATE: Large amounts of rain in the area. Watch this space. I wont make it out till thursday now, please report on conditions if you get there.
plan B
Plan "B" spot

A few things to remember,
Pre event is the non official part of the event.That means you are on your own and don't expect to get in touch with any of the organizers.
don't expect anything there except warm welcome and a bunch of crazies doing crazy #@%$#! like flying kites or other things.
there are no amenities closest thing to civilization is a 30 min drive.
Its all out camping. We usually share our food so if you want to eat with the rest be sure to bring something to contribute, things like eggs, bacon, pasta, and #@%$#! thats easy to make are preferred and if your nice there might be someone nice enough to #@%$#! it for you or not!
(you may stay at your corner and do things on your own if you like, no pressure there)
it gets cold as chit so come prepared.

There is only one rule! NO WHINING!

HARPER DRY LAKE PRE EVENT aoxo click on hyper link for map

here is the harper directions
on highway 58 w of the 15 and E of the 14 freeways
turn north on harper lake rd.
turn right on power line rd (this is a dirt rd, thats between the 2 large transmission lines also known as Roy St.)
left on CORD20776 the rd is marked with 3 tires laid across the rd (hopefully they are still there)

when you get on the lake bed turn left and follow the shore line we should be in the second cove about a half a mile
this is an easier access then what we went through last year, while there we realized the place is actually surrounded with unique things marshes ponds and wildlife, those who make it there, should go out and back site seeing,

A WORD OF CAUTION THERE ARE CRACKS THAT ARE BIGGER THEN YOUR BUGGY TIRES ABOUT A FOOT WIDE OR .3 METERS, THEY ARE MOSTLY ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE PLAYA(SOME DO CROSS THE PLAYA), THEY RUN HUNDREDS OF FEET AND ABOUT 3 FEET or 1 MEETER DEEP IN SOME AREAS, IF YOU GO OUT WONDERING BE SURE TO BE IN A GROUP OR TELL SOME ONE WHERE YOUR GOING , AND TRY TO FIND THE CRACK BEFORE IT FINDS YOU, UNLESS YOUR FROM UK AND YOUR BUGGY JUMPS OVER THINGS.

see you soon with a surprise!

Thanks for the directions.

Susan (npw goddess)

What cracks! Like the one on the buggy tow last year :D haha!! Do we get a special rope this year too :D haha

Can not wait for Pre event!!!! Gonna be SICKKKKK!!

Hey Sailors,
About that tow-rope... Yes.
I have new ropes.
We can put out two long cruising ropes as well as the short sling-ride rope.

But even more important:
I have a plan.
Get yourself a carabiner (a real one - not that cheap Home Depot version)
(actually I use welded steel rings and figure-8 belays as well as 'biners)
Don't know about 'biners? Stop by your local climbing store - They'll know.
Cost you in the $10+ range.
Buy two so you can share.

We need a way for everyone to have a good solid, secure grip on the rope.
We'll have more than enough rope so everyone can larS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s-head their 'biner to the rope.
I will cut you length of mule-tape so you can make your strap-grip.
Pop that into your 'biner.
Now no-one will slip along the rope when we get going.

Get ready for the best buggy tow-ride ever.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

no not those cracks craig! this was on the north end of the lake about 100 meters from the shore line, and believe me they are biiiigggg. now of course we had a lot of rain so who knows what it looks like now.
another note, bring fire wood!

Better than larksheading a biner to the rope (as Darrin's plyer grip hands will tell you) is to prusik a length of mule tape (or webbing) to the rope. Then use a biner on that if needed. Couple of different climber ways of doing this, maybe I'll set up a sample of these in camp for observation/learning.

So looking forward to this.

Thanks FF for getting this thread started.

Pre-event is going dark for the organizers. We don't buggy as much as we'd like during the event, so we go out here to buggy first!

That means we don't answer our phones! or email!

We are happy to help with any and all issues concerning the event right up till the 23rd or March!

Aoxomoxoa~first~!~

just came from harper, half of the playa is still under water, elmers is also under water.I found a new entered to harper so I changed the directions originally posted.

Thanks Freddie for the new directions. I was looking at that approach on the satellite maps and hoping someone would give it a run. It looks like a better road for those of us with big vehicles.

I'm working like a dog between now and then so I can be there too! My wife has a NABX count-down timer on her phone (counting down to the pre-event, of course ;-) )

Darrin

So are we going to meet at harper lake, and not el mirage???

Pre-Event

Quote:

Originally posted by Ramij2 So are we going to meet at harper lake, and not el mirage???

Are there any charges or special permits needed to get onto harpers lake? And are there any facilities at all or is it total primative? El mirage is $15.00 per day,30 per week and 90 per year oct to oct, Ivanpah you have to get a free permit but it take approx 1 month. they did say if needed they would fax a copy. very nice to deal with! And you dont need a permit if attending an event.

No Charges as in middle of no where, pretty sure no permit needed. And there is nothing at all for miles! Totally primitive! You have to man up for a few days :D

No problem! I live with in 110 miles, and have plenty of camping gear.

http://www.rvdumps.com/dumpstations/california

For people who need an R.V. dump, looks like a free one right on the freeway....gettin really stoked for this, I cannot wait

Pre-Event attendees!

Directions at the top updated.

Please contact me via email for an outline of what's going on at Harpers if you want to be part of the community meals and party.

We have some major good times in store and want to include everyone that wants to join in.

deanjordan (at) gmail (dot) com will get you the aoxo connection!

Id you contemplating it, DO IT! Nocando hope you read this :P

Sorry guys have some meetings around the strip, I cannot make it.

Quote:

Originally posted by coreykite Hey Sailors, About that tow-rope... Yes. I have new ropes. We can put out two long cruising ropes as well as the short sling-ride rope. But even more important: I have a plan. Get yourself a carabiner (a real one - not that cheap Home Depot version) (actually I use welded steel rings and figure-8 belays as well as 'biners) Don't know about 'biners? Stop by your local climbing store - They'll know. Cost you in the $10+ range. Buy two so you can share. We need a way for everyone to have a good solid, secure grip on the rope. We'll have more than enough rope so everyone can larS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s-head their 'biner to the rope. I will cut you length of mule-tape so you can make your strap-grip. Pop that into your 'biner. Now no-one will slip along the rope when we get going. Get ready for the best buggy tow-ride ever. Safen Up! Buggy On! "Often wrong... Never in doubt" the coreylama

Is this something that only happens at the pre event cos it sounds like fun

Yeh it is!!

Short vid http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=109922052379408

Quote:

Originally posted by nocando Sorry guys have some meetings around the strip, I cannot make it.

"meetings". Can I have permission to use that one in the future?

Quote:

Originally posted by popeyethewelder Quote: Originally posted by coreykite Hey Sailors, About that tow-rope... Yes. I have new ropes. We can put out two long cruising ropes as well as the short sling-ride rope. But even more important: I have a plan. Get yourself a carabiner (a real one - not that cheap Home Depot version) (actually I use welded steel rings and figure-8 belays as well as 'biners) Don't know about 'biners? Stop by your local climbing store - They'll know. Cost you in the $10+ range. Buy two so you can share. We need a way for everyone to have a good solid, secure grip on the rope. We'll have more than enough rope so everyone can larS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s-head their 'biner to the rope. I will cut you length of mule-tape so you can make your strap-grip. Pop that into your 'biner. Now no-one will slip along the rope when we get going. Get ready for the best buggy tow-ride ever. Safen Up! Buggy On! "Often wrong... Never in doubt" the coreylama Is this something that only happens at the pre event cos it sounds like fun

Any lake bed that you can drive on you can do the tow rope buggy pull. Since Ivanpah is restricted it will never happen there. It is fun. Beau and I have done it several times. A great way to buggy when there is no wind.

Susan (npw goddess)

lets all go to roach and do the buggy pull /tow there.get lenka to do the video.like a parade of stars[who's who]i'm lovin already.unless the wind picks up,then were gone in buggy bliss.

Quote:

Originally posted by fredagie UPDATE: Large amounts of rain in the area. Watch this space. I will check out the lake bed on Tuesday the 22nd and post here.

Freddy, did you get a chance to make a scouting run today?

Darrin

Chip and I will be leaving in about 10 min. Should be in Barstow Thursday about 8:00am
we will see your guys there.

Gbrown, I sure would love an update on the condition of Harper's before I leave the Bay Area on Friday morning.

Is there a plan 'B' if the Barstow area still under water? Roach?

Jonesing.

If you see a fast guy with H300 at his buggy you know you are at the right place.
The Dutch are on its way!
Customized MG CrooZer and some MG Snipers!
Good luck guys

There is always a plan 'B'. The top post will be updated this afternoon as soon as the first person reports back!

As Corey says, we love bad weather before the event, as bad weather doesn't last!

Aoxomoxoa~horizon~!~approaching~event~window~opening~!~

sistat•downtime•ª§ºª§∞∞§¶•–––¶£™™§ªºº§ª

as of the time of this posting, my grandfather and I are departing for Harper. When we get there we will relay conditions back if we have reception. Until then happy travels, over and out

We are heading to Harper right now. Should arrive between 5:00 and 6:00pm. Will send an update when we are there.

Darrin & Susie