Eastern Utah Upcoming trip: Utah Backcountry Discovery Route Oct 17th-21st 2012

[jentzschman]

I think I will puck up this little guy: http://www.rei.com/product/705534/sea-to-summit-reactor-thermolite-mummy-bag-liner.

Granted, my sleeping bag is like 10 years old and not the greatest....

I have a REI pad that is pretty nice though: http://www.rei.com/product/828460/rei-stratus-insulated-air-pad

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm torn, REI has some great stuff, but they're SUWA supporters. So I've tried to buy my camping gear at other retailers. It's been hard.

 

[jentzschman]

Why is that bad? I thought supporting wildlife lands is good... Did I miss something about SUWA?

 

[sixstringsteve]

You and millions of others have missed something about SUWA. SUWA is the devil. They're trying to close most of the dirt roads in the state of Utah to all forms of mechanized travel, including ATV, Motorcycle, 4x4, car, bicycle, anything that isn't a horse or hiker.

but that's an entirely different discussion for a different thread. SUWA is trying to close every 4x4/bike trail in Moab/Canyonlands, etc.

 

[Greg]

IIRC, REI actually dropped their support of SUWA... but don't take my word for it, do some searching.

 

[sixstringsteve]

That would be great news, as I like a lot of REI's products, but aside from 2 or 3 posts on ExPo and Pirate, I can't find any facts that they no longer support SUWA.

 

[jentzschman]

That would be great news, as I like a lot of REI's products, but aside from 2 or 3 posts on ExPo and Pirate, I can't find any facts that they no longer support SUWA.

Not sure if they will respond honestly, but I emailed the about it about an hour ago.

 

[sixstringsteve]

ok, back on track... Tyson, are you coming on this trip?

 

[Medsker]

So I am going to bring a friend and was wondering if when we are done someone could take him back to SLC (He lives in Grantsville but we can leave a car for him wherever it is the easiest). This way I can just drive across to California rather than have to take him back home.

Thanks Medsker

Plans have changes and he is not going now so never mind.

 

[Medsker]

So I was wondering if we are planning on eating lunch when we stop for gas or are we bringing lunch with?

 

[jentzschman]

Curious: Would one gas can be enough do you think? I know Low Range has a nice metal one I spotted while I was down there a few weeks ago.

Also. I know the ARB and the like have nice 12v coolers. But at over 600 bucks, kind of pricey. Wondering if anyone knows of a less costly second option? It would be nice to be able to keep a few thing cold on this trip.

Thanks,

Trevor

 

[sixstringsteve]

Kurt rents them, or you can use a cooler with dry ice as explained here:
http://www.rme4x4.com/entry.php?44-Backcountry-Travel-cheap-and-light

 

[jentzschman]

Would there be any other ideas that we should bring as far as preparedness goes?

I know there were a few items listed on the first post, however, I have been brainstorming about items I should bring just to be more prepared.

 

[TROKITA]

Curious: Would one gas can be enough do you think? I know Low Range has a nice metal one I spotted while I was down there a few weeks ago.

Also. I know the ARB and the like have nice 12v coolers. But at over 600 bucks, kind of pricey. Wondering if anyone knows of a less costly second option? It would be nice to be able to keep a few thing cold on this trip.

Thanks,

Trevor

i did see a Coleman fridge like the ARB one its a 12v fridge aswell and its way cheaper idk how well they are

EDIT: found them 10 quarts less but 400 buck cheaper
http://www.coleman.com/Products/8570/thermoelectric-coolers

 

[Maverick]

I can't add more days, sorry. I just hope it doesn't end up feeling like a race to the campsite before dark. If it does start to feel that way, we'll slow it down and make sure we take our time and enjoy it. We may not complete the entire route, but we'll have a good 4-5 days.

I posted up a suggestion about this last night, but don't see it here now, so I'll rephrase, asking as a question:

Is the southern tip of the entire trip going to be cut off?

Or will the latter end of each day's dirt miles be cut? ( in order to keep on schedule, for those that want to join a certain segment.)

 

[Maverick]

Post #2 has been updated with Thursday's map/route.

I'm having a hard time discerning the route on that map, especially regarding Nine Mile Canyon. You mention stops at Soldier Summit and Wellington. Where does the route join/leave hwy 6/191?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

i did see a Coleman fridge like the ARB one its a 12v fridge aswell and its way cheaper idk how well they are

EDIT: found them 10 quarts less but 400 buck cheaper
http://www.coleman.com/Products/8570/thermoelectric-coolers

Apples and oranges. The ARB/Engel/Luna/Edgestar style fridges are a 100% compressor driven refrigerator (freezer). The Coleman is a thermoelectric cooler which uses massive amounts of energy (up to 10 amps constantly) to transfer the heat either into the compartment or out. Besides their poor efficiency (3x+) that of an actual fridge cycle, they also have a very limited temp reduction range, approximately 30-40* F below ambient whereas a 12V fridge can do 100* below ambient, and maintain a true freeze if desired even in 100+ degree temps. While the limited cooling is a drag, the draw is a bigger issue. Assuming a warm night and a unit running through the night, it could drain a battery pretty quick, possibly beyond a start threshold for a single battery user. Many find them more useful as a supplement to ice, i.e. they still use ice but the Coleman 'fridge' makes it last longer.

As Steve mentioned we rent fridges, we have 4 different models to choose from and the bulk of the rental fee goes towards a fridge purchase should you choose to indulge:
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/rental_gear.html

Is a 12V fridge for everyone? Absolutely not, but for many they are a sound investment. Check out my thoughts on the matter here:
12V Freezer-Fridges - Do they bring the heat?
www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?76600-12V-Freezer-Fridges-Do-they-bring-the-heat

The cost of a fridge will obviously be a few hundred bags of ice, but if its a long-term investment that not only saves you the hassle of ice but also give you more flexibility and room when loading for a trip. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Curious: Would one gas can be enough do you think?

Yes, that should be plenty. Our longest stretch between gas stations is 250 miles. Depending on MPG, an extra 5 gal should get you 50-100 extra miles over your stock range.

Would there be any other ideas that we should bring as far as preparedness goes?

I know there were a few items listed on the first post, however, I have been brainstorming about items I should bring just to be more prepared.

Bring anything you'd need to go camping for a week. Here's the list I put together:

http://www.rme4x4.com/entry.php?45-What-to-bring-camping-camping-gear-list

 

[sixstringsteve]

I posted up a suggestion about this last night, but don't see it here now, so I'll rephrase, asking as a question:

Is the southern tip of the entire trip going to be cut off?

Or will the latter end of each day's dirt miles be cut? ( in order to keep on schedule, for those that want to join a certain segment.)

If we find that we're not making time like we should be, I'm going to be cutting back the southern part. Most of our campsites are on dirt, so there's no quick freeway to take you to them. You're either going to make it by sundown or not. I'm optimistic that we can make camp each night, but if it starts to feel like a race and we're not enjoying ourselves, then I'm going to end up camping somewhere else each night. So i can't guarantee for sure that we're in the planned spot each night.

That being said, I think our plans should work out. I figure if we average 30 mph, we'll have 6 hours of driving a day. If we leave at 9 am, that's driving 'till 4 or so with an hour for lunch. That puts us at camp before dark. We'll just have to play it by ear and see how it goes.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Post #2 has been updated with Thursday's map/route.

I'm having a hard time discerning the route on that map, especially regarding Nine Mile Canyon. You mention stops at Soldier Summit and Wellington. Where does the route join/leave hwy 6/191?

is the map working for you? Are you able to see the blue route on it? You can zoom in on the map and move it around for details. You can switch between map, sattelite, and earth view. Also, click on the title "day 2" and it'll take you to Google Maps where you can manipulate it more.