Panamint Valley Days – 2008

In Attendance:

John & Sharon Hively

Chris Hively

Barry & Cathy Cummins

Chris & Arlene Storm

Steve & Renie Friend

Ray & Marilyn Pfeifer

Ron & Suzy Guptil

Frank & Bev Rubilino

Dave & Judy Swanson

Steve Gardnier

Friday Cummings cutoff run:  23 vehicles.  Barry Cummins was directly behind me (we have found it to be much better if two trail crew are at the front) while Steve Friend was tail gunner.. WC4WDC members Ron Guptal, Ray Pfiefer, Frank Rubilino and my son Chris were trail hands--it was a very good crew.  One sliced sidewall on driver rear tire is all for vehicle problems that I recall; I was more concerned over what could have been a major injury (a vehicle got a rock wedged between the fender and tire at the notch;  against Steve Friend's adamant advice a helper tried to hold the rock by hand while the driver applied power......it was ugly; pretty much bruised the guy's arm, we had a paramedic with us who was pretty sure nothing was broken--but I asked if he had an xray machine and he said no--I strongly advised the injured party to seek medical help, even though he wanted to continue.  I told him I would drive him to Ridgecrest myself.  Luckily he finally gave in to reason and a couple of his friends took he and his vehicle out--nothing broken or severely injured per the doctors.

We did both lower washes before hitting waterfall zero.  Several of us "cleaned" this obstacle, others needed strapping or winching.  I needed a strap with 6-8 people pulling my front end down at the top of the notch above waterfall zero; so did Barry--we turned my Jeep around at the top and subsequently used the winch for others needing a little tug (safer and more reliable than body power!)..  Ron Guptal of WC4WDC had already driven by the notch in his nicely setup grey Rubicon (did I mention this was my son Michael's previous ride?) and when he discovered how much fun we were having he came back to give it a whirl and with a little winching--came up the notch.  About 8 rigs tried the notch:  2 were body strapped, 2 were winched, 2 attempted and took the alternate route and 2 drove up unassisted--Stan of the Stan and Stanley father/son team in Stan's Rock-buggy and my son Michael in his full width modified Jeep.

About 2/3 of the group then proceeded up Cummins cutoff while Frank Rubilino led the others to the viewpoint on Defense Mine road.  Barry, his son-in-law Travis Dorschner (Cherokee) and I attempted the water fall about 50 yds north of the Defense/Cummins Jct. on the left side of Defense Road.  In a nutshell: I squealed all four tires all over the face of what I thought was a climbable rock waterfall face; so did Travis--Barry winched us both up from the top (via defense road).  Whilst we played; Chris Hively and Ron Guptal led the main group up to Defense for optional and strictly voluntary mine exploration.  Chris and his friend Eric both drove there Forerunners up to the mine entrance.  Barry and Travis and I followed shortly and when we got near.....Barry stopped at the final left turn and looked right toward the tailings pile and he moved in that direction (we had a Trail Gear rock-buggy make it up that way last year.  Since he was leading, I followed and Travis followed--we all made it up and Barry and I went to the top and turned around and drove down (limited space up there for turning around with two Four runners parked there.  Of note:  1.  Chris inadvertently "missed" the mine entrance right turn and kept going quite a ways up the nice white rock canyon before it got a little spooky and he backed back down, 2. Chris told me there is significant cave-in activity at the top of the 2nd set of ladders--you had to crawl thru a small opening to continue due to dirt which was blocking the way.  He told me this was his last tip through--I feel the same.

We had an ample and well qualified trail team and the best group of people, including personalities and equipment for guests--we had fun!

Friday evening:  My shotgun, Mike Gerrick, led the Fourrunners of Chris and Eric up to the Kopper King Mine for a night run.  The cabin is in the best condition I have ever seen it be--really nice.  A truly fun run.

Saturday Isham Run:  22 vehicles.  Steve Friend was in the #2 slot,  Barry Cummins was tail gunner while Ron Guptal of WC4WDC and Chris Hively were interspersed among the guests.  We had a broken front drive shaft yoke (just because you have a blower does not mean you have to use it on the waterfall below the V-notch).  We had one rollover without injury.  The rollover was not on an obstacle, just along the trail and was strictly driver error.  No harm, except pride and slight (really) vehicle damage.  Steve and I were at the top of the waterfall in barely over an hour.  This was remarkable because we would both drive way past an obstacle; then hike back down to spot--many times until relieved by trail crew.  Last year we had one trail crew for every four to five vehicles and it was easier on us.  That said; we had everyone at the top by about 12:45 after leaving the air down area at 9:00 am.  Another great run with really great guests and equipment.....but wait there is more.  We had lunch at the top of Isham and I led the group back to the air down (up) area where we said our goodbyes.  I think every guest made it a point to thank me and the trail crew for a successful and fun run.  My son, Michael, Barry Cummins and Travis Dorschner stayed back and decided to come down Isham--they even hinted they would be back to the air down area before me.....more on that in a moment.......

Both runs departed on time and it seemed to be the correct start time.  We could have used one or two more trail crew on Isham--though not a major problem.  Both days were the easiest ever due to the quality of trail crew and guests--my thanks to all.

Now, after goodbyes, my shotgun (Tom Shea) and I started up Isham for the 2nd time, wondering where we would meet up with Barry and Michael.....after the first few obstacles we stopped and turned off the engine and could not hear any activity in the Canyon.  I called Barry on the CB and he said we can hear you coming......well I knew if they were running they would not be hearing me coming.  We met them at the "moving" rock (the one that has the eroded shelf on the lower side we used to drive on) where we found Michael's Blue Jeep resting on the driver side with the windshield broken and a slightly tweaked roll cage--thankfully no injuries.  I noticed Barry's yellow Jeep had a cracked windshield....seems he went high to driver side coming down the V-notch and laid it over on Cathy's side.  Barry said if he had turned on his lockers he could have driven through it--but without them his engine revved with no forward movement.  In fact he was able to turn on the lockers and drive out unassisted by turning his front wheels right.  Travis made it all the way through without tipping and only minor body abrasion--excellent driving.

Sunday:  Barry, Travis and I decide rain is not an obstacle and decide to run Pleasant Canyon via Indian Ranch and Ballarat.  This was a great decision because the rain quit and we encountered snow just above the World Beater Mine.  This is the second time I have broken through fresh untraveled snow on this run--it is an awesome experience; absolutely beautiful. We stopped and turned around at the "Manly" historical sign at the top.  We all agreed this would be one of our most treasured PVD experiences. We then returned to camp, packed up and headed for Johnson Valley for a late evening arrival, elevenish.