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going to death valley soon


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  • #1230288
    delun cai
    Member

    @olivercai

    hi, i am going to hike in death valley in august. but every one who i know is keeping talking about i can't make it, and i will die there. is it ture?? i don`t thing so. if you going there, what gear will you bring?

    #1443936
    Dave T
    Member

    @davet

    .

    #1443969
    delun cai
    Member

    @olivercai

    i am going to do the cottonwood/marble canyon loop hike. it is 26 to mile loop hiking. it take 3 to 5 day to finish it. so, how much water do you thing that i need?

    #1443972
    Christopher Chupka
    Member

    @fattexan

    Locale: NTX

    As much water as I drink and to include some extra in case of an emergency I would "carry" at least 2 gallons a day. I would figure at least a liter per hour on the move.

    Maybe you have an old external frame Kelty to carry all the weight, I don't think a Gossamer Gear Murmur is gonna cut it.

    #1443973
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    Delun,
    I'd advise AGAINST that 26 mile August Death Valley hike. I live in Henderson, Nevada and wouldn't even hike HERE in August.

    Eric

    #1443976
    Christopher Chupka
    Member

    @fattexan

    Locale: NTX

    Eric's reply is probably the best answer.

    Figure 2 gallons a day, 5 days worth of water to be safe, approximately 6 pounds per gallon, that would be roughly 60 pounds of water.

    #1443977
    Ryan Krause
    Member

    @rmkrause

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Look at the climate table for Death Valley at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_valley

    Where do you normally live? Have you ever experienced 100+ degree weather for sustained periods of time? With those temperatures you would be carrying a huge amount of weight just in water, see above posts, 2 gallons seems a good estimate. Why are you planning on August?

    I lived in AZ for many years and August was the month for gym climbing, not backpacking.

    #1443983
    Dave T
    Member

    @davet

    .

    #1443987
    Adam Behr
    BPL Member

    @justsomeguy

    I've never been to Death Valley, but I currently live in the Coachella Valley, where temperatures are often over 110F in the summer and make it over 120F regularly. Death Valley gets even hotter.

    Even if you have experienced temperatures over 100, it's still a very different thing from 115-120. It's an awful lot like being punched in the stomach when you walk out of an air conditioned building, and the feeling really doesn't lighten up as you you get used to it, at least in my experience.

    Do not underestimate what that'll do to you, energy-wise and hydration needs-wise.

    Also, water actually weighs ~8.35 pounds per gallon.

    I'm sure people have done what you want to do, but it'd seem to me it involves an awful lot of planning, and most likely some experience in such a climate, as well as lots of preparation involving caching water beforehand and other site specific strategies.

    I don't like to make judgements about people I've never met based on a few lines on a message board, but I'd be willing to bet an awful lot of money that if you're here asking if Death Valley in August will kill you, and what you might need, you're not even almost ready to go do this in a month or so.

    I could be wrong.

    I hope you read this in the kind and helpful manner it was intended.

    Good luck.

    #1443988
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    If going alone in August, make sure you have your will in place. I've heard people have left for a dayhike and not been able to make it back to their cars because they became dehydrated within a few hours.

    #1443996
    Brett Tucker
    Member

    @blister-free

    Locale: Puertecito ruins

    Death Valley's lower elevations in August are NO place for the uninitiated. Technically, you'll need a permit to do such a backcountry trek at this time of year, and the rangers will assess your preparedness (or lack thereof) prior to making their determination.

    If you don't have a permit – ie, formally announce your plans to the rangers – you'll possibly be endangering the lives of those who mount a SAR operation, as an untended vehicle in August can quickly raise suspicions of the worst.

    Seriously, don't do it.

    #1444003
    Craig Burton
    Member

    @missingutah

    Locale: Smoky Mountains

    I've actually been to Death Valley, in August no less, and it is certainly one of the most amazing and unique places I have visited; but it is best enjoyed from the road and by ranger-guided tours.

    I would also like to discourage you from the 26 mile loop, but that certainly is not to say that you can't accomplish it. In reality the chances of you literally "dying" are slim if you are well-prepared and willing to absolutely buck the thought of lightweight backpacking. If you do decide to go, be prepared for a more figurative death that you will not enjoy, and don't ever lose sight of the fact that a literal death is possible — it's called Death Valley for a reason. I don't mean to make things sound gruesome, but Death Valley is certainly the ONLY place I've been to where I am gleeful of elevation gains — you literally feel losses of energy and temperature rises for every 10 yards you descend.

    26 miles normally doesn't seem like a big deal, but Death Valley is one of the few places where it actually is a big deal. Death Valley even makes Canyonlands pale in comparison.

    If you've already made up your mind, and you're the real adventurous type; then most of us can attest to the fact that it isn't likely you will change your mind. If that is the case, I suggest you read up on the Death Valley 100 races and take note of all of the precautions that are taken for some of the best and fittest endurance runners in America along MAINTAINED ROADS in the area.

    #1444007
    Casey Bowden
    BPL Member

    @clbowden

    Locale: Berkeley Hills

    A question to regular posters.

    When a newbie makes a post that clearly indicates lack of experience, research, etc., what is the best approach for the forum community to take?

    In this instance, I thought ignoring the post was best.

    #1444011
    Michael Wands
    Member

    @walksoftly

    Locale: Piney Woods

    I just completed a 2-day, 24 mile trip in Texas when it reached 102. I hike every July & August.

    However, I am in the heat all of the time and have become acclimated somewhat. I carry NOTHING. Only a silk liner and some netting for sleeping and some energy bars for food. I go to lakes and rivers where there is a sure source of water and a good chance of a breeze. This last weekend I filtered and drank 2 gallons of water a day and still only pee'd three times!!!

    Be very carefull. You have to take nature on her terms and she can be very unforgiving. This hike will still be there for you in November.

    #1444012
    Adam Behr
    BPL Member

    @justsomeguy

    CASEY BOWDEN WROTE-"A question to regular posters.

    When a newbie makes a post that clearly indicates lack of experience, research, etc., what is the best approach for the forum community to take?

    In this instance, I thought ignoring the post was best."

    Personally, there were two things in this thread that drew me out of lurking (which I did as a paying member for well over a year).

    One was having personal experience that plenty of people out there probably don't, in this case spending too much time in temps over 120F.

    The other was something incorrect stated as fact that I felt capable of succinctly correcting (e.g. weight of water).

    There are probably a lot more people out there reading than will ever post, possibly even years into the future. Whether or not posting helps the OP (and I hope it does) there are plenty of others that could, at least potentially, benefit.

    I can sure understand the impulse to ignore, and maybe it is for the best.

    I'm curious as to others' thoughts on the matter.

    Good question.

    Thanks.

    #1444013
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    The guy seems incapable of using a shift key. Wonder what his planning and preparation skills are like…

    #1444018
    Dave T
    Member

    @davet

    .

    #1444019
    Brett Tucker
    Member

    @blister-free

    Locale: Puertecito ruins

    When I visited the Furnace Creek NPS contact station in June a couple of years ago, ranger Charlie Callaghan looked worried. "We just pulled a body off the salt playa of Badwater Basin a few weeks ago," he informed me. "He died doing what you're planning to do, more or less."

    I was there to pick up my permit before attempting the Lowest-to-Highest Trail, a backcountry hiking route from Badwater to Mt Whitney. It was the first portion of the route – in his jurisdiction, as it were – that had Charlie most concerned – the long, hot, arduous cross-country trek across Badwater Basin and up to Telescope Peak. My strategy was to night hike that stretch over a 48 hr period in an attempt to avoid the merciless broiling pan that Death Valley by day becomes at that time of year. Despite possessing a desert hiking resume that should have staved off most of my doubts, I still had some, and ranger Charlie a good deal more for me yet.

    "He had been attempting to hike from Badwater to Telescope and back in a day. Made it to the top, then died within sight of his vehicle on the return." That's not so surprising, the ranger went on to explain. In that kind of heat, (120F+) the margin of safety is extremely thin. One minute the heat may appear manageable, the next you're lightheaded, weak, and can't go on. And incapacitation away from help quickly brings heat stroke, then death.

    I never did make it beyond the briny pool of Badwater later that night. My rental car's outside temperature gauge was still reading 114 degrees at 10pm, and the desert wind was like a blowtorch, exacerbating rather than relieving the dessicating heat. Instead I opted to drive up to the cool heights of Wildrose campground for the night, then climbed 11,000 foot Telescope Peak as an out-and-back day hike. I had a fair amount of company on the hike, too, and none of us appeared to be suffering too much, but rather enjoying what amounted to a great hike at the perfect time of year.

    The "L2H" remains to be completed, a goal awaiting some free time in autumn one of these years. Summertime heroics in the low country of Death Valley, it turns out, is primarily for fools.

    #1444023
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    Dave: at least you can spell. :-)

    When I'm walking in Spain in the summer, I get up real early and stay in the shade as much as possible. Then I rest up under an overhang and walk again in the late afternoon until dark. I dislike carrying lots of water so I ask around for local knowledge on spring locations before I set off.

    #1444035
    Dave T
    Member

    @davet

    .

    #1444043
    Art Sandt
    Member

    @artsandt

    A 26 mile hike in Death Valley stretched out over a period of 5 days! Good lord! Do you enjoy hurting yourself or do you just have a death wish?

    #1444057
    delun cai
    Member

    @olivercai

    thank you for all reply, those informaion is very helpful, and make me more understanding what situation that i am runnign into. i know hike in death valley at august that is a very dangerous idea. but i don`t want to qive up without try. i am going to carry 6 gallon water. my navigaion system is suunto x9i watch. wear fastdry and uv protection clothing, hat, and pants.

    #1444058
    delun cai
    Member

    @olivercai

    i am chinses. and i live in los angeles. 22 yesrs old~

    #1444060
    Ashley Brown
    Member

    @ashleyb

    Delun,

    I recommend that you change your plans. I would not embark on a 26 mile trip into such conditions without having experience in similar situations for shorter time periods/distances first.

    I could give you some more advice about how I would attempt to do this hike, but I think it is foolhardy if you do not already have extensive experience in these conditions.

    Would you try multi-day hiking/camping in -50 degree temps without extensive experience first? Extreme heat can be just as dangerous as extreme cold… possibly more so, because we tend to think we can handle the heat just by sweating.

    #1444084
    delun cai
    Member

    @olivercai

    my plan is , i will take the one day hike there at the frist day.than, if i feel can't make it. i will give up the 3~5days hike. if i feel good after the one day hike. i think i will do the long hike

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