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Introduction:
I stalled on deciding between Death Valley vs. Freezefest for as long as I could. Then I saw the forecast….Hanksville: Not good. In retrospect, I probably wouldn’t even had made it there in my compact 2WD rental car anyways after having seen the amount of snow North Wash received New Years Eve (my arrival day). Sorry Freeze-festers! I’m sure it was great down there but I think Death Valley was likely more enjoyable.
The Business:
New Years Eve: Landed in Vegas at 7:30pm. Deplaned, got bags, rented a car, obtained food/supplies, and dinner and departed Vegas at 9pm. Not bad if i do say so myself… This wasn’t my first rodeo.
I arrived just in time just to watch the new year roll over at Stovepipe Wells. A few souls were still up in the windy night to celebrate. I quickly discovered that by accident I had brought my mesh bivy instead of my one man tent. F….
My friends were already tucked away in the 4 season tent for the night.
Over the next couple days the wind died to nothing. Daytime temps were in the 50’s. We hit Inconceivable & Pit of Despair in the Panamint Range (both of which I’m told are recently descended), Typhoon (Black Mountain Range) at the recommendation of a new friend, and a day of mine exploration outside the West boundary of the park.
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