FOPV Cleanup - Chris Wicht Camp 2/2/08

[OTR]

Chris Wicht's Camp Cleanup - Saturday February 2nd, 2008

Help the Friends of Panamint Valley remove trash and debris from this historic site in Surprise Canyon.

The Friends of Panamint Valley in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management Ridgecrest Field Office is organizing a cleanup opportunity of the historic site of Chris Wicht's camp in Surprise Canyon, Panamint Valley, California.

Chris Wicht camp, the former residence of the famous Ballarat bartender and most recently occupied by the Novak's, burned down in September of 2006. Debris from the camp's workings is in need of removal and we need the public's help to get the job done. A previous effort in the canyon netted almost 20,000lbs of trash and scrap metal, but there is much more to be done.

Cleanup activities will begin Saturday morning and continue through the afternoon. Camping is available on Surprise Canyon Road, about 1/4mile east of Indian Ranch Road, north of Ballarat.

For the latest updates and information goto: http://www.fopv.org/cleanup.html

Or contact:
The Friends of Panamint Valley - info@fopv.org
-or-
Craig Beck - craig_beck@ca.blm.gov



# # # #

[Krusty]

The Tin Benders will be there in force----
it is a chance to show that the 'off-road' bunch are NOT the bad guys !!!

another point of contact ---- any of the Benders.
rumor has it that there just might be Trailblazers and AxleSnappers there also !!!

[Panamint Charlie]

Thanks for the update Kris.

Besides gloves and safety glasses, is there a need for any specialized equipment?

I'll be coming out Friday night. Maybe we can do a day trip up to the city on Sunday?

[OTR]

If you dont like breathing ash, Id recomend a particle mask. BLM had them available last time but ya never know.

k.

[Krusty]

I don't know if any tools will be provided--- so i'm gonna bring my own gloves and tools of choice !---

[Haole]

I'm down.

[Mustard Dog]

Bump for a good event:)

[mobil1syn]

having never been to this area anyone got an address or some sort of directions?

trying to get an idea of distance and time from riverside for scheduling.

[OTR]

Get yourself to Trona.

Easiest way to Trona for you is head up the 15 to 395. Take 395 to Trona Road, turn right. Turn right on 178 to Trona.

Head North out of Trona (its the last gas, get it if you need it) over the Slate Range and down into Panamint Valley.
A few miles from the bottom, turn right on Ballarat Road.
Go the 3 or so miles into Ballarat, turn left at the General Store.
Road will turn to the North and become Indian Ranch Road (theres no sign).
Go about 2 miles, turn right onto Surprise Canyon Road.
About .25-.5 mile in is the camping area.




k.

[Krusty]

Ridgecrest-- east to Trona---thru Trona stay on main road----over the next range of mts. down a twisty road to the valley floor- keeping eyes to the right,good dirt road past the radar site to 'town' of Ballarat- turn left on good dirt road in the edge of town(north)- couple big rocks on the right/ right turn up the mouth of Surprize Canyon------(north east)


course , friday is the grand opening of the new Fab shop in Ridgecrest------

[Y-JDog]

Anyone planning on camping out for the weekend?

[Beat95YJ]

The latest Desert Report mentions the cleanup on page 15.

http://www.desertreport.org/media/R_Winter2007.pdf

It is the only time in the document that orv or the orv community are referred to without the words destructive or illegal tied to them.

I caution that the rest of the magazine is hard to read due to its bias. There are several ORV/OHV articles within.

[Chris]

The latest Desert Report mentions the cleanup on page 15.

http://www.desertreport.org/media/R_Winter2007.pdf

It is the only time in the document that orv or the orv community are referred to without the words destructive or illegal tied to them.

I caution that the rest of the magazine is hard to read due to its bias. There are several ORV/OHV articles within.

Found on page 15

Clean-up in Surprise Canyon
In the Panamint Mountains of eastern California, Surprise Canyon
may be best known for the controversy it has created regarding accessibility
for off-road vehicles. It is less well known that an old cabin and
camp existed for many years near the canyon mouth. On September
26, 2006, this camp burned, and with its former occupants no longer
living there, the BLM intends to restore the area to a natural condition.
On October 2 and 3, 2007, the cleanup began. The group included 18
volunteers from both the off-road and environmental communities. A
5-member Student Conservation Corp crew provided the leadership
for the project, and four BLM staff members with vehicles helped
remove the debris. In all 19,920 pounds of metal were removed. This
is an amazing demonstration of public interest and cooperation. The
project is only 60 percent complete, and a return project is planned for
February 2 and 3. Interested volunteers may contact Martha Dickes at
Martha_Dickes@blm.ca.gov (760-384-5444).

[Beat95YJ]

I am hoping that we are again well represented at the Feb cleanup. I am trying to be there to help myself. I have an associate that is definately attending. Beyond that anybody trying to go?

[OTR]

Anyone planning on camping out for the weekend?

Yes.
We'll be there Thursday nite if all goes well.

I am hoping that we are again well represented at the Feb cleanup. I am trying to be there to help myself. I have an associate that is definately attending. Beyond that anybody trying to go?

I hope we will be well represented at this one as well... Since this one is "our" cleanup.
At "their" cleanup, we out numbered them. It shouldnt be too difficult.:D

Spread the word. If you are on any other boards or club lists, post it up.

kris.

[AndyR]

Hi Kris,
the CO has given her permission :D, I'll be pulling in sometime Thursday afternoon.

Andy

[OlMan]

Kris, I plan to be out there Friday.

Rich

[Panamint Charlie]

Hi Kris,
the CO has given her permission :D, I'll be pulling in sometime Thursday afternoon.

Andy


Where are you going to camp Andy? I'll be arriving late Friday night. I'll be solo.

[OTR]

Charles.
Glad you're gonna make it. Camp is on Surprise Canyon Road just east of Indian Ranch Road.
In that big open flat area with the random fire rings...

k.

[sceep]

thank you for your hard work guys. If it was reasonable for me to be there i would be.

:beer:

[Chass]

Thanks for representing the cause in a stand up manor.

DON'T FORGET TO DOCUMENT YOUR LABOR WELL!!

Wish I could be there.

Chass
ct

[pitchitpitchit]

What kind of rigs/ equipment are needed? Or are you guys just needing more hands? Either way, I think I will try to make it out there. Its time to give back some...

Scott

[chexmix]

Good luck guys, it's a little far for me...

[pitchitpitchit]

So two of us will be driving out early Saturday morning and will camp that night. I suppose we will just drive straight to Chris Wicht Camp. I saw on the FOPV website that you guys are shooting for 8am to start. Our goal is to be there by 8am. Will you guys be up there that early or meet in Balarat?

We will be ready to work with gloves, shovels, and masks. I am not sure what else we will need.

See you guys out there,

Scott VanDell

[OTR]

Thanks Scott.

We will be meeting on Surprise Canyon Road, just off of Indian Ranch road about 2 miles north of Ballarat.
We are not meeting or camping at Ballarat. Ballarat is private roperty and a fee is required to camp there.

Due to limited parking at Chris Wicht, Id like to see as many people as possible carpool up to CW from the camping/meeting area.


Thanks for making the effort, see you there.

kris.

[RedBullJeep]

Please update if you know of what assets we can bring that will be helpful.

[DocRocks]

i'm in. yes, all the way from atlanta......

[scraprock]

Bad ass to have a souther guy out!! See you there!

[russellmn]

man, I wish I was closer. :( I'd be there in a heartbeat. Thank you all for organizing and participating in this. We need every bit of positive reports to the blm we can get.

[OTR]

Bad ass to have a souther guy out!! See you there!

Peer pressure, eh scrap ? :flipoff2:


k.

[Chris]

In. Will be bringing four or five others as well.

[scraprock]

Peer pressure, eh scrap ? :flipoff2:


k.

:flipoff2: NO!
:flipoff2:



maybe!:laughing:

[Tin Bender]

To everyone, I'm sorry that I "lost it" in the General forum..
I'm so frustrated that I felt the need to vent..

I look forward to seeing everyone:bender:

[BRD]

Not to put a crimp in the plans, but the weather forecast is for 60% chance of showers on Sat. They have been wrong before,but it seems that it has actually rained in Cal this year so ya never know.Rain or shine,I'll still be there,but ya might want to bring a jacket or two.

Terry

[Krusty]

as of this instant-- is is snowing all around Ridgecrest and the hills of the Panamint Range have a bit of snow on the tops also --- it is beutiful !!!!!

Maybe some of the rain over the last couple days washed some of the water bottles and Granola wrappers out of the Canyon !!!!

For those that might not know-- the Panamint range is the west side of Death Valley- and the west side of the hills is the ghost town of Ballarat and the exit of Surprize Canyon. In the day, after going up SurprizeCanyon and setteling in Panamint City, it was just a short jaunt to the top of the hills oveerlooking Death Valley on one side / Panamint Valley on the other !-- felt like being on top of the world - even at 6,500'- and on a clear day-- look north/north/west and see Mt. Whitney !- THE top of the world (in the lower 48)















PHOOEY !!!!

I miss it--- thats why i was one of the bunch that bought property in Panamint City with mineral and water rights.

RATS !!!

and then they locked us out.

[Tim Florian]

IF I can make it out there, would the Rhino utv be a good idea for hauling stuff around??

[whyt]

Im there...duh!

Scratchgolfr is coming out from colorado. Thanks for the ride Kris

[RedBullJeep]

It looks like we'll bring the team out for the cleanup. Dallas said tonite he'd be joining us. I've recruited a few others as well. Hopefully they all show!

[pitchitpitchit]

as of this instant-- is is snowing all around Ridgecrest and the hills of the Panamint Range have a bit of snow on the tops also --- it is beutiful !!!!!

Maybe some of the rain over the last couple days washed some of the water bottles and Granola wrappers out of the Canyon !!!!

For those that might not know-- the Panamint range is the west side of Death Valley- and the west side of the hills is the ghost town of Ballarat and the exit of Surprize Canyon. In the day, after going up SurprizeCanyon and setteling in Panamint City, it was just a short jaunt to the top of the hills oveerlooking Death Valley on one side / Panamint Valley on the other !-- felt like being on top of the world - even at 6,500'- and on a clear day-- look north/north/west and see Mt. Whitney !- THE top of the world (in the lower 48)

PHOOEY !!!!

I miss it--- thats why i was one of the bunch that bought property in Panamint City with mineral and water rights.

RATS !!!

and then they locked us out.

Your are right about that Krusty. Surprise Canyon is really an awesome place. I backpacked it in 2004. The was super overgrown then so I am sure it is even worse now.
Here are some pictures from that trip if anyone is interested:
http://www.vandelladventure.com/image/surprise_canyon_2004/surprise.htm


Scott

[withamc]

I'll be out there with a couple of the Point Mugu guys.

Chris

[Chris]

Sad to say this is the attitude I am finding..Posted from another board

That is good But I am heading to Calico for the cleanup on Feb 16
www.calicocleanup.com I did this last year and no one else did.
I am in for trail clean up duties but I would like to choose the cleanup and the cause it supports.
That a long haul.

:shaking:

[OTR]

Saw what you gave him back too.:shaking:




k.

[Chris]

That attitude just burns me up. I've been to every cleanup in Socal in the last five years or so with the exception of this cleanup last year because my wife was having problems with her pregnancy. Damn, it's just one day and it means a lot, why do people get so butt hurt when it's suggested that they go? OH wait, I know the answer, "I don't have a hardcore rig so there's no reason I should show up to help out in places like JV or Surprise", right? OR maybe it's "I'm too busy" yeah, let me tell you busy. I've not commuted less than 100 miles in the last six years and held down a ten hour a day, six day a week job, at times while going to school full time, having a wife, at times having two jobs AND the school, kids, mortgage, the whole thing. So few excuses fly too much with me.Stupid f-er's. Keep wheeling your fire roads and dirt driveways cause in a few years, that may be all that's left.

[B-Spec]

Count me in.. :D

[93EddieB]

looks like i may be dropping off a 4runner in reno the day before, so i will have a flatbed trailer available for use if needed.

rob

[Panamint Charlie]

Count me in.. :D


Can you bring the loader from PSR? We'll be done in an hour.

[OTR]

Can you bring the loader from PSR? We'll be done in an hour.

Hey Charles.
BLM is providing a loader, operator, and 3 roll-off's.


Are you spending Saturday nite, or is this just a day trip for you ?

kris.

[Panamint Charlie]

Hey Charles.
BLM is providing a loader, operator, and 3 roll-off's.

Good to hear! I'm all about production.:smokin:



Are you spending Saturday nite, or is this just a day trip for you ?

kris.


I'll head home Sunday. Maybe after some eggs benedict.

[Chris]

top

[Krusty]

for those that are thinking about the FU2 open house Friday--- directions posted in General 4X--

[BRD]

i'm in. yes, all the way from atlanta......

Ken a pleasure to meet you and:beer::beer: for haulin' your ass all the way out here for this.

[Roost003]

That attitude just burns me up. I've been to every cleanup in Socal in the last five years or so with the exception of this cleanup last year because my wife was having problems with her pregnancy. Damn, it's just one day and it means a lot, why do people get so butt hurt when it's suggested that they go? OH wait, I know the answer, "I don't have a hardcore rig so there's no reason I should show up to help out in places like JV or Surprise", right? OR maybe it's "I'm too busy" yeah, let me tell you busy. I've not commuted less than 100 miles in the last six years and held down a ten hour a day, six day a week job, at times while going to school full time, having a wife, at times having two jobs AND the school, kids, mortgage, the whole thing. So few excuses fly too much with me.Stupid f-er's. Keep wheeling your fire roads and dirt driveways cause in a few years, that may be all that's left.




Thanks Chris for calling Point Mugu 4x4 a bunch of stupid F-er's who only wheel dirt driveways and fire roads!

Didn't you ride out to surprise with a point mugu member and wasn't there 4 or five PM4x4 members out there helping out also. You are a very little man.
Sorry for jacking the Surprise thread everybody. I had to respond to Chris.



Thanks to everybody who helped with the clean up. You guys did a great job.

Brian C.

[Chris]

Thanks Chris for calling Point Mugu 4x4 a bunch of stupid F-er's who only wheel dirt driveways and fire roads!

Nope, I sure did not. Thanks to Chris W. Robert, Terry, Scrappy, Matt and his brother for coming out. I was referring to any person who said this cleanup was not important and that they would be wheeling elsewhere that day because they didn't believe in this cause. I was also referring in general to those who have this attitude and offer only excuses.

Me being little has nothing to do with it.

[DocRocks]

Ken a pleasure to meet you and:beer::beer: for haulin' your ass all the way out here for this.

Same here. It was well worth the trip to me to get to see such an amazing place, meet some new friends and be a small part of what went on.

:beer::beer: to everybody that came out!

[RedBullJeep]

Thanks Chris for calling Point Mugu 4x4 a bunch of stupid F-er's who only wheel dirt driveways and fire roads!

I wrote something similar to this to Miguel...but it apples equally here to.

Take the stance of using me as an example here. Let's say that I, Dustin Webster, didn't go to a cleanup or land use event on a particular occasion and someone called me on it. Would I defend myself? Yes, I would note that I do try my best to do what I can and give the basic examples of how I help out.

At the same time as I am defending myslef, I am helping to motivate others through GUILT because they don't actually come out for stuff like this. By calling me out, they set up a "guilt by association" scenario that may actually motivate others through guilt, because they may not be the kind to be motivated by a "call to action".

Whether that is the intentional tactic used on here is not the question, but no matter what, it DOES motivate some people to do the right thing and I wouldn't be as bummed by being called out.

It's obvious, we need more participation in these efforts and we need to take numerous avenues to get there. Anyone that actually DOES participate and actually takes offense to the tact, well, you're worrying about a moot point.

[Chris]

I would say I'm cool with you saying you have family issues, or work, or just no money to get there. It's fully ok to say that something is keeping you from getting there. What sets me off is the attitude that " I'm going to go wheeling somewhere else because it's not my fight and I don't care." I can live with people being pissed at me, but apathy is unacceptable.

[Krusty]

I don't have a 4X rig anymore----
i am a cancer suvivor, but weakened because of it---
i have no income at this point- ( i got a paycheck from the dealership-- two weeks=$59.64=== a tank of gas and a hamberger !!! )

i could go on with excuses, and most would be enough----

BUT- i WAS there and did what i could== provideing tow straps, useing my toyota at the bottom of the hill to unload the burned out wrecks that were hauled out--

I WAS THERE- BECAUSE SOME DAY -YOU- MIGHT WANT TO DO SURPRIZE CANYON.

[Haole]

Nope, I sure did not. Thanks to Chris W. Robert, Terry, Scrappy, Matt and his brother for coming out. I was referring to any person who said this cleanup was not important and that they would be wheeling elsewhere that day because they didn't believe in this cause. I was also referring in general to those who have this attitude and offer only excuses.

Me being little has nothing to do with it.

Don't forget Oakley.

[RedBullJeep]

Speaking of Tow Straps...My two layer rigging/lifting sling is missing...the thick yellow strap we were towing the cars with...it never came back and I would like to get it back as it's a spendy one.
Anyone know where it ended up? I checked Kris's Waggy and it wasn't in there.

[OTR]

Hey Dustin.
Was it the one you were using up above, or down by the dumpsters ?
I remember the one from down below, I thought it was a dirty whiteish ProComp strap... Last I saw it you were hooking up to the back of the Toyota.

Ill dig through the back of the waggy, I dont think it would have made it back that far but you never know. The only vehicles moving cars were you, me and Rob. Could it have been taken down the hill to remove cars with ?

I'll put a call into Craig to check if it was found after we left.

k.

[Chris]

A much bigger strap was being used down below, it wasn't the one Dustin was looking for.

[OTR]

Gotcha.

I just got off the phone with Craig.
He's going to check if any of his people have it.


k.

[Krusty]

was not used on the 'unload' portion of the operation.

[newimage]

I would say I'm cool with you saying you have family issues, or work, or just no money to get there. It's fully ok to say that something is keeping you from getting there. What sets me off is the attitude that " I'm going to go wheeling somewhere else because it's not my fight and I don't care." I can live with people being pissed at me, but apathy is unacceptable.
\
That was never the issue Chris as a card holding associate member of Corva and Cal 4 wheel drive I take heart in these issues. Remember Point Mugu puts on Fright Night which is a big time PITA but we do it and contribute the funds to our associations to help keep our trails open. Granted I choose not to go for personal reasons as the colonel was complaining about family time and if mama is not happy nobodys happy! She OKs the trips to help with our cause this can be expensive as time and money comes into play. So stand on your soap box and continue your quest to keep us all informed but really to it in a mature and and a professional way. This will keep people from being pissed at you. I myself am not. I see you being a passionate guy but you must have limitations on how you say things because you burn to many bridges there will not be anyone there to help you get across.
And yes sometimes you have to call out people but to drag a club into it wasnt cool. But is over, and you guys did a hell of a job and the next beer is on me.:grinpimp:

[OTR]

\
But is over, and you guys did a hell of a job and the next beer is on me.:grinpimp:



Good.
Any other bitch posts from anyone will be deleted. If it needs to go further use PM's.

kris.

[RedBullJeep]

bitch...
























Sorry, I had to! :dustin:

[randii]

I WAS THERE- BECAUSE SOME DAY -YOU- MIGHT WANT TO DO SURPRIZE CANYON.
Thank you, sir! You set a strong example for us all!

Randii