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Archie Richardson
Trad climber
Grand Junction, CO
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Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 3, 2011 - 06:55am PT
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My trusty Blazer ate its flywheel after 200,000 mi - put a sign on it "runs good, but won't start". Someone gave me 100 bucks for it. Not working now and trying to justify the capital/operating cost of another 4WD.
You don't need 4wd at the Gunks, or Red Rocks. Not in the Valley, nor Tahquitz/Suicide, nor most of the Sierra Eastside. Not for Eldorado, Boulder Canyon, RMNP. Not for Owens Gorge, Smith Rocks, Rifle, Shelf Road. Went all these places in my 2wd 77 Dodge Van.
Trying to think. The only places I can remember engaging 4wd were to get to Glitter Gulch at Queen Creek, the approach to Mt Humphreys near Bishop (although I saw hi clearance 2WD at the trailhead)...
What am I missing?
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Rock!...oopsie.
Trad climber
the pitch above you
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You're missing a lot of the stuff that's not on the "national radar" and therefore devoid of the unwashed (2WD) masses.
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SeaJellie
Trad climber
Booolduh
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A question I contemplate a lot these days myself, as I dream about 2012 adventures.
I think high clearance scores a few more points than 4WD overall. Black Velvet Canyon at RR and the Sore Heal parking at RRG, for example, don't require 4WD but even a couple more inches of clearance over 5" is nice. (I know, because I tried to get my four door sporty sedan into those places with not great results.)
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Dingus McGee
Social climber
Laramie
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Hart Draw, Utah ( 50 pitches)
Its 10 miles of 2 track through several washes sometimes washed out. I have got stuck with an AWD gmc Safai and used a pull. B. Scarpelli made in with his 2 wd pickup with many scraps and higher speeds, but needed a pull on the way out.
Reese Mt WY (200 pitches) in the Spring. 5 miles of 2 track through 2 mud holes or over some terrain too steep for 2wd. After a rainstorm I could not make it over the steep hill in 4 wd as the rocks were too slick. I now have a winch on each vehicle.
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lars johansen
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Most of Central Nevada
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jfailing
Trad climber
Lone Pine
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I've been thinking a lot about this recently, as it's looking like I'm going to be ditching the 4WD rig for a 2WD wagon with better gas mileage...
Posters above are right, at any of the main climbing areas, it's not absolutely necessary. If you're driving long distances in between climbing spots, the value you'll be getting from a car with better mileage will probably pay off. At least that's how I'm justifying my position...
Off the top of my head, the times I've used 4WD at climbing spots are: to get farther up the roads into the Buttermilks, Tuttle Creek Canyon, driving up near Mammoth in the snow, getting closer to Black Velvet Canyon up some rough road...
The way I see it, some of my climbing partners have 4WD rigs, so I can hopefully just hitch a ride with them when the going gets rough.
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ddriver
Trad climber
SLC, UT
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White Rim (most), incl. Monument Basin
Henries crags
Sister Superior, or walk
crossing North Cottonwood Wash, sometimes
Sixshooters
some Utah West Desert crags
some crags in the Beaver Dam mtns
others in marginal weather
you don't ski or ice climb?
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Archie Richardson
Trad climber
Grand Junction, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 3, 2011 - 03:47pm PT
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Mostly thinking about fair weather rock climbs these days.
Used to ski alot. Always saw 4x4's that spun off the road racing to ski the powder. Better traction, yes, but you can't really drive any faster. And if someone ahead is stuck, you are too, till you get them out.
Ice climbing not so much. Next life maybe.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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It helps for plenty of western Sierra areas, but I can't say it's necessary. Then again I don't own one. I figure with my sedan, if I ever get stuck, someone with a 4WD can pull me out. Knowing my tendency to do things to excess, if I ever got a 4WD, I would probably find a way to get completely and permanently stuck.
John
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Archie Richardson
Trad climber
Grand Junction, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 3, 2011 - 05:07pm PT
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Dingus
I stand corrected. Once the chains are on, you have to crawl... and ain't it fun putting the chains on in a storm!!!
So yes, if you ski powder, you'd better consider the best 4WD you can afford. And if yer a city fed yahoo, don't drive it too fast.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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I think if you put it in 4Low you could probably 4WD right up the 3rd Flatiron but the Naked Edge would require a good winch. does that count?
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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"The Sixshooters"?
Really? How close do you try to get? I'd say "any" car for those.
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strangeday
Trad climber
Brea ca.
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Shuteye ridge seemed to require 4x4, but I don't think most places in California really need it. I've seen a lot of jeeps and such around Moab though, there's gotta be some stuff out there where you need it... Maybe ibex too?
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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My guess to the OP, almost none.
A good driver in a VW bug can get to almost any climbing area a 4X4 can and with a lot less impact and pollution. Hell, I used to take my fully gear loaded MGB with only 3" of ground clearance, up and down roads past stuck 4X4s because I know how to drive. Be kind to Ma Nature, back away from the Hummer and learn to drive. If you need to DRIVE any closer to a rock then you should just stay in the gym.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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I was talking about the Urban Commandont's Ding.
Believe me I fully know the value of a stout 4X4 and a good driver.
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Plenty of places on the west side of the sierras between Yosemite and Inyokern 4x4 is really a good idea (or a complete lack of care for beating the crap out of your vehicle.) Some places it's required - car just won't go there. Also if you're hitting these types of places 20+ times per year then it's great. It also makes life easier - no worries about much of anything in places like Cochise where it's not required but people routinely have road related issues.
Shuteye for example....I once took a volvo to High Eagle in Shuteye (the camp just before the road becomes the bidness. I will never do that again - I'm amazed (and so many others are too) I made it. You can't go past the gate without it. Grey eagle: many people back off early on with a car. Many of my camp sites up there are 4x4 access only.
EDIT: It wasn't my car I took up there - no wonder she's an ex...
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Dingus McGee
Social climber
Laramie
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philo,
A good driver in a VW bug can get to almost any climbing area a 4X4 can
you must be clueless what a locking differential 4x4 can do. Some time ago a bug driver made such a statement to me. We made a pass over and back on the terrain challenge. He did not even bother trying the terrain but you can come out here Philo with your bug and I'll show you the run.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Dude,
You're asking about forbidden secret knowledge.
Can't say. But yes, these places require 4X4 and them some.
There are hidden "paradises" out there away from the masses.
And they should stay that way.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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I did not say a VW bug could go everywhere a 4X4 could.
I did say a good driver could get one to virtually all US climbing areas.
To assume that your misinterpretation of my words indicates I am unfamiliar with off roading and 4X4 driving would be foolish.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Buttermilks in winter (sometimes)
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