Two Brits need ride from J-Tree to LA on Nov. 23rd or 24th

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granite_girl

Trad climber

Oakland

Nov 17, 2012 - 01:50pm PT

Hey all,

Thanks for your kind thoughts towards the Brits. Here's hoping that Sam and Tristan make it from J-Tree to LA, and don't have to spend a week doing so.

That photo of them was my first post to this website, and this post might be my last, because I'm not exactly a fan of...that other picture, or internet squabbles in general, but I appreciate everyone who has contributed in a positive way, especially jstan for taking the time to do some very helpful research.

susan peplow

climber

Joshua Tree, CA

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2012 - 02:29pm PT

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Agreed, thanks to all who have suggestions as to how to make this happen. Tristan was going to post on his own but has limited access down to town and the library. I said I could post on his behalf until they can hitch a ride downtown.

As for funds, I didn't get into the particulars with them but they did say they were getting low. Too low to shop at the FiveTen store on Friday as they head to LA. I'm not sure that means they have no cash to chip in for gas and/or have left reserves for worst case scenario to pay cab/van/bus to LAX if necessary. They seem pretty bright, I suspect they have enough cash to pay to bus if absolutely necessary.

Seems to me in past years we've always had those friends who could come to J-Tree earlier in the Thanksgiving week but for one reason or another always headed back early. Those were the folks I was hoping to find on this thread.

I have no idea how much research they guys have done. I do know they were pretty happy when I picked them up hitch-hiking at dusk in Barstow and commented on how different it is to get picked up in the States vs. the UK. They had spent over 13 hours in Barstow and paid for a cab to bring them out of town before I drove by. They had already scoped out their bivy spot for the night.

John, thanks for posting the MBTA schedule, that will help some but they'd need to catch the Greyhound to LAX and who knows what cost and schedule. Based on Blitzo's last trip I'd highly recommend leaving on Friday to make it to LA. Blitzo's bus to see Locker left 3 hours later than scheduled. Speaking of which Locker.......I like you you mentioned the shuttle to the Greyhound station from JTree. You realize that Blitzo booked his bus on Sunday which means no MBTA transport available- he got to the Greyhound alright AFTER Darryl and I took him there.

Hope is still out there that someone headed west can get them as far as possible so they can catch their flight Sat afternoon. Even closer to LA starts to make a huge difference in cost and opportunity to get to the airport. They've got a few packs with them and likely will dump their ice-chest as it will no longer be needed. So space may be an issue?

As I said, they don't have a cell phone so your best bet to communicate would be to stop by HVCG site 29 to say hello or leave a message on the board. I'm not sure if I'm headed into the Park to visit with the masses this weekend but certainly could drop a note if needed.

Great photo Granite_girl, I didn't have one!

~Sooze

edit:

For those who suggested that Simon or another local do the drive, I'm sorry that's pretty unrealistic.... you realize that JTree to LAX and back is likely a 6 hour tour right?

Good news is providing they have funds I'm sure they could make the public tranport thing work. This of course is not their first choice but certainly an option. I also belive that the MBTA does leave from downtown JTree also, not just Yucca Valley. The Saturday Greyhound is out, won't get them there in time. Friday works easy but no idea where the LA Amtrak station is and likely require another expense to get them to the airport.

>Morongo Basin Transit Authority from J-Tree to Palm Springs
>Greyhound from Palm Springs to LA Amtrak Station
>Amtrak Station to LAX by cab?

Thankfully they have that lovely exchange rate working to their advantage!

jstan

climber

Nov 17, 2012 - 02:56pm PT

On the internet I was able to find no Greyhound or Trailways service from Palm Springs to LA. I must be entering something wrong. Neither website shows those stations. However going to AmTrak I find the following service between PSP- Palm Springs airport and LAX.

A Saturday departure won't work. Same schedule as shown for Friday. The dollars are for two people.

Russ Walling

Social climber

from Poofters Froth, Wyoming

Nov 17, 2012 - 02:59pm PT

Umm... Union Station is a long way from LAX. I'm not seeing the actual drop being at LAX and the times (39 minutes from Fullerton) is probably not going to happen unless you have a helicopter

Maybe this as a linkup: http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=292

susan peplow

climber

Joshua Tree, CA

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2012 - 03:01pm PT

That's pretty reasonable thanks JStan. These guys seem pretty resourceful but if you're headed into the park maybe stop by with some info? You're certainly not obligated to do so but after all your research I'm sure they'd appreciate it and probably take away some of the anxiety of what's going to happen next week.

~S

Edit: Mussy, the surfliner is the train so I bet that's correct.

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Nov 17, 2012 - 03:06pm PT

That the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise occurred.

A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way.

susan peplow

climber

Joshua Tree, CA

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2012 - 03:08pm PT

Wait wait wait Locker. Maybe they did do research and just hoping they can hitch instead? I never said they did no research.

For all I know they have a hide-a-pocket with fare sitting in it just in case and well aware that they can take a bus. It's not like I'm their Mom and drilled them; just said I'd post on their behalf. (although I totally could be their Mom...it's depressing)

No more awnry pills Locker! Cheer up you said sunny and no wind by you! :)

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Nov 17, 2012 - 03:10pm PT

If you can make it to San Bernardino or Riverside, you can catch the train to L.A. ( Union Station ).

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/schedules/line/name/San%20Bernardino/service_id/1147.html

Mr Walling is correct, U.S. isn't exactly close to LAX, but there are shuttles between the two leaving all the time ( Flyaway? ) for about ten bucks.

On-Site Flasher 69

Sport climber

Riverside

Nov 17, 2012 - 03:12pm PT

I met these guys at schultz's ridge the day they arrived in the valley. Very nice guys. Good luck to them.

jstan

climber

Nov 17, 2012 - 04:15pm PT

OK Russ is right. Pains me to admit it but, yes, he is right.

:-)

I will go up to HVCG later today. Site 29.

If I pick them up at HVCG at like 7AM we can reach P/S airport easily by 9AM.

That bus arrives at Union Station at 12:10 PM ($23 per)

Then they catch the 1PM Flyaway($7/) that reaches LAX at 1:30PM.

So they will have an afternoon to Kill.

Russ Walling

Social climber

from Poofters Froth, Wyoming

Nov 17, 2012 - 04:18pm PT

OK Russ is right. Pains me to admit it but, yes, he is right.

I get that a lot...

Strong work there JStan taking care of them fellahs.

susan peplow

climber

Joshua Tree, CA

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2012 - 04:22pm PT

^^^^^^
It is painful yes! I have to tell Russ he's right all the time. Worse yet, that generally means I'm mistaken.

That's super nice of you JStan, you'll like these cats. Young boys headed to America for climbing adventures they've only read about. Sam's parent's are also climbers. His Dad has this habit of buying guidebooks for new areas in hopes they'll go. Guess their parents went to Greece last year.

The young lads may have a back-up plan or something in the works. I saw them on Thursday and they were still uncertain so any visit from you I'm sure is welcome. Please pass onto them the others who have met them in their travels and wished them well.

I dropped them some PG Tips bags so maybe they'll offer you a cup of tea during your visit.

~Susan

jstan

climber

Nov 17, 2012 - 04:25pm PT

Someday I will have to tell my Jimmy Rasinowitz story. Then it will be clear what is going on here.

I'll check the place that cannot be named but it should be clean as a whistle.

granite_girl

Trad climber

Oakland

Nov 17, 2012 - 04:30pm PT

Thanks everyone for helping these boys out. Word gets around, and the postings here have real-world impact.

A friend of mine who is down there right now (German, on his own journey of discovery around the Southwest but with an even tighter schedule), says that he walked into the climbing shop with Sam and Tristan today or yesterday, and it took less than 5 minutes for the person working there to say "Hey, aren't you the guys looking for a ride to LA?"

So thanks to Susan for posting up, to everyone who contributed, and especially to jstan for stepping up to the plate.

susan peplow

climber

Joshua Tree, CA

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2012 - 04:46pm PT

Thanks GG but no thanks necessary. We're a community regardless of geography.

The boys are actually aware of the Pit. When I picked them up and said they were headed to JTree they didn't really have a bivy spot in mind. I knew just where to bring them!

I gave them the tour of town and run-down of where things are at. Laundrette, Nomads, Library, Pie for the People along with Happy Hour pricing, and various other vegetarian eateries. After which I dumped them at the Pit with the established set of rules and asked them to pass them along to any other visitor. The place was clean and deserted, they respectfully asked if they could have a fire and I said sure, the last of that fence-wood is really dwindling down.

We went over the benefits of the Pit being so close to town and free but ultimately their goal is to climb so into the Park they went where they have more independence to get around. They were also happy to hear of the Climbers Coffee on Saturday mornings, guess they really enjoyed that while in the Valley.

Anywhoo, looks like they're making friends all across the West many of which from the ST family. Hopefully they'll read this and post up of their adventures after getting home.

chez

Social climber

chicago ill

Nov 17, 2012 - 04:47pm PT

Well you've done it again Soooooooze. Good job!
By the way i need a ride from Mammoth lakes to East Weems, England tomorrow.

jstan

climber

Nov 17, 2012 - 08:00pm PT

Just talked to Sam and gave him all the bus schedules and one itinerary that works. They could get to P/S by bus but it would involve unknowns. They will call me if they don't need me to help.
Also stopped at "that place". Still looking clean though the wind blew one of the tables over. One of the legs needs another couple of screws.

Way to go Sooze! It does leave a good feeling to be part of something like this.

Sooze is a champ.