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MarkWestman
Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
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Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 26, 2014 - 10:11pm PT
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Mountainproject's road access description to the west side says you "shouldn't care much about your vehicle" if you go much beyond Isle of You/Sheepshead to the end of the road. I went to Sheepshead and Isle of You last fall with no trouble, and I'm heading out there for the next couple weeks and this time I would like to get all the way back in the West Stronghold... but I DO care a lot about my van- have plenty of underside clearance but also lots of cabinetry, electronics and such that I'd rather not tear loose. Especially with so much good climbing I can get to from the east side.
Has anyone been in there recently who can speak to how rough this road really is, or is not?
For comparison, I've taken my van into Black Velvet in RR and, before there was a major washout, up to Maverick Buttress in Long Canyon near Moab- both were at about the upper limit of what I am willing to inflict on my van.
Thanks-
Mark
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Scott McNamara
climber
Tucson, Arizona
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Nov 27, 2014 - 05:05am PT
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Ground clearance is the thing.
It is bumpy and there are some ruts. I do not think you need a 4x4 to go all the way back.
Slow and easy will get you in---if you have the clearance.
I agree that Geir will probably have the most recent info.
Have Fun!
Best Wishes,
Scott Mc
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MisterE
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Nov 27, 2014 - 06:59am PT
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Reading this, I just remembered when PennsylEnvy toook his beater Corolla out to the end of the road with 4 of us in it and all our gear. Sooo sketchy - I think we all had to get out twice to get the clearance needed to get past some spots. Pretty sure that was mullet-wig day too:
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Nov 27, 2014 - 07:04am PT
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Mark....I've been to the West Stronghold a number of times including last year. No problem as long as you take it easy in a couple of spots. Have fun!
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Nov 27, 2014 - 08:11am PT
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No worries
Mark Westman-
This was last year. We had some major rains this summer so there could be some washouts.
But if that little Scion can do it, you're probably ok.
There is something to be said for a short wheelbase- it definitely makes up for the negative ape index clearance.
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Nov 27, 2014 - 08:24am PT
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the stronghold........ " here here "
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MarkWestman
Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 27, 2014 - 09:20pm PT
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Hey thanks everyone. It certainly seems worth a try. It'll be a nice adventure either way.
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Leggs
Sport climber
Made in California
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Nov 27, 2014 - 09:24pm PT
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Mr. Westerman, it will be amazing.
Have a fantastic time!
~peace
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cavemonkey
Ice climber
ak
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Nov 28, 2014 - 02:37am PT
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Mark
Road should be fine
Flying down to az tonight
Lets hook up!
Skine
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Nov 28, 2014 - 07:51am PT
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That description was there back in 2011 when I went in, and yeah, I was concerned. But, we went ALL the way to the end and survived. I had a low clearance van. 2wd.
Did I have to pay attention? Yes. Did I have to think, and drive as if I was running a river? Yes. Were there a few moments I was unsure of my ability to safely navigate through? Yes.... But unless a person is an idiot who wants to race through and not think about the terrain, it was not a problem. (My friend, in a minivan, did get hung up for a moment on a spot where his wheel with the drive was in the air, pinning - hahah. But he got it going in a few seconds).
Would I go all the way back again? Ummm, in someone else's vehicle, sure!
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cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
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Nov 28, 2014 - 08:44am PT
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But unless a person is an idiot who wants to race through and not think about the terrain
Guilty as charged. Many moons ago I was racing my diesel Benz sedan fully loaded with folks and gear along that road. We may have even gotten air in places... anyway we bottomed out a lot and tore off the shroud below the engine. Not being a litterbug, I backed up, retrieved the shroud, wrapped it in a tarp, threw it in the trunk, and continued on to our destination.
Several years later I sold that Benz - still running - with 500K miles on the odo!!
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adrian korosec
climber
Tucson
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Nov 28, 2014 - 09:33am PT
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You'll be fine.
Just after the Dixon Ranch House there will be a downhill, left trending curve. It was washed out during the monsoons (we had over 25" of rain this summer on the ranch) but we've piled a bunch of rocks into the wash and most cars are ok on it.
A Prius was ok in the past but now you need the clearance of something like an Outback. The rest of the road is cake.
Enjoy
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Nov 28, 2014 - 11:28am PT
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If you think Cochise is bad then stay away from the Ghost River area or especially the Waiparous area north of the Ghost
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MarkWestman
Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 28, 2014 - 01:31pm PT
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Cool, thanks all for the good info. I have good clearance, it's just a long van (19'!) so as long as some of the ruts aren't too deep it should work. Mainly the issue is big drop-offs and things that like to tear internal cabinetry loose (the van is tall and heavy also), going slow helps alleviate that of course but it's the big dips where you have to gun it a little and then unavoidably hit large boulders that are no bueno.
Skine, I'll send ya an email!
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MarkWestman
Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 28, 2014 - 01:39pm PT
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AP-several times I've road rallied a Chevy Cavalier into the south ghost (parked atop big hill and walked from there, I ain't crazy). Super sketchy, one of those times it took me about 5 tries to succeed on the long uphill grade just past that ranch. Waiporous- got rides in somebody else's 4WD in there. That road is definitely 5.12 travel even for 4WD! A friend of mine once put his truck into the creek.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Nov 28, 2014 - 02:53pm PT
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One time we were going into the Ghost when the road was really icy and slid off the road sideways on the steep hill halfway along the road. That took a while to get sorted out. Another time we were in the North Ghost and it started snowing real hard. It took all night of shovelling and digging to get out. We even had to shovel and gravel the main big hill. Arrived in Calgary at 8:00 Am and my wife was not even worried because she knew the drill: If anyone is not back by the next afternoon then it is time to call the cavalry, otherwise don't worry.
A book could be written on Ghost driving debacles. The Waiparous is even worse. Will Gadd has some good photos on his website about a Waiparous trip gone wrong (http://www.gravsports.com/Gadfly%20Pages/Gadfly%20Nov%2027th.htm . Frank Campbell once said if driving into the Ghost is 1 or 2 then the Waiparous rates a full 10
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MarkWestman
Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 28, 2014 - 03:18pm PT
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Yeah, sounds like classic Ghost good-times!
FWIW, parking atop the big hill adds just 35 minutes onto the approach for south Ghost climbs (Wicked Wanda, Malignant M, etc.). The first time I climbed the Sorcerer I hiked from the Big Hill also- it worked, but I definitely wouldn't do that again.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Nov 28, 2014 - 03:25pm PT
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I climbed the Sorcerer on a Wednesday in 1985. It felt pretty lonely in Kevin's 2 wheel drive truck as we were the only people for 20 miles. Luckily the driving and climbing worked out fine.
Now there are always lots of people going into the Ghost and everyone helps each other out.
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MarkWestman
Trad climber
Talkeetna, Alaska
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 28, 2014 - 03:52pm PT
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The Ghost drive, and ice climbing in general, must certainly have been a bit more out there in 1985. Respect!
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