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Corentin
climber
Savoie, France
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 3, 2018 - 04:19am PT
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Hi there,
I’m planning a big road trip in the west of the USA with my girlfriend.
We have already booked our dates. We arrive in an Francisco on april 17th and leave on august 28th .
The goal is to visit parks, to learn jam climbing, to rig some sweet highlines, maybe bring a paragliding … Well to have good time in your country which looks amazing !
As we stay for a long time, we’re thinking about buying a car. So that we can sell it when we leave and don’t lose too much money. (and we’re less than 25, so renting one is more than expensive)
So we’re looking for advices about that ! Where do you think that is the best place to buy and to register one ? I have a cousin who lives in SF and says that it’s a better idea to go to Las Vegas to buy one cause it’s cheaper than in SF … What do you think about that ?
Then we’ll look for car where we can sleep inside (a van, a pickup with a camper …) Do you know places there we can find goods one? I already know Craiglist, but is there any groups on facebook ? Any Cardealer you know ? Or is there anyone here who own one and plan to sell it ?
And do you know how long is it to register a car ?
Sorry for the boring logistical / administrative questions …. Next time we’ll come back with more interesting ones about climbing and stuff like that ;)
And thanks for your help !!!
Lucie and Corentin
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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The goal is to visit parks, to learn jam climbing, to rig some sweet highlines, maybe bring a paragliding …
Ur gonna die... ;)
...but seriously- there seem to be a number of websites and forums online about buying a car as a foreiner. If you are under 25 I don't think any rental companies will rent a car to you, so it may be your only option. Something you can sleep in will save you a lot of money in lodgings.
The follow-up comments after this article seem to be very helpful with how to register and insure a car short term.
http://www.atewasabi.com/2015/10/how-to-buy-a-car-in-the-usa-as-foreigner/
I don't have recommendations on where to buy one- there are a lot of options. San Francisco city is generally more expensive - for everything. I would personally go to a used car dealer. You will pay a little more, but they could also help walk you through paperwork and offer some gurantees on the car. You will need a USA address to use. Your cousin's will work if you buy in California . There's also instructions on how to create a "care of" address.
The western US has a lot to see. You'll have a great adventure once the vehicle gets sorted out.
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Corentin
climber
Savoie, France
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 5, 2018 - 04:51am PT
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Thks for your advices !
To register a car you need an address in the state ? If you have an American address but not in the state where you want to register it's not possible ?
Good idea with the car dealer ...
Do you know any good one in SF or around ?
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jaaan
Trad climber
Chamonix, France
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Bring a gun...
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Corentin
climber
Savoie, France
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 5, 2018 - 07:39am PT
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Wich kind of gun ?
A machine gun ? A glider gun ?
;) What do you mean ?
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Gary
Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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A rope gun.
Las Vegas would be a good place to buy a used car. You could sell it for a profit later in places like San Francisco, San Diego, etc.
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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I recommend buying a van, and not a truck with a camper on the back.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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If learning to jam is on your list head to Indian Creek first. April is prime time to be there. Let me know when you’re getting there and I’ll show you around.
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fear
Ice climber
hartford, ct
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If you do buy a car, you also have to purchase car insurance and pay property taxes on the car you purchase when you register it.
It's possibly still better than renting but just some added costs to investigate...
Also, actually call a bunch of rental companies (Avis/Thrifty/Alamo) in the US and tell them your plans. Most will rent to 21 and older for a higher price. The deals you can get on long-term rentals can be really good if you call them. I got a brand new 4x4 Ford pickup truck with a cap for ~$1,000 a month for 4 months(albeit as a citizen and with numerous corporate discounts). That'd make your life a lot simpler with no registration/insurance/breakdown/sale problems...
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Go with a van. Older American vans have good clearance and are easy to work on. 4 wheel drive is generally unnecessary for your type of trip. CA has smog laws that can suck, vehicle needs to pass when you put it in your name.
The soccer mom type vans can be a very good deal, usually well maintained. Just rip out the seats that you do not need. Jucy rental vans are good, no worries about buying and selling or breakdowns
Definitely do the Donini tour of Indian Creek if jamming is on the menu
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Corentin
climber
Savoie, France
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 8, 2018 - 01:21am PT
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If learning to jam is on your list head to Indian Creek first. April is prime time to be there. Let me know when you’re getting there and I’ll show you around.
That such a great proposition!!! I’ll contact you for sure !
So you say that Indian creek is the best place to learn jamming ? Better than Zion ?
Thanks for the idea Fear ! I’ll call them and see !
If I finally decide to buy a van, I think I found the solutions for the insurances (with progressive insurance).
I just do not know yet where is the best place to buy one to have the best deal : Sf or Sacramento or Vegas …
Probably better in LV (also cause of the smog laws), but I’ll not have any address in Nevada whereas I can get one in California …
But as someone says, if I buy it to a cardealer, he could do the paper and maybe give his address ….
I have had a look on juicy rental but it about 8 500 $ for the whole trip ….
I’ll come back soon for climbing infos ;)
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Indian Creek is the world’s best climbing venue for developing jamming skills...FAR better than Zion. Zion is a good place to go once you have the skills. April is prime time for IC.
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Contractor
Boulder climber
CA
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A used minivan on Craig's list (no salvage title) bought directly from a family. Campsite reservations can be a problem so being able to sleep in parking areas is key.
You don't need a gun unless you plan on climbing in Dade County, Florida.
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Corentin
climber
Savoie, France
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 4, 2018 - 06:11am PT
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Hi !
I am now looking for advices about the climbing spots !!
As I said, our goal is to learn Jamming !
We plan to go to :
Indian creek, the high Sierra, Devil Towers, Yosemite, Moab, Zion, The rocky mountains close to Denver (the diamond), the great teton.
I guess that there are many more nice climbing places … Do you have some ideas ?
I already bought the guidebook of IC and the Sierra.
I read things about the Sierra. It’s look quite complex to climb there during July and August, isn’t it ?
It’s written that it’s crowded … Does it mean that there are many climbers or just a lot of people but not especially a lot of climbers ?
Camping regulations look strict ! What if you want to sleep in a van ?
Concerning the other spots , I haven’t found any guidebook in france … So any infos/advices - about rules, when to go, routes to do or anything who can help us - are welcome !!
In france there is a website call camptocamp where you can find many many skiing, mountaineering, climbing … infos, reports or topo. Is there any equivalence in the US ?
Thanks !!
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monolith
climber
state of being
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As for Sierra climbing crowds in the summer, it's mostly on weekends. There are lots of places to sleep in the van, particularly on BLM and National Forest land. But if you keep a low enough profile(don't hang around outside, leave early), you can sleep in lots more places. (A van with few windows helps) Avoid the parking lot of a campground that might be patrolled. An example would be Lover's Leap, but there are plenty of options nearby that are undeveloped and low key. Just ask around.
For online climbing info: https://www.mountainproject.com/
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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I suggest you start your trip in IC, it is the best venue in the world to prefect crack technique and late April is a prime weather time to be there. It starts getting quite warm in late May.
I will have my seasonal camp established and would be pleased to show you around. I know the area very well and was the founder of “Splitter Camps” which are still running.
Check out a 45 minute video by Peter Mortimer that I helped put together ten years ago about climbing in IC....it one the climbing award at the Banff Film Festival. It’s on a CD called...” Return to Sender.”
You will love the Creek...it’s the ideal combination of worldclass climbing, scenery, wildlife, Anasazi petroglyphs, and mellow camping.
Edit: Check out the high line in Return to Sender! I can give you beta on the Tetons (I guided there), the Diamond and some sweet areas (like the Black Canyon) that are not on your list.
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Jim Clipper
climber
from: forests to tree farms
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Quite the offer ^^^. That would be a pretty amazing way to start the trip.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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It sounds like one of those opportunities that cant be passed up.
I would recommend that the French visitors spend as much time as possible in the desert because the experience will be totally different than anything found in Europe
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Jim Clipper
climber
from: forests to tree farms
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I think he likes wine, fish, and high mountains. Don't know which of those you can put in your carry on from France.
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Corentin
climber
Savoie, France
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 5, 2018 - 10:40am PT
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Once we’ll get a car, IC will be our first destination for sure! Thx again for your proposition, I’ll send you a message once we’ll be there! Hopefully it won’t take too much time …
monolith, thx for the advices !
And what about backcountry camping ? It’s written that you need a permit. Do you really need to get it in advance during July and August ?
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