We have just about a long week until the second annual Winter Mojave to begin. It looks like soda lake is pretty messed up from rains. It's supposed to rain just prior to out arrival so I'm thinking we will more than likely forego the Soda Lake crossing. As much as I would love to incorporate this in the trip mainly because it's an absolute hoot I'm choosing to err on the side of caution. The last thing I want is to create a dangerous situation for anyone attending and get them stuck and really have a mess on their hands. It's just a fact of winter trips that plans get altered weather dictating all the time.
Now that being said, the trip is still on and hopefully everyone is shifting gears into checking over their vehicles and gear. While the weather reports for the area on the east to west portion look semi cloudy with little chance for rain this of course can change. Make sure all your tents are ready and have recent weather proofing as well as your storm gear. Pack the emergency essentials in storm proof bags.... As to the vehicles, besides aggressive maintenance I like to go over my undercarriage and general moving parts with Lanox. It's safe to use around electronics and will not degrade any plastics/rubber. The stuff is really aggressive as a rust preventative for the salts and alkaline we will experience that can work it's way into the nooks and crannies developing corrosion down the road. It doesn't dissipate and will help with vehicle recovery.
If you are thinking, "Do I need that extra parka" or similar please bring it. Remember it's winter and can be very cold. If you are missing any gear or have any issues please let me know ASAP and I'll try to get you some help. Wood.............bring wood...... I live for this stuff and love to get out of my comfort zone when I can. I absolutely love the desert in the winter and everything it brings with it. Please post up any questions you might have so I can try and get them answered as this is a volunteer part time job for me. I still have actual employment obligations for a few more years so I will try and get back as soon as possible. We have a few interesting things planned for the campfires that I think everyone will really enjoy and benefit from.
Lastly to everyone in attendance; I really appreciate you signing up for this trip and think it's going to be an absolute hoot the entire time. These trips are about you and making memories. It's fun to go out camping with your parents but when you see your own children doing it and running their own vehicles and campsites it's really amazing and you have that moment when you think you did something right finally. It adds to the generations of Americana and an adventurist spirit that gets passed down. If you are going both ways for it, it's the first time for it with SCCX so you have some bragging rights..
Other than that it's going to show you what you need and what you really need for a trip like this. I'm super excited to do this again this winter!!!
