Solitario in Winter

[fesser nohair]

Are there two more folks willing to be exploited to the tune of $600 each for a guided "Hike Through Time" in January or February 2008?  My buddy and I are looking for two more to make up the four person minimum for the Desert Sports Lower Shutup Hike Through Time. 

See http://www.desertsportstx.com/tripshiking.php for details.

Fesser Nohair

[xseption]

Wow! Looks very interesting. Any firm dates?

~ edd

[presidio]

Are there two more folks willing to be exploited to the tune of $600 each for a guided "Hike Through Time"

Woo....pricey $$$$. That must be one heck of a hike. Does the guide carry everyone's gear for them? Must be filet mignon every meal with fine wine, too????? If this doesn't include a mint on your pillow each night, somethings missing.

I notice their description isn't all that informative as to what you get for your money.

[badknees]

Are there two more folks willing to be exploited to the tune of $600 each for a guided "Hike Through Time"

Woo....pricey $$$$. That must be one heck of a hike. Does the guide carry everyone's gear for them? Must be filet mignon every meal with fine wine, too????? If this doesn't include a mint on your pillow each night, somethings missing.

I notice their description isn't all that informative as to what you get for your money.

My sentiments exactly! I could travel all the way from Houston, do that hike, spend a night in a motel and drive back home with money to spare.  Don't need no stinkin' guide. Got a map and can buy a book!


Ooops sorry....got carried away,

[fesser nohair]

Well, yea, as a matter of fact, they do carry most of your stuff.  You carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, camera, other personal items.  They provide transportation from (and back to) Terlingua, food, water, tent, and an experienced, medically trained guide who knows the geology, flora and fauna, history, and not the least, the way out.  If you're interested, I urge you to get the details from them:  Desert Sports (888) 989-6900

Hey, it's good to have choices.  You do it your way, and we'll compare notes afterward.  I understand, though, from several different sources that you can't do this one without a state-approved guide.

xception:  We're flexible on dates.  Easier to say when we can't, which is on and about: January 21, February 18, or February 24.

[Al]

Are there two more folks willing to be exploited to the tune of $600 each for a guided "Hike Through Time"

Woo....pricey $$$$. That must be one heck of a hike. Does the guide carry everyone's gear for them? Must be filet mignon every meal with fine wine, too????? If this doesn't include a mint on your pillow each night, somethings missing.

I notice their description isn't all that informative as to what you get for your money.

My sentiments exactly! I could travel all the way from Houston, do that hike, spend a night in a motel and drive back home with money to spare.  Don't need no stinkin' guide. Got a map and can buy a book!


Ooops sorry....got carried away,

There are many ways to enjoy the desert . . . different strokes for different folks!  Tents/tarps/nada/campers/RVs/cabins/lodge/motels/hotels/guides/no guides.  It's all good.  Us folks that do our own thing camping tend to look down on the RV/lodge/motel crowd.  Bet they look down at us poor campers the same way.


Al

[SHANEA]

I understand, though, from several different sources that you can't do this one without a state-approved guide.

Interesting, it's my understanding that the entire park has now been divided into zones and you are free to go anywhere that Pete and Joe can take you. 

Use Zones
Front Country Zone is defined as those lands within approximately one-quarter mile either side of the designated 2WD roads. All street legal and licensed vehicles are permitted in this zone. Overnight use may occur only at designated locations.
Primitive Road Zone is defined as lands within one-quarter mile either side of designated 4WD or 2WD high clearance roads. Motorized vehicle access to this zone is restricted to street legal and licensed vehicles and must have at least four functional wheels. Overnight use may occur only at designated campsites.
Backcountry Zones are defined as lands that are more than one-quarter mile from publicly accessible roads. Twenty separate zones have been defined. Only non-motorized travel is permitted. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to use designated trails and routes until they are knowledgeable and confident in their familiarity with the park to travel

The public use plan for BBRSP lists the zones.  It's somewhere out on the net or on this board.

[presidio]

I understand, though, from several different sources that you can't do this one without a state-approved guide.

I'm wondering what part of 'public land' the state doesn't understand? Let's see, they allow you to access lands paid for with your tax money ONLY if you fork over a ransom of personal funds to a private company to lead you in there? Is this situation just a little funny sounding to me, or is there something fundamentally wrong with the management mindset that thinks this is okay and allows it to occur? Makes that $20 to get into Big Bend almost, but not quite, seem fair by comparison.

It's probably just me.

[sleepy]

you, presido, i like.  we need to put the pub back in public.  i am so damned incensed that there is no public land in Texas I could start a revolution.

[dave2]

I've always wondered why "THEY" are so protective of this location.  I mean, what exactly do they think the public can do to harm what is really just a big depression in the earth?

[presidio]

I've always wondered why "THEY" are so protective of this location.  I mean, what exactly do they think the public can do to harm what is really just a big depression in the earth?

Well, it's probably that if you go in there unescorted, you might accidentally stumble across one of the secret entrances to a vast, nationwide system of tunnels (shhhhh.....). This entrance is SO secret that it's not even listed at the website telling you about the secret.... http://www.ufos-aliens.co.uk/cosmicunder.html

Now, back to reality....there isn't a thing you can hurt out there. It's the idea that it's a 'park' and the public needs to 'be controlled'.

[RichardM]

I've always wondered why "THEY" are so protective of this location.  I mean, what exactly do they think the public can do to harm what is really just a big depression in the earth?

My guess is that they've been more concerned with avoiding rescue operations while understaffed.  It's not so much the park they're looking to protect, they just haven't felt we can be trusted to stay out of trouble since they haven't had the manpower to come bail us out.

[presidio]

[they just haven't felt we can be trusted to stay out of trouble

That's a poor excuse, but one that is endemic to 'parks' at any level of government. It's also why I talk about other public land so much. None of the other agencies feel compelled to worry one whit about you; you're on your own and free to go where you want, not where they let you.

[randell]

My guess is that they've been more concerned with avoiding rescue operations while understaffed.  It's not so much the park they're looking to protect, they just haven't felt we can be trusted to stay out of trouble since they haven't had the manpower to come bail us out.

When I was there last November the rangers failed to give me proper directions/maps and/or gave me different stories depending on who I asked for a bike trail route.  As a result, my friend and I went on a double-length mountain biking trip and wound up biking the last few miles back to HQ in the dark.  My wife became worried because I didn't show up on time, so she told the rangers.  She said they were "excited" at the prospect of a rescue operation.

[RichardM]

In the case of BBRSP, the land the TPWD was given was bigger and wilder than anything else they had in their inventory and they just plain didn't know how to handle it or what to do with it.  Or at least it sure seems that way.