The Wave: anyone interested for April 12th?

I have a permit for Coyote Buttes North on Monday April 12th. Unexpectedly, my wife won't be able to join, so there's a free spot if anyone is interested.

I also have a permit for Coyote Buttes South on Wed April 14th - same as above, there's a free spot if anyone's around.

Am somewhat apprehensive about the road conditions - I'll be in a stock Nissan XTerra. Anyone got any hints/recommendations?

Thanks,

Stephen

If it's raining or wet roads, I'd HIGHLY recommend going in the back way coming in from the south. Your X-Terra is 4WD, isn't it? If not, the front way is your only option which is very easy with any car as long as the road is dry.

Hmm, I wonder how the sun and moon are aligned on those dates. Maybe I should consult The Photographers' Ephemeris, this cool program some crazy guy came up with -- a guy who should be THROWN IN JAIL for giving it away for free!!! Man, you need an agent! Even a couple bucks per download would buy a lot of gas. Every time I use that thing, three words come to mind: Trainor for President! Alas, you weren't born in the U.S.

Like Tony said, the road's a non-issue if it's dry.

Stephen, you made my mouth water. Unfortunately I can't take that much time off right now.

Wow, this sure would be fun if I could get time off from work. Alas, will have to pass this time.

FYI: The long range guess for 12 April does not look so good if dry weather is your goal. (All forecasts subject to change based upon the weather.)

Hello Stephen,
If not already spoken for I will be in the area on that day and would love to join you. I had a permit a few weeks ago but did not get in due to wet roads.

I have a jeep that will definently get us in to CB South. If still open feel free to give me a call or email me.

Cell: 303 591-2232
Email: jim@talaric.com

Thanks,

Jim

Todd - what about if I run an ad something like this? Does $49.99 seem reasonable for "special alignments"?

Jim - done! I'll be in touch.

Tony - thanks, I'll consult the maps and see if I can work out where you mean.

Steven - yes, saw that and was thinking it might spell trouble...

Morris - sorry you can't make it. Will post the results if we get anything!

BTW, the dust storm in northern NM today is really horrible. Had to cancel my plans to camp at Chaco - would have been blown away and choked to death.

How far in advance are those permits sold out? What do you think the chances are for trying to get one of the lottery ones?

Good one. But can you actually use your program to make the sun and moon rise and set where you want them to? Now THAT would be a special alignment! Maybe even worth that price as shown, without a decimal point. I'll bet Art "Gigantic Telephoto Moon Framed in Wide-Angle Delicate Arch" Wolfe would pay it.

For what it's worth, I've been all the way in to North/South CB, White Pocket and then through to 89A on iced, snowed, muddied, weather-socked roads there. It's not anywhere near as bad as people make it out to be. Just a muddy dirt/clay road. If you've got decent MT or AT tires and suitable 4x4 experience it's cake.

I'm convinced all this hype comes from people taking poorly suited vehicles with street tires and 2WD through 8 inches of clay mud and declaring the road impassable to anything short of a tank. It's simply untrue.

Regardless, I'd not go without a shovel, axe, and hi-lift in wet weather - just in case.

Then again, don't blame me if it goes terribly

Koveh - I think you need to apply four months in advance to the online lottery. I looked on the site for a good while in January and didn't see anything open up on-line at all for Jan through Apr.

Kurt - good advice, thanks. Jim - you got all that?! After an exciting adventure on the Yampa Bench Road last May, I have a heightened respect for wet clay roads...

Further proof that Murphy was a photographer: Great photographic opportunities will arise 2 days after you purchase most of the materials for a kitchen remodel project. Oh well, maybe next time.

Koveh,
In addition to the lottery, BLM issues 10 permits for the next day day in a drawing. We were there last October and there were between 70 and 128 people trying for those 10 permits. We had a couple of nice days at South Coyote Buttes since we were not drawn for the wave.

Stephen,
A set of chains for at least the front tires of your 4WD would be handy for the clay if it is really wet. Have a great trip.

I'll second Steven P's comments--looks windy, showery, and cloudy! And, unfortunately, this is a large low pressure system, so round 2 will probably be there in time for the 14th. Course, bad weather occasionally creates great conditions---but i hear blue skies are preferred for the wave--Have fun!

Oh good! Off to buy a set of chains then...