Death Valley

I overindulged at the bar at the Red Rocks Rendezvous as I was not climbing the following day.

Death Valley

I combined the poor decision making skills of a hangover with the drive to bishop and decided to drive via death valley. To further compound my mistake I took negligible amounts of food.

The Van in Death Valley

Early on in the drive I got lost and ended up in end-of-the-road-vill. The paved road ended at a cluster of saloons and brothels. Mangy dogs circled and a few bikers stared from their beers. This set the tone.

U-turning out of there I eventually I headed down from 927m above sea level to the stuperfying heat of a salt flat at 86m below sea level. Upon getting down there I realised that I felt terrible and was hungry and had no food. I headed across the huge wastes and then drove up and out without any traumas aside from having to have the heating on full to ensure the van did not overheat.

I pushed on to the next small town where I went shopping for food, I was intending to stop shortly after to cook. The road suddenly turned into a freeway and I was so hungry and indecisive that I was unable to stop.

Another similar deathly valley and dried lake bed

Eventually I managed to leave the road and park up. I then had to search for my lighter for about 20 min before finding it and realising the next issue. I had purchased tinned food and I have no tin opener. After great effort the tin was opened with a nut key and the pasta cooked and eaten.

Looking back from the pass

Eventually I got to Bishop and everything since then has felt much better.