Uber rides to Red Rock/alternative transportation

I had meant to put this somewhere on here...

When my climbing partner and I were concerned with leaving a car on 159 to head up Mt. Wilson for who knows how long, I had a driver pick us up at my house(near the Albertsons close to Red Rock) and drop us off at 3am at the Oak Creek pullout past the loop. This cost $13. I was concerned about the return trip, the first driver at 10PM cancelled shortly after, but the second driver picked us up in about 10 minutes, also $13 back home. Drivers seem to prefer this trip to in town driving once they've done it.

Seems like with all the worry of vandalism and theft, this might be a good option for the big days.

Happy climbing!

LOL, $26 to climb a route?

Ball wrote:LOL, $26 to climb a route?

How much was Ondra's airfare to climb the Dawn Wall?

$26 vs. a broken window, gear replacement, police report hassle, able to bivy back in the canyons without vehicle on 159 etc... lol

Ball,

This was for our FA of 'Head of State'. It took us 39 hours from the road and back, I'd rather pay that than have my soft top cut into, or get towed for being out too long. and we weren't sure if we would be up there longer. I would say $26 is pretty cheap for drawing a line up Mt. Wilson and peace of mind.

Marc801 wrote: How much was Ondra's airfare to climb the Dawn Wall?

I'm sure he didn't pay it

Kyle Willis wrote:Ball, This was for our FA of 'Head of State'

Well, you didn't mention that

No worries, Ball. It does seem like not the best option for dirtbags or thrifty people, but I am always particularly concerned with damage to my vehicle and theft. Even when I was riding my bike out there the BLM told me they would fine me if it was left out there too long locked up to something and needed late exit passes. This is ridiculous, I know it takes up SO much space...

Kyle Willis wrote:No worries, Ball. It does seem like not the best option for dirtbags or thrifty people, but I am always particularly concerned with damage to my vehicle and theft. Even when I was riding my bike out there the BLM told me they would fine me if it was left out there too long locked up to something and needed late exit passes. This is ridiculous, I know it takes up SO much space...

Yeah, well BLM are a bunch of tools, unfortunately. Everything went south the moment they paved that road.

Years ago I had my car broken into on 159 and dealt with all of the associated expenses and headaches - it sucked. $26 seems like a small price to pay for piece of mind if it is a sure thing that a return ride will be there.

The guy who picked us up in the dark out there was a bit apprehensive to drive out there since he knew there weren't any houses. Probably also helped that I have been using Uber for various things around town so I had a record of good rides.

" Even when I was riding my bike out there the BLM told me they would fine me if it was left out there too long locked up to something and needed late exit passes. This is ridiculous, I know it takes up SO much space.."
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Do you know who told you this? Names and such?

Late exit pass ...yeah. Able to be parked multiple days without fining is part of the agreement between the climbers coalition and the BLM for just such endeavors.

Thomas Beck, it was a while ago, no names but I showed up at the visitor's center with my "planned route" after failing to contact anyone through the recorded message system. My planned route of riding from town and summitting all the peaks between Willow Springs and First Creek and hitching back through the loop to get my bike, that didn't fly under the cut and dry recorded message, and the persons at the visitors center supported that message. I ended up just claiming I was camping on Rocky Gap Road.

Marc801 wrote:
How much was Ondra's airfare to climb the Dawn Wall?

Ball wrote: I'm sure he didn't pay it

Irrelevant. We're talking about cost, not who pays.

Marc801 wrote:Marc801 wrote: How much was Ondra's airfare to climb the Dawn Wall? Irrelevant. We're talking about cost, not who pays.

It's just advertising costs. In reality they make money off of it because someone sees the cool brand jacket/rope/climbing shoes he's wearing and wants to buy them too.

I digress.

Is vandalism along 159 that prevalent? I only get to get down there once or twice a year, but I haven't had any problems.

I think maybe seeing piles of broken glass at various trailheads and reading other people's incidents of vandalism just make me extra weary.

Kyle Willis wrote:I think maybe seeing piles of broken glass at various trailheads and reading other people's incidents of vandalism just make me extra weary.

Or wary?

Smashing windows on parked vehicles along the roadside is kind of a cultural phenomena in the desert SW.

All sarcasm aside, the preferred act at Red Rocks is to break in and take a credit card or debit card, crack the pin # and run up a line of credit or empty the account at some casino. The owner doesn't realize it cause nothing else is disturbed.

That said break ins happen. I had my truck's utility toolbox locker broken into during the first ascent of Crest Jewel. Parked in pullout on the Tioga Pass Road; thieves got a full wall rack and camping gear; only item they did not steal was the road racing bike cabled inside the cab to the steering wheel. Last time was working in LA, in Santa Monica and thieves got a selection of power tools out of the utility toolbox locker.

I leave no gear in view when parked and there are no climbing stickers on my vehicle. Acknowledged however...It's not so easy to hide gear when you are on a road trip.

Cause I'm local...If I planned to be out several days around Red Rocks I might do what you did...arrange a drop off and pickup.

I've been working on a project to electrify my van. My intent up till now has been to keep the bears at bay, but maybe I should broaden the possibilities

Marc801 wrote: Or wary?

I'm weary from being wary.

Ball wrote:I've been working on a project to electrify my van. My intent up till now has been to keep the bears at bay, but maybe I should broaden the possibilities

hmm...electric shock alarm......I like where your headed with this