Annual Baja Rally ~ Feb. 2024

[clamay]

Vanis13 wrote

[Schuylersister]

[Schuylersister]

Honestly I've never really enjoyed the time pressure of having to be somewhere on a certain date, especially when I'm traveling in the van. I will probably delay my trip to Baja until a little later in February. It's going to be hard to get out of town with road closures and weather here in very Northern California. I'll head out when the time is right and all the ducks are in a row. Fortunately I have friends down there and two trips under my belt so I have a sense of direction. We'll see what happens.

With that said I was looking forward to meeting you all. Especially Corwyn since you are the ring leader with a lot of experience in Baja. Maybe see some of you on the road as there are only a few main roads in Baja unless you're off trail. Safe travels!

[clamay]

Our plan was to drive down 101 through Oregon and California but we may have to modify our plans since 101 in Oregon was closed due to a slide south of Coos Bay. I guess Oregon DOT has jumped on its repair and it will open again soon. With all the storms hitting northern California (and California in general) we are keeping a close eye on road conditions.
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91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[clamay]

Hi all,
Looks like the "Annual Baja Rally" is dwindling in numbers. It would be nice to have a head count with who is planning to go, who is iffy and how iffy.

We still want to go but don't want to go alone. We would prefer to travel with someone who has been there before but are willing to travel with other nubies.

The loose plan is to meet in Potrero County Park on February 3rd or 4th and cross the boarder in Tecate on Sunday the 5th.

Please respond if you are going.

Thanks,
Chuck
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91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[crazyvwvanman]

Ok, so what is the latest word?
If I show up at the meeting point will anyone else be there?

Mark

[mtnhome]

My long term plans are still up in the air but I may just head for Potereo and be ready to turn around at anytime. Not only work but my elderly dog is approaching his time.
It would be fun even for a quick road trip through the desert and get to meet up with some of you. I may even bring Doc on a last ride.
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'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight=

[clamay]

We are leaving NW Washington on January 29 and working our way down to Potrero for the 3rd and 4th and if there are others there that want to head down into Baja then great, we will too. If not, then we will travel east into Arizona. But we are really wanting to go to Baja. We have site #5 reserved for Potrero.
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91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[Corwyn]

My procedure was moved up to 1 Feb. If it is negative, I'm heading south to get my van, then possible across the border; if not, southern AZ.
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'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[clamay]

We are pulling for negative!!!! But if not we are pulling for successful treatment. Take care!
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91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[jimf909]

[Schuylersister]

[clamay]

Yes, we went through Bajabound. Max. value was $17.5K for full coverage but we only have a tin top.
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91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[Kozmob]

Greetings all. I am heading out in a few weeks on my 4th Baja adventure in my trusty ’99 EVC and am open to caravan mates for parts of the trip. First part of my trip is fairly fixed; I’m leaving Olympia, WA on 2/15, crossing at Tecate on about 2/20, and visiting whales on 2/25. After that it’s my usual style of unstructured travel with remote beach boondocks and campgrounds, small towns, fresh fish on the beach, snorkeling, taquerias, markets, exploring dusty roads, and spontaneous photo stops.

If of you want to consider joining for part of this, DM me or get me at Kozmo at RanchoFraunch dot com to discuss.

Here's a little Baja inspiration; some pics of my last trip in ‘19 (includes a few pics on the way to the border). https://kozpics.com/index.php?/category/191

[Schuylersister]

All loaded up and ready to head south to Baja from Arcata Ca. hopefully on 2/1. I’m feeling prepared and happy to take it one day at a time. Not sure I’ll make it to Portero SP to camp but maybe before crossing at Tecate. Hope to see some of you down there.

I am fretting about carrying extra gas. Seems a good idea as my gas gauge is fickle and I have a heavy load so stretching beyond 200 miles per tank feels nerve wracking. Here are the options I’m considering:
1. Get a plastic three gallon gas can at Walmart and carry it empty mostly and then fill it 80% and put it up on the cargo rack or in my newly crafted back shelf when the distance traveled will be more then 200 miles (320 km).
2. Spend a bunch of time and money and install a rotopax on the back shelf. We do not have rotopax available locally so ? And I hear they leak?
3. Let it be and count on barrel gas being available in Catavina and elsewhere. I am planning on some off road short trips too. Good to have gas and a compressor. Right?
4. Buy and install a Jerry can on the back shelf or the cargo rack. I am concerned about static electricity with the metal. Am I being paranoid?

Lots of questions and I hope to hear from you experienced ones who do carry gas and why. Thank you!

[dobryan]

In your situation I would use a three gallon plastic can and securely lash it to the front luggage rack. Cross the border with it empty and fill it at your first gas stop in Baja. It sounds like the peace of mind will be well worth it.

(And use it up before you cross back into the USA.)
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[crazyvwvanman]

There is plenty of gas on the Pacific side until you get down to El Rosario.
Get a COMPLETE fill there before continuing south and you should be fine.
Myself I also fill a 2.5 gal plastic jug at that same stop though I know I am unlikely to need it.
The next gas station is Villa Jesus Maria, 200 miles.

I often rest stop at the big boulders near Catavina and pour my extra gas in since I don't like to carry the gas all the time.

I do the same heading back North.
Going North top-off completely in Villa Jesus Maria, fill my jug, pour it in when there is room in the tank.

If I will be turning off on any dirt routes then for sure I like to have the extra jug filled for peace of mind and pour it in only when I need it.



Mark

[Sodo]

[Schuylersister]

Great advice! Where do you stash the 2.5 gallon jug when you’re driving ?

[Corwyn]