Midnight on Mt. Evans should be very dark this year. New moon on the 12th of August meaning only star light.
14,246 feet high paved at midnight.......nekkid. I can't wait.

Are you afraid of the dark?

 

I'm short of breath just thinking about it... bloody flatlander...

 

Driving it during the day scared the crap out of me!

 

That is why you drive at night. You can't see how far it is to the bottom of the cliff. Your lights don't go that far!!!!!

 

For those of us who get cold easily, can we wear clothes?

 

It is clothing suggested.....but nekkid is an option....its up to you

 

Never been on it before but with that statement now I am scared

 

And yes, do dress warm. Very, very warm.

Jonathan

 

I have a pic of you at the Dragon in my collection....go to

www.DragonTales.smugmug.com

and go to the section on Denver to Dragon Caravan III. See page 4.

You are there on your way out of the group pic, by the dam.

Jonathan

 

You will need to look good. Prepare to order your swag
right here.

JPS

 

So I take it those of us coming from warmer climates should pack extreme cold weather gear?

 

I can really test out my Palo Uber Light Bar with 4 Hella 500 Driving Lamps

 

• Wear your jeans up Mt. Evans. Shorts are not a suitable attire. At night, anyway.
• Wear socks with your shoes. Or perhaps with your sandals, depending who you are
• Wear layers. Tshirts, shirts, sweatshirt, jacket. That ought to do.
• Leave your car turned on with the heater running. You will appreciate it.

It is a surreal scene, hard to describe. Last year was windy and 40. The clouds were blowing thru us, but even standing still it felt like movement. There was only a bit of moisture.

There really is no danger. Nobody but the worst fool drives fast on that road, even in the daylight. Darkness up there is just that. Darkness. There are no street lights, there is no light bleed from anywhere, just you and space. Very cool indeed.

JPS

 

In the event it is clear this year, you can and should plan to stay long enough to enjoy the Perseid Meteor Shower. This year it peaks on August 12, Sunday, but it will show the entire week prior.

A few suggestions:

VIEWING A METEOR SHOWER

 

So where you getting this nice SWAG from? Also is that the goat that licked the MINIs last year? I know someone has pictures of that.

 

Afraid of the dark? I drink Guinness!
I would recommend that you bring your own air.

Jonathan - Is it true that the US Forest Service has been illegally charging us for years to drive on this State of Colorado road? I read that the state was torqued and said the Feds had no right to charge a fee for driving on our own road. If this is true - no more $10 to enjoy the dark!

 

Funny I might say that, since we are talking about 14,264 ft high...

1. The Forest Service - Yes, it is true that they have been "illegally" charging to use a state highway, Hwy 5. However, there is a 'catch'. I have spoken personally with the head ranger. He is the one that facilitates our rides up there. The fact is that when you pass thru the Ranger Station (aka ticket booth) you can tell them that you plan only to drive the road, turn around, and not come back. This means that if you get out of your car, take pictures, stop, pee, or pet the animals, you are now "using the park facilities" and that is what you pay for. So if you wish, you can avoid the fee. Just don't get out at the top, and don't stop. On the other hand, if you want to get out, pee, take pics, have fun, pet the animals, etc. then THAT is what they are charging the fee for. Seems nobody ever cleared the air on this yet.

2. The goat. Yes, you are very observant. There was some goat....uh....petting last year. And due to the cold, thin air, I thought a 'blue' mountain goat might be right. So the 'blue mountain goat club' is now officially born. Join right in.

3. Swag. Right here. Just give me a chance to think of how I want to post this. But suffice it to say that if you want a 'blue mountain goat' t-shirt you can get one. White, Beefy style T, with logo EMBROIDERED (not screened) onto the left breast of the shirt. Surely, a conversation starter.

Hold tight, I will get to the ordering part in a day or two. You will be able to order and pre-pay. There may or may not be others available at the event. so if you don't order and you want one, I will have to say "I told you so". Be forewarned.

JPS

 

The drive up the hill in a Mustang GT rental car about two weeks after last year's event was "hairy" indeed for this flatlander. This sounds like alot of fun.

 

Last year was our first trip up "in the dark". I had a timezone discrepency on my clock so the wife and I were up there for an hour.... It was very cold indeed, I believe my car thermometer read 37 deg. The good thing was that we were one of only 3 vehicles there at 11:00 and it was clear. Sad part was by midnight except for the view of 50 or so mini's making a trail up to meet us the clouds had settled onto the summit and then some. Cool thing was the pics that were taken with bonnets open and the white glow provided by the lights in the clouds. The frightening part was the drive down... almost zero vizibility for the first 10 or 20 turns. I promise you no speedo got over about 3 mph. That was our experience and I'm goin back.....maybe daytime this year then night. It's worth the drive and as for myself I neve seen any ranger but I did drive the western dragon on the trip out so I stopped and bought the three day pass.
Still not sure about the Nekked thing... I guess it was dark enough you probably most likely wouldn't have been seen. Did I mention it was cold?? being Nekked and cold wouldn't be a pretty sight (maybe funny one) for me...

Batman Blue Mountain Goat Member

<><

 

Being I live in San Diego, I might have to "buy" some long underwear for the Mt. Evan trip :-) Can't wait, it sounds just awesome!

 

As you have heard, there WILL be BMGC Blue Mountain Goat Club sway available to anyone who wants it. I have not gelled on the details (or prices) yet but suffice it to say that I will have the following items for you:

1. BMGC Swag - For Blue Mountain Goat Club members. T-shirts. Order in advance. Take delivery ONLY on Mt. Evans (I swear, I will not give them to you otherwise). Then, we get pics of you putting it on, in the cold. Hold tight on this. Price not yet firm but it will be MINI-friendly as always (ie I will probably take a bath).
2. MBS Swag - For MBS Members - Mountain Brew Swap - These will be Caps only, probably pro-back style with colored trim, and the logo below. Wait. Not below, in the new upcoming SWAG thread.
3. WD Swag - Western Dragon Swag - Available to any (this is the coolest graphic) and probably on t-shirts. Hold for pricing.
4. MITM2 Hats- Last year's big sellout, we will have lots this year. Order in advance, on a beautiful hat a lot like last year, only round logo this year, not square. Change is good, you know. Pricing to come.

See more in the new SWAG thread.

JPS

 

I think I'll just ride along with someone and close my eyes til we get to the top!

 

Last year I went to MITM as a co-pilot. I was too "tired" (read: chicken) to go up the mountain in the dark.

This year I'm going as a driver in my own MINI, and I can't wait!

 

You can hide in my boot.

 

it is easier to drive it than to passenger it. This is true of Mt. Evans and also of Pike's Peak (14,210 on gravel, no asphalt).

Say, there is an idea for a day drive.....

JPS