It's a 9 hour drive from Stanford University so I need to find a carpool from the San Francisco bay area

Paul, I can make that happen. I'm in Sacramento, and depending on whether we take the Northern route via 80 or the Southern route, will determine meeting point.

That sounds great! Google says the south route is faster! I've wanted to go to Death Valley for a long time but I've never been (largely due to logistics/driving/gas). I've been down 3C1I (and led it) in the past and, overall, am pretty confident (read over-confident) about my skills even though I have minimal experience. How exactly does the internet-canyoneering-meetup thing work? It seems kinda sketchy.

How many can attend this canyoneering trip. Some of these canyons take a full day and with ten or more people could stretch the time.

Hey Eric, you've got a good point. I don't know, depending on how many show up, maybe we can break into groups and do different canyons if need be. Hey Marcie and Paul, I'm coming from NoCal too, but I'm heading home on Sunday. I assume you are both heading back on Monday?

I am flexible but it seems a bit crazy to drive 18 hours for two days of canyoneering. I can't leave the bay area on Thursday until at least 4:00pm

I do have Monday off but have to be back early tuesday morning.

Eric's observation re: group size is spot on. We have the opportunity to break up into smaller groups within the same canyon, or to separate and descend different canyons. Suggest that those willing to lead post details and size limit. This will be a bit messy over the next couple of weeks, as we figure out car shuttles, etc. Limited character space here in the "Comments" section. Please post plans in same titled thread, "Discussions" tab.

I'm thinking about coming. I will be coming from So Nv and I could bring a 4x4 crew cab if needed.

I will be coming from L.A. area with an 8 passenger van. If even a few people want to carpool it helps greatly with gas money. I may not be able to leave until late Thursday (6-7pm) or very early Friday morning.

tentative itinerary filed in discussions tab.....

Steven I'm also coming from LA with a friend. We were planning to leave Thursday night (8 pm)...carpooling sounds good if you're up for leaving that late...I also have a 4x4 vehicle (FJ Cruiser) if that seems good for the trip.

I'll probably come down with my family. I can spend a half day doing some descents or a canyon.

Comments on my following concern is requested -
***25 people, so far, if all show up???? Shouldn't we get a count of 4X4's to see how many can go on the trips that require high clearance? I'd hate to drive 8 hrs. to find out there are too few 4X4's to keep the group spread out & away from the non 4X4 canyons. Then we would know that we could decrease the group sizes into 4X4 & non 4x4 groups. Has everyone checked out the canyons & difficulties to insure they have the skills?

A count of who wants to go on the difficult 4X4 shuttle 3C trips, a count of who will do non-4X4 long shuttle trips & a count of who intends to do the 4A's would be great.

I will do any 3C trip, no 4's. Anyone else? Please post your preferred canyon ratings trips...

Any 3C short or long, no 4's for now. I did Darwin Falls at Xmas and though 4x4 is recommended I'm sure I could get up the 5 mi. dirt road with my 8 passenger van. We walked it because we had only one car.

I'd love to do some of the canyons requiring a 4X4. I'd consider doing Cerberus too. Considering we have so many people going, maybe we could add Willow, Styx, or Coffin to the list of options for Saturday. I'm happy doing anything though, considering that I don't have a 4X4 and my longest rope is 200' I'm in no position to be picky!

I posted updated plan in discussion page

We (Ray A & Dianne) will be arriving Thursday night and staying through at least Sunday. We have a high clearance 4x4. We are planning to sleep in the back so will probably just drive up that road past the airport and pull off. During the days, we should be able to transport 2 or 3 people depending on gear levels/pack sizes.

Oh, as far as trips - we are very comfortable with any canyon up to 3C, willing to try a 4 if the group is willing to be patient with us! We have a 200' and a 120' rope.

All: If you want to accompany me thru one of the 3 listed canyons as described in the discussions thread, please send me personal email per my updated itinerary. I've received some confirmation for this or that, but there's still space on all canyons listed. Don't hesitate to lead/suggest your own itinerary!

Carpool: I will be driving from SF to LA Wednesday evening and from LA to Death Valley Thursday Evening and from Death Valley to LA Monday evening and from LA to SF Tuesday Evening. If someone is interested in a ride for part / all of the trip, let me know.
4x4: I have a 4x4 truck with high clearance BUT it has a pop-up camper where I sleep so we can use it to go to canyons but only in case we really need it.
Experience: I have done 20 canyons, up to 4C R
Gear: 80' & 100' ropes, webbing

If there is no canyon Monday, I may go back to SF directly Monday.

Herve, Mark W. and John H. have confirmed via my gmailaccount (see discussions tab thread) that they will accompany me. Looking forward to meeting you all for some Death Valley exploration!

Ray A. & Dianne A. sent me a gmail to confirm joining Herve, Mark W., John H.and me. Two more slots remain open on what I guess I'll call the "Early Birds" team.

Marcie sent me a PM and is now registered as a member of the "Early Birds." As I review all posts, looks like we're set for additional teams to form over the next few days. I see appropriate transportation, gear, and experience, particularly for Friday/Darwin and Saturday/Rainbow. Fortune cookie says, "In the near future many of us will experience lots of fun and adventure!"

I'm driving from LA Thursday evening, caravanning with Herve. I have 4x4 with high clearance, and have at least one passenger with me for canyons. Experience: I've done 30+ canyons, up to 4CR, and have trained others and led trips. Gear: 80' and 200' ropes, webbing.

Besides Heather's note above, she also PM'd me and so she's considered a Early Bird team member, filling the last vacant spot. However, she also indicated that Alistair will accompany her, so it looks like we are now beginning to form a second team? More to follow....

I'll be coming with my 13yo and we'll stick to moderate to easy adventures in canyons, caves, mines and offroading. (no 12h canyons). Anyone else bringing kids/teens that may be interested in joining?

Short version: no PM from Luca w/13 YO, David w/family ½ day, John + 11 yo, kelvin+1, Kendall, Dianne, Alex+1, Marie, Carlos, Paul, Eric, Lawrence (rm for 5 in Trouper), Steve M (3C max & 8 passenger van). Kirk indicated willingness to lead on Monday: email him. Confirmed & full Early Birds Team: Herve(from SF/LA, 4x), Ray & Dianne(try 4C, 4x), Mark (SF too?), John (No 4C Sun,F150), Marcie (not Fri), and Heather+Alistair (4x). Let me know what I missed!

BTW, If anyone is staying at Panament Springs or its environs, rather than drive all the way up to Stovepipe Fri or Sat mornings, you can just meet us at the Fri/Darwin and/or Sat/Rainbow car spots (lower). Since both these are nearer Panamint it will save you a bunch of driving up to Stovepipe (30 mi one way) and back again past Panamint.

Oh, remember there's no cell phone signals in DV. (except, perhaps, in the Furnace Creek parking lot?)

Assuming I have a green light from organizers:
To save gas, $, and environment, I would like to carpool with someone if there's a ride going through/in/around Victorville preferrably Fri night (but can also meet early Sat morning). I'll be leaving from 29 Palms around 4. Can meet near 18 & I-15 around 6P or 58 & 14 at 6:30P.

Junebug, I'm sure we can find a way to fit you in for Saturday (and Friday if for some reason you get up there early) Sunday will be a different animal and it depends if some one else is willing to lead a canyon that day besides me. Anyone able to carpool with Junebug?

Thanks, Ted, but it looks as if I will not be able to make the trip. With the uncertain schedules on Sun and Mon, I can't afford to drive out there for only one day of canyoneering. I really appreciate your quick responses to my email. Thank you and hope to meet all of you sometime in near future. Be safe and Enjoy!