Expedition to the Imperial Sand Dunes near the US Mexico border with Prometheus Design Werx, Adrift Venture, and Exploro. Eddie from Adrift Venture gave us a rally point to meet at, and we rendevoused at the dunes with a crew of Jeeps, Toyota FJ’s and Tacoma’s.
The trail was deep, moving sand through the low grounds surrounded by massive and steep dunes. Everyone aired down their tires and kept it in 4wd full time. My first generation Toyota Tacoma had no problems floating over the sand and never got stuck, dug-in or bogged-down. Like anything, off road, appropriate driving technique for the conditions is crucial. Keeping the momentum going and easy starts from a stop help a lot. Team members carried Max-Trax, winches, and multiple air compressors to aid in recovery, dialing in air pressure on the trail, and aiding in tire repairs.
The conditions were mildly challenging. Hot wind blowing sand storms rocked us most of the first day. We expected this and came prepared for it. the sand storms only added to the spectacular scenery, animating the dunes through sunset.
Setting up tents in the wiind can be challenging. I recruited the teams help to set up my Kifaru 12-man Tipi. The tipi provides communal cooking and living space out of the winds and cold and is a staple on most of my group outings.
Shooting in a sand storm had some challenges. Sand would tend to get into some of the crevices around the buttons, and in focus rings in the moving parts on the Canon 5DMKIII and jam or grind on things. Most of it cleared out just by working the camera and using compressed air to blow it out. I’ve taken that camera on countless backpacking and off-road camping trips while guiding and traveling for the years I had it. The 5D MKIII had been snow camping many times, wet in the rain for days on end, subjected to alkaline corrosive dry lake dust, dropped in a creek, to several sand dunes areas and deserts across the US and Mexico and the jungles of Thailand. I finally sold it for a 5DMKIV. It looked like it had been skateboarding it’s entire life but it never missed a beat or broken anything functional.
Imperial Sand Dunes Night Photo Landscape by Chris Van Loan
Thanks to the team, Eddie for showing us the way, and the BLM caretakers of the Imperial Sand Dunes. Check out my blog post Snow Camping in the Sierras here.
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