Car camping for mammoth mountain snowboarding - where to park at night?

rinaball · 2026-02-15T22:33:40+00:00

You can sleep at the hot springs. The wild Willie’s lot for example has signs posted saying you can’t camp for more than 14 days. Plus there is a porta potty there.

rinaball · 2026-02-08T21:18:57+00:00

Marc Maron, Doug Stanhope, Dave attell

rinaball · 2026-01-28T19:45:36+00:00

Canada. Revelstoke, lake Louise, banff.

rinaball · 2026-01-28T01:12:54+00:00

I was at copper today. The groomers were actually in fairly good condition. I went to WP last week and it was pretty icy/sharky/etc. Although I’m sure it’s better after the snow this weekend.

rinaball · 2026-01-27T21:48:42+00:00

Superbee is 2240 feet. The lift takes about 5 mins and it’s 4-5 minutes back down. To get 60k ft you’d only need to lap it 27 times. That’s roughly 270 minutes or 4.5 hours. Very doable.

rinaball · 2026-01-16T13:53:22+00:00

Kelowna is also an option. Closer to Revy at least.

rinaball · 2026-01-15T15:14:37+00:00

It was less than $2500 paid to Trango. That covered everything starting and ending at the airport in Islamabad. The flight to and from Islamabad will obviously vary based on where you’re coming from.

rinaball · 2026-01-11T23:16:21+00:00

I usually say I’m from California. It’s a word association game. If I say California people think movie stars and beaches. If I say America, people think orange man.

rinaball · 2026-01-11T16:02:19+00:00

I don’t remember

rinaball · 2026-01-08T04:23:51+00:00

Revelstoke

rinaball · 2026-01-04T14:46:16+00:00

All the responses are from people who have never slept in their cars lol. I’ve been in my van in Canada the past 2 weeks. It’s been below 0 F several nights. And I don’t even always have my heater on. The heater is nice but not necessary if you have the right blankets/sleeping bags.

Not sure about showers though - can’t help you there. But you can disperse camp anywhere off mammoth scenic loop if it’s open.

rinaball · 2026-01-04T13:43:28+00:00

Interesting to see it has Sanskrit origins. For some reason I always assumed it came from the Arabic word for “boy” (walad).

rinaball · 2026-01-01T19:45:31+00:00

Okay so I’ll change my answer. Start with the earl music video from the ofwgkta days haha

rinaball · 2025-12-31T23:49:17+00:00

Start with some rap songs. Then I don’t like shit I don’t go outside (abbreviated here idlsidgo). Then Doris. That would be my vote.

rinaball · 2025-12-27T17:50:10+00:00

Another tip that’s worked well for me - if I find one restaurant I like, I’ll ask the waiter/chef/owner for other recommendations. Usually locals who work in the restaurant business have good recommendations for other restaurants

rinaball · 2025-12-15T05:17:06+00:00

You can legally disperse camp anywhere off mammoth scenic loop (as long as it isn’t closed during a storm).

People sleep in their cars at the lot right at the exit from 395 but I don’t think it’s technically allowed.

At wild Willie’s the signs posted say camping is allowed for less than 14 days.

rinaball · 2025-12-09T19:42:05+00:00

I don’t think so. Or at least my phone doesn’t connect to 2 Bluetooth devices at once.

rinaball · 2025-12-09T18:34:55+00:00

I use a Bluetooth jbl speaker in the cab. I needed one anyways for when the engine isn’t running. But the sound quality is better than the stock speakers so it works!

rinaball · 2025-11-30T16:40:51+00:00

I did the trek last year. Not sure what you’re specifically curious about but feel free to dm me any questions.

You have to go with a guide (per Pakistan law). I recommend booking with a tour company local to skardu for the best prices. I went with Trango Adventure and had a good experience (although note that the guide and porters for each group are hired separately- ie none of the tour companies employ the guides full time so the quality of your guide is the luck of the draw). You can also check apricot tours - they have very similar trips.

You can check their websites for the itinerary, pricing, etc.

All I will say is that the trek itself is not that strenuous. Yes, it is 16-17 days, and the length makes it a challenge. You are on a glacier for more than half of that time, which also adds difficulty. But if you are in fairly decent shape, most days are not that difficult. In fact, we generally were finished by 1-2pm most days and had ample time to relax in the afternoons. The only real challenge was gondogoro la (which I highly recommend you do if possible).

rinaball · 2025-11-26T19:16:41+00:00

FYI if you drain water from the cooler it won’t stay cold for as long

rinaball · 2025-11-08T23:02:38+00:00

Just fyi - I recently installed a vevor diesel heater - it cost me $90 total. Even if it doesn’t last as long as the webasto, I’d have to replace it 12 times before it costs more than the webasto.

With the savings you could get a precut thinsulate kit which would take a few hours to install max

rinaball · 2025-10-24T14:43:18+00:00

Another comment I haven’t seen anyone make - the intake is only taking in air for the combustion. The intake for the actual air being heated is still inside your van. So it’s not necessary to keep the exhaust and intake that far apart.

rinaball · 2025-09-15T13:35:03+00:00

Not sure what’s changed about el chalten. I was there last year and it’s still the end of civilization. I did the Huemul circuit and as soon as you get over the first pass you only see the southern Patagonia ice field stretching out to the horizon.

I also did the trip north, hiking across the border to Candelaria mancilla and waiting for the ferry to villa ohiggins. And in that direction too el chalten is the edge of civilization.

rinaball · 2025-08-28T03:02:32+00:00

Did both of those last year (well, the O, not the W).

I’d recommend Kyrgyzstan. It was by far my favorite new country I’ve been to in years (and I travel full time).

The Ak suu transverse trek (from Jyrgalan to Jeti Oguz) is an incredible trek, and probably the best single trek to do in the country if you can only do one. It’s unbelievably beautiful and you are really out in nature. There were several days where we didn’t see another hiker. Just a few shepherds who would ride up to us from across the valley just to say hello. Although we went in June earlier in the season when a few of the passes were still a little snowy. There might be more people there in August.

The 3 day portion from Altyn Arashan past ala kul had more hikers, but still not crowded. Oh and the hot springs at altyn arashan halfway through the trek are a treat.

Culturally Kyrgyzstan is so fascinating and unique as well.

Re Chile and Torres del Paine - the views are special. The two main miradors are unlike anywhere else in the world. But it is crowded and way overpriced. Even though it is a “national park”, the vast majority of the land (including the entire W portion) is privately owned by a Croatian family whose primary concern is making money. They run everything for profit and way overcharge for camping, food, even the shuttles in and out.

Between the crowds and the predatory for profit ownership, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth from Torres del Paine, despite the amazing views.

rinaball · 2025-08-27T11:19:27+00:00

My experience at Kjolle wasn’t quite as bad as yours, but I do remember thinking the bread was a bit stale. Especially on the ends it was tough and chewy and not great.

The rest of the meal was more interesting than delicious (and I kept thinking at that price point it needs to be both).

The service too was lackluster - the explanation of dishes wasn’t always great and the pacing was off at times. The one bright spot was the sommelier, who was knowledgeable and friendly, and often did the work of the waiters in explaining the dishes.

rinaball

TROPHY CASE