[slackline]

Don't think so, they scan rather than use ink so they'll still be able to take "prints" regardless of how trashed your tips are (finger print matching is done on key swirls and whorls and such like in the patterns of your fingers).

[SA Chris]

But they'll probably change it again in a few months and want to take toe prints as well as finger prints by the time you fly in 

At least they won't take fingerprint scan, mugshot and retina scan like when I entered on a temporary work visa via Houston.

[Stubbs]

Remember states have changed visa requirements.

Oh FFS.

I think this is still the page you need to work through, it was free when I last went, but mentions Admin fee now... https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

[Adam Lincoln]

I have had problems the last two time flying into America with them not being able to get a fingerprint reading. This was with a machine, not ink. Each time i was caused to miss my connecting flight while they, 'asked me some questions'

[slackline]

What did you tell them and did they understand?

[Paul B]

"no! no! no! its FAKE tan, I'm not Mexican"  ?

[ferret]

flown 5 times to the west coast (portland, oregon) in the last 2 years and havnt payed more than £500
take the time to search most times ive got £450

i few other points,
bishop will be hot, and i mean HOT shady tablelands choss is ok but the primo granite lines will shred you in no time. could still hav a few days of good fun cruising moderate classics in a perfect setting tho, personally id save it till youve a chance to go in the winter. october- january at the buttermilks is like the diffence between august and october on the grit for me

tuolume sounds good, not climbed here much but i think this is the perfect season for it, so beautiful

the valley is also good that time of year but for all that its a must visit kinda place, i hate it for the following reasons;
rules, regulations, (extremely fascist) rangers
queing for routes
fat american tourists everywhere
loud mouths with racks that they fill the entire carpark with
polished rock
heat humidity rain really when are the climbing conditions actually GOOD there
BEARS bain of everybodys life with a vehicle

still you gotta go once, tho personally i rate squamish much higher

just got back from red rocks, must say has some awesome routes, i imagine october to be hot tho, we had 1 day in jan where it hit 70 and this place is like a reflective oven, any holds in the sun you could have literally cooked eggs on. however lots of places with partial or all day shade but not if you wanna climb 5.13

for a more of mission based around sport climbing, how about  the red river gorge, certainly one of the best sport venues in the us in prime conditons in october and probably cheaper flights too

[jmews]

One thing to consider - if you are currently under 25 or a student, anyway - is to look at flights through STA. I recently flew out one way to SFO for £270 direct with BA from Heathrow. One way is normally several hundred more expensive, so I imagine return fares would be as good.

[yorkshirewarcry]

I flew into LA a few weeks ago and paid (well...the company paid...) <£400 return Manchester - LAX.

My other half is flying out tomorrow and paid £390 or something like that...bargain!

[Adam Lincoln]

"no! no! no! its FAKE tan, I'm not Mexican"  ?

no no no, its called a 'getting outside tan'

[Paul B]

BEARS bain of everybodys life with a vehicle

Pritch managed a good one liner re:bears that left Nat a little unsettled 

Anyway, looking around the accomodation options seem very odd. Are there any other rec's other than Camp4?

[Paul B]

Currently weighing up finances with regards to this trip and started looking at the various campsites.

Does anybody have any first hand knowledge of the options? Looking at the National Park website its possible to book some sites but not Camp4, are these tourist hell and would we be better just chancing it on Camp4 (struggling to rationalise the latter due to the vast cost of flights and my need to plan things)?

[Stubbs]

We stayed in the Upper Pines, totally fine, had a big RV on one side of us and some climbers on the other.  Nice and quiet in the evenings, which is what I was into really.

[tommytwotone]

Word, am considering a stateside expedition myself, am planning the following:

Fly to Vegas
Do the Vegas thing for a day or two
Rent car
Drive to Utah
Climb at either Joe's Valley or go to Moab and do stuff there
Drive back to Vegas
Fly home

Can anyone offer me any info on any of the above? Basically I'm travelling solo, and will be bouldering only.

I'm assuming that I won't be taking a pad, so I'll need to rent one - either from Moab or somewhere near Joe's?
What guidebooks should I get hold of?
Anything entertaining to do on rest days etc?
Any recommmendations on cheap car hire for a couple of weeks?

Cheers all...

[SA Chris]

There's looks to be some pretty good bouldering at Red Rocks just outside Vegas too. The guide is available from Desert Rock Sports.

http://www.desertrocksportslv.com/ and they rent pads. You could pick one up there at the start of the trip, and drop it off at the end, but at $15 a day it may be easier to buy and see if anyone at the rock gym next to DRS will buy it at the end of the trip - stick a notice up there or in the shop before you leave Vegas? Try and find a partner online to do at least a route or two, even just punting up Cat in the Hat or something is an amazing experience.

Re the Vegas trip - prices hike up approx 5 x over weekends and it gets seriously busy, so avoid if possible.

http://www.desertrocksportslv.com/orders.html

You could do a big circular trip Vegas - Joe's (there is not much at Joe's other than boulders, but all amenities in Price). The across to Moab - there is bouldering at the bend, but AFAIK not much else bouldering wise, then down to Flagstaff; nice college town, with a fair bit of climbing nearby, then back to Vegas on the old route 66. When you going though? Between now and Octoberish it will be pretty damn hot.  You can probably get the Utah bouldering guide in DRS too, there's either the Wolverine publishing one which only covers the larger areas or there is a more in depth locally produced one with also has Triassic Area near Joe's in it and plenty of other spots.

Rest days - you could hit the national parks for some amazing scenery; Grand Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Arches, Bryce, as well as Monument Valley. They are all amazing, but you can overdose on red sanstone if you go to them all. You could try having rest days in Vegas, but the place is tiring! See a Cirque du Soleil show if you can.

Car hire, just shop about and hope you get an upgrade, we scored!

[tomtom]

Word, am considering a stateside expedition myself, am planning the following:

Fly to Vegas
Check in at a Casino Hotel
Gamble solid for 72 hours
Get very very very drunk
Get Married
Wake up with an enormous hang-over
Fly home

Can anyone offer me any info on any of the above? Basically I'm travelling solo, and will be gambling only.

I'm assuming that I won't be taking a pad, Any recommmendations on a cheap divorce lawyer for a couple of weeks after I get back?

Cheers all...

sounds like a top trip 3T 

[tommytwotone]

Word, am considering a stateside expedition myself, am planning the following:

Fly to Vegas
Check in at Hooters Casino
Win the Hold 'Em Tournament
Get very very very drunk
Use tournament winnings to rent suitable vehicle for climbing mission: http://www.dreamcarrentals.com/cars-amghummer2.php
Arrive at US Bouldering location
Decree all problems soft for the grade "compared t't 'Cliff"
Fight a bear and win
Impress locals with my wit and charm
Fly home

Cheers all...

Nearly...

[tomtom]

Word, am considering a stateside expedition myself, am planning the following:

Fly to Vegas
Check in at Hooters Casino
Win the Hold 'Em Tournament
Get very very very drunk
Use tournament winnings to rent suitable vehicle for climbing mission: http://www.dreamcarrentals.com/cars-amghummer2.php
Arrive at US Bouldering location
Decree all problems soft for the grade "compared t't 'Cliff"
Fight a bear and win
Impress locals with my wit and charm
Fly home

Cheers all...

Nearly...

Thats how to roll

[tommytwotone]

On reflection, the Hummer is only worth going for if it's on 42 inch rims or something...reckon this would be more suitable.

http://www.dreamcarrentals.com/cars-pontiacgto68.php

[Stubbs]

This may be useful Triple T http://www.joesvalleyguidebook.com/