TERRIFIED of heights, narrow roads with drop-offs, etc.

[jenhere]

Hi all,

This is my first post to RV.NET and I'm happy to be here! We are new full timers and I have a route question.

We are staying in Victor Idaho while visiting Grand Teton Park. I am hoping for a better route to get to the park and Jackson than the Teton Pass.

In our two months of traveling, I've had more than one panic attack when traveling through some tight , high areas. Sometimes in our Class A, sometimes in our Jeep while traveling. This is a new issue for me. Being from a flat part of the East, I had no idea I even had a phobia this bad until we got to some areas in South Dakota. I thought I would just grin and bear it over the pass, but after having a horrible hour going over the Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone yesterday, I'd like to not put my family through that again.

Any ideas would be appreciated! Love seeing this beautiful country, just going to have to be careful how I do it. (And see it from below, not above!) 🙂

Thank you!

[jenhere]

obgraham wrote:
I am an MD, and I second the advise about a beta-blocker. It's not uncommon for professional performers to have true "stage fright", and a number of them do indeed take a beta-blocker. This is not a sedative medication, but rather it has the effect of slowing heart rate, thus decreasing the breathing difficulty and clammy hands.

Of course, internet chat boards are not the place for medical advice, but I would at least discuss it with your physician to see if it would be appropriate in your specific case.

Other ideas, beyond looking very carefully at the routes and choosing the least of the bad choices: Change your seat away from the "edge" side to the middle of the road side, keep your back to the edge at all times and watch the scenery opposite the edge side. Play some music, perhaps with headphones on. Anything to distract your senses, as in most cases the difficult part of these roads lasts no more than 15 to 30 minutes.

Thank you- I am going to look into this. Being on the road full time, it would need to be through our Telemedicine docs or a walk in clinic. Hopefully this is something they would be able to provide. I've tried prescription antihistamines and muscle relaxants for flying. These did not seem to help, but did make me tired. I've also used Xanax with some success. This was with my GP when we lived permanently in our home though. Thank you for the information.

[jenhere]

ReneeG wrote:
One other thing, to get from Victor to GTNP and Yellowstone, the closest route is over Hwy 31, Pine Creek Pass to Swan Valley, Hwy 26, over to Alpine and up through the Snake River Canyon - low elevation - and into Jackson. We've driven that route and it's not bad. Your other option is to take the Teton Scenic Byway up to Ashton, then get on Hwy 20 and into West Yellowstone. If you're in a Class A, does it help to sit in the back?

Hi Renee! - Can you speak to HWY 31? Seems that is the most unknown to everyone about this route? Thank you for your help.

[jenhere]

paulj wrote:
US 26 and US89 is usually recommended for driving from Idaho to Jackson. Mostly it follows the Snake River. Teton pass is too steep and curvy for RVs. Looks like it would an hour to the driving time.

As with most riverside routes 26 does have modest drop offs on the riverside. From Google Maps streetview images these are about the height freeway overpasses and river crossings in other parts of the country.

ID31 from Victor also climbs a modest pass with some embankments.

From map it looks like the only flat way out of Victor is 32 back west to US20.

US20 north to West Yellowstone is generally regarded as an easy climb.

Thank you- this was very helpful.

[doxiemom11]

I feel the same way. Use mountain directory west and flattestroute.com.

[dedmiston]

ReneeG wrote:

dedmiston wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
... getting back to your question.... from Victor take 31 to 26 at Swan Valley and 26 to Alpine, WY then north to Jackson and into Grand Teton NP. It's a very easy almost flat route along waterways. You'll love it!

Thank you for the info.

Moderator - please note that I gave these instructions earlier.

Duly noted. I've updated the permanent records.

[CloudDriver]

I was going to post earlier, but ReneeG and 2Gypsies beat me to it. We have not used route 31, but routes 26 and 89 to Jackson should be no trouble to you.

I disagree with richclover. Do not go over the Teton Pass (route 22)!

The roads in Grand Teton NP are in a valley. I can't think of any steep drop offs there.

[obgraham]

I am an MD, and I second the advise about a beta-blocker. It's not uncommon for professional performers to have true "stage fright", and a number of them do indeed take a beta-blocker. This is not a sedative medication, but rather it has the effect of slowing heart rate, thus decreasing the breathing difficulty and clammy hands.

Of course, internet chat boards are not the place for medical advice, but I would at least discuss it with your physician to see if it would be appropriate in your specific case.

Other ideas, beyond looking very carefully at the routes and choosing the least of the bad choices: Change your seat away from the "edge" side to the middle of the road side, keep your back to the edge at all times and watch the scenery opposite the edge side. Play some music, perhaps with headphones on. Anything to distract your senses, as in most cases the difficult part of these roads lasts no more than 15 to 30 minutes.

[ReneeG]

pianotuna wrote:
If you are truly terrified then ask your physician about using beta blockers.

I agree or a mild sedative till the panic attacks are under control. It may be a case of knowing and realizing, calmly, that everything is going to be alright. Once that has been established, the meds may not be needed. I would try that route.

[ReneeG]

dedmiston wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
... getting back to your question.... from Victor take 31 to 26 at Swan Valley and 26 to Alpine, WY then north to Jackson and into Grand Teton NP. It's a very easy almost flat route along waterways. You'll love it!

Thank you for the info.

Moderator - please note that I gave these instructions earlier.

[paulj]

I browsed the Dunraven Pass route in Yellowstone (google maps Streetview). Looks like the part that could give visual problems is where it follows a ridge above the treeline. It's not exactly steep, but the views are expansive. Reminds me of the high roads in Rocky Mtn Nat Park.

22, Teton pass has similarly expansive views, though the area is lower and forested.

If your driver was comfortable with Dunraven, then driving Teton won't be a challenge.

After Jackson and GT, you might want to use US191 to head SE toward I80.

[richclover]

jenhere wrote:
Hi all,

This is my first post to RV.NET and I'm happy to be here! We are new full timers and I have a route question.

We are staying in Victor Idaho while visiting Grand Teton Park. I am hoping for a better route to get to the park and Jackson than the Teton Pass.

In our two months of traveling, I've had more than one panic attack when traveling through some tight , high areas. Sometimes in our Class A, sometimes in our Jeep while traveling. This is a new issue for me. Being from a flat part of the East, I had no idea I even had a phobia this bad until we got to some areas in South Dakota. I thought I would just grin and bear it over the pass, but after having a horrible hour going over the Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone yesterday, I'd like to not put my family through that again.

Any ideas would be appreciated! Love seeing this beautiful country, just going to have to be careful how I do it. (And see it from below, not above!) 🙂

Thank you!

Welcome to the forum! Sorry for your troubles!

Teton Pass, WY22, should be no problem. I would not hesitate to tow my 30’ travel trailer over. Short ride to Moose, nice views and guard rails along the pavement.

You might have a look at google earth. There is a street view of the route. Takes a little time but a peek at the “switchbacks” might allay your anxiety. After all, a google car can do it 😉

Above all, keep it fun!

[dedmiston]

jplante4 wrote:
This might help.

No! Bad website, bad. Go to your room.

[donkeydew]

we have stayed in victor a couple of time and have used 31.you should be just fine with that route.
a visit to Kansas might be very enjoyable for you

[jenhere]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[jplante4]

This might help.