Cliff scaling challenge

[Entropian]

The Cliff Scaling Challenge:

Objective: Scale the cliff face of the steep mountain to the west of the KSC.  Picture for specificity:

Rules:

1. No kraken drives or other reactionless propulsion.
2. Rockets, airbreathing engines, or even plain ol' wheels are allowed.  Serious kudos if you can do this with only wheels.
3. Your craft must be wheeled.
4. Stay on the cliff.  Small hops are allowed, but no deliberate flying.
5. Keep in the spirit of the challenge.  Don't go finding loopholes, be sportsmanly, etc, etc.

Scores are ranked by time from the bottom of the face (just start the timer at around when you hit 60 degrees slope)

Badge:

Good luck!

Leaderboard:

@Klapaucius: 5:11

@Entropian: 2:44

@Delta dart: ~10:00

Edited October 10, 2020 by Entropian

[doggonemess]

Yipes!

I've crashed into that mountain before. I can't imagine scaling it.

[Klapaucius]

Here is my submission.  I don't think I lost all four wheels on the steep bit, though I definitely got some air driving to it.  I used a Rover called Thesiger and its transport Wilfred-- (Wilfred Thesiger was a British explorer).  It was originally built for @Triop's Dakar Challenge from 2016 I think. 

 

I flew it out there, but one engine was not enough to get up that cliff. So, another flight out with a rover modified with two engines.  Kept falling off. So, third time is a charm. The rover was modified again with Junos creating downforce.  The original version is on KerbalX, if you are interested: https://kerbalx.com/Klapaucius/Thesiger-Rover--Transport

 

Here is the whole video, including flying the rover in. I did have to use a quicksave--you can see the edit at 5:15. The first time I got going too fast on the approach and crashed. But the main event is all one take (though I stopped several times to do additional quicksaves for safety-but I did not need to use them. The main climb starts around 6:00.

 

Edited October 10, 2020 by Klapaucius

[Entropian]

Nice!  It looks like you hit 60 degrees around 7:14 and reached the top at 12:25, so 5:11 in total.  I really like the afterburners.  Do you think it might be improved with Whiplashes instead?  I probably should say that you can cheat or Vessel Mover it out there if you'd like to, just not above the 60 degree mark.

Edited October 10, 2020 by Entropian

[Entropian]

I managed to get up a few minutes faster, but I caught some air near the end, so this doesn't qualify.

Video:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jrkyjbgc4p04mut/Attempt 1.mp4?dl=0

It might still be uploading.  Give it a few minutes if you are reading this right after I posted.

[Klapaucius]

3 hours ago, Entropian said:

Nice!  It looks like you hit 60 degrees around 7:14 and reached the top at 12:25, so 5:11 in total.  I really like the afterburners.  Do you think it might be improved with Whiplashes instead?  I probably should say that you can cheat or Vessel Mover it out there if you'd like to, just not above the 60 degree mark.

I did not know we were racing :-) 

I don't think Whiplashes would improve it. They are best at high speed. The Panthers are more powerful between 0 and 300/mps.  Having the ability to cut the afterburner also gives you more options.

[Klapaucius]

I also think you are being far too strict about catching air. If you recover, to my mind, you have achieved your goal. I think you should accept your own run.

[Delta dart]

I'm working on my rover (hint: F9WW)

[Entropian]

7 minutes ago, Klapaucius said:

I also think you are being far too strict about catching air. If you recover, to my mind, you have achieved your goal. I think you should accept your own run.

Ok, just no deliberate flying.

[Delta dart]

Welp back to the drawing board. My rover was a falcon 9 from kk launcher pack with wheels. As expected the kraken absolutely hates it and when I activate the engines all the wheels break and it explodes.

Edit: It is done.

Edited October 10, 2020 by Delta dart

[Entropian]

I made a badge:

Yeah, I'm not that good at drawing.  @Klapaucius you may now collect your badge.

[Delta dart]

Here is my car, it has a Saturn afterburning engine from bdarmory (no rules against mods) a custom made F-104 cockpit and a juno engine to keep the nose down.

also what are the coordinates of the base of the mountain so I don't have to build a plane to carry it.

Edited October 10, 2020 by Delta dart

[Entropian]

Use Vessel Mover, and just go to the mountains to the west.  You'll see it.

EDIT: Exact coordinates:

-79.2849288934171 longitude

0.166662818971358 latitude

Edited October 10, 2020 by Entropian

[Delta dart]

I finished it with a time of 10 minutes due to the craft being so low to the ground it would frequently get stuck and/or explode but after several quicksaves I successfully made it to the top. I wasn't going for speed I was just going for looks. Fun fact this craft without the juno engine can reach mach 2 on the north pole.

 

[Entropian]

Looks great!  I'll add you to the leaderboard.