Moab 2006 Chat Thread

[GJarrett]

Yeah, good times Jefe..... I do think that was the first time we met; I don't think I realized it was your brother riding with you until much later on (yeah I'm a bad listener)... remember running Steelbender going the north-to-south route and trying to fall off that one ledge without rolling over? Pucker factor 10, LOL. I think that one event improved John's spotting skills along with both your's and my driving abilities about 1000% all on that one single obstacle. I'm not ashamed to admit that I sweated bullets for all of us. I don't think either one of us ever got so close to the ragged edge of a rollover without actually doing one, whew.

 

[FROADER]

The harder the better. Dead Link Removed

 

[inh]

wow. if any of you got pics of what gjarret just mentioned, id love to see em

 

[GJarrett]

Jefe or John has video, I think. Imagine going down an 7 ft ledge that would plant your front bumper into the bottom... so you decide to transverse it at an angle going down, but that decision results in your rig trying to do a barrel roll sideways down the slope. Oh yeah, below the ledge is a drop off of 50 ft or so off of the side of a cliff should your rig decide to not stop rolling once your original screwup finishes. Fourwheeling fun at its finest. Those who have run Steelbender probably know the obstacle I'm talking about; it's about two-thirds of the way up the trail from the south entrance and IMO the hardest obstacle on the trail aside from the Dragon's Tail (which can be bypassed).

Hey Colin, hardest run on the first day, whatcha thinkin', LOL?

I really like how this is shaping out - there's a lot of members signed up that haven't been to Moab before and the Friday wishes that are being mentioned are all great options. I think there will be enough showing up on Friday morning at City Market to have well-balanced runs at Gemini Bridges, Top of the World, and Steelbender. I've learned that it doesn't really matter what we talk about to plan on these threads for the first runs, it seems to just gel into a spur-of-the-moment decision once we're all there that first day.

I'm good for whatever is decided and whomever is there once I get there

C'ya at the Moab Brewery on Thursday nite and at City Mkt on Friday morning

 

[inh]

Man i would LOVE to see that video. I wish i could go, but i missed the signup, its a long drive, and i dunno if i could get leave. but im definatly headed tehre one day.. Just a quick side question. I see a lot of pics (looked over the 05 moab return thread) of trucks climbing up some pretty steep/high rocks ledges and such, but they dont look to be lifted that much. Whats the deal? Could a truck with 2 1/2 suspension lift and a 2 inch bl make it up those things with aired down tires or am ijust misinterpreting the pics and they all have like 8 inches of lift? My truck has crawled up some crazy stuff, but nothing resembling rock walls...

 

[90ranajo]

mrboyle got through all of the trails (with a few exceptions) pretty decent with his stock height truck last year. Yeah he dragged his bumpers up and down everything and I think he needed a tug and push once or twice but did very well.

 

[GJarrett]

inh: That's the beauty of Moab's redrock and why it is so addicting. EXTREME traction. Think of it as driving on 180 grit sandpaper and forget worries about slippery mud and crap. You can climb unbelievable angles at Moab with a stock Explorer that would be unheard-of in other parts of the country. The more extreme trails have larger rock/boulder obstacles that deny lesser unmodified rigs with less ground clearance, but the traction is still there. The photo below is not a trick shot, and I'll bet that you can't do that on Kansas soil, LOL. Once you go to Moab, you'll never again be satisfied with the meager trails offered to you at home.

And yes, mrboyle has been on most of the non-crazyextreme trails in Moab with his rig which is not that far removed from stock and he has successfully taken on all of them. IMO he is one of the best drivers I've had the pleasure to wheel with, and anyone reading this should take the opportunity to wheel and learn from him when they can. Especially if they can get that opportunity in Moab

 

[inh]

AH man.. i wanna go sooooooo bad.... What the scoop on people just showing up to the run? Since i missed signups :/

 

[becker69]

inh - I can't remember who it was that had to cancel late (and sorting through 20 pages is too much!!! ) But, number 7 on the list was vacated... you could always beg Rick, drop some $$ and go elite, and bribe Char!!!???? Just ideas of persuasion




Not to mention mrboyle is a really nice guy.

mrboyle... if you think it'd be cool; as long as I can talk my buddy into leaving for moab early... I'd be up for a trail on Fri with you. You were helpful in understanding and helping me on the CO run!!

Jason... dude, couldn't you find an instructor that is understanding when it comes to trails... but a final on SATURDAY... dude that is heartless!!

 

[Brother_of_Jefe]

wow. if any of you got pics of what gjarret just mentioned, id love to see em

It was one of our first runs, so the picture doesn't really capture the obstacle.

 

[inh]

O.O

No those pics do look pretty crazy. I would definatly have needed to change pants after that.

As for the whole # 7 thing.. ima try and see whats goin on.. but i doubt i'd be able to take leave, thats the only thing. But a 4th of july run is definatly a possibilty as i beleive i have like a week off around there, not sure. all i know is i wanna go to moab bad!

 

[RockRanger]

I am hoping to get out there late wedensday early thursday morning. I am up for a trail run thursday as well as friday. I might be interesed in doing TOTW thursday afternoon. It is a pretty long boring drive without much excitement.

Gerald, I might be able to squeeze a run in monday as well. Guess it depends on if/what a break during the weekend. If I can get a doubler installed between now and then, Id be up for some of the 5+ trails out there. It sounds like Froader is up for it as well.

I forget the hotel we are staying at but we are in town somewhere si it cant be that hard to find each other.

Have we found a place for the saturday night dinner yet?

 

[Jefe]

Yeah, good times Jefe...

Very good times. That obstacle was a definite pucker moment. At the time that was an absolute 10. . .but looking back 5 years now, I'd put it closer to a 3. LOL
Its also funny how your Rig hasn't changed a whole lot in 5 years.

Jefe or John has video, I think. . .

There wasn't any tape in the vid camera yet, though the cameraman was out, ready to record. And we only have that one pic that doesn't show the whole obstacle.

 

[glfredrick]

Good to see you on the board and wish you could make it again.... any chance of getting to the Attica run that's closer to you this year? I'll be at the Attica run too and it would be great to see you again.

I'm always lurking about -- I just don't post as much anymore since starting UCORA. I do my main work over there. At least I don't have to argue with Rick when I post something overtly Christian... (Love ya Rick!)

I won't be able to make Attica because that is when we're headed to Moab this year. I wish that I could have made the run with you guys -- time, weather, group, etc., are all perfect for a great time, but our own timing, family issues, financial picture, truck readiness, etc., were all wrong to make the run then. Anyone that wants to run with us in June is more than welcome, however. Yup, it will be hot, but it's hot all over anyway, and that never stopped us before.

We'll find some time to go runnin' one of these days, I'm sure. I'm currently in the middle of my Ranger project truck (38's, SAS - 44/60 combo axles, all tube, etc., a bad-boy project... ) so I'm not doing too much actual wheeling right now, but that will all soon change. We also have a trailer and tow rig now, so we can play harder.

Catch ya!

 

[glfredrick]

remember running Steelbender going the north-to-south route and trying to fall off that one ledge without rolling over? Pucker factor 10, LOL. I think that one event improved John's spotting skills along with both your's and my driving abilities about 1000% all on that one single obstacle. I'm not ashamed to admit that I sweated bullets for all of us. I don't think either one of us ever got so close to the ragged edge of a rollover without actually doing one, whew.

When we ran that trail, we came on that same ledge headed the other direction. It wasn't in the Wells book, and it was just the three of us (Me, Doug, and Jeremy, with NO winches, and all of us on 31's except Jeremy) as we missed the regular group run because of me rebuilding my front locker in the parking lot. It was quite a dilemma on how to get a truck up there to assist the rest of the pack. We finally did the strap and human-powered thing to get Jeremy's XJ up there, and we then used his truck to anchor the rest of us. It was sort of fun sitting there feeling like a NASA astronaut for a while as we worked that obstacle. Straight up and down -- yuppers!

Here's a shot from the bottom... It's straight up after that (and this shot is only at the half-way point, before it gets REALLY interesting!).

 

[offroadkc]

C'ya at the Moab Brewery on Thursday nite and at City Mkt on Friday morning

Now you're talking.
Woo hoo - I really think I'm going to make this one.
It's been a long time.

 

[John_Rock]

Now you're talking.
Woo hoo - I really think I'm going to make this one.
It's been a long time.

Oh man, Kevin's gonna be there. I think I better cancel my reservations.

Where's Charlieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?!

 

[offroadkc]

You miss me too don't you.
Charlie isn't allowed to go with me. He has his woman and a baby now so he is on lock down.
I'll bring a full size poster of him for you and Char to fight over if you'd like.

 

[FROADER]

I just made my reservations. I'm so ready!

 

[AspenX]

I will be getting there sometime thursday also.