Moab! May 31-June 2, 2002

[Jefe]

Fine, make me find the book. . .

Trails I've run:
(in order by difficulty: num in book - trail name - 1-5 of desire to run them again {5 high})
15 - Gemini Bridges - 4
37 - Top of the World - 2
32 - Fins & Things - 5
33 - Porcupine Rim - 1 :thumbdwn:
19 - Gold Bar Rim - 5
35 - Steel Bender - 3
20 - Poison Spider Mesa - 5

A Few Trails I'd like to run
16 - Metal Masher
31 - Hells Revenge
24 - Moab Rim
21 - Golden Spike

 

[GJarrett]

Jeff, two of your wishes - Metal Masher and Golden Spike - agree with what I'd also like to do.

Moab Rim: you've got IFS like I do and have read how terrifying Moab Rim was for me. Someone like Rick could flex right through it, but for newmodel IFS, I'd suggest lowering your center of gravity with everything you can - keep the spare low, etc. You're gonna lean offcamber like you never have before, and it will be just a few feet from a drop down to the canyon floor hundreds of feet below. Remember your offcamber slide and near rollover on Steelbender? Imagine doing that for a solid mile on the edge of a cliff Moab Rim taught me what a severe disadvantage the lack of flex that our IFS can be.

I think Moab Rim would be a great run this year for the BigDawgs; but just like with the stockers, few are providing feedback to help us schedule the event. I think Rick has a real interest in doing it too.

 

[mrboyle]

I have never been to Moab, so I don't know what to expect (or what I want to run). I'll most likely start out on Friday and run Top of the World with Kris. As for Saturday, I'd like to step it up a little (to say a 3.5 trail) and then an Sunday I'm already signed up to run Metal Masher. I figured if I start out simple and work my way up there will be a far greater chance of running all weekend with out any serious problems.

 

[Jefe]

Gerrald,
Haven't you figured out why I'm buying that '92 chop top off Rick? (I assume you saw, since you posted in that thread) Diablo II will [hopefully] make her debut at Moab, and I'll be ready to conquer anything. . . :redexp: :redexp:

 

[John_Rock]

Gerald,

I've never been to Moab either, so I don't know what to expect either or what I would want to run.
I will probably have a locker in the rear diff by then to put me in the Big Dawg class, but by your description, Moab Rim sounds scary. Will my insurance cover falling off cliffs?

Heath, any news about getting the hotel reservation transferred to me?

Thanks,
John

 

[rpenner54]

Well I am going to talk it over with Maranda one last time tonight but it looks like she and I will be out there for at least possibly one day of wheeling. We get married the next weekend so I am still not even sure it will work. However we want to try and get out of town out of life for one day so..... LOL

I guess I will need to get on this whole room thing pretty quick then. Hopefully there are still some rooms somewhere out there.... doh!

 

[Perry]

Originally posted by Aquaman
Gerald,

I've never been to Moab either, so I don't know what to expect either or what I would want to run.
I will probably have a locker in the rear diff by then to put me in the Big Dawg class, but by your description, Moab Rim sounds scary. Will my insurance cover falling off cliffs?

Heath, any news about getting the hotel reservation transferred to me?

Aquaman, Heath moved and I don't think he has his computer up and going yet. You might want to PM him so he will know when he is back on line.

Now this is just my thoughts from last year, which was our first time to Moab.
I am not sure how well your truck is set up but I would suggest doing runs such as Poison Spider, Fins-n-things which aren't the hardest trails, but fun. This way you can enjoy the scenery along the way without worrying so much on the trail. Don't get me wrong these will keep you on your toes. I think it is better to go at a speed you are comfortable with instead of just trying to do the hardest trail. There is plenty of obsticals on these two runs and I know there are others like these that are fun. These were two of my favorite last year and hope to do them again this year. I guarantee there will be some stuff you will say to yourself;"there is no way I can get up that". But after watching a couple of the other Explorer's do it you will try.
Like I said this is just what I learned last year. We did the BIG DAWG run last year and the Wedgie and the launching pad were very intimidating the first time you see it. Some of the stuff you go up is so steep you can hardly walk up alone think you can drive up.
One thing I can say it doesn't matter which run you do even if you drive on the pavement in the park, you WILL ENJOY YOURSELF!!!

 

[GJarrett]

What Perry Said

There is no need to dive into a 4+ trail the first time you arrive. As a matter of fact I would suggest other trails so you have the freedom to enjoy noticing the speechless scenery without worrying about your vehicle. I've made several trips beginning with the 2000 event and estimate that I've run between fifteen-twenty of the trails listed in the Wells book, along with a couple that aren't listed there.

Some of the best photo ops for my vehicle and some of the best memories are on the easier trails. For example, I believe that anyone who takes the trouble to go there needs to see Gemini Bridges (an easy trail - check out the attached photo below); Trails 1 and 2 which have good scenery and you literally drive beside genuine dinosaur tracks and where Alec made it with his non-4wd Explorer; and Top of the World that any 4wd Explorer can do. There is a reason it is called "Top of the World". You can see four states from there and stand atop the end of the trail as close as you dare with a 3,000 ft drop right under your feet. It's kind of like being a tourist at the Grand Canyon, but since it is private on a 4wd trail, you can experience the whole event instead of standing behind a federal trail fence with tourists.

You can do an awesome run beyond anything that you can at home on any 3.5 run at Moab - Steelbender, Fins 'N Things (a GREAT run!), Porcupine Rim (with one of the best views of any of the runs), Elephant Hill (one great kick of a blast!) etc. IMHO, a "simple" 3.5 Moab run beats just about any wheelin' experience in the entire U.S. You're gonna have a blast if you come.

 

[TwoToneX]

Would it be feasible to do a easy, scenic run at the very beginning on the first day? Maybe we can get everyone out there and just do some photo ops, then break off into big-dawgs, modified, stocker, etc...Just an idea...

 

[Climbnkd2]

After going to CCR 2001 with my brother I was amazed at how well explorers can perform offroad. My original goal was to have my own explorer by CCR 2002. I came across a sweet deal on a 1989 Bronco II EB and just couldn't pass it up. It's not exactly an explorer but I think that I will fit in just fine. I am looking forward to the maiden voyage at Moab. Everything is stock right now so I won't be too crazy on the trails. I'm just happy to be a real participant this time and not a tag-along. James (climbnkd) and I wll be camping at one of the local RV campgrounds. I can't wait to see everybody again.

 

[Trckmagik]

So it looks like I will be able to go. Is there anywhere to stay at this point. It will be my girlfriend and I making the trek. I dont care if I have to camp I will just need a place to shower (ill pay)

 

[TwoToneX]

The silver sage still has rooms unless my dad and I got the last one (he called and got one yesterday)...the info is on the front page...

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Brian,

I plan to stay at the KOA. That is were I stayed last year. I am Going to make Reservations really quick here.

 

[Rick]

Just wondering why you would choose KOA over Canyonlands.

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Does Canyonlands have cabins? If so I might give them a call as far a priceing goes...

 

[Rick]

Yes, I believe they do. It's a really nice place and about a block from City Market and the Moab Brewery... two of our favorite hangouts LOL.

 

[Alec]

Kris, I almost definately will NOT have a passenger, so keep me in mind when looking for rooms. BTW, I have your console. I'll bb in TX late Monday, in Houston Weds to Sat.

 

[Trckmagik]

Okay. I want to go to Moab so bad. I only get vacation once a year and its only a week long. Here is the hold up.

Fly to Phoenix to see Sinjins new place and then drive to Vegas then back to Phoenix for hangin out and seeing the city that I am moving to in Feb 03.
OR:
Drive to Moab towing trail explorer for a great weekend of offroading then drive from Moab to Phoenix for a couple days before driving back to Dallas.
Help me out. I am leaning more towards Moab. I really need Moab right about now.

 

[Rick]

Brian, you're moving to Phoenix also EXCELLENT finally some more folks to wheel with

I vote for trailering to Moab and then back to Phoenix You can always do Vegas after you have moved here.

 

[Char]

Brian,

You can also convoy with us and any other Phoenicians who are going to Moab. It'll be cool to have a convoy traveling together. Show those heepers that there's more than 1 modified exploder.