We had a great time! The weather was nice, light rain at times, but thats about it. We ran quite a few of the same trails, but the light rain seemed to actually make them harder. The mud on the rocks wouldn't wash off, so rocks that almost had some traction last time, seemed to have none this time.
I got stuck in the same place as Rick. In that mud hole, which actually seemed pretty dry this time. I now know how it feels to not be able to open the door now. In addition to that my seatbelt was locked, helping increase the claustrophobic effect.
All the jeeps drove down an obstacle on Archers I believe (cant remember the name), and Wyldman and Jerry (I think that was his name), tried to crawl back up. Both made it to the top, but needed to be winched over the last rock. Unfortunately Jerry seems to have busted his front axle here. Quick inspection, nothing leaking so off we went with Jerry in 2 sometimes 3 wheel drive.
All the jeeps drove down waterfall and the rock garden below turned out to be a fairly decent obstacle. Scrambledbill was doing just fine till we jinxed him by saying how ironic it would be to make it down waterfall and then get stuck in the rock garden. Not 30 seconds later he slid off the rocks and was stuck. A little highlifting, a couple rocks and he was on his way. Wyldman was next, and tried to take the opposite side which proved to be just as challenging. Everyone made it out and off we went.
We had some lunch above can opener I believe. Doesn't look like anyone has made it up. Also didn't look like many had tried since we saw the kid in the Cherokee there.
I can't remember all the places we went or trails we hit, so hopefully others will chime in. I know most of the jeeps made an attempt at Rocky Uphill. The filter made me nervous, I think I could have made it, but... Anyway, The jeeps went in, and Shane, Curtis (I think) and I went to meet them at the top.
We had fun on the way up running a section of what looks to also be rocky uphill. This was a little bit challenging for Curtis, as he was in a 2 Wheel drive 4 runner
. We made it up to the top though and Shane and I had a snack, and played with my dog while Curtis squeezed through the upper filter to go check on the rest of the group. I'm a bit bummed I didn't go also. After some time, Curtis and only Scrambledbill and Wyldman emerged. Evidently Rocky uphill proved to be quite the challenge and the others in the group had decided to turn around rather than continuing up. I am bummed I didn't get a chance to get down and see it. I am hopping someone has pictures!
We then drove back up the upper section of Rocky Uphill (past the upper filters). JT and I both remember this section of the trail having a moderate rating. On the map it shows as being rated as difficult, which seems a bit more in line with how I remember it. Going down it was fun, but going back up this short section was twice as fun, and I think our favorite of the day. Unfortunately we turned back on the video right after we got to the top. I think I got some going down though.
We kept working our way across toward the infamous Firebreak 5. The snow on C-Line road proved to a bit challenging at times for our two and three wheel vehicles. We also ran into a group stuck in the snow. After finding out the first vehicle had not aired down and was still running 31 lbs of air. Bill took this time to help educate the young men on the finer points of proper tire inflation.
I'm not exactly sure how the conversation went and while I think may have been some initial objection, by the time I sloshed up to them the tire deflators were working. They had dug themselves in pretty good, but after losing some air, some shovel work, some highlifting and a Sami that I think was powered by a chain saw engine.... off they went.
We continued on behind them. While we tried to create a good path for the 2 and 3 wheel drive vehicles, the snow proved challenging. The going was slow and there was a good amount of tugging, but after some time we all crossed on to what I believe was Beaver damn road.
By then it was late in the day and we all agreed that we should probably call it a day. Firebreak 5 would have to wait for another day. We worked our way back down to Rogers camp, and aired up. A good chunk of the group headed off to dinner while I followed Scrambledbill back to Vancouver.
There was some minor damage, but for the most part we all came out unscathed and I believe we all made it home under our own power. I had a blast, it was amazing how much difference the change in weather made, and how much snow is still up there.
I didn't get any pictures, I got to Rogers camp and found that while I brought the camera, it was dead. At this point I am not sure if the battery is dead or if the camera is dead. I'd like to take a second and thank Kodak for making the M863 such a cheap POS. Anyway, I did manage to get some video.
Honestly though, it's not very good. Its basically what you can expect for having a cheap web cam hooked up to a notebook in your car... Kinda blurry and you can't really see detail. I also found out that when JT was watching the TV shows I copied over to the HD, the camera would shut off. As a result, we didn't get as much video as I thought.
I'll get it chopped up and see what I can make of it. Hopefully someone has some pictures though. Especially of the run up Rocky Uphill! <kicks dirt> I knew I shoulda gone down there to see what was going on. Oh well...
Sorry you guys couldn't make it. We had a blast and missed all of you. Hope things are working out for your rigs.