7th Annual 100s in the Hills *July 26-30 2017* Silverton·CO·USA·EARTH

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I love how we are all scrambling to get work done on our rigs. It always comes down to the last minute! :)
Seems to be the way it has been every year. I typically do the same. Apparently, the big trip, is the way to rationalize every upgrade/mod that you've ever wanted to do. Haha.

Seriously though, make sure that you tighten every bolt and check every nut. A few days on the trail has a way of finding what you missed.
 
I have 1k+ worth of goodies being installed right now...
 
I love how we are all scrambling to get work done on our rigs. It always comes down to the last minute! :)
Sometimes in life you need a little kick in the butt to finish things that otherwise can be done 'later'... another benefit to events like this!

For me it means I *finally*, after 6 months of trying to find time here and there to work on it, have completed my next product (not drawers!). What better way to test it out than a 1000 mile trip to the Rockies? Can. Not. Wait.
 
I am looking forward to putting 5,000 miles on the battle wagon in 6 days!
 
Getting close!

Here's a few quick reminders.....

Pot Luck is Friday night. Bring along something to share.
It's been hot and dry here, if you're driving from sea level, hydrate and then hydrate some more along the way.
Pack a camera. Colorado is pretty awesome.
Bring rain gear, bug spray and sunscreen.
Baby wipes are perfect for cleaning up.
We are walking distance to town.
You will not need extra fuel on the trail. Try not to top off your tank while in the area. You'll have charcoal canister issues.
The market in Telluride (Clarks Market) has every grocery item you'd need. My BB/Ophir and Imogene runs always stop here.
Bring a local beer from your area to share on Friday night. (Can anyone pick up Sweetwater Georgia Brown for me?)

Experience everything in the area. Run Black Bear, ride the free gondola in Telluride, take a hike, wake up and watch the alpenglow as the sun rises, buy local, do something that you can't do at home, set an alarm (or stay up) at 2am and look at the stars and surrounding mountains, hit the hot springs, learn something new, meet someone new, run Poughkeepsie Gulch (the wall is just a wall, we can winch you up if needed) and have fun. Colorado is awesome.

A few things not to do.....

Don't drink too much alcohol the first two nights. Elevation plays a role in how your body deals with alcohol. Don't ruin your trail ride the next day by drinking too much the night before.

Don't drink the stream or lake water. It looks clean, but mine tailings are everywhere. Many streams and lakes are void of life because of mining in the area. You can filter the water, but I'd still prefer to drink bottled water. The water isn't toxic and in all likelihood, you'd be fine drinking it, but there is the risk of getting sick and that's not worth it. You can't see the stars at 2am from inside the porta-potty.

Please do not go off-trail. Alpine areas are extremely fragile environments and it takes years for an area to recover after one drive through the wildflowers. This also goes for walking over these areas. When you stamp down flowers to get a better view or photo, you leave the area less desirable for the next person. Please respect the area. Picking wildflowers in Colorado is actually illegal without a permit. Please resist the urge to pick a bouquet of Rocky Mountain Columbines. The Columbine is Colorado's state flower and while we'll definitely see some on our trails, they're pretty rare for most folks who do not venture above 9,000 feet.

Here are some other Colorado state facts and symbols. Enjoy. Symbols of Colorado | State Symbols USA
 
I love how we are all scrambling to get work done on our rigs. It always comes down to the last minute! :)
I might change the oil to get ready. It's been a year even though it has only been 3K miles.
 
Getting close!

Here's a few quick reminders.....

Pot Luck is Friday night. Bring along something to share.
It's been hot and dry here, if you're driving from sea level, hydrate and then hydrate some more along the way.
Pack a camera. Colorado is pretty awesome.
Bring rain gear, bug spray and sunscreen.
Baby wipes are perfect for cleaning up.
We are walking distance to town.
You will not need extra fuel on the trail. Try not to top off your tank while in the area. You'll have charcoal canister issues.
The market in Telluride (Clarks Market) has every grocery item you'd need. My BB/Ophir and Imogene runs always stop here.
Bring a local beer from your area to share on Friday night. (Can anyone pick up Sweetwater Georgia Brown for me?)

Experience everything in the area. Run Black Bear, ride the free gondola in Telluride, take a hike, wake up and watch the alpenglow as the sun rises, buy local, do something that you can't do at home, set an alarm (or stay up) at 2am and look at the stars and surrounding mountains, hit the hot springs, learn something new, meet someone new, run Poughkeepsie Gulch (the wall is just a wall, we can winch you up if needed) and have fun. Colorado is awesome.

A few things not to do.....

Don't drink too much alcohol the first two nights. Elevation plays a role in how your body deals with alcohol. Don't ruin your trail ride the next day by drinking too much the night before.

Don't drink the stream or lake water. It looks clean, but mine tailings are everywhere. Many streams and lakes are void of life because of mining in the area. You can filter the water, but I'd still prefer to drink bottled water. The water isn't toxic and in all likelihood, you'd be fine drinking it, but there is the risk of getting sick and that's not worth it. You can't see the stars at 2am from inside the porta-potty.

Please do not go off-trail. Alpine areas are extremely fragile environments and it takes years for an area to recover after one drive through the wildflowers. This also goes for walking over these areas. When you stamp down flowers to get a better view or photo, you leave the area less desirable for the next person. Please respect the area. Picking wildflowers in Colorado is actually illegal without a permit. Please resist the urge to pick a bouquet of Rocky Mountain Columbines. The Columbine is Colorado's state flower and while we'll definitely see some on our trails, they're pretty rare for most folks who do not venture above 9,000 feet.

Here are some other Colorado state facts and symbols. Enjoy. Symbols of Colorado | State Symbols USA


"It's been hot and dry here, if you're driving from sea level, hydrate and then hydrate some more along the way"

I would also drink electrolyte waters like SmartWater or Propel. My wife and I typically drink regular water up until the day we leave Central TX. From then on, we drink Propel. The electrolytes along with the water make a huge difference for our comfort level. We stayed in Leadville at 10,200 feet for a full week and never got any type of altitude sickness.

Also, SUNSCREEN! I've never burned on a beach as bad as burned in the mountains last month :0
 
A few more important reminders.....

Do not speed in town. Chris and I had breakfast with the Sheriff and he is a super good dude. He does not tolerate speeding in his town though. Too many kids on bikes and walking families. He told us that he could have written tickets last year for a few 100 series going a little too fast down Main St. You're on vacation..... slow down and enjoy it.

When you purchase anything in town, let them know that you're with 100s in the Hills. Events like HIH have an enormous impact on the local economy.

The shower trailer will arrive on Thursday and be there through the weekend.
 
"It's been hot and dry here, if you're driving from sea level, hydrate and then hydrate some more along the way"

I would also drink electrolyte waters like SmartWater or Propel. My wife and I typically drink regular water up until the day we leave Central TX. From then on, we drink Propel. The electrolytes along with the water make a huge difference for our comfort level. We stayed in Leadville at 10,200 feet for a full week and never got any type of altitude sickness.

Also, SUNSCREEN! I've never burned on a beach as bad as burned in the mountains last month :0

Hydration can be the cure to almost any ailment. I fully believe in that. Hydration occurs with mostly water drinks. Electrolyte water based drinks are pretty good too...especially the ones without sugar.

A rule of thumb that I always tell people that do not focus on staying hydrated is this:

Take the amount of water you drink in a day and double it.

Aim for at least two liters (two full big Nalgene bottles) and probably even one more for those of us coming from mediocre altitudes.

And yes sunscreen! My wife is red headed...the very pail kind. She will be using SPF 100 as well as SPF blocking clothing...you know...for the one day the sun will actually be out. ;)

Also, I talked to my doctor and he wrote me a prescription for Diamox. The wife is getting one, and the kids will get one as well. Just a little extra insurance. But, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Anyone in or was in the military can give testimony of how important hydration is. Having to pee all the time isn't that big of a deal.

I can't wait to roll into town and shout from the rooftops "WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OF HIH!!!"
 
Quick question. If there is room, should we all bring whatever pop up canopy? Not just for our local camping spot, but for the potluck or raffle?

Or will that stuff be done in the building on site?
 
Quick question. If there is room, should we all bring whatever pop up canopy? Not just for our local camping spot, but for the potluck or raffle?

Or will that stuff be done in the building on site?


It will depend on the weather. If it's raining, we'll head inside. Hopefully it will be nice and we'll setup on the deck/patio of the lodge and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
 
I love how we are all scrambling to get work done on our rigs. It always comes down to the last minute! :)

I've done more to my rig in the last 2 weeks than I have in the last 4 years! But as others have said, nothing like a trip like this to give me a swift kick in the butt. The cost to get ready for this trip is only money, the time with my 11 year old and the chance to make some new lifelong friends will be priceless.
 
I've done more to my rig in the last 2 weeks than I have in the last 4 years! But as others have said, nothing like a trip like this to give me a swift kick in the butt. The cost to get ready for this trip is only money, the time with my 11 year old and the chance to make some new lifelong friends will be priceless.

That last line is DA TROOF!
 
Just put my new radiator, thermostat, and fan clutch in along with a coolant flush and oil change. 107 degrees here today. Looking forward to being cold.

This evening if it ever cools down I'll be doing my AHC, ATF, and PS flushes.
 
Finally got both my HAM and CB working properly this morning, thanks to Andy Lewein! Cannot thank you enough for your help buddy. See everyone in just a few more days!
 
Finally got both my HAM and CB working properly this morning, thanks to Andy Lewein! Cannot thank you enough for your help buddy. See everyone in just a few more days!

This actually a great reminder to everyone coming to HIH7. It's a requirement that you have a functioning CB radio. I know they aren't high tech like the HAM, but they work well in close groups, like we will have. They are fairly simple to troubleshoot and don't require a license, etc. Please take a few minutes to make sure your CB is functional prior to HIH7. Super critical if you will be leading for us, to have a radio that functions so that you can lead your group.

Thanks!
 
Denver Caravan Option departing early Tuesday morning, July 25.

I would be happy to lead a a small group (8 spots or fewer ideally) who would like to caravan down on Tuesday morning, leaving at 7-7:15 from The Fort restaurant just off of Hwy. 285.

Here's my plan, drive SW to Gunnison and then onto Lake City. Then head south from Lake City and turn right heading west, on the Forest Access Road that will take us over Stoney Pass. We will find a primitive camp spot along this trail, as I did last year that we can end our day, mid to late afternoon. You must pack your own water, food and human waste systems, as there will be none available.

On the Stoney Pass Trail, there's one tough section, that may be really difficult to pull a trailer on, unless you have one that is built for off-road.

Wednesday morning, I would like to be up early and then have a short 1-2 hour drive to finish the trek that drops in on the road that comes from Animas Forks, that leads us right into Silverton and to the camp site, since I am helping Stan and Chris with getting everyone settled into the HIH7 camp site that day.

I drove Stoney Pass last year en route to HIH 6 and had a blast, with some awesome scenery and driving experiences.

If these details fit your driving, timing, and camping styles, than let me know if you would like to join me!
 
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