Blotch 2006!

[chicago]

Hey all,
Just got back from the annual blotch trip in Death Valley and thought Id post up a couple of pics and a brief write up.
A little history...Blotch began 17 years ago with a small group of guys from the LA area who went to school together. On the last weekend of April each year, they meet up in the Olancha sand dunes, camp out, wait for stragglers and head out for 4 days in un-specified directions. Since that time, others (like myself) have been invited on the annual trip, only to find that, like an addictive drug, if you try it once, youll be hooked for life.
My first trip was last year. The day we got back, I began my search to find my own rig. In Jan. of 06, I bought an 88 FJ62 (which is featured in some of the photos below) which is also my first "off road" rig, and coincidentally, is what led me here to MUD!

As mentioned...we start in the Olancha sand dunes, camp, drink get rowdy.

 

[chicago]

The next morning, we stop in at the local diner for some breakfast, and then head out towards Saline Valley. One of the guyz rented a brand new JF cruiser...He realized half way there, it didnt have 4WD, but it did have rear lockers. 4WD makes all the difference in the world.

 

[chicago]

Here's a view BEFORE we drop down into saline... Unfortunately, im not too sure what the valley is called, but I thought it was a pretty nice view.
The second is a view towards the "hot springs" we stopped cuz there were a couple of F-18 fighters screwing around giving us a pretty good show down in the valley.

 

[chicago]

OPPS! here it is...sorry about that.

 

[chicago]

From here we went up the "snowflake" trail. Now, as I mentioned, I have virtually NO off road experience and I was a bit nervous about this run. In fact, I actually thought about leaving the rig down...One of the other blotchers (Todd) said, "bull s***...you have the same advantage that everyone else does and You gotta learn sometime, so take it slow and easy. Well make sure nothing happens." Im so greatful I did cuz I learned to drive on this run. After this, everything else was a piece of cake. I was so scared, my leg was shaking holding the break.
These are the pics of the snowflake run and where the FJ cruiser FAILED 1/4 of the way from the TOP! He had to back way into the turn so everyone else could go around him.
Todd's rig is behind me (the yellow one) and on the rear bumper is on the left is fellow Mud member "Kofoed"

 

[chicago]

Here's the blotchers waitin' for grub to cook at the hot springs. There is nothing better than the hot shower at the hot springs after a day of playing in the dirt.
I settled in for the evening with half a bottle of Jack Daniels...Ya know, the springs are really hard to get out of when youre F'd up.

 

[chicago]

next day we dropped down into panamint valley and over to ballerat canyon where we headed up into the pinions. There was some pretty good run off streams.
Here's a couple of pics from that area...me by my rig, old and new crusiers and part of the run up.

 

[chicago]

The last day we headed back out the other side of ballerat (i donno what its called, but there was some rather challenging wheeling to be had here...washouts, boulders, telephone pole bridges.
Here, my rig wouldnt idle, so everyone gathered to assess the situation. As it turned out, Rob found a crack in my air intake. Props to Rob for saving my ass. If it werent for him...Id still be there. We fixed it with God's tool DUCT TAPE!!!

 

[chicago]

Here we stopped at Brigg's Mine Cabin. This place was un-believeable. Its an old miners cabin that 4 wheelers stock and maintain. It open to all on a first come first serve basis. There's water piped to it, beds, tools, solar electric...I was amazed. There is still "good will toward men" Props to FOB folks who keep this place up.

 

[chicago]

I guess Id better wrap this up so I dont bore you too much.
In closing, Id like to say, we had a frickin BLAST as we do every year.
My whole year is spent looking forward to this trip, and Im already counting the days till next year.
I hope you enjoyed the pics and commentary.
Lemme know what you all think.

Chicago

 

[ridgerunner]

Thanks for posting! I'd love to do Saline someday.

 

[SINCITY100]

Great pics !!

Sounds like an awesome time.. That type of trip is right up my alley (especially the DRINKIN part !)

How would one get in on next years` run ?

 

[Kofoed]

Good job Keith.

 

[chicago]

Thanks Jeff,
Much appreciated. These pics are all I have to hold on to till next year. Already have a t shirt idea in mind plus the one, much coveted, "RED TEE"

Keith

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks Jeff,
Much appreciated. These pics are all I have to hold on to till next year. Already have a t shirt idea in mind plus the one, much coveted, "RED TEE"

Keith

Looks like a great trip! Good to see you getting some trail time on your rig.

Maybe we could get you on a couple of runs to help tide you over until next year. If you can make the High Rock Run I would encourage you to go. Your rig is set up perfectly for this trip and the sceanery is fantastic.

 

[DSRTRDR]

cool pics; I love Saline Valley; we did it several years ago coming from Cerro Gordo - don't get to go there nearly often enough

 

[chicago]

cool pics; I love Saline Valley; we did it several years ago coming from Cerro Gordo - don't get to go there nearly often enough

Thanks desert rider,
I appreciate the compliment! Saline Valley IS awsome. I originally grew up in a big city (chicago) and now reside in Reno. I tell you what. Saline has gotta be one of the most PEACEFUL places Ive ever been. At night, I stayed up for a bit just to enjoy it.

Chicago

 

[chicago]

Looks like a great trip! Good to see you getting some trail time on your rig.

Maybe we could get you on a couple of runs to help tide you over until next year. If you can make the High Rock Run I would encourage you to go. Your rig is set up perfectly for this trip and the sceanery is fantastic.

Thanks for checking it out rusty TLC! Before I left last meeting, I promised that I would be doing a write up. Id like to get on some of those runs with you guyz!
Last weekend, went went wheelin...Started at Damonte ranch High, up over the range and dropped down into the Lousetown creek area and over to the Petroglyphs! It was really fun. Im getting to know the rig pretty well now, and it always BLOWS ME AWAY what it can do!

Chicago

 

[locrwln1]

Nice write up. It is amazing what you get to see when you leave the highway.

Jack

 

[chicago]

Nice write up. It is amazing what you get to see when you leave the highway.

Jack

INDEED! There is a whole world out there, that most could give a crap about...If theres NO TV, NO running H20, NO cell phone reception, and NO shopping...they dont want it.
That's ok...Ill appreciate it for them.

Thanks for chekcing out the post Jack.

Chicago