The original thread was deleted do to having specific details to where the trip was being held. I was hoping to post a detailed NEW thread this weekend but someone jumped the gun.
The location and meeting times will be handled through e-mail as not to let the world know where we are going.
So please refrain from posting that info here in this thread as well.
OVERVIEW:
This will be a expedition type trip down in the Appalachia's. The basic format is driving to NC and meeting our guide at around 12:00 noon on Friday April 24th. Because of the distance needed to cover we will be starting the drive there on Thursday the 23rd and staying at a hotel in Bristol VA. On Friday we will need to drive an additional 3 hours where we can stock up on supplies and then head out into the mountains.
Once entering the mountains we will drive some 4 hours to a camping bald in the mountains. This is rough camping with no porta johns or running water. So stock up on the TP if you have an affliction to grass and leaves.
On the next day we will break camp and drive all day to yet another higher bald and camp there for the night.
On Sunday we will come off the mountains and head home.
We need to be self sufficient to a point. We will have limited access to part stores and you need to know what they may or may not be able to get for you for your specific vehicle. A service manual for your specific truck is a must. While there will be some very knowledgeable people on this trip there are some problems that just can't be solved with out a FSM, especially electrical ones on the newer model trucks.
Your basic gear will be tents, coolers, food, camp stove,pots and pans. What ever you bring in you need to bring out. I personally will have a big problem with anyone leaving or throwing their trash behind. If you can't respect the land I'm not about to respect you.
The first meeting place will be a hotel in Bristol VA.. I'm hoping with enough people we can secure a good rate at a decent hotel. So we will need to have confirmed attendees by the beginning of April with money in hand.
From Bristol everyone will caravan down into NC to meet our trail guide. This is a 3 hour trip and I have a meet time of 12:00 o'clock. I'm expecting everyone to do a full vehicle check at the hotel the prior evening. This will include all fluids and GAS. Every one will need to be ready to go at 8:00am on Friday.
Once in NC there is a Walmart that we will stop at for last minute items such as ice.
On Sunday we will head out of the mountains and head home. Right now I'm uo for suggestions as far as caravaning to a specific place on the way Home. I think that doing so for a last meal would be a great end to the trip but I'll let everyone voice their opinions.
Terrain:
First off a good set of ATs is about all you will need but expect to get thrown a strap or two. But by all means if you are stock you should do just fine. But again a good set of ATs is a must.
Reality:
s*** breaks! I broke down the first trip out and as much as I appreciated the people sticking by me I knew I couldn't have them escort me home. I would encourage everyone to realize that like anything mechanical it can break and mentally prepare yourself that you will be on your own once you hit pavement or soon after. Everyone has a long distance to cover to get home and is probably on vacation to do this. So please understand that once you are in the safety of civilization and a good game plan has been devised we will have to leave you to deal with your situation on your own.
Preparing for reality:
Everyone needs to evaluate their trucks and look for potential problems. As we get a list of attendees we can start to help each other prepare their trucks for the journey. I am also thinking that a Sat. or Sun. meeting of all attendees to meet and talk about the trip would be good. This might help organize caravans to Bristol and home as well as sharing the load of spares.
Communications:
If possible a cb radio is the best was for communication between trucks while in the mountains. On road it would be cell phones but they aren't always functional in some of these areas.
Trip info:
I'll be emailing the Bristol stop to everyone sometime before Thursday. The second meeting spot in NC will be with held and passed out in Bristol. This is to gain some control over the location of the event and not letting the info out to the general public.
open seats:
A few people have mentioned that they would like to come along but would like to ride with someone. If you are attending and have an open seat and wouldn't mind some company let me know.
This is my first event and anyone with ideas please give them to me as I would like it to be an enjoyable experience for all.
Attendess:
Landtank + 1
vfrer + 1
green40 + 1
Nat88toy + 1
Mudeater + 1
CHANGE OF PLANS
Since there was only 3 trucks going to convoy we have decided to meet in Meriden CT on Wednesday night and stay at a local hotel. This way we will be leaving early Thursday morning to get a jump on the drive down to VA.
Anyone can feel free to join us but from the emails we were the only ones on this schedule.
The location and meeting times will be handled through e-mail as not to let the world know where we are going.
So please refrain from posting that info here in this thread as well.
OVERVIEW:
This will be a expedition type trip down in the Appalachia's. The basic format is driving to NC and meeting our guide at around 12:00 noon on Friday April 24th. Because of the distance needed to cover we will be starting the drive there on Thursday the 23rd and staying at a hotel in Bristol VA. On Friday we will need to drive an additional 3 hours where we can stock up on supplies and then head out into the mountains.
Once entering the mountains we will drive some 4 hours to a camping bald in the mountains. This is rough camping with no porta johns or running water. So stock up on the TP if you have an affliction to grass and leaves.
On the next day we will break camp and drive all day to yet another higher bald and camp there for the night.
On Sunday we will come off the mountains and head home.
We need to be self sufficient to a point. We will have limited access to part stores and you need to know what they may or may not be able to get for you for your specific vehicle. A service manual for your specific truck is a must. While there will be some very knowledgeable people on this trip there are some problems that just can't be solved with out a FSM, especially electrical ones on the newer model trucks.
Your basic gear will be tents, coolers, food, camp stove,pots and pans. What ever you bring in you need to bring out. I personally will have a big problem with anyone leaving or throwing their trash behind. If you can't respect the land I'm not about to respect you.
The first meeting place will be a hotel in Bristol VA.. I'm hoping with enough people we can secure a good rate at a decent hotel. So we will need to have confirmed attendees by the beginning of April with money in hand.
From Bristol everyone will caravan down into NC to meet our trail guide. This is a 3 hour trip and I have a meet time of 12:00 o'clock. I'm expecting everyone to do a full vehicle check at the hotel the prior evening. This will include all fluids and GAS. Every one will need to be ready to go at 8:00am on Friday.
Once in NC there is a Walmart that we will stop at for last minute items such as ice.
On Sunday we will head out of the mountains and head home. Right now I'm uo for suggestions as far as caravaning to a specific place on the way Home. I think that doing so for a last meal would be a great end to the trip but I'll let everyone voice their opinions.
Terrain:
First off a good set of ATs is about all you will need but expect to get thrown a strap or two. But by all means if you are stock you should do just fine. But again a good set of ATs is a must.
Reality:
s*** breaks! I broke down the first trip out and as much as I appreciated the people sticking by me I knew I couldn't have them escort me home. I would encourage everyone to realize that like anything mechanical it can break and mentally prepare yourself that you will be on your own once you hit pavement or soon after. Everyone has a long distance to cover to get home and is probably on vacation to do this. So please understand that once you are in the safety of civilization and a good game plan has been devised we will have to leave you to deal with your situation on your own.
Preparing for reality:
Everyone needs to evaluate their trucks and look for potential problems. As we get a list of attendees we can start to help each other prepare their trucks for the journey. I am also thinking that a Sat. or Sun. meeting of all attendees to meet and talk about the trip would be good. This might help organize caravans to Bristol and home as well as sharing the load of spares.
Communications:
If possible a cb radio is the best was for communication between trucks while in the mountains. On road it would be cell phones but they aren't always functional in some of these areas.
Trip info:
I'll be emailing the Bristol stop to everyone sometime before Thursday. The second meeting spot in NC will be with held and passed out in Bristol. This is to gain some control over the location of the event and not letting the info out to the general public.
open seats:
A few people have mentioned that they would like to come along but would like to ride with someone. If you are attending and have an open seat and wouldn't mind some company let me know.
This is my first event and anyone with ideas please give them to me as I would like it to be an enjoyable experience for all.
Attendess:
Landtank + 1
vfrer + 1
green40 + 1
Nat88toy + 1
Mudeater + 1
CHANGE OF PLANS
Since there was only 3 trucks going to convoy we have decided to meet in Meriden CT on Wednesday night and stay at a local hotel. This way we will be leaving early Thursday morning to get a jump on the drive down to VA.
Anyone can feel free to join us but from the emails we were the only ones on this schedule.
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saving my tax return money for the trip should be great time