FAWKING MIND BOGGLING - HitR 2016
- Thread starter FJ60Cam
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- #143
We are all itching to handle that stuff, but we have to have our minds boggled before they are blown.
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- #144
So, right after the terrifying spot, is the Alcove camp. This is one of the coolest spots. It's like a little bowl of protection on the side of the cliff, surrounded on 3-1/2 sides by tall rock formations, important for blocking the wind. The wind is nuts out there. Relentless.
No sooner had we pulled up and toasted the shelf road with beers than a lone jeep literally dropped in from the rock we'll be climbing tomorrow to escape.
He's the lead Jeep in the group of tire tracks we've been following. They went to the end of the trail and are on their way back out. He needs some fuel, though, and Alex pours him a jerry can.
The guy piloting this beast is 89 years old. Pretty remarkable to be out here wheeling & camping at that age.
The rest of his group rolls in and hops out. They are in a Jeep cult, mostly from the Midwest. They said we saved them a day by giving him some fuel. Otherwise they would have to leave, get gas, and come back in to get him off the trail.
Other than some ATV's we saw in the morning, they will be the only people we run into on the trail.
No sooner had we pulled up and toasted the shelf road with beers than a lone jeep literally dropped in from the rock we'll be climbing tomorrow to escape.
He's the lead Jeep in the group of tire tracks we've been following. They went to the end of the trail and are on their way back out. He needs some fuel, though, and Alex pours him a jerry can.
The guy piloting this beast is 89 years old. Pretty remarkable to be out here wheeling & camping at that age.
The rest of his group rolls in and hops out. They are in a Jeep cult, mostly from the Midwest. They said we saved them a day by giving him some fuel. Otherwise they would have to leave, get gas, and come back in to get him off the trail.
Other than some ATV's we saw in the morning, they will be the only people we run into on the trail.
- Thread starter
- #145
(Climb out of camp tomorrow, btw. There's a good seat puckering off camber turn at the top.)
Excellent writing. Excellent journey so far.
Just got home tonight and catching up..... story and pics are so much better on the big screen. Keep it up man.
Not that it needs repeating again but theres no way it wont be. What an EPIC adventure.
It was a true pleasure to meet each and every one that was on the journey. Heck I probably owe a bit of an apology for the lack of communication ahead of time as I was in scramble mode with work at first to make it a possibility, then the swingout build, front axle rebuild, rotors and brakes, and a "quick" trip to atlanta to see onur for a gas tank all in the week leading up to departure. Shoot, concrete was waiting with the motor running sunday am as i was swapping pads only an hour behind departure schedule.
But the trail, the food, the crew, the weather, everything really came together for an incredible time. Awesome to finally meet folks youve seen on mud whether for a decade or just last week and be able to go off on an adventure of this magnitude in seamless fashion and come away true friends
Not that it needs repeating again but theres no way it wont be. What an EPIC adventure.
It was a true pleasure to meet each and every one that was on the journey. Heck I probably owe a bit of an apology for the lack of communication ahead of time as I was in scramble mode with work at first to make it a possibility, then the swingout build, front axle rebuild, rotors and brakes, and a "quick" trip to atlanta to see onur for a gas tank all in the week leading up to departure. Shoot, concrete was waiting with the motor running sunday am as i was swapping pads only an hour behind departure schedule.
But the trail, the food, the crew, the weather, everything really came together for an incredible time. Awesome to finally meet folks youve seen on mud whether for a decade or just last week and be able to go off on an adventure of this magnitude in seamless fashion and come away true friends
Cannot believe that dude was out there and in such great shape mentally and physically at his age. Nuts!
now some of the fab on the jeep.........
The alcove was great and the while pretty sheltered that was one of our windiest nights on the HiTR. I know I woke to a bunch of sand in the truck and Id bet Richard would agree as well
What a great spot though, and a welcome relief after all getting past the pinch safely.
Definitely a great spot for a fruit cheese and wine spread appetizer before the beef bolegnese pasta main course. And in typ fashion for the trip. Yet another incredible desert sunset
now some of the fab on the jeep.........
The alcove was great and the while pretty sheltered that was one of our windiest nights on the HiTR. I know I woke to a bunch of sand in the truck and Id bet Richard would agree as well
What a great spot though, and a welcome relief after all getting past the pinch safely.Definitely a great spot for a fruit cheese and wine spread appetizer before the beef bolegnese pasta main course. And in typ fashion for the trip. Yet another incredible desert sunset
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I'm having trouble explaining it to friends and family here at home. The focus you put on each ripple of sand stone, and the cracks and remaining rocks in your path is so intense, then to look up and see open sky and horizons that seem to bend your vision....just incredible.
Not a sound, hardly a bird or tree, no power lines, or any slight hint that people are in any direction; because there aren't any of those things for probably 35 miles in 360 degrees. Maybe a hundred miles. The sandstone almost lets you cheat like you are driving on velcro, but then the next corner throws you to 25 degrees off camber and at full lock of the wheel while you creep around and drop another few feet to full lock the other way and level. It's really technical, but almost a romantic dance kind of way. Not the violent slam rock and grind out a line like the Rubicon, but definitely not a huge wide open route that your senses are feeling. You might not see anything around you for miles, but there's only a fine thread where your tires can go and let you finish the route.
Cracking a beer after a few hours on this trail is actually quite sublime. comments around the grill were like "I saw lots of roofs today" , "dude, DOOD..", "you were all crossed up then that one spot...", "I was glad you backed up that one foot and retried a different line, I almost got on the radio, but glad you fixed it".
This is hours of driving, over miles of undulating terrain, and we knew exactly the crack we were talking about.
When you are 40 feet below a shelf road, and you see the tires of a truck go within a foot of the edge, it makes your head think a few different things all at once. Usually you only see the door panel, or window of a rig at that point. But to see thru the undercarraige and watch the other side of the suspension work at the same time? It's a bit unnerving, kinda like when a dog tilts it's head...you just watch it and everything just stops for a second.
Not a sound, hardly a bird or tree, no power lines, or any slight hint that people are in any direction; because there aren't any of those things for probably 35 miles in 360 degrees. Maybe a hundred miles. The sandstone almost lets you cheat like you are driving on velcro, but then the next corner throws you to 25 degrees off camber and at full lock of the wheel while you creep around and drop another few feet to full lock the other way and level. It's really technical, but almost a romantic dance kind of way. Not the violent slam rock and grind out a line like the Rubicon, but definitely not a huge wide open route that your senses are feeling. You might not see anything around you for miles, but there's only a fine thread where your tires can go and let you finish the route.
Cracking a beer after a few hours on this trail is actually quite sublime. comments around the grill were like "I saw lots of roofs today" , "dude, DOOD..", "you were all crossed up then that one spot...", "I was glad you backed up that one foot and retried a different line, I almost got on the radio, but glad you fixed it".
This is hours of driving, over miles of undulating terrain, and we knew exactly the crack we were talking about.
When you are 40 feet below a shelf road, and you see the tires of a truck go within a foot of the edge, it makes your head think a few different things all at once. Usually you only see the door panel, or window of a rig at that point. But to see thru the undercarraige and watch the other side of the suspension work at the same time? It's a bit unnerving, kinda like when a dog tilts it's head...you just watch it and everything just stops for a second.
Yeah. That view out the window was something else ! Slightly unnerving at times but no matter how many times you say don't look seems you'd always steal a peek ..... And subsequently tighten the reins and focus.
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- #151
As you can see above, the appetizers are out and there's enough cheese to lock up Alex's dad, who has been eating only spicy sardines for the week prior. There's also some fruit for a little fiber. Andy not only plays a doctor on TV, but also out here on the trail, and he is determined to get us in top intestinal shape.
Wine is uncorked and I quite literally check the nose to test its worthiness, only the finest will do to for this group.
Andy & beno are whipping up a large batch of beef bolognese...
Yes, I said "and @beno"...
Beno somehow, after riding around in an open air truck in all the sun and sweat and dust, shows up for sous chef duties looking like a million bucks.
Jason is so excited he can hardly contain it...
Wine is uncorked and I quite literally check the nose to test its worthiness, only the finest will do to for this group.
Andy & beno are whipping up a large batch of beef bolognese...
Yes, I said "and @beno"...
Beno somehow, after riding around in an open air truck in all the sun and sweat and dust, shows up for sous chef duties looking like a million bucks.
Jason is so excited he can hardly contain it...
I'm not going.to add anything to this thread til Cameron is done with his part of the story.
I'll "elucidate" my solo travels after he is done....
Great work so far. And totally fawking mind boggling indeed. Just plain epic in every damn way possible.
I'll "elucidate" my solo travels after he is done....
Great work so far. And totally fawking mind boggling indeed. Just plain epic in every damn way possible.
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- #154
I will put in a kind word for you, especially if you bring the @Denmomdeb
This is all about fine livin' and all of the front page CLC topics are lived real time. Where to eat, whatcha got cookin'?, 60/80/other tech, cigars, beer, opining, fashion, books, bourbon, tools, camping, bullchat and more...
Tighten up the bolts on Bessie and bring it!
- Thread starter
- #155
I'm not going.to add anything to this thread til Cameron is done with his part of the story.
I'll "elucidate" my solo travels after he is done....
Great work so far. And totally fawking mind boggling indeed. Just plain epic in every damn way possible.
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Feel free to jump in and heckle. And by all means speak up if we leave a stone unturned.
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- #156
The beef bolognese was served and, for a brief moment, there is absolute silence...
The sun dropped shortly after...
We gathered firewood on the trail as we came across it. I threw what I could in the back of the 60, covering everything in a layer of sand.
A fire was built, the Snow Peak Flamethrower was applied and we had an instant roaring fire. I tried to take a pic, but it melted my iPhone...
Half of the group retired to their tents & trucks early, but the two Steve's, Justin, Johnny, Pablo and myself stayed by the fire for open mic night. I think we solved every world problem and broke every politically correct barrier.
We were finally chased away by a desert storm that didn't last, but was enough to remind us to go to bed.
The sun dropped shortly after...
We gathered firewood on the trail as we came across it. I threw what I could in the back of the 60, covering everything in a layer of sand.
A fire was built, the Snow Peak Flamethrower was applied and we had an instant roaring fire. I tried to take a pic, but it melted my iPhone...
Half of the group retired to their tents & trucks early, but the two Steve's, Justin, Johnny, Pablo and myself stayed by the fire for open mic night. I think we solved every world problem and broke every politically correct barrier.
We were finally chased away by a desert storm that didn't last, but was enough to remind us to go to bed.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
And your boy Nolen @wngrog said he was viewing nekkid pictures with Onur. Whoa bro!
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- #160
The next morning is beautiful. Once again, I look for the best view to be one with nature...
We take our time getting ready (taking our time means hit the trail @ 9) before tackling the upper half of the shelf road.
Just a reminder, this is awaiting:
This view is straight up. Each of those holes is enough to swallow you whole or toss you over the edge. But before that, you have to scale a 20' wall to get out of camp.
I was not paying attention to whoever went before me, and took the wrong line, resulting in my front tire(s?) catching some pretty good air.
Steve2 spots me for the next try and I crawl right up.
We take our time getting ready (taking our time means hit the trail @ 9) before tackling the upper half of the shelf road.
Just a reminder, this is awaiting:
This view is straight up. Each of those holes is enough to swallow you whole or toss you over the edge. But before that, you have to scale a 20' wall to get out of camp.
I was not paying attention to whoever went before me, and took the wrong line, resulting in my front tire(s?) catching some pretty good air.
Steve2 spots me for the next try and I crawl right up.