Mt Blanca 2015

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BionicCruiser

BionicCruiser

Joined
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Albuquerque, NM
new thread for discussing a possible trip to Colorado's Mt Blanca around the end of August.

my last trip report from there with pics in 2008 is here-https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/mt-blanca-finally.239831/

initial plan was this-

LBBLC100 said: ↑
...There was interest in doing a club run to Blanca Peak August 29th – 30th. As I understand it, this is a moderate to extreme trail for stock vehicles and I am excited to see if my Warn 9.5X still functions. The idea is to arrive Friday evening, camp I guess, so that we can get an early start first thing Saturday morning the 29th. We would take the trail to the lake, tent camp overnight (I was told to bring pop tarts – no glamping) and then return Sunday. Terrill/Grant/Ali – can you guys post up that topic? It was also suggested that we reach out to the Rising Sun boyz to see if they had any plans to be around that area during our run...
 
this is the opener-Jaws 1- from both sides. it's the hardest for long wheel bases, but not impossible. :D



jaws1r-jpg.258581

jaws1downr-jpg.258594
 
Where is it?
 
If I go it won't be in the 4Runner.
 
that's pushing it a lot. I'd say 4" of lift would still be tough in that long of a wheel base. your under side will take a beating on the first obstacle for sure. after that I'm not sure. expect some scratches if not body damage. so, I'm saying- I wouldn't take your 100. get Frank to go in his 40 and ride with him. :D Pappy's 40 is good to go. in fact, if it's like I remember, Pappy's 4runner would have a hard time on the first obstacle and probably be ok after that. I'll pull a trailer with camping gear. I may have room for some extra gear if someone needs.
 
how many do we have interested? I know one already said a different weekend would be better.
 
I have wanted to run this trail for years! I would much rather run it in my 40 though. I'm not sure I can get it bolted together fast enough for the end of August... As for 100's, I'd give this a try in my Tundra; but it could get ugly fast. It crawled right up the wall on poughkeepsie gulch two weeks ago and didn't touch a slider or a skid plate. It is now fully armored, locked front and rear and running 33's but the long wheelbase helped on the wall. Short wheelbase is ideal for Blanca from what I have seen.
 
short wb is good for the first obstacle, but longer is better for the second. you want to be better on the second, that's the one with exposure. :eek:
 
you know, I may stand corrected! look at this video of Jaws 2 from just last year. several FJ Cruisers and at the end, check out the FZJ80! Larry, you may do better than I thought in the 100! you can see what I mean about the exposure though.;) and the under side will still take a beating.

 
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Yes it does look, from the video, that it "could" be passable in a 100 or my Tundra but honestly some of the same groups video (and lines) of Jaws 1 look much worse. Passable but I don't know how much fun it would be to bash all the way up and then back down.

must... finish... 40... that would be fun!
 
do it! I have to do a bunch of work to mine too. it is on the charger as we speak to get it out of the shed for work!

the rest of the trail is tough and the rocks are big. I still wouldn't take a mildly built 100. not enough flex. one slip off a rock and a side panel is toast, or worse. the statement 'people have died here' is a bit much. it is probably true, but some good judgement and a little skill will keep you safe (and not being drunk).
 
I'm interested and I'd like to bring Isabelle which would mean the weekend before would work better for me, 8/22 . But 8/29 is fine with me too if that's what the group decides on.
 
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Shawn, I wish it was just a mix of fix it work to get it ready but it's way more than that. I need to:

Finish a fair bit of sheetmetal work on the tub resto
Paint the entire truck
Fit/Weld in the cage (and frame tie in's)
Fab in the new battery platforms and shock hoop cross tube (over engine)
Plumb fuel and air systems
Install and test the complete new custom wiring harness
Fire/Break in the Engine
Bolt a seat in

If I could get all that done in the next 3 weeks I could haul it up to the trail and finish all the little details after.:eek:

With nothing else to do and a lot of crap not taking up space in my shop: I could swing it but at this point, I think to run Blanca I may be giving the Tundra a go or taking a pass :meh:
 
that's cool. I understand all that work, no pressure, just some ribbing.:cheers: we welcome you with the Tundra! it's totally up to you. you know what you are in for with that trail. there should be a few good rigs to help you out if the Tundra is having a hard time.

Ali, let me look at my schedule. I know I can get the 29th off, but haven't looked at the weekend before. it may just be you me and if climbermac goes. no word from Pappy yet.
 
I'm not sure I can get off work. Plus, it doesn't have a top on it.
 
I have this on my list for this year, but was planning on September.
MIGHT be able to pull off august if I can juggle a few thinks and get some of the damage sorted out on my junk.
This is a serious trail. I would only take a dedicated rock rig on it, but that's me- I drive like an idiot and it shows
 
I could see it getting cold up there early in the year and snow would be possible. the lake is about 12k feet. that's why I like August. but again am open. the more the merrier! maybe Sept could get climbermac too? I have a deer scouting trip in Sept and don't know the dates yet. that could get in the way there. Pappy, you have a prefered date that you can get off work?
 
I may be able to swing early Sept but I will say I climbed Blanca and the ridge to Little Bear years ago in mid September and it was properly cold. The last night it snowed at least 4-5 inches. It will certainly be a crap shoot, it might be warm and sunny or quite the opposite. Pappy, I feel you about the top, even if I could finish my 40 the most I would have overhead is a bikini top (If I can find it).
 
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