North Meets South in the Blue Ridge Mtns Oct 24-26

[BMThiker]

We've joined forces with the Olde North State Cruisers and combined our usual fall run in Cullowhee with our North Meets South run. If you've never been to Cullowhee with the Upstate Cruisers, you are missing out. This is my personal favorite and these trails provide some of the best views of our beloved east coast mountains.

JFZ80 (Jason) is heading up the gang from ONSC, so any of you folks from the North need to check in with him on the ONSC forum for role call.

I'm hoping to enlist some help from some of our UC veterans in organizing our group.

The general plan is this:

• UC & ONSC meet at the usual park for a group photo and driver meeting on Friday around 11AM-12noon.
• The UC group will take one route up to one of the camps and the ONSC group will take another route up to a different camp.
• Then our paths will meet up on Saturday night for a big group camp at the upper Bald Camp.
• For those that cannot meet on Friday noon to start, we'll devise an alternate route for you to meet up with us later at the camps.

This is one of the best expedition runs we do all year. Certainly not one to miss if you enjoy camping out beyond the reach of cell towers.

We will be collecting waivers and ICE information for this run. If we can pull it off, we'll make advance copies available that you can fill out and e-mail back to us. If not then have your information available when we meet at the drivers meeting on Friday.

Some teaser pics:

 

[jfz80]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cant wait; got the role call started on ONSC. See you guys in a month.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Thanks Rick and Jason for taking the lead on this one........... this is the one event I will not miss and I can't wait!!!!

 

[landtank]

Me and Mike were hoping to be able to make a last trip down this year but unfortunately we can't make this one. You guys take a lot of pics and have a good time.

 

[cruiser4life]

Awesome, this will be a great trip. Looking forward to it!!

 

[BillWright]

Yo.
b

 

[steenh]

I'm in... not one I'll ever miss.

TV going to be there again? UGA/LSU game that day/night. Might be a big game.

 

[BZEP]

Looking forward to it!!!

 

[boombapslappy]

Can't make this one (again). The fall is a busy time for Scouting, not to mention, we're closing on our house on the 15th. Lots to do.

Have fun!

 

[Southeast Overland]

I unfortunately won't be able to make this one either. I hope everyone has fun, be safe, and take plenty of pics!

 

[uzj100]

Stock 100 with 285 BFG ATs will be in attendence.

I can not wait.

 

[BMThiker]

For those that have never been on this run before and will be participating 2 or 3 days, I have a few pointers. For those that have done this trip, they are good reminders.

First of all, this is not a typical wheeling event with major obstacles around every corner, but we can be on the trails for 5-8 hours a day. Most stock vehicles can do this trip. Rear lockers are not a must, but those that have run without them before wished they'd had them. In any case, everyone helps everyone, and if a strap is needed, don't feel embarrassed. The worst this trail ever gets is muddy (with recent rains) and becomes difficult for some hill climbs. Expect some areas to be off-camber and some to be a bit rocky. Pinstriping can occur in the wooded areas of the trails. Make sure you have a proper spare tire. I cannot think of a time in recent years that someone did not change a tire (myself on two occassions). Bring extra gas cans if your truck burns gas the way mine does at 3 mph for six hours.

Secondly, this is primitive camping. There are no nearby port-o-johns, showers, or electrical hook-ups. You will need to pack ALL of your food for the weekend and some means of preparing it. You will not have an opportunity to go back to town and stock up or get take-out.
Leaving camp or your group is reserved for emergencies only.

It is very likely you WILL be out of cell phone range. Bring your HAM/CB radios, or FRS/GMRS radios at a minimum. If we have caravans of 8+ rigs, trail communications will be key to arriving safely and timely at camp.

We can be several hours from the nearest town, depending on what trail we are on. Please be knowledgeable about your onboard First Aid kits should you need them. And above all, just be safe on this trip.


In the past, the weather has varied from very windy & chilly to warm & sunny. We'll keep an eye on the weather forecasts up until we depart and try to prepare everyone for the conditions. Plan to bring a good outer shell and insulating under layers. On some previous trips the camps have been extremely windy and unsafe for campfires. So you need to be able to bundle up warmly in case we cannot safely keep a fire going. Don't forget to bring a folding chair too. Another tip I have for windy weather is to bring an extra tarp if you are tent camping. It can be set up as a wind deflector, as the high mtn winds seem to blow right thru a standard tent.

We'll have great views from several spots on the trails and definitely at the camps. Bring your camera and extra batteries.

Also, dogs are welcome, if well behaved

 

[Brock]

Looks like a hell of a time...

 

[Brock]

If anyone in LC wants to or is thinking about going....I am thinking about it too. You can ride up with me in my FJ....and share gas....but I wont share a tent or sleeping bag with you...I have to draw the line there no matter how cold it gets. LOL

Wife is going out of town to visit her girlfriend in SD so might take Friday off and go up...she will kill me as she loves to camp and be in outdoors and has been waiting to go all year. LOL

Just let me know by Tuesday of next week at latest....3 days before.

It is about a 5 hour drive and meeting time is 11am....so you and I would need to be on the road no later than 6am...not 6:15am...but 0600 hours for you military types.

 

[Brock]

Last chance all you PIG, 60, 40, 80, CJ, TJ, XJ....KY and BJ drivers.

I am heading out the door at 5:15am in morning and heading west on I-26 to start the drive to NC for the now famous NORTH MEETS SOUTH in the BLue Ridge Mtns between the South Carolina contingent and the North Carolina contingent of cruiser heads.

We are meeting before noon at a BP station on Hwy107 at coords N35* 17.8140' W083* 8.7090' which is entrance to little PARK off Blackwood Road I think.

Wheeling few hours...camping on Friday night. Saturday break camp and wheel around some more and ending up on top of Mt Bald where we meet up with our North Carolina brothers/sisters for a huge campout and good time......then breaking camp on Sunday morning to wheel back home. Temps 50 during day and 30s at night....rain on Friday...sunshine on Saturday.

Hope someone else will show up from Lowcountry besides me....as I wont likely be able to do GSMTR but am doing this.

Wish me luck....I got tires, rock rails, skids, hi-lift........and two recovery straps. LOL

 

[IndianDoc]

Be safe Ron and have a wonderful trip, take a bunck of pic's for us flat land mud eaters the mountains are beatiful , I can't believe I just said mountains were beatifull. Any way have a great trip.

 

[BMThiker]

Brock,
Would you believe this is Moses Creek Rd. They added a ton of gravel to it over the last 2 years since this was taken.

FYI, I still had my Dueler H/Ts on at this time and that's Jason behind me. ATrac is a wonderful thing.

 

[Brock]

wow that is not anywhere near looking like same road.

all kidding aside.... I am truly amazed at some of the things I was able to do with my FJ on this trip...like going uphill sideways in mud for 75 yds....LOL.

The A-Trac is a little annoying at first as it is noisy and you can feel it when activated but after a while you dont notice it.....I also LOVED using the 5AT on this trip. I have always had manuals and thought I made a mistake by not getting 6MT...but now I know I made right decision. With the terrain we were driving it was effortless to go from 2nd to L while in 4-Low with A-Trac on and negotiate almost anything...whether getting momentum for mud or gearing it down for descents on rocks and off camber.

This vehicle.....may not be around as a NEW vehicle after 2010 but it is by far the most capable offroad vehicle off the showroom I have ever driven. My father has a Jeep Unlimited Rubicon with lockers, winch, ARB bumpers, etc....not driven it yet....but so far nothing I have owned or driven can compete.

Especially when I see a bone stock silver FJ Cruiser that has Nitto Terra Grapplers on it make childs play of a steep entrance to the apple orchard camp area when all the others were spinning and bouncing. A-Track is great...especially if you maintain steady throttle to keep all four wheels on the ground and just let it work its own magic.

Okay...I will quit with the FJ CRUISER sex......


Yep that is a muddy road Rick...LOL