Wow. I'm not even sure how else to begin this trip report. HIH6 was more than even Chris and I thought it would be. Easily our best one yet. There is no better feeling than having smiling families tell us that this was one of their best vacations ever. It's humbling and overwhelming at the same time.
HIH3 was great, HIH4 was a little more hectic with Ironton getting crowded, HIH5 was fun, but very wet and cold. HIH6 was a completely different event. Except for a little rain just before the raffle, the weather was amazing. This is what @bluecruiser and I had in mind when we started planning this event shortly after HIH5. We wanted to grow, but stay personal and intimate. We know that there are always things to improve on and ways to grow this event and keep it what it is. We focused on HIH6 being an investment into the event's future. As the dust settles and we balance the HIH account, we've decided to donate left over money to the Silverton Area Search and Rescue. These are the men and women that would put their lives on the line to come and get us if something went wrong. Chris and I had breakfast with the Silverton Chamber folks as well as the Sheriff. It was a great meeting and they are thrilled to have us.
Silverton, Colorado is now our home. The town embraced us and they were blown away by our responsible driving and stewardship of the area. I literally signed the Kendall Mountain contract between HIH and Town of Silverton while we were lined up for that amazing group photo. We probably had 10-12 vehicles missing and the group still looked huge.
You will be receiving an email shortly from HIH that will include a short survey. Please, please, please take two minutes and fill that out. One of the questions will be "How much money did you spend while in the area?". This one is extremely important to us and the Town of Silverton. Chris and I will be creating a financial report that will be presented to the Town and the County during their respective board meetings. Try to include every penny spent in the area. We will also post that up on here. It will help us show the economic impact we have on the area. We also want to know what you liked the best or what didn't work for you. It's still a learning process for Chris and I and we get better each year. Having that amazing space and building for HIH7 and beyond will fix some of the small issues that we'd like to improve upon. Many of you have offered to help next year and we will take many of you up on that offer. We will register 100 vehicles for HIH7, help will be needed.
HIH6 would not have been what it was without our amazing trail leaders. Brad Thompson @BJTLC100 (we call him B-Rad) was an all-star for us this year. Thursday was nuts as everyone started arriving and we became concerned with available space. B-Rad stepped up and worked out the logistics of getting everyone parked and their camps set-up while Chris and I handled registration and check-in. @ENGINE er, @DanInDenver, @nakman, @BJTLC100, Steve Kent and Josh Schumacher did an amazing job leading trails and representing everything that we're looking for in trail leaders. We absolutely could not have done this without them. We have already asked them to lead again next year and we will be looking for a few more HIH veterans to step up and lead a trail. Expect more family runs, a few half-day options and a few new trails for next year as well. We may also have some trail leader training the day before the event for anyone looking to lead in the future.
Just to give you an idea of our impact on Silverton already, for next year, we've been offered the opportunity to have wine tasting on the deck at Kendall, a casino night, a shuttle service to Durango to ride the Durango-Silverton Railroad back into town, an adventure day (guided mountain biking/climbing/hiking), a brewery night, a family night and many other options. You can expect us to be more than just a wheeling event in the future. We've exploded.
Enough about the future..... this is a HIH6 trip report.
Was that one of the best Pot Luck meals ever assembled, or what? The Louisiana Crew went above an beyond once again. Their skills at feeding large groups of hungry people were polished from many years of tailgating at LSU and New Orleans Saints games. They have it down to a science. The Friday Night Pot Luck has quickly become my favorite part of the event. This isn't hot dogs cooked over a fire. It's a full-on culinary experience. Beer choices from around the world and local food flavors and family recipes that have been handed down for generations were available. Thank you to all who contributed to this great meal. Friday night was amazing. Local beer was provided by Nitro Gears and Gamiviti as well.
The pot luck has grown so large that we had to move the free raffle to Saturday night. It seems to be working out even better. Because this event happens outside and is subject to weather, Chris and I do not assemble all of the raffle prizes until the start of the raffle. In order to try and alleviate some of the restlessness that comes with waiting for your number to be called, we hold our kids raffle in between giving away well over $10,000 worth of 100 Series gifts. Every child in attendance gets a raffle ticket (we have more prizes available than tickets, so every kid is a winner, but they don't know that.) It's the excitement of hearing their number called that makes this part of the raffle one of our favorites. Let's keep that secret going as it's truly a highlight to see their faces during this part of the raffle. The kids ticket might get them a Land Cruiser toy or a glow stick, the adult ticket might get them a new bumper or a roof top tent!
The excitement during the raffle was enough to push the clouds away, bring out the sunshine and even place the end of a rainbow right down onto camp.
CVT Tents gave away a full roof top tent with annex!
Dissent Off Road gave away TWO bumpers! (front and rear)
Gamiviti gave away light bars, tents, awnings and more swag than could fit in ten 100s.
Slee Off Road gave each driver a special HIH6 shirt and raffled off Slee battery trays and accessories.
Bump It Offroad gave away a complete bumper.
Nitro Gear and Axle gave away big Nitro gift cards and tons of swag/gear.
4x4 Labs gave away a $500 gift certificate towards a built bumper, or a complete DIY bumper kit.
Rhino Rack gave away their top camp chairs and swag.
Cruiser Outfitters gave away a full bearing kit (both sides)
Metal Tech gave away $50 gift cards, swag and gear.
Ironman USA gave away a $50 gift card.
Outer Limit Supply gave away a complete PALS medical kit.
Eagles Nest Outfitters gave away two Double Nest hammocks with atlas straps and camp lights.
The Town Of Silverton gave every driver a bag filled with swag, stickers and local info.
Yota MD gave away HIH6 100 Series key fobs.
Trekboxx gave every driver $600 off of a drawer system.
Turtleback Trailers lent us a full expo trailer to camp from and carry gear.
IH8MUD provided each driver with a HIH6 lanyard
Toyota Trails provided everyone with a copy of the magazine.
OutdoorX4 Magazine was in every packet and also included SPF lip balm
Wits End gave a large box of gear and swag. Some of this will be raffled off on here, so post up your pics, event stories and feedback of the event for a chance to win.
How can we thank these sponsors? By spending money with those that make this raffle happen. They are giving this stuff away at our small event because they believe in what we're doing. Clearly there are larger events, but they still understand that connecting with us is the best advertising and promotion they can do. Every vendor listed offers something for your 100 or your camping setup. Please send them a note thanking them for their involvement with our great event and the next time you need something, spend your hard earned money with those that support us. That's how the cycle continues and that's why we're able to give away so many great items.
You may occasionally have the opportunity to purchase something for $5 cheaper online, but these vendors are supporting all of us and supporting them in return continues the cycle of good vendors and good people who have an attachment to responsible offroading, environmentally friendly camping and keeping our trails open. Please visit these sponsors whenever you're in the market for new products or service and let them know you appreciate their involvement in this event and the 100 Series community. Without them, this event wouldn't be the same.
Let's hear your stories and see your photos!
HIH3 was great, HIH4 was a little more hectic with Ironton getting crowded, HIH5 was fun, but very wet and cold. HIH6 was a completely different event. Except for a little rain just before the raffle, the weather was amazing. This is what @bluecruiser and I had in mind when we started planning this event shortly after HIH5. We wanted to grow, but stay personal and intimate. We know that there are always things to improve on and ways to grow this event and keep it what it is. We focused on HIH6 being an investment into the event's future. As the dust settles and we balance the HIH account, we've decided to donate left over money to the Silverton Area Search and Rescue. These are the men and women that would put their lives on the line to come and get us if something went wrong. Chris and I had breakfast with the Silverton Chamber folks as well as the Sheriff. It was a great meeting and they are thrilled to have us.
Silverton, Colorado is now our home. The town embraced us and they were blown away by our responsible driving and stewardship of the area. I literally signed the Kendall Mountain contract between HIH and Town of Silverton while we were lined up for that amazing group photo. We probably had 10-12 vehicles missing and the group still looked huge.
You will be receiving an email shortly from HIH that will include a short survey. Please, please, please take two minutes and fill that out. One of the questions will be "How much money did you spend while in the area?". This one is extremely important to us and the Town of Silverton. Chris and I will be creating a financial report that will be presented to the Town and the County during their respective board meetings. Try to include every penny spent in the area. We will also post that up on here. It will help us show the economic impact we have on the area. We also want to know what you liked the best or what didn't work for you. It's still a learning process for Chris and I and we get better each year. Having that amazing space and building for HIH7 and beyond will fix some of the small issues that we'd like to improve upon. Many of you have offered to help next year and we will take many of you up on that offer. We will register 100 vehicles for HIH7, help will be needed.
HIH6 would not have been what it was without our amazing trail leaders. Brad Thompson @BJTLC100 (we call him B-Rad) was an all-star for us this year. Thursday was nuts as everyone started arriving and we became concerned with available space. B-Rad stepped up and worked out the logistics of getting everyone parked and their camps set-up while Chris and I handled registration and check-in. @ENGINE er, @DanInDenver, @nakman, @BJTLC100, Steve Kent and Josh Schumacher did an amazing job leading trails and representing everything that we're looking for in trail leaders. We absolutely could not have done this without them. We have already asked them to lead again next year and we will be looking for a few more HIH veterans to step up and lead a trail. Expect more family runs, a few half-day options and a few new trails for next year as well. We may also have some trail leader training the day before the event for anyone looking to lead in the future.
Just to give you an idea of our impact on Silverton already, for next year, we've been offered the opportunity to have wine tasting on the deck at Kendall, a casino night, a shuttle service to Durango to ride the Durango-Silverton Railroad back into town, an adventure day (guided mountain biking/climbing/hiking), a brewery night, a family night and many other options. You can expect us to be more than just a wheeling event in the future. We've exploded.
Enough about the future..... this is a HIH6 trip report.
Was that one of the best Pot Luck meals ever assembled, or what? The Louisiana Crew went above an beyond once again. Their skills at feeding large groups of hungry people were polished from many years of tailgating at LSU and New Orleans Saints games. They have it down to a science. The Friday Night Pot Luck has quickly become my favorite part of the event. This isn't hot dogs cooked over a fire. It's a full-on culinary experience. Beer choices from around the world and local food flavors and family recipes that have been handed down for generations were available. Thank you to all who contributed to this great meal. Friday night was amazing. Local beer was provided by Nitro Gears and Gamiviti as well.
The pot luck has grown so large that we had to move the free raffle to Saturday night. It seems to be working out even better. Because this event happens outside and is subject to weather, Chris and I do not assemble all of the raffle prizes until the start of the raffle. In order to try and alleviate some of the restlessness that comes with waiting for your number to be called, we hold our kids raffle in between giving away well over $10,000 worth of 100 Series gifts. Every child in attendance gets a raffle ticket (we have more prizes available than tickets, so every kid is a winner, but they don't know that.) It's the excitement of hearing their number called that makes this part of the raffle one of our favorites. Let's keep that secret going as it's truly a highlight to see their faces during this part of the raffle. The kids ticket might get them a Land Cruiser toy or a glow stick, the adult ticket might get them a new bumper or a roof top tent!
The excitement during the raffle was enough to push the clouds away, bring out the sunshine and even place the end of a rainbow right down onto camp.
CVT Tents gave away a full roof top tent with annex!
Dissent Off Road gave away TWO bumpers! (front and rear)
Gamiviti gave away light bars, tents, awnings and more swag than could fit in ten 100s.
Slee Off Road gave each driver a special HIH6 shirt and raffled off Slee battery trays and accessories.
Bump It Offroad gave away a complete bumper.
Nitro Gear and Axle gave away big Nitro gift cards and tons of swag/gear.
4x4 Labs gave away a $500 gift certificate towards a built bumper, or a complete DIY bumper kit.
Rhino Rack gave away their top camp chairs and swag.
Cruiser Outfitters gave away a full bearing kit (both sides)
Metal Tech gave away $50 gift cards, swag and gear.
Ironman USA gave away a $50 gift card.
Outer Limit Supply gave away a complete PALS medical kit.
Eagles Nest Outfitters gave away two Double Nest hammocks with atlas straps and camp lights.
The Town Of Silverton gave every driver a bag filled with swag, stickers and local info.
Yota MD gave away HIH6 100 Series key fobs.
Trekboxx gave every driver $600 off of a drawer system.
Turtleback Trailers lent us a full expo trailer to camp from and carry gear.
IH8MUD provided each driver with a HIH6 lanyard
Toyota Trails provided everyone with a copy of the magazine.
OutdoorX4 Magazine was in every packet and also included SPF lip balm
Wits End gave a large box of gear and swag. Some of this will be raffled off on here, so post up your pics, event stories and feedback of the event for a chance to win.
How can we thank these sponsors? By spending money with those that make this raffle happen. They are giving this stuff away at our small event because they believe in what we're doing. Clearly there are larger events, but they still understand that connecting with us is the best advertising and promotion they can do. Every vendor listed offers something for your 100 or your camping setup. Please send them a note thanking them for their involvement with our great event and the next time you need something, spend your hard earned money with those that support us. That's how the cycle continues and that's why we're able to give away so many great items.
You may occasionally have the opportunity to purchase something for $5 cheaper online, but these vendors are supporting all of us and supporting them in return continues the cycle of good vendors and good people who have an attachment to responsible offroading, environmentally friendly camping and keeping our trails open. Please visit these sponsors whenever you're in the market for new products or service and let them know you appreciate their involvement in this event and the 100 Series community. Without them, this event wouldn't be the same.
Let's hear your stories and see your photos!
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