I don't have a chainsaw either, but you are correct that we will need one. I usually just throw a strap over them and back up till I can get around them, or just drive over/under. You guys have shiny paint still, a saw would be handy.
Spring 2016 OBDR (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter HAAANK
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I don't have a chainsaw either, but you are correct that we will need one. I usually just throw a strap over them and back up till I can get around them, or just drive over/under. You guys have shiny paint still, a saw would be handy.
I think I can bring a saw. I will check to see if mine can be revived. If not...... I've been needing a good excuse to get a new one. 
I will have a full list of the usual recovery gear. D shackles, tow strap, tree saver, come along, handyman Jack, shovel, axe, jumper cables, small bag of tools, and of course the winch. My truck has an 18 gallon gas tank and I always carry an extra 2 gallons. I may try to figure out how to carry more if you guys think it will be needed. I can also bring a cheap little 12 volt air compressor.
Nice beeachboyy. 
I figure we'll do around 150 miles between gas. At 10mpg, you have a range of about 170 miles. If we are pushing mushy snow for 20-30 miles... There is nowhere to divert for fuel on day one (well...there is at Mitchell or Paulina but it's a long way off) so if you make it to Seneca the rest of the trip should be fine. I don't know about your rig, but my 3FE dips into the single digit mpg in low range. I'm bringing 5 gallons.
What do you guys do for comms? I have a CB in the 80 but the range is so poor they are largely useless unless the guy you are talking to is in a direct line of sight. I have a 2 meter race radio in my Tacoma and a couple of 2M handhelds that work much better, however I'd have to move the Icom over to the FJ80 and that would limit us to three radios total (unless you guys run 2m rigs too).
I run a CB (been sitting in my garage. This trip will push me to install it). I dont have a 2 meter. I think the CB's should work most of the time as long as we are together. If we get separated (hopefully not the case) is when we might run into issues. I will be bringing at least 5-6 gallons of extra fuel and plenty of propane for cooking and tent heating (the wife doesnt like to be cold at night). I bought the bigger ARB compressor to run the lockers and so that I will have onboard air if we need it for tires etc.
I figured most people would be on CB. I'll get mine tuned up for the trip, I'm just spoiled using "real" radios at work. My Icom is 75watts, and 40 miles range is normal in our terrain, with repeaters you can talk to Russians. The max legal CB is 5 watts, or 4 miles range in ideal conditions, but realistically in the woods it's more like 500 yards. I can holler that far. Maybe we can set up some trail rules, like never leave the guy behind you. That way, the leader always waits for #2, #2 waits for #3, etc. I realize that creates an accordion effect, but at least nobody gets lost. I'm just worried it will be a total CF over the distances we have to travel.
Yeah I totally understand your frustration. I work in the marine industry and I havent seen a CB used in 20 years. With the upgrades in sattelite technology we are actually using the regular phone and instant messaging more than anything else for communication. I think we can make it work with CBs though. LIke you said, just dont get too far apart and keep an eye out for each other. I know I will have kids and they are pretty good travelers, but we might not set any speed records.
Also, my parental figures are following this thread (but dont have a cruiser or mudd acct). They are planning on joining us in their 2016 Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 (converted to an rv). This is pending snow levels. He has 2 sets of chains and has had the rig in some good snow, but the clearance isnt huge. I also have another buddy with an XJ that is planning on joining us through Sunday.
So the running list is as follows:
@tacosupreme
@CDmpc
@70 FJ40
@beachboyy
@yohavos
Kyle - Gus' friend
Jack - Gus' father (pending snow conditions.
That is a pretty good size group (not too huge). Hope the camping spots you know of are big enough to accommodate 7 vehicles.
I don't know that the school bus is a good idea. It's easy trail...for a Landcruiser. It's pretty mushy out there, and my crystal ball of doom envisions that thing sunk up to the frame rails. Plus, the river crossing is for sure going to be a couple feet deep and swift. Last time I crossed it this time of year it was almost 3' deep (water on the windshield) and my 80 floated a little. I would feel awfully bad if their RV floated away. The other thing is we are going to be pressed for time. 150 miles in 10 hours seems pretty easy, but we need to maintain a pace of 30mph on washboard, potholed forest roads. We'll be in a time crunch to make it to Seneca before the only gas station closes. If it was my sprinter van, I would leave it at home and take a beater.
As far as the camp spots go, the Friday night spot can hold 15 rigs pretty easy, it is a primitive boondock site but the access road is hub deep mud. Saturday night will be an official, pay site campground with picnic tables and 28 spots, and Sunday is just an open field in the woods with tons of room.
I appreciate your input and knowledge. I will let him know.
The camp spots sound great. Is Day 1 the longest push? 150 miles is quite a bit (especially if we run into snow).
Day one is the longest day mileage wise. It is also the "easiest" going, as most of the route is on well traveled arterial forest roads. I know that if I was by myself and left Prineville at 6am, I would arrive in camp around 4pm, be set up by 5, and catching fish as the sun set. That timeline is an average speed of 15mph. If we do 30mph on the easy going stuff, take breaks at the various viewpoints and vault toilets, break for lunch, drag a few trees out of the trail and maybe recover someone that slid into a snow filled ditch we will meet that timeline easily. However, if we have to wait till 8am for someone who is "almost" there, have to loop back 30 miles to hunt for a missing camper, break an axle, push hood deep snow for 20 miles, we will be setting up camp in the dark somewhere. I don't anticipate any serious problems on day one, day two and three are higher elevation and much more remote, with some slightly more challenging terrain. Also if the snow is too deep I know some alternate routes that won't take us over the Ochoco Divide, we can drop down into Paulina and cross the Maury's into the desert coming out between Seneca and Burns (basically pick up the North end of Route 5 section 2/South end of Route 5 section 3. It's a little muddy, but it's mostly two lane ranch road that way and you can cruise right along. Distance is the same as the official route.
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There is a bypass, it's about 20 miles out of the way though. I've been across it in a VW beetle before. I rode my motorcycle across it two summers ago. Most of the time, it's like in the picture I posted, maybe 24" deep with a hard rock bottom and as long as you don't hit it with too much velocity you cruise right through it and a stock 4runner would have zero problems. However, if the water is high and swift I'll be the crash test dummy and let you know how it goes. If it's sketchy, we'll go around. I like adventures, but the next road below the ford is 30 miles of desolate canyon away. A lost vehicle would be gone forever, a landmark to hikers and fly fisherman with very little chance of recovery.
From here downstream there is nothing but steep canyon walls for a very long distance.
Setting up camp by 4pm would be awesome! I think like you said, if we can average a higher speed on the easier forest roads then it should make up for the slower sections and breaks (lunch). I agree that we need to make it absolutely a priority to leave by 6:00am. That means fueled up and ready to roll out at that time. It is not a big deal for me since I am less than an hour from Prineville. But it does sound like some of the out of town guys will be staying in Prineville or nearby on Thursday night.
That is good that we have an alternate route incase of too much snow. Again the next 6-8 weeks is gonna pretty much dictate what we can and cannot do as far as weather goes.
Like I said. I am going to bring 5 gallons of extra fuel, 20lb cylinder, and I was wondering how much fresh water everyone was bringing?
The highlighted word is key! It might help in the water, but if we get into the snow, I have had the weight of my 80 really hurt me. I am sure we will all make it and be fine though.
You'll be OK, it's just that Sprinter vans hang a lot lower than us, and would make a fine boat for a short time. I would just hate to see someone tear up such a fine vehicle as that on a trip like this. Toyota's on the other hand...
I agree, 0600 AIS (ass in seat). We'll be at the Best Western Thursday night. We'll bring a 7 gallon blue jug and a Katadyn pump style water filter. For two of us, we can stretch it 3 days without refilling. We won't have to though. Friday night is on Camp Creek, fairly clean water but it is full of beavers. Giardia is a great weight loss program, don't drink out of the stream directly. Day 2 we can refill from the Malheur river among many other mountain streams along the way, as well as from Olive Lake at camp. Same with day 3-4, lots of water in the Blues.
True, but you have some pretty big tires to air down and float on too!
Is this Best Western in Prineville? I might just do that too, as I'll probably get in late on Thursday and won't want to bother setting up camp so I can get a good nights rest and be ready for 6am the next morning!