Veterans 2016 Dusy Ershim trail run

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I got a message from the guy that leads the group from San Diego every year.


It would be fine for you and your buddy to come along. We are looking between the 13th and 21st of August. With many of the Marines that run with us out of the Corps and going to school there is a summer break window that we try incorporate into the trip. I will confirm these dates as soon as I can. I have a member who was in the Marine Corps that lives in Washington State who has driven down the last two years for the trip. I know he wouldn't mind the convoy. I will keep you posted as time gets closer.
 
Sounds good, Ed. And yes, I would be more than happy to convoy with somebody on the trip down.

Big Ed said:
I got a message from the guy that leads the group from San Diego every year.

It would be fine for you and your buddy to come along. We are looking between the 13th and 21st of August. With many of the Marines that run with us out of the Corps and going to school there is a summer break window that we try incorporate into the trip. I will confirm these dates as soon as I can. I have a member who was in the Marine Corps that lives in Washington State who has driven down the last two years for the trip. I know he wouldn't mind the convoy. I will keep you posted as time gets closer.
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I thought you might. I thought I'd start communicating with them early, that way we're part of the plans from the beginning. Also if it was a no, we would have started planning that way early too. This way you will be a part of a group that knows the trail, instead of just me.
 
I started a conversation with Ed about vehicle capabilities related to the Dusy. Ed asked me to move it here in case somebody else had questions. I was considering going to larger tires before the trip, but all I read convinces me that I'll do fine with the existing 33s. My truck is sprung-under with 4 inch lift springs, 33 MTs, ARBs front and rear, late model NV4500, stock 4:11s, 5.7l Vortec, and a 4:1 Orion. We actually run pretty difficult trails here in WA and I don't expect too much difficulty doing the Dusy. I've been watching videos of people banging over one rock and then another and I understand why they end up with a lot of damage. I have gearing (> 90:1) that allows me to walk over most of the trouble in rock fields and I have a good skidplate and winch. While larger tires are certainly helpful, the difference between what I have now and what I will upgrade to in the future will not be that great. I think I'll put off new tires until I do a spring-over.

What are your thoughts, Ed?
 
Big Ed said:
Drew and I have been on the trail at the same time before, maybe about 08.
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I think your big Fresno group came by while we were righting a flopped truck just before Lake Camp Lake.

I'm pretty solid for 2016 up there, so I'll stop by and say hello. I think we'll overlap a bit.

Regarding the 33s-It's all about how hard you want to work. 33s and SUA are barely doable. I did it once about 2004 or so with an FJ40, 33 inch tires, and lockers that quit when the engine fire burned up the ARB harness-about half way up Thompson. A memorable day for sure. Just don't underestimate this. It's hard AND long.

A spring over 40 on 35s is kind of the sweet spot on that trail. I've also taken my SOA FJ60 on the trail, which did great, but it was hard on the body. Crushed 1 door, bent the roof gutter, etc.

Lots of opportunity for carnage, be aware.
 
spotcruiser said:
What are your thoughts, Ed?
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I've been through the trail with rigs on 33" tires, they hit their skid plates a lot, have to scoot over and try a different line because they are bumping into something. And might need a tug in a couple spots, but they make it. Six years ago I went through the trail with one of the trail builders, he was in an early Toyota pickup on 31" tires. He drove like described above, but made it through without any help. Well, I did drop one rock for him. He has more trail driving experience than most of us have been alive, he was on the Dusy trail building crew from 56 to 68. You would be better off with 35s, but I won't require you to get them. We're not planning to rush through the trail anyway.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
I think your big Fresno group came by while we were righting a flopped truck just before Lake Camp Lake.

I'm pretty solid for 2016 up there, so I'll stop by and say hello. I think we'll overlap a bit.

Regarding the 33s-It's all about how hard you want to work. 33s and SUA are barely doable. I did it once about 2004 or so with an FJ40, 33 inch tires, and lockers that quit when the engine fire burned up the ARB harness-about half way up Thompson. A memorable day for sure. Just don't underestimate this. It's hard AND long.

A spring over 40 on 35s is kind of the sweet spot on that trail. I've also taken my SOA FJ60 on the trail, which did great, but it was hard on the body. Crushed 1 door, bent the roof gutter, etc.

Lots of opportunity for carnage, be aware.
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The only time I remember seeing you on the trail was when your group was camped close to Thompson Lake, and we were camped at the big area when you come up Thompson Hill. The next morning we both moved North at almost the same time. The most common thing I hear from new people is how unrelenting the trail is, many expect a dirt road with a rock garden here and there. There are a few short stretches of dirt road, but it's mostly rocks and trees.
 
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Good video, Ed. I found their site some time back and have looked at some of their other videos and photos. They look like a good group to run with and I'm looking forward to the trip. I haven't been able to drum up any interest locally, but that doesn't matter. I plan to make the trip by myself, if need be.
 
Remember, one of them is supposed to convoy with you. Will you be driving your rig down? Or trailering?
 
Yep, I remember the local Corps guy that plans to convoy down. But I'll run alone, if that plan falls through.

I plan to drive my truck down and back. If I break the truck beyond driving it home, I'll AAA it to my mother's house and deal with it from there. We'll just need to get it off the trail to a paved road.

Big Ed said:
Remember, one of them is supposed to convoy with you. Will you be driving your rig down? Or trailering?
Click to expand...
 
I'm interested in this, I retire this summer and have always wanted to take that trail, have a good truck FJ40 spring over lockers and orion TC on 37's long fields etc
 
Any word, Ed, from the Marines? I don't see much activity on their site, but that's not uncommon.
 
I havn't heard anything, it's still early though. Yeah there's not much activity on their site at all. They are pretty active though, so maybe there's more word of mouth. The organizer does respond when I send him messages though. The last he told me was he would let me know when they ironed out dates, he also posts it in their forum each year.
 
Long drive from Montana, we're planning at least a week on the trail. Might be two weeks away from home for you. This is what we want though, a run that brings veterans together.
 
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