WeBeJeepin’ Moab

Well, the trail today was scheduled for Strike Ravine with a tip-toe (yes Rick!) into Area BFE to see if there was a chance to get on any of the obstacles down there due to the snow. Six rigs arrive at the trail head. The usual crew plus Jeremy (aka Creampuff) in his shiny JK. He brought his dad Bill along and Dave rode in the back.

Ron is a new fellow to the webejeepin and has been running the past 3 weekends with us. Each week, we’ve been increasing the difficulty factor. The snow has been too deep to do much but a couple days above freezing had us hopeful for some ROCKS.

Today, was an introduction to Area BFE for Ron and others.

First stop is the BIG UGLY. I love this hill in the snow! The first 3 of us made it up without any problem. The last 3 got to take advantage of some polished rocks and in addition, Jeremy was driving open. They sure gave it a shot but we ended up meeting them on the other side.

Even Jeff couldn’t make it!

Anyway, the rest of Strike Ravine was pretty uneventful. There were a couple of tricky spots in the wash and getting a 4 door JK though that narrow squeeze between two rocks was nearly impossible. So, to save a flare, we took him up and over. I was busy spotting so have no photos…..if Bill sends me one, I’ll pop it in here.

We got over to the Gatekeeper at Helldorado and it was covered with snow so we decided to avoid it. But Minor Threat turned out to be fantastic! A lot of the snow has melted and we could do a little rockcrawling. Lovely.

We ended up having lunch at Easy Squeezy, our favorite optional obstacle off of Minor Threat. There was too much snow to give it a shot but maybe soon????

Anyway, so much fun was had on Minor Threat that we decided to run Green Day backwards (the only way to run it!) Jeremy wisely left his JK at this point and a few of us left our doors here as well for better visibility in the upcoming bouldery wash. Dave ended up with Jeff, Jeremy with Gary Lee, and I had Bill ride with me in Redroxx.

The snow made the Green Day wash just that much harder which made it a blast! We got to the Green Day waterfall and hurrah! it was snow free. I told Bill to jump out and have all cameras at the ready because usually a couple of us miss this one every time, giving some fantastic photos. I don’t think he was disappointed or lacking for photo ops.

Ron had never been in this portion of BFE but has never hesitated to give obstacles a shot so here he goes. First photo shows the beginning of a wheel lift.

Uh-oh Ron, you missed the line. Here go the cameras, the paparazzi are standing by…..

Yep, we’ve all been here before……not a good feeling…..especially when you still have alot of sheet metal left.

I did teach Ron that the paparazzi like the thumbs up shot. It might be hard to see coming out the window but it means, “hey, it might not look like it but I’m having a blast!”

Now, how to get Ron off the obstacle without too much damage….

After a strap on the side and the guys pulling to prevent the side from scraping on the rocks, Ron was able to back down and take the alternate route. I like showing Jeeps with people in the scene so you know the camera is not tilted……yep, he’s pretty much on his side.

Look at this! Jeremy so kindly took some photos of Redroxx driving the waterfall. This is the obstacle that led to the Dana 60 and the 40’s. I’ve broken several axles here and am SOOOOO happy when I drive this successfully. Hey look, I even got Bill to ride along!

Here we go, I think we have a good chance. Hold on Bill!

Yup, that was easy! This time anyway…..

Gary Lee gives it a shot.

Oops. But all’s well that end’s well…..

Jeff found this lovely hole just up the wash from the waterfall. No matter what he tried, he just couldn’t get out of it.

Lots of nice wheel lifts during the struggle. Frustrating!

Now some from the front end. The funniest part was Jeff was up and out, even celebrating when he fell in one more time. Incredible but he eventually made it….

Here’s Gary Lee showing how it’s done.

We worked our way back down to Jeremy’s Jeep and then all of us went down Minor Threat. Just enough snow to make it slippery. Here’s a shot of the last couple of rigs coming out of the wash.

Going up the shelf road was interesting as there were no tracks on it and still quite a bit of snow. What a day! Well folks, welcome to Area BFE and Green Day. One of the best trails anywhere and incredible with some snow.

Thanks all and see ya on the trail.

Melissa

Upcoming Trails

Winter still has its snowy grasp on Moab and our scheduled trail, Poison Spider, had to be cancelled due to snow on the slickrock. Jim suggested that we could probably get through on Steelbender so we moved the trail.

Still starting at 10:00am to allow the temperatures to warm up a bit, we met at the South Shell Station. We ended up with the usual motley die-hards as well as some guests who found us through Rocky Mountain Extreme. A total of 9 rigs went down to the bottom of the switch backs to air down.

Yours truly brought out Redroxx for more snowy fun. Like my hot pink hat?

The first series of slickrock ledges. Yes, there is some slickrock under there…..somewhere. Driver’s choice to get up this hill.

Skills are sharpened as we all remember once again, how to off-road drive in the snow. Unfortunately for Rick, his rear locker wasn’t working well and he eventually needed some assistance getting up the hill. He gave quite a show, like a drunken ice skater! Show us a double axle Rick! At least a rear axle! Anything?

After getting familiar with the skinny pedal (well, for all of us but Larry) and getting wheelspin and momentum, we made our way up to Diane’s bump. Interestingly enough, we did this trail last January 2nd and if you want to go back and see the blog, you’ll see the huge difference in the amount of snow.

Larry went right on up.

Gary took a try or two but found a good line and went for it. Nicely done!

Here’s Josh (one of our visitors from Draper). He almost made it but kept sliding back onto his rear diff. Eventually he needed a bit of help.

I was really impressed by this guy and his little stock JK Rubicon. He drove it like he stole it (maybe he did!) and made most of the obstacles today—-just not quite this one.

Jim came right on up and then called lunch when he got to the top. He brought a friend from Denver out on the trail who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

This guy found our website a couple of days ago but apparently is a semi-local so we might see him again.

Finally Jeff brings up the rear and we all take a few minutes to enjoy whatever was cooking on the manifold. Burritos? Pizza? YUM!

After lunch, we struck out for the Wall or the Draggin’ Tail obstacle. I couldn’t resist taking this photo. Blue sky, snowy mountains, a little redrock, and Jeeps in the snow…..beautiful!

Here we go, everyone prepare for gravity to take over……

Don’t slide off that cliff!

Even JK’s are subject to sudden fall overs…..you should look back and see the blog on JK bender…..I think getting off the trail with only a ripped off license plate and a large dent in the rear bumper was pretty good. Knock that plastic off as we say!

Over to the “road” obstacle, named for Melanie. Folks get caught on these rocks and ledges in sunny weather. Riding it in the snow was a real thrill. Imagine a giant pinball game where you are the pinball…..fun, huh?

Lots of cheering for drtsqrl! Right, left, back-up, go, stop, loop de loop, work the wheel, give her gas! Lots of laughing as Jeff eventually makes it up this hill.

After a stop for a tire off the bead change, we made our way over to the Dragon’s tongue. I think that’s what they call it anyway…..

Yee-haw! Up we go! Everyone who tried it, made it and it was a good show too. You just go up as fast as you can and generally point the Jeep in the direction you HOPE to go. WOW! Different driving than I’m used to but fun.

Go Gary Lee. He will not be defeated! Anyone giving him a hard time should try driving OverEZ with his 1.3 l engine. Hurrah!

Okay Redroxx’s photo is a little out of order but went up none the less. Thanks Jim for sending me this shot!

Over to what Jim has begun calling the Dragon Spit. I guess after the tongue, there’s not much left it COULD be. Funny! Those who wanted to went on up this way. A little slippery as spit so often is!

More slipping and sliding up and down but no real problems for the rest of the trail. A wonderful trail day. I just wish the snow would MELT!!

Melissa

Re-caps from 2009–my own personal blog concerning the blog….

1. 2009 was the first full year for me to blog on this website or any website for that matter. I began my posting in November of 2008. Since that time, I’ve put out 72 trail reports, including this one.

2. I have sharpened my driving and taking photos at the same time skill since I am also the primary trail photographer as well as the blogger. Not an easy task especially on those narrow trails like Cliffhanger but everyone wants a photo! Thanks to the rest of you who help me from time to time by sharing your pictures.

3. Jim has told me that he’s been thinking about his “what could Jim possibly be thinking” sections. Weird, huh? Anyway, these will continue in 2010 due to popular demand. Thanks Jim for letting me poke at you so often, you’re a good sport!

4. I started using some videos a few months ago and have learned how to post YouTubes into the report. I hope you guys like ‘em. I’ve been instructed to make them all between 15-20 seconds so if I video you, you’d better drive over that obstacle FAST! HA!

5. As you have probably figured out, this is a volunteer position for me but of course but you guys do pay me when I hear compliments, my quotes repeated (wire in bulk!), and especially “fear of the evil blogger” comments. If you wheel with me, you eventually get picked on. I love the e-mails too from those I don’t see too often!! Thanks for putting up with my rantings and continuing to read them! This says a lot about you…..scary!

6. I’m really looking forward to some great reports in 2010 but you have to come out and be camera fodder for the paparazzi! I can’t keep posting Susan’s poser shots as much as she loves the camera!  Sorry Susan but it’s someone else’s turn….princess or not…

This blog has been my journal with an audience and I’m really thankful for this opportunity to bend my already bent mind towards things I love….Jeeping, Moab, photography, writing, joking, and most of all friends.

See ya on the trail!!

Happy New Year!

Melissa

Trail Reports