Back from Moab
It was the best of times it was the… Carnage, broken parts, good times, mud snow and rock. 2008 was a great year for TeraFlex PLUS trail runs.
Our last run of the year was the prefect ending; Moab, the world famous off road destination, and its right in our back yard. How great is that…
Friday afternoon a group of 6 well built rigs, and Dillon’s TJ, headed up Moab Rim. The afore mentioned TJ was bone stock except for a TeraLow and a 3 inch TeraFlex lift w/arms. He did very well, he drove all but the first obstacle on the trail.
That obstacle later came back to haunt him . If you haven’t had the chance, or courage, to run ” The Rim” it’s a lot of fun and provides a sweet view of the city of Moab, along with some world class wheelin’. We ran into a group of XJ’s on the trail. One of them had just ripped his gas tank right out of his Cherokee.
His only comment was that he had conquered the obstacle . A photographer from Crawl magazine was at the Z turn documenting the action as we passed. ( I’m sure he was impressed ) . Everyone did great, and made the obstacle without any trouble.
We ran the trail clear to the end and looked out over Moab. We played on the sand hills and everyone drove the steep hills toward the end of the trail. We also found some ancient drawings on a canyon wall, strange stuff.
On the way down the real action took place. Dillon decided the 2.5 liter TJ needed a little more challange. The standard line down the first obstacle on the trail was appearently to tame. I had just parked my Jeep, and turned around to spot him. Apperantly driving out on the cliff looked like fun, and he went for it. Thank goodness his tire was smaller than the gap between the trail and certain death. The pictures tell the tale.
Dillon, if you were looking to impress us, you did fine. You can’t buy entertainment like that. Dave Card winched him out and we were on out way.
Still thirsting for more, a group of 7 headed out for Hells Revenge for a night run. We had a nice moon to help light the way which really helped on the whole getting lost portion of our usual night runs. Zack took point and got us out to the hot tubs in no time. The wind was unreal on the top of the mountain. It had to be blowing 50-60 mph. After a couple of us played in the hot tubs, we drove back to the trail head and called it good. If you haven’t done a trail at night, give it a try. it is a whole new experiance.
Saturday we ran Metal Masher. Its about a 4 rated trail because of a couple of harder obstacles. We had a group of 20 plus rigs. Metal Masher is really a good all around trail. Something for everyone. We had some breakage and small mechanical issues, but nothing serious, (unless you were the one that broke).
Tom Carlsen was trying out his new TeraFlex longarm upgrade on his JK. He is not scared. While attempting to drive a good sized ledge he took a bad bounce and took out his left rear axle shaft. He continued on and completed the trail with three wheel drive in good form. He had to drive it home in 3wd, but made it.
Rich Whittaker broke the traction bar on his sweet CJ on the same obtacle. I had a spare heim joint so we did a field repair and were on our way. The trail has an amazing view of the highway into Moab then heads over to Widow Maker. Some of the group headed to the highway while those looking for more abuse continued on to Widow Maker.
Our trail leader Ben Falkner handed the keys to his wife and turned her loose on the obstacle. His Unlimited is rolling on Jk axles but is open. He drove it a couple of weeks ago and Kim wanted her chance. She almost had it ( isn’t that how it goes) when the yoke at the t case grenaded and that was that. It was tow time for the TJ.
A good time was had by all – this was by far the most well attended overnighter in TeraFlex PLUS Trail Run history! Thanks to all of the rigs that joined us, and a special thanks to the rigs that entertained us – that is something we won’t soon forget.
Wood – out