The first obstacle of the...
The first obstacle of the day was a steep hillclimb with a twisty turn over a small rock pile at the top. When we say "steep" we mean it was a long way down to the bottom of the hill. Some of the guys started losing traction and just froze. It's not obvious from this angle, but quite a few rigs had to be winched from this point on.
Towards the end of the day, the UA crew found themselves on a trail in a narrow canyon that dead-ended at a tough obstacle. There were two options for climbing out of this steeply walled gully. On the right there was a crazy off-camber climb up a loose embankment. The other option was a steep technical climb over a split rock waterfall on the left. Our trail leader, Dean Thompson and his wife Julia, were the first to try the rock waterfall. This attempt ended with a complete end-over-end flip, with the vehicle landing on its lid. Thankfully, Dean and Julia weren't hurt, and the Jeep was righted and driven off for repairs. The UA Z71 was the next to tackle the mighty obstacle, and after smashing in the door and damaging the cab with an amazing effort, they had to call it a day and winch out. Nobody else was able to make it up and over the waterfall. The rest of the guys either smashed the skinny pedal and blasted their way up the embankment, or opted to be winched out. This was the third most precarious and difficult obstacle of the event.
At the end of an awesome trail day, the first things that are usually pulled out of the rigs are the tool bags, spare parts, and cell phones to order up replacements. Our Hobart welder support crew, Caleb Krisher and Darrell Sickles, strategically placed their trailer full of welders, plasma cutters, and grinders in the middle of camp and opened shop. It was only a matter of minutes before a few rigs were lined up for repairs, and sparks were flying.
Thursday's Carnage
UA Z71: Shattered driver-side window
Fred Perry: Broken suspension bracket
Greg Higgs: Power steering malfunction
Jeff Mello: Rollover, broke transfer-case rear tailshaft
Clifton Slay: Front sway-bar arms bent, broken soft-top bows, cut tire, exploded sideview mirror
Keith Bailey: Broken muffler bracket
Jonathon Cooper: Broken rear ring-and-pinion, rear rotors cracked
Frank's ranchland is covered...
Frank's ranchland is covered with gullies, buttes, and spires. Rock gardens like this were everywhere and a great form of entertainment. Our first run of the day really wasn't a trail but an impromptu course that wound its way up, over, and around a maze of jagged rocks.
After numerous mechanical...
After numerous mechanical difficulties and breakage, Jonathan Cooper wheeled Bliss Ranch with a vengeance. All of us were inspired by Jonathan's ability to wrench until dawn, then wheel all day without a bit of whining.
Every participant on the Ultimate...
Every participant on the Ultimate Adventure is a well-seasoned four-wheeler and veteran of tough obstacles. The end of this canyon had three options out, and only a handful of the crew were able to make it unassisted. Clifton Slay gave this one best effort, but wasn't able to pull it off. Nobody was.
Representing BFGoodrich Tires,...
Representing BFGoodrich Tires, Nate Williams and co-driver Gary Enterline negotiated the 10-foot ledge in stride and rolled on through it without a hitch.
After the first course of...
After the first course of trails we headed into a grassy valley. While sliding through the slick notches for a hundred or so yards, we found ourselves at a 10-foot vertical drop into a narrow canyon. The Sleeper UA Z71 was the first to take the plunge, easily pulling off the drop due to its long wheelbase.
This is where the Ultimate...
This is where the Ultimate Sleeper picked up most of its body damage-the shattered driver-side window and broken taillight. This damage is really nothing that can't be repaired back home. That's one of the reasons this truck was chosen for the adventure. It's a common vehicle and parts are readily available.
Trail leaders for the day,...
Trail leaders for the day, Dean Thompson and his wife Julia, took quite a tumble while trying to negotiate the last obstacle of the day...
...It was a tough climb and...
...It was a tough climb and bested the crew. Nobody made it up and over, but there were some impressive attempts.
The shorter-wheelbased vehicles...
The shorter-wheelbased vehicles in the group had a little tougher time making it up the steeper obstacles. But that didn't keep them from thrilling everyone with exciting action.