Moab EJS

Moab Easter Jeep Safari
March 15-22, 2008

Attendees:
Jerome Blunck and Teresa
John and Wendy Cary
Jed and Phil Cunningham
Mike and Laura Whittington
Joe and Orit Picker
Rich and Corky Wohlers
Tony Pellegrino
Tony Fiori
DeWayne and Tina Larson

Trails:
Monday, 3/17 - Cliff Hanger
Tuesday, 3/18 - Hells Revenge
Thursday, 3/20 - Kane Creek Canyon
Friday, 3/21 - Pritchett Canyon
Saturday, 3/22 - Golden Spike

Trip Summary:
This is probably one of the earliest MEJS's in history. The drive to Moab included snowy roads and cold temperatures. The week in Moab was cool, clear and nice. One of the most difficult trails is called Pritchett Canyon. We did it on Friday 3/21. One of the obstacles on Pritchett is called Rocker Knocker. For us short wheel based folks, to successfully clear the obstacle you have to “crab” or slide the jeep sideways to the left. Crabbing involves throttle and brake control to carefully “crab” the Jeep into the proper position to place the passenger front tire on a rock, allowing it to climb up the next step. While you are doing this, you have to place your driver’s front wheel into a “V” notch. If you get it just right, you’ll make it. If not, grab the winch line. While on the Golden Spike Trail on Saturday, we used the same maneuver to get over another obstacle. The trail leader likes to pull a little stunt called the Suzuki Shuffle where he places two Jeeps side by side then crabs them at the same time. He tried to do it with Jed and another Jeep. Jed didn’t cooperate…he just climbed the hill where nobody else could. Not bad Jed! Also on Pritchett is another obstacle that required you to make a hard left at the end of a canyon then climb a very slick, very steep wall about 8’. If you hit it just right, the front wheels would land on a 2’ wide ledge. If this wasn't bad enough, then you quickly turn your wheels to passenger and continue the climb to the top of the obstacle. Carnage included Tony Fiori customizing his TJ with a 1080 degree roll (3x) down Potato Salad Hill on Tuesday while Mike tried to press the brake and throttle at the same time coming down a hill on Hells Revenge and rammed into the back of John's YJ. We spent Wednesday, an off day, repairing Cary's YJ. Repair included replacing a front axle U-Bolt, exhaust repair and best of all; Jed noticed a bolt sticking through John's rear diff cover. The bolt came from the diff. ring gear where it mounts to the carrier! All repairs were made and we were back to business for Thursday AM. The rest of the week resulted in no further incidences...just good trails with great friends.
Looking forward to next year!
Mike