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We had a very good run yesterday on Charouleau Gap, which does remain (as 3Hummers would put it) the scratchiest trail ever. We started off a few minutes after 9 and finished at dusk, around 5:30. It was nice and a bit unusual for us not to come off the trail at night. Ironically, I didn't recognize the end of the trail at times because I hadn't seen it in the light before 
.
Here's our group:
A few passengers came along, including Mark that came with us on Sleeping Princess and Dave Loper, service manager at Royal Automotive
Gory parts first: we had a few trail repairs to make: broken tie rod end on the Scorpion, slashed tire on ces' H2, broken bolt on the CJ and a split front diff on ces' H2. That diff split happened on The Step, a tough obstacle where grip is tough and the angles are steep. We were able to get him off the trail by putting grease into the diff to keep it lubed at the low trail speeds. For the drive home, Nick and Tim removed the front half shafts, the front prop shaft and Tim put it in 4 high lock to drive home.
On to the pics. All of my pics can be found here: :link: where they can also be downloaded at original resolution.
Early shot of Bigunit and Nick
Jerry S. taking a pic of Bigunit
Bigunit avoiding a hole
Nick headed straight for the hole
Dwaine spotting Bigunit at the first obstacle
CJ in action
And the 4Runner
Most of the group lined up
ces1946 at the Step. Not sure why Loper is signaling "touchdown". This is the spot where the diff split
Dwaine took the Step with ease
Jerry S. entering one of the many rock gardens.
Here's where we met Honey Boo Boo's cousins in the streambed. Jerry S. is helping air up the XJ and its flat tires. The stream was unusually low for this time of year and would normally have another 12" of water in it. Made for extremely easy navigation.
Jerry S. in another rock garden that tends to snag many trucks
Ian pushing through the rock garden
Nick taking the high line
.Here's our group:
- Bigunit -black H3T
- Alrock -most badessass dark blue H3
- ces1946 -black H2
- Ken Williams -slate H2
- Josie - 93 black YJ
- hummertechnp (Nick) - blue H3, no roof rack
- Forgethisname - gray CJ
- Chris Barros - 85 4Runner
- Ian Abbott - H1
- Dwaine and Mykel - Scorpion
- Jerry S. -med blue H3
- Tromp - TJ
A few passengers came along, including Mark that came with us on Sleeping Princess and Dave Loper, service manager at Royal Automotive
Gory parts first: we had a few trail repairs to make: broken tie rod end on the Scorpion, slashed tire on ces' H2, broken bolt on the CJ and a split front diff on ces' H2. That diff split happened on The Step, a tough obstacle where grip is tough and the angles are steep. We were able to get him off the trail by putting grease into the diff to keep it lubed at the low trail speeds. For the drive home, Nick and Tim removed the front half shafts, the front prop shaft and Tim put it in 4 high lock to drive home.
On to the pics. All of my pics can be found here: :link: where they can also be downloaded at original resolution.
Early shot of Bigunit and Nick
Jerry S. taking a pic of Bigunit
Bigunit avoiding a hole
Nick headed straight for the hole
Dwaine spotting Bigunit at the first obstacle
CJ in action
And the 4Runner
Most of the group lined up
ces1946 at the Step. Not sure why Loper is signaling "touchdown". This is the spot where the diff split
Dwaine took the Step with ease
Jerry S. entering one of the many rock gardens.
Here's where we met Honey Boo Boo's cousins in the streambed. Jerry S. is helping air up the XJ and its flat tires. The stream was unusually low for this time of year and would normally have another 12" of water in it. Made for extremely easy navigation.
Jerry S. in another rock garden that tends to snag many trucks
Ian pushing through the rock garden
Nick taking the high line
