Banner Creek, 6 October

[sevenslats]

Tons of fun!
Only Carnage I know of was Kev's step inder his driver's rocker panel
Kev, C.A., Marek, Kelly, Mel, Tom, Ole and Justin all made the run. It snowed the whole time, except up on top by the radio towewhen we were above the cloudline.
The hills were slippery and exciting to descend. Climbing back out of the valley wasn't a problem at all, and I admit, I was a little concerned about this.

Little drama all the way to the pla hill. the puddles were frozen over, but the creek crossings were still wet.
Kev, Mel, and Kelly decided to turn back instead of dropping down into the valley (additional 2 hours, today). They probably could have made it, but Kelly would have had to cancel the meeting and be buffing out scratches instead.
We really need to brush that lower loop. It's so overgrown I thought I was lost for a minute.
I didn't bother putting batteries in my camera today, as I was in front the whole time, and we didn't really have much stoppage or posing.

Someone talk me into going again next week?

[sevenslats]

I slowed and scanned every pullout for a lightcover. Perhaps too much snow, since I didn't know the exact spot. Sorry Darrick.
I didn't stumble over any CB antennas, either. Mark, you know whereabouts it is?

[akram]

I got a few pics uploaded to the gallery. It was a fun trip even with the early turnaround. On the way out Kev and Kelly bypassed the rutted section where marick went in the ditch and Kelly , umm got assistance from a ffamiliar vehicle. I decided to go up it. The first rut I fell in and came to a stop. A little backing up and locker engaged got me out. The next rut I fell into also. On this one I managed to lift the front driver's side tire getting out of it. Other than that nothing too exciting. Locked the brakes up alot on the way down the hills. I managed to only touch the brakes twice going down the play hill.

[akram]

Just so you know it does go on the trail
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/2/9/DSCF2292.JPG

For some reason no matter who owns this rig it somehow ends up leaning over to it's side.
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/2/9/DSCF2296.JPG

Waiting for a turn at the play hill.
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/2/9/DSCF2306.JPG

The knight Truck farm daily rig, crane and all.
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/2/9/DSCF2309.JPG

Some of the ice that collected on the drive home.
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/2/9/DSCF2338.JPG

[Angler]

Looks like a nice ride! Wish I could have made it, see yall at the meeting.

[ARCTIC_EXPRESS]

I don't see any tow strap pics!

[justimpact]

more pics. please sorry I didnt feel up to going to the meeting after playing all day!
but mt wife had alot of fun but alittle to cold for her

[ajpthng]

I'm resizing pic's as I type, I'll upload to the gallery and post up soon.

EDIT: Got my pic's loaded, going to bed will post them and write my thoughts about this great trail ride later.

[Bulldog]

I had a lot of fun on this run. I was the only one at the meeting spot at 8:30 and was a little worried that I was in the wrong spot until Kevin showed up at 8:45 followed shortly by Geoff. The rest of the group showed up and the drive to the trail head was uneventful, although a little slippery.

The drive into the playhill was easy going, except for the shortcut Kelly, Marek, and Mel took. Geoff and I walked back to see what was taking so long, next time we'll back up rather than walk. It almost looked as if Kelly "ran out of gas" and needed to head back to town. I guess the fuel gauge was reading wrong because of the hill :p

The playhill was fun for all.
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/MelPlayhill.JPG
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/KellyPlayhill.JPG
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/GeoffPlayhill.JPG
Teamwork overcomes all obstacles
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/Teamwork.JPG
Most of the group going through the gully on the loop. There are some more pictures in the gallery.
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/Groupgully.JPG
Some actions shots climbing up from the bottom of the loop.
Tom
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/Tomhillclimb.JPG
Ole
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/Olehillclimb.JPG
Marek
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/Marekhillclimb.JPG
Group shot after running the loop
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/Groupshot.JPG

[ChevyKev]

It was a good day. A few observations:

Kelly can't follow directions. I clearly told him to straddle that rut. :whistle:

Actually that "shortcut" where Kelly fell in the rut was lead by me and Tom.

I was glad to see eeryone else having difficulty sliding on the trail. I was really dissappointed in my tires and lack of traction until I realized everyone else was havingt he same issues. I've run Banner when it was muddy, dry, and with a foot plus of snow and never did I have as much difficulty as yesterday's 1/2 inch of snow. 1/2 inch of snow and loose rocks = minimal traction.

For a beat up 32 year old truck with a not so good carb a plow frame and a crane... it did very well.

Tom's dad Mike is a cool guy - but don't call him "sir" even if you forget his name!

Marek got the most "off camber" of the day - a few times.

I really didn't want to take off early, but my mission in doing so was somewhat complete as Kris' Burb is running again.

[sevenslats]

Couple of shots I found in the Gallery and thought were good.

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/3/7/9/8/Tomfullsteamahead.JPG

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2076.JPG

[ChevyKev]

It was a good day. A few observations:

Kelly can't follow directions. I clearly told him to straddle that rut. :whistle:

See!




http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2076.JPG

[78calico]

Looks like Kelly just made the cover of the new calender.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[TJVigilante]

I bet Lorna's gonna be pissed when she sees that pic! :p

[ajpthng]

For those who didn't make the run you missed out on a very good run! Even though I only got about 3-4 hours of sleep I stuck it out and made the run, my dad had a blast! He couldn't get over how well everyones rigs were built and how the performed on the trail, he even made a few comments about kellys WJ and if I was going to lift Roses any higher and put bigger tires on it. I think one of my interesting parts of the day was on the play hill, I was following "The Little Zuki That Could" as my dad said up the play hill and fight at the very top Kevin was standing watching everyone. As I was going up the same line Marek did I seen nothing but sky and as the front of my vehicle was getting back to level I see Kevin's hand stretched up as high as he could reach pointing to the right. I cranked my wheels and when I leveled out I could now see what Kevin was steering me away from, about a 4 foot drop :eek: THANKS KEVIN! I didn't feel or don't ever feel like trying out the roll cage :D.

The bottom of the loop was very interesting, their were some times I didn't know if I was going to stop due to my tires locking up and sliding. I think the only one who had real problems going into the lower loop was me and justin, I tried slow crawling the first hill out and didn't quite make it so I had to back down and give it some more gas in a different gear and made it with no problems. Justin had a couple areas where it looked like he was maxed out in flex and his tracktion just gave way, a slight back up and off he would go.

Had a blast and so did my dad! I had made the comment about trying to run the lower loop the other way. Maybe next time we get out that way and we have time we can try it. Here as some of the pic's that were taken.

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2092.JPG

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2093.JPG

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2083.JPG

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2085.JPG

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2078.JPG

http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/gallery/files/2/6/8/IMGP2077.JPG

[ajpthng]

I will post the other ones as soon as they load.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfYOVSuu3EQ

[ajpthng]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIMcpQgKL0k

[justimpact]

cool vidieos

[sevenslats]

Mr. Dictator, sir

Where's your pics? I'm looking for 1 in particular.

[sevenslats]

Oops. I guess that should read "President".

[Fix_It]

cool to see so many full size rigs on the trail again . starting to balance out the jeep numbers lol .. dont see any more yots though thats sad .

[akram]

Man Kelly's WJ sounds mean. lol

[akdsmer]

Mr. Dictator, sir

Where's your pics? I'm looking for 1 in particular.

I tried to load them to the ride gallery, but the pictures wouldn't show. I figured you were getting even with me by hijacking my permissions. :)

I see they are showing up now, so I'll finish loading them tonight.