^^ this guys talkin' sense!
CK5
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Ideas for BB18
- Thread starter Blazooki
- Start date
This times a billion.
It's only been in the last few years that we've not had to run parts for people from town, I think the overall preparedness level has increased.
That said I have been driving the same vehicle in Moab since Oct. of 2003, I along with several others have been there, done that have the broken parts to hang on the wall. We've learned and already cut our teeth so it's easy for us to make it through trails fast and easy. It's also really easy for us veterans to quickly analyse a situation and decide how to proceed. Heck, last year I broke a stub shaft on Rock Pile, backed off, pull the broken chunks, was winched up the rock pile, pulled up yellow hill and the group peeled out. It was no big deal, but we know that from years of experience. I think this sort of action and attitude is what needs to be pushed, both to help speed up runs but to provide others some experience with how to handle things.
I haven't heard the full story of Crack and Back but I know for a fact getting a fully dead vehicle up from the Crack sucks. Hate to say it but the faster way out may? have been through poison spider? Longer but easier pull????? Once you have a tough recovery or tow happening you need the strongest players on that task and the rest of the group needs to get themselves out and not have issues, I.e. easy lines and keep their issues to a minimum just as Brent said above.
Communications are important but also remember that a CB or radio doesn't replace the fact that you keep the guy behind you in sight and stop at intersections. If this simple rule is adhered to strictly you will soon find the slow guys and the fast ones. If the pace is too slow the trail leader has to make a decision, keep pushing or revise the group. I like having multiple people on a trail run that know the trail and where they are, you can always split groups up and have the fast guys move on ahead. More than once I've finished a trail and waited or even gone back to make sure the trucks moving slower were coming along.
The issues with communications, large groups with varied speeds, vehicles that are put together last minute and untested, etc. are nothing new to BB. Go back for years and we've beat on this many times. We've had 30 vehicle groups do the full Golden spike run and suffered mightily because of that whole list of problems. I already see half a dozen "builds" being revised and redone because of the trip to BB this year. That's great but I would honestly encourage everyone to simply check their rigs over, fix what needs fixing, tighten bolts etc. and go use them. Daily drive it, go on that easy rough road scenic run with your buddies, spend some seat time and keep fixing what breaks as it happens. You'll come to Moab next year a better driver and while you may not have installed that locker, hydro assist, new engine, lift or axles you're actually going to have a solid vehicle under you that won't have those little pesky issues and you'll know how to drive it around all those things that you don't have.
There's sure some smart sh*t being said on this thread! And I think its awesome that you guys with the experience are taking the time to write it out in detail.
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As a first timer, a handful of things were apparent to me as to how this club runs trails:
- I am responsible for bringing a functional and appropriately capable rig to the trailhead, and having the tools to work on it or at least recover it - stuff breaks, parts fail, but everyone seemed familiar with their rig and knew where to start diagnosing a problem.
- I am responsible for choosing the trail that suits my truck and driving style and skill level, and while a tech inspection may not be feasible, minimum equipment guidelines are always helpul - lockers, tire size, difficulty rating, pucker factor, etc.
- I am responsible for the person behind me - taken seriously and followed by most folks; we did a good job of this on Crack n Back and Hells Revenge.
- Everyone works together to get through the trail and back to camp.
I have had the luxury of riding around and talking with the veterans a lot. My first Blazer Bash I rode shotgun and took tons of mental notes. When I first brought my truck I was scared I would be that guy.
This year I broke my truck, I knew it had issues but knew if I changed it I might create a bigger problem. I figured if it broke i wouldn't slow anyone down much. I left it and broke and bent my shock. 5 min repair and I was back on the trail and decided to take the easy way out following the ORD white truck. On the way out I burned up 5 fuel pump fuses, probably about 10 mins later I knew the fix, temp fixed it and drove all the way back to the camp and parked it.
I agree with stuff happens you can't be prepared for everything.
This year I broke my truck, I knew it had issues but knew if I changed it I might create a bigger problem. I figured if it broke i wouldn't slow anyone down much. I left it and broke and bent my shock. 5 min repair and I was back on the trail and decided to take the easy way out following the ORD white truck. On the way out I burned up 5 fuel pump fuses, probably about 10 mins later I knew the fix, temp fixed it and drove all the way back to the camp and parked it.
I agree with stuff happens you can't be prepared for everything.
Maybe i will get with wade and see about making a basic vehicle checklist we could add to the bb website (getting insight from experenced dudes like we have on this thread would be very helpful). The list could include radios, fire extinguishers, spill kits, first aid kits, tools, mechanical checkpoints, service....... newbs would know the weak points to investigate without guessing. also suggest daily driving rigs after a major upgrade so you dont discover issues in moab.
**No this would not prevent the random crazy breaks**
I know i check over my vehicles with a fine tooth comb before i go on any trip. I have also learned from 17+ years of driving these things what will (typically) break and what MUST be serviced or checked prior to wheeling.
i envision a legit checklist someone who doesnt know could literally walk around and look at. i have found so many issues i had no idea about while checking dumb things.
With this said breakdowns never seem to be a "major issue" for the trails i have run despite me towing people two years in a row.
**No this would not prevent the random crazy breaks**
I know i check over my vehicles with a fine tooth comb before i go on any trip. I have also learned from 17+ years of driving these things what will (typically) break and what MUST be serviced or checked prior to wheeling.
i envision a legit checklist someone who doesnt know could literally walk around and look at. i have found so many issues i had no idea about while checking dumb things.
With this said breakdowns never seem to be a "major issue" for the trails i have run despite me towing people two years in a row.
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We should all drive Jeep's. They never break.
agreed, i'll trade my blazers in tomorrow 
Then we could wheel like this.
LOL OMG I need one of these
There are a few equipment guidelines at the top of the trail description page of the blazerbash.com website. It's probably been a while since they were looked over again so maybe they are outdated.
We have a couple of lists that were made up several years ago; I attached them here. I think @blazinzuk created at least 1 of them. The old software we used to register for the event would allow us to email people a copy of it when they registered. In thinking about this more, we could create a page with the list that people would be redirected to after the checkout process for registration.
I have all sorts of philosophies and theories I could share about the event. Unfortunately in the reality of the framework we have to work within we will never solve all the problems. I do sincerely feel that these discussions do help even if some may feel they lead no where because no real visible action comes out of them. That's okay because you are creating an atmosphere of awareness and people are thinking about these things even if they aren't sure why.
If anything this discussion makes me want to get more involved and see how i can help. 
If @blazinzuk wrote a list we need to review it that guy is nuts
I think having a pinned post somewhere with these lists long before registration even happens would be a good idea. People could review the list and decide before they even sign up if they are truely trail worthy/ready. (it would be a good list for any group wheeling trip not just bb)
If @blazinzuk wrote a list we need to review it that guy is nuts
I think having a pinned post somewhere with these lists long before registration even happens would be a good idea. People could review the list and decide before they even sign up if they are truely trail worthy/ready. (it would be a good list for any group wheeling trip not just bb)
BTW these lists are good
If anything this discussion makes me want to get more involved and see how i can help.
Same here, I'll be volunteering for mid/tailgunner spots next year at least. BB18 will be a transitional year, no reason we can't all help out.
One of the issues we'll run into though (Wade ran into this) is that the seasoned veterans don't want to do Crack N Back or Fin's N Things. Thankfully Chris Perry hung out as TG for Wade even though I'm sure he would have rather run Rusty Nail with us.
In all reality an "all day trail" for a fairly large Blazer Bash group is a 3-5 hour trail for a seasoned veterans group (barring any of the unforseen issues we've spoken of in this thread). I've personally run Golden Spike in 5 hours with a nice stop for lunch at the crack, the group we ran with this year for Blazer Bash finished Pritchett in 3 hours (top of Yellow Hill). Not everyone wants to go that fast, and I can understand that. That's why for the last few years I've been very picky about who goes with me on the trails I lead.
I'm not sure how we go about finding experienced trail leaders that are OK with taking all day to run a trail, much less 3 of them (lead, mid and tail). I know Brandon and I make a hell of a team for the experienced guys that want to bomb through 20-30 miles of trail and make it back to town for dinner.
In all reality an "all day trail" for a fairly large Blazer Bash group is a 3-5 hour trail for a seasoned veterans group (barring any of the unforseen issues we've spoken of in this thread). I've personally run Golden Spike in 5 hours with a nice stop for lunch at the crack, the group we ran with this year for Blazer Bash finished Pritchett in 3 hours (top of Yellow Hill). Not everyone wants to go that fast, and I can understand that. That's why for the last few years I've been very picky about who goes with me on the trails I lead.
I'm not sure how we go about finding experienced trail leaders that are OK with taking all day to run a trail, much less 3 of them (lead, mid and tail). I know Brandon and I make a hell of a team for the experienced guys that want to bomb through 20-30 miles of trail and make it back to town for dinner.
Brent nailed it in that last paragraph. I have often wondered if the Red Rock 4 Wheelers would lead trails. I know guys in my local club would do it here but I've never had the friendliest vibe from the Red Rock 4 Wheelers. One year I donated money we raised raffling tube doors to the legal defense fund, about $500, and never received an acknowledgement.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
for those trails with a whole bunch of people it would be nice to find someway that the folks in the front didn't have to wait for everyone to catch up before they started on the trail again after taking a break. I know the last time when I was in the back of the trail leader had already been taking a break for 10 or 15 minutes so by the time I got there he was already done and taken off so I didn't get to take a break. If there's someway to break up the big group in the two or three smaller groups that are only spread out by maybe five minutes that might help. It could also keep The other smaller groups moving if one group has to stop and get something fixed
This is tough...
As a total moab newb...
I couldn't lead a trail, but I still feel confident enough to bring up the a$$. Or run mid...
Doesn't mean that we race down the trail either...
Everyone is there to have a good time, but the bigger deal is meet and greet with other chevy blazer lovers. (Pickups and suburbans too). It has to be expected that this is an "everyone event". Trail riding should be a number 2 or 3 priority, but it shouldn't be expected that everyone be on the best equipment with the ballenest gear.
If anyone expects to show and not be helped or have to help others, than start you own event called professional moab experts only.
As a total moab newb...
I couldn't lead a trail, but I still feel confident enough to bring up the a$$. Or run mid...
Doesn't mean that we race down the trail either...
Everyone is there to have a good time, but the bigger deal is meet and greet with other chevy blazer lovers. (Pickups and suburbans too). It has to be expected that this is an "everyone event". Trail riding should be a number 2 or 3 priority, but it shouldn't be expected that everyone be on the best equipment with the ballenest gear.
If anyone expects to show and not be helped or have to help others, than start you own event called professional moab experts only.
I think have sign ups for the lead, mid and tail gunners, if you don't get volunteers ahead of time ask for volunteers during the drivers meetings. We can stand there awkwardly until we get some leaders but I bet most guys would happily be mid or tail gunner.
For what it's worth I'll be mid or tail for any trail I'm on from now on if it helps. Shit I think the three trucks I'm usually with will take tail or mid gunner with zero encouraging.
For what it's worth I'll be mid or tail for any trail I'm on from now on if it helps. Shit I think the three trucks I'm usually with will take tail or mid gunner with zero encouraging.
