Blanca 2012

[Inukshuk]

Dates are firm. Who do we have.

My climbing friends know and agree that certain aspects of these particular 14ners are serious technical climbing for experienced climbers with helmets and ropes. At least one is just a good hike. No hiking required at all.

 

[Inukshuk]

I'm bummed its the rally weekend as I really like the rally, but I have committed so I hope we still rally (pun intended) a good crew. Who is in?

 

[PhatFJ]

I'm a solid maybe as well

 

[kpudden]

I would be very interested as well...gotta get some revenge with Blanca, she (acutally Jaws 2.5) chewed off a flare and mud-flap from my crappy wheel placement. Great destination, i got a cabin over on La Veta pass so it won't be big deal for me. Below is my 80 playing on Jaws from a few years back...it will definitely keep your attention towards the top.

 

[PhatFJ]

I would be very interested as well...gotta get some revenge with Blanca, she (acutally Jaws 2.5) chewed off a flare and mud-flap from my crappy wheel placement. Great destination, i got a cabin over on La Veta pass so it won't be big deal for me. Below is my 80 playing on Jaws from a few years back...it will definitely keep your attention towards the top.

Very , we have property down in near Coke Dale. I LOVE highway-12 (the highway of legends) and the entire Wahatoya area..
Blanca should be a great time...

 

[kpudden]

Very , we have property down in near Coke Dale. I LOVE highway-12 (the highway of legends) and the entire Wahatoya area..
Blanca should be a great time...

Never been down highway-12...sounds like time to do some exploring.

 

[JadeRunner]

I'm planing on going. I climbed Little Bear to Blanca in the early 90's as my 1st 14r. No helmet or ropes. I will have a helmet this year for going up Little Bear. But, I hope there will be someone else wanting to climb Little Bear then Blanca with me without ropes so we can keep moving. Granted you can't be afraid of heights and exposure. You have less control and more risk driving a rig on 33's over the Jaws obstacles IMO. Personally, I'm not sure I can make all the obstacles without a winch. Especially since those aren't the type of obstacles you can just go for it on. I image coming down them will be even scarier.

 

[Inukshuk]

I'm planing on going. I climbed Little Bear to Blanca in the early 90's as my 1st 14r. No helmet or ropes. I will have a helmet this year for going up Little Bear. But, I hope there will be someone else wanting to climb Little Bear then Blanca with me without ropes so we can keep moving. Granted you can't be afraid of heights and exposure. You have less control and more risk driving a rig on 33's over the Jaws obstacles IMO. Personally, I'm not sure I can make all the obstacles without a winch. Especially since those aren't the type of obstacles you can just go for it on. I image coming down them will be even scarier.

Great on this and all replies. Scott - I will e-mail you and put you directly in touch with my friend Sharon who is climb coordinator.

 

[Inukshuk]

Getting closer. I'll update post 1 and review when we should hit the road.
UB - sorry you won't make it - you were the inspiration!

 

[pmccumber]

I'm still planning on going. I'd like to do one of the 14ers. Don't really care which. Need one of em though. Should be cool.

 

[Inukshuk]

I'm still planning on going. I'd like to do one of the 14ers. Don't really care which. Need one of em though. Should be cool.

Sweet. Now that my big bike ride is passed, I am refocusing to this.

Blanca and Ellingwood for Saturday. Difficult Class 2. Little Bear for the brave Sunday. Not me. Its Class 4.

I think the plan will be to camp Thursday night at the bottom of the road and tackle it Friday AM. Climb Saturday. Leave Sunday.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2004/colorado_trails/

Got some GPS data. Attached. Seems we can camp not too far in off the pavement.

 

[Inukshuk]

Post 1 updated. Please check your status.

Please PM me your full name, phone #, rig (type and general mods), extra people or gear you could haul in, and your experience level.

This is a 33" tires and locker minimum trail. Lets also get a winch count.

Example: Daniel Markofsky, (303) _____ - _______. I have a 1993 FZJ80 with 33" Nitto Terra Grapplers, factory lockers, no winch. Good roof rack, sliders, 3 passenger seats, experienced with 15 years wheeling & Moab trail leading.

 

[JadeRunner]

I'm thinking 35's or bigger and being well built (lockers, armor and winch) and you would be in the comfort zone.

With my 33's, even being well built, I 'm thinking I'm going to get hung up in a dangerous position. Requiring a controlled winch to get over safely. In which case on the way down. sliding down over the obstacles will be the tricky part. But, that's just my opinion. I haven't driven it before. Just walked it years ago on a climbing trip.

 

[LXBRADY]

I'm thinking 35's or bigger and being well built (lockers, armor and winch) and you would be in the comfort zone.

With my 33's, even being well built, I 'm thinking I'm going to get hung up in a dangerous position. Requiring a controlled winch to get over safely. In which case on the way down. sliding down over the obstacles will be the tricky part. But, that's just my opinion. I haven't driven it before. Just walked it years ago on a climbing trip.

I thought everything is easy peasy after Escalator

 

[Fishy]

I sent Dan a message this morning. I don't think me or my rig are ready/prepared for such a tough trail. I've done as much research as I could.

33's, lifted, ATRAC, center diff lock, sliders, bumper. Winch shoud be on by then but full skids might not be. This is probably above my level and I don't want to be the one who holds everyone else up because I'm not prepared. I'm better off waiting til next year.

Parking down low and hiking up the road to Lake Como might not be out of the question though.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Blanca really isn't that bad especially since they made Jaws 2 less dangerous! With a good group and good spotters 33's are perfect minimum size tires! I can't say who will have problems but if you're the guy who has that iffy thing on your truck that has been iffy or was "jury rigged" a while back you will most likely be the guy who will cause the most frustration on the trail! If you keep your stuff maintained and are patient and willing to listen to your spotters you will have very little problem. Jaws 1 and 2.5 will test your traction/lockers.....the rest of the trail will test your attitude! Many near stock vehicles do this trail often! Other side of the coin is I have seen very well built trucks struggle or break on this trail too! It is a drivers trail!

 

[JadeRunner]

Thanks for the input UB. We tend to listen to you for some reason.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Thanks for the input UB. We tend to listen to you for some reason.

Suckers!

 

[Rzeppa]

UB's advice sounds almost exactly like what Rob Merideth used to tell me about trails I wasn't sure I could make (Spring Creek, most of Moab, etc.). I wonder if he secretly thought "suckers"

 

[Inukshuk]

UB's advice sounds almost exactly like what Rob Merideth used to tell me about trails I wasn't sure I could make (Spring Creek, most of Moab, etc.). I wonder if he secretly thought "suckers"

Thanks for the input UB. We tend to listen to you for some reason.