Mt. Blanca 9/12-13/2015

[JadeRunner]

Got ya. With all the traffic and weather that trail gets I can see how it was dug up more and how things probably changed.

I believe you only have a rear locker Issac. Correct? So that's very impressive. You guys all must have drove like pro's over all those obstacles. Well done!

 

[AxleIke]

Oh no no no....I got my front installed (finally, its only been like 2 months its been sitting on my shelf) before this run.

Double locked and double cased. Its probably possible to do it without a front locker, but it would have annoyed everyone else so I wanted to make sure I got it in.

 

[Crash]

It was a fast and furious weekend except for the drive from Poncha Springs to Denver on 285, which was mostly furious. Two complete stops on Kenosha Pass? It was also the best wheeling weekend I've experienced in Colorado. Blanca Peak certainly isn't the most difficult trail in Colorado, as I've seen it designated online and in print but it does have some spots that are completely unforgiving of those not up to the task. Sharing the trail with folks who maintain their vehicles and know how to drive them is a richly rewarding experience and this crew had those two requisites covered, in spades. No breakage and no sniveling on how to tackle some daunting obstacles although I think we all had our fair share of pucker moments. It should also be mentioned they know how to recreate after the driving is done for the day. We solved quite a few of the world's problems Saturday night but couldn't remember the answers come Sunday morning so I guess we'll have to try it again.
It was clear that Uncle Ben is ready for hunting season as he spotted the Big Horn up against some rocks the same color as the beast from about 250-300 yards. Good job on getting an IPhone pic through the binocs, dude, and many thanks for organizing and leading this run. It was a gas, gas, gas.
Should also add a big THANK YOU to Christo for building such awesome bumpers and sliders. They were put to the test on this run and passed with flying colors.

 

[Uncle Ben]

That is so cool that you guys made the whole trail with relative ease. Way to go

This is the line that Markofsky and I took. No shoulder pushing was required. So you cant call it the Yodekofsky Stopper since it didn't stop us.

Just checking to see if you read or just look at pictures!

 

[Inukshuk]

This is the line that Markofsky and I took. No shoulder pushing was required. So you cant call it the Yodekofsky Stopper since it didn't stop us.

barely felt it.... Yoder was an excellent spotter! (last year)

So cool you made it to the lake. a fresh rock slide stopped us.

 

[LARGEONE]

ÜB...post 27 looks like my truck before the clear coat started peeling off!

I guess I'll need to choose 35" tires for my next set if I want to take the 80 up there?!

 

[Uncle Ben]

ÜB...post 27 looks like my truck before the clear coat started peeling off!

I guess I'll need to choose 35" tires for my next set if I want to take the 80 up there?!

That was the first time I took my 80 up there. Obviously, it changes year to year but for a big wagon I think 35's are minimum size. Isaac did great on 33's in his much smaller 3rd Gen Runner. Years ago my first trip there was on N78x 15's on my 40. Besides nature the bigger tires on our vehicles change the difficulty of the trails we do! Whats funny about that statement is Jaws 2 was a much bigger obsticle than it is now! But then again not much wheelin' on the tougher trails was done in wagons back then. In response to a remark made about Blanca being the toughest trail, it was back in the day! Once upon a time it was an annual trip for RS!

 

[Uncle Ben]

I will also note that except for the altitude, shelf trails and length we compared it to Rubicon several times this weekend. The slick granite, non stop little obstacles, formidable big obsticles and incredible beauty (often missed as your focussing on where your tires need to be) all are very similer.

 

[AxleIke]

Paul,

Can't speak to an 80 but 33s were fine for me. 35s would have made no difference in skid or armor whacks and the wheel base is too long on either to avoid a turtle on Jaws 1 or 2. You just take the lower lines on both and it's all good.

If you have enough steel, you'll be fine. You will want armor on the belly regardless. I have a very good memory of Kevin slipping a tad on one of the many boulders in the trail and coming down with a loud clang on his middle. A resounding "Thank you Christo!" Echoed over the radio directly after that.

And good parts are going to be way more important than tire size on any vehicle. If you have worn out anything, this trail will find it. And as its narrow and on a shelf for a lot of the way, breakage could be more serious than in other places. That's not to say you won't break with an entirely brand new truck, but with worn stuff, breakage goes from a possibility to a likely hood.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Paul,

Can't speak to an 80 but 33s were fine for me. 35s would have made no difference in skid or armor whacks and the wheel base is too long on either to avoid a turtle on Jaws 1 or 2. You just take the lower lines on both and it's all good.

If you have enough steel, you'll be fine. You will want armor on the belly regardless. I have a very good memory of Kevin slipping a tad on one of the many boulders in the trail and coming down with a loud clang on his middle. A resounding "Thank you Christo!" Echoed over the radio directly after that.

And good parts are going to be way more important than tire size on any vehicle. If you have worn out anything, this trail will find it. And as its narrow and on a shelf for a lot of the way, breakage could be more serious than in other places. That's not to say you won't break with an entirely brand new truck, but with worn stuff, breakage goes from a possibility to a likely hood.

Isaac is spot on in this post! I have been asked by a few people why I moved this run to members only. This is exactly why, as I wanted to know the people on the trail so I know if their stuff is maintained or not. I am happy to help anyone who needs help but the other side of that coin is I dont enjoy fixing the same trucks on the trail that broke on the last one. There was no time alotted for that on this run as its a 5 hour drive away and a 3+ hour trail. I wheel for fun and enjoyment. Rising Sun is an open club and welcomes all folks on all of its runs which is an awesome thing because we can we can teach our knowledge and we can help those learn how to safely fix their vehicles. Blanca and other more tougher trails are not the place to do those assessments in my opinion. Stuff happens but ignoring fixing something at home you know is iffy almost guarantees stuff WILL happen! Membership in the club should have some enticements unless we are just another Forum group.

 

[Crash]

My pics are mostly scenery but here a few. Most of the time I was concentrating on the trail and hanging on to the steering wheel with both hands! I think all of us on the trail were doing the same. It was a thrilling ride.

 

[Crash]

Thanks! Not bad for a 15 year old Nikon CoolPix camera. It's interesting that there aren't very many action shots but that's for good reason, imo. When moving we were all closely watching the trail and when we all stopped at an obstacle, we were concentrating on line picking and ensuring that the guy on the obstacle was covered on all corners so not much opportunity for photography. No "that guy" with this crew although it could well have been me but I got a little lucky. I was aware that the ARB compressor on the 62 is getting a little tired and due for replacement. The trail is steep almost all of the way so underhood temps were really high. By the time we got to the top, the pump was able to lock the lockers but not raise the pressure high enough to shut off. A little less rigorous run and it would have been fine but I pushed it a tad to far, in retrospect. My hat is off to you, Marco and Andy, for making good decisions to work on your stuff rather than press issues. Good job!

 

[LXBRADY]

Pictures

Issac on Jaws 1 in
Kevin on Jaws 2 in
Issac on Jaws 2 in
Kevin on Jaws 1 out
Robbie on Jaws 1 out

Camp beer, wine in a Super 8 cup, and whiskey.