MJ Rocks Rausch Creek 15-16JAN2011 Report

[korisu56]

Attendees

WB Powell : YJ
RescueJP : CJ7
myself with CJGumby as passenger : CJ7

CJGumby and myself got to RC around 1545 on Friday to set up camp. We had a scare because when we pulled up, the cable was up blocking access. Luckily, I had my smart phone and jumped on their site, got an emergency contact number and was granted access. For future uses, make sure you make reservations at RC for camping.

Since we were using CJGumby's truck to pull my dolly, we couldn't just reverse it back up. We moved down the road to look for a place to turn around. About a mile out, we said screw it and unloaded the CJ. We let it warm up for a few minutes, got the truck turned around and started to head back up to the park. I led with the CJ and about 250m up a hill the ****er putters out and dies. Yay. Not even wheeling yet and I screwed up the CJ. Turns out it just wasn't warm enough yet (fault of my own and will start in another thread) and flooded. I found out because I dialed 911 (Mountain Valley Customs) and Damien walked me through what I should do and squared me away. The incline was what screwed me. Anywho...

Up at the campsite, CJGumby and I set up camp right by the gate IOT wait for WB Powell's arrival. He made pretty good time. However, it was just about dark when he got there. Around 2300, rescuejp says he wants to get in on the fun. We had almost killed our 100 proof SoCo and were enjoying the campfire in the frigid cold. Steve got up there around 0130 and we wound up crashing out around 0345 or 0400. I don't remember.

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At 0730 we all woke up and made breakfast, then headed down to the gas station to top off, grab coffee, and actual breakfast. We were on the trails by 0845. 6" of snow makes a world of difference. In the summer I'm doing blue/blacks in my CJ. We were moving along on greens and struggling on blues. We took B over to Power Line trail to get to the farthest section and work our way back. We stopped at a little section that has some fun hill climbs just go warm up.

Summer:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm317/korisu56/26Jun10%20Rausch%20Creek/P6250114.jpg

Winter:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm317/korisu56/RC%2015-16JAN2011/DSCN1295.jpg

Seems snow and ice add a degree of difficulty. Steve and I got stuck screwing around. I slid and slammed down on my rear bumper and got stuck, Steve got stuck because every time he moved forward he would slide towards this 3' drop off. Took us about an hour to get everyone mobile again.

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[korisu56]

By lunch time, we had hit one actual trail and did 4 recoveries. Me off the rock, Steve twice from the same rut, and WB from a mud hole after he bust through ice.

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Then, since WB was talking so much shit, Karma bit him in the ass. Needed the winch on this one.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm317/korisu56/RC%2015-16JAN2011/DSCN1322.jpg

After lunch, we decided to tackle our first blue. We took 1A I think and I was in the lead. Unfortunately, we didn't take many pics, but it took us over an hour, 9 guys, and every piece of recovery gear we had to get me out. The trail has a steep incline on the left, and deep decline on the right. I took a hard left to start heading up, slid into a tree. Between the rocks and trees, we couldn't get me going anywhere. 3 trees later, a group of passer-bys stopped and we literally just picked up the ass end and moved it to where I needed. I hit up by the passenger mirror on the cowl, and the right rear by the flare. The only pic

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm317/korisu56/RC%2015-16JAN2011/DSCN1326.jpg

From there on out, we just rolled with it.

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[korisu56]

Snapped a group pic and moved to town for dinner and the Ravens game. Really good day of wheeling followed by a great nights sleep. RescueYj and WB Powell stayed this morning and they can continue the report.

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[CJGumby]

Awesome trip both camping and wheeling. Thanks to Steve, I should have the CJ5 ready to go for Rausch Creek by next month..."SHOULD". And on another positive note - all of the recovery gear got to serve its purpose within about 2 hours haha. WB Powell and RescueJP glad you guys could make it out :beer:.

[WB Powell]

korisu56 great write up, i had a blast with yall. great chance to push the limits of the YJ. today we wheeled for about 2 hours i think but i lost track of time, nobody got stuck, i dont think we took a single picture. ran a few blues and called it a day. i bent a rear shock mount, but a "little" dent in the drivers side from about the rear of the front wheel well to the front of the rear. i will post some pics tomorrow after i find my camera. all in all a great time, thanks again guys.

[WB Powell]

i also want to add that the ice i broke through was about 6 inches thick, only Karma could have done that.:rolleyes: scared the crap out of me, thought i lost a axle shaft.

[korisu56]

Haha. Well, nothing will beat steve's near-tears experience of that ledge. I thought he was gonna cry. Hahahah

[WB Powell]

it was pretty funny. he will be recovering parts of his seat out of his fourth point of contact for the next month.

[RescueJP]

Im ok with flopping but not my new cj first trip out within the first hour lol. I got the old cj down and figured out though, did take some trail damage on the driver side front fender. o well I just placed my order for tube fenders.

[zuba]

Great pics ! Looks like you guys had some fun, no broken parts must of been a good weekend

[korisu56]

Oh yeah...damage. I snapped my mirror and dented where I hit the tree on the cowl. Other than that....good to hook.

[WB Powell]

i got a few dents here and there but nothing that wont buff out, lol. i have yet to do a full undercarriage inspection, i know i bent a rear shock mount this morning, more to follow tomorrow.

[korisu56]

i have a pretty new scar on the belly up. at least I got it

[Dragline]

Looks like you guys had a fun time and the pics are great, I was in the area (approx 20 minutes away) but had other commitments at the homestead. Maybe next time...