I know there are not supposed to be winners in a "non competition" but I'd like to congradulate Jody Everding and Jack Graef of team Rawx racing for being the (unofficial of course) WINNERS in an estimated time of 79:39:00 not bad for the weather conditions.
The first day was relatively uneventfull but combining teams Jason Scherer and myself in the Rage 4th CJ and the RawX team there in J-Valley tured out to be the life saver, quite litterally I think. Sun Bonet and Outerlimits did nothing that we didn't come expecting, it was the road miles that got us first when Jody's rear end began to smoke and slowed the rig to a near halt in California traffic. Having allready agrreed to stay with our wingmen through thick or thin we got them to a shop that didn't have the talent but did have the tools and didn't seem to mind us making ourselves at home. What turned out to be a lucky need for some more oil and a reajustment of the pinion bearing preload only added about 4 hours to our time.
Back on the road we found more snow than we imagined when we hit Ice House Road so another four hours spent backtracking so we could spend a total of $1100 in a Placeville sporting goods store and the hardware store next door was just enough time for us to call it a night in Pollack Pines at the Stage coach inn, get a good meal in us and head out well prepared in the morning. A smart move considering by the fact that we hadn't seen anyone or crossed a single alleged "check point" we weren't as worried about who we were beating and starting to think about surviving being the winning part of this trip. The ' Con in the snow is an awsome thing and very beautiful but in too much snow you'd better know what you doing, we didn't. Thank god for our Outrigger 4 season tents they were worth every penny. I'm pretty sure we recryoed our CTM axles and joints by the time we made paved road again. Good team work is important to getting any job done and I think Jason and Jack are ready for Camel trophy now after keeping me and Jody from both being stuck at the same time for 14 hours while we took turns breaking trail this was no amatures' task. The brand new shovel we bought got more use around the camp fire than it did to dig us out.
The short road miles to Fordyce were no big deal and thanks to good swimming by Jody "short stick" Everding and quality winches we made it though the two river crossings without much effort. It was interesting how the difference in a few miles and maybe some elevation made for such different snow wheeling between the 2 trails. We actually made better time on Fordyce than we have durring the summer a few times, fourth gear low range and hammer it was the softest way through and a whole bunch of fun, but trees still hurt when they're wet and that "memory" will be with Jason, Me and the passengers side of the Jeep for some time. Yes, I did say two river crossings... I'm not going to lie, by the time we reached this point we had figured out that we were the only ones stupid enough to do this and we ducked out the shortcut for hot chocolate at Cisco Grove (which is free when you order it with blue lips, just so you know).
Any way we made it as far as Boomtown and sat down to decide who won . Neither of us could have done it without the other and we thought about a high speed race to the Reno Biggest little town in the World sign but by this time the amount of booze in us had that idea comming a little late. So it was decided that since Jody had definately done more pulling me out than I had him ( inclunding the 9 miles by rope to the nearest propane selling gas station) we had two winners and two winners that would conceed to first loser. I congradulate Jody and Jack and we loved every minute of it. Now that I can think with a thawed brain again I'll go wheeling with you guys again any day, thanks Jason for the "we can do it attitude" even when things were looking like we shouldn't try.

Rage 4th

You guys fawkin rock... I'll admit, when I first started reading your story, I was bummed that I didn't know you guys were going and that I missed out on the fun. By the time I got to the end... I was just fine with missing out... this time.


Good work

Dave

Congrats all around.............. :eek:

That's why we are waiting until spring to run the "OFFICIAL" run

Glad you all survived

Rich

My fawkin toes still hurt!! And I think I'm gunna lose part of my ear! Allthough I do have some Thanks to Give, 1st I would like to Thank Jack!! Truely a warrior of the trail He will destroy!!! Jeff and Jason for bustin out the credit card at the sporting goods store!! All my stuff still has the tags on it!! do you think we can return it?? My wife is a little bummed about my ear! Thanks And Pro Comp Xterrains kick Butt in the Snow!!

OK.......I'm confooooooozed! It was canceled but you guys ran it anyway?

OK.......I'm confooooooozed! It was canceled but you guys ran it anyway?

Yes, the official run was postponed due to the harsh conditions and time constraits we were going to be under.

These Iron men braved the elements on their own, and beat them....... :eek:
:cool2: :D

Rich

Sounds like fun guys! The Con was beautiful last weekend, how did you like the Slush Ponds? :D Did it get a bit wet? :laughing:I know the water was at least 37'' in a few spots!!! Was it any higher for you? :D

That was the coldest I have been in my whole life, but I would do it again with hardcore guys like Jody, Jeff, and Jack. Thanks to Jody and a "get er done" attitude when pulling us out of the snow. I think I will remember this as a good experience someday. (I'm just not sure how long that will be) Congrats to Jack and Jody on an incredible display of teamwork and dedication and to Jeff for keeping me on the edge of my seat for 3 days straight. Can't wait to defend our runner up title next year!

You guy's are truely insane!

Saw Jody's jeep today...he was telling me how about halfway through his rig started squeaking loudly and that he had Jack out and under the rig lots of times trying to figure out the problem. I immediatly knew what is was as my rig had had a similar issue in the past...anyone want to guess what I found by knowing where to look?




















Yep, driver's framerail was busted ALL the way around right under his tranny x-member. He's got a bolt on plate that covered him from seeing it and the only thing holding that frame together was two 3/8's bolts that hold his skid plate on. When I asked where he first heard the squeek, he told me it was just past Bishop :eek: :eek: :eek: He still had two trails to do after that... :eek: :eek: :eek: Jeff, if your rig is in any better shape than Jody's, then I'd call you the official winner...his rig is TRASHED.

How many guys ran it? You guys are nuts, but congrats on getting it done. An event with 300 competitors would have been a big cluster, but the snow trails would be easy after the frist 20 rigs went through.

And who was the sponsor of this trail ride? Jack Daniels and the 20' foot bar?


:D :D :D :D

Jeff, Jason, Jodi & Jack are you guys going to tell what happened between Las Vegas and the Hammers. This story is worth telling. All I can say is it involves a cop, a dog and a homeless woman.

All I can say is it involves a cop, a dog and a topless woman.
fixed it... :D

Dustin my Jeep has been worked over like this so long it doesn't know any better, Jody's is still a work over in progress. You'll get to see it this week end at the Women's event if we get a few things done.
Nobody could know how much of a trooper Jason is unless they were here last night helping with another 1:00 am wrenchfest, (now realize that Dude gets up at 4:00 to go run a business) I hope he made it to work ok today and his eye isn't swollen shut, the irony of the trip is that after a two day snow and ice water dueshe (sp) he was underneath beating the skid plate back together enough to get a weld on it and SAND from Pismo 2 1/2 weeks ago came dumping out, alot of sand! I don't know how or where it stayed all this time but some of it got in his right eye and he was pretty bloodshot when he left.

Ruff Ruff Tell the story Ruff Ruff Tell the story Ruff Ruff Tell the story Ruff Ruff Tell the story Ruff Ruff Tell the story

Great story Jeff! :flipoff2: Add a small intro and some pics and it would be magazine worthy. Awsome adventure.
Larry

Saw Jody's jeep today...he was telling me how about halfway through his rig started squeaking loudly and that he had Jack out and under the rig lots of times trying to figure out the problem. I immediatly knew what is was as my rig had had a similar issue in the past...anyone want to guess what I found by knowing where to look?




















Yep, driver's framerail was busted ALL the way around right under his tranny x-member. He's got a bolt on plate that covered him from seeing it and the only thing holding that frame together was two 3/8's bolts that hold his skid plate on. When I asked where he first heard the squeek, he told me it was just past Bishop :eek: :eek: :eek: He still had two trails to do after that... :eek: :eek: :eek: Jeff, if your rig is in any better shape than Jody's, then I'd call you the official winner...his rig is TRASHED.
Turns out Dustin It was a empty Beer bottle jammed between the tub and cage! That squeak drove me nuts!

Turns out Dustin It was a empty Beer bottle jammed between the tub and cage! That squeak drove me nuts!
I think we ALL want to hear the story now :grinpimp:

Jeff, Jason, Jodi & Jack are you guys going to tell what happened between Las Vegas and the Hammers. This story is worth telling. All I can say is it involves a cop, a dog and a homeless woman.
I wasn't going to talk about this but, We Just towed Jeff & Jason for like 10 miles we pull in for propane and unhook. I zoom around back to find a spot to piss..And this little ankl bitting Chew wawa starts tearin at my leg Locked on to the back of my sock! So I kick and the dog gose flyinand hit a shopping cart behind some trees! yarp yarp yarp of into the woods. So I go Back to pissin and up from around the cart come this homeless chick!. Shes stairin right at my Dong and she sees the bolt hang there and starts pointing and makin a scene ,getting load about my bolt and kicking her dog!! So I zip up and head for the rig, she fallows screamin, He Kicked my Chew Chew, He kick My Chew Chew, Sure as shit I start the rig and a cop rolls up! :( Out of the car rolls the biggest bull dike I have ever seen in my entire life This cop was gunna Break dicks just cause!!!! (I thought my trip was over, We're Fawked!! ) She says Nice rigs, do you guy compete?? I think I have seen this one before in one of the Mags . Then The Homeless lady steps in He kick my Chew Chew. the cop say SHUT up Mary!!! Or I'll Kick the freakin dog too!! Jeffs,Jasons,Jacks, Jaws Drop!!You could have heard Chew Chew fart, then the cop say Your Jeff Mellow aren't you? Wow your hair dosen't look so red in the BFG poster I just got from Sema . Hey I have it with me will you sign it? Please? I Could not beleive it when she pulled the poster out of the back of her unit the whole time we were sweetin bullits, And all this Dike want is to shoot the shit about Jeffs leaf springs!! :rolleyes: finally after a few mins. she got a call and left ... I did not stop crying from laughter for 2 hours..My face still hurts!! :eek: :eek: :flipoff2:

Some of the best reading I have seen on here in some time I am entertained. Please continue this saga.

Edit;
" And then this one time at band camp!"

Awwww man that is freakin awesome!!! Congrats guys.

"He kick My Chew Chew" LMFAO :laughing:

Dallas

You guys are Da Men!!!

awesome trip, the vegas story is classic, right on :beer:

over the past more than a few years, I have seen stories and tales on the board--- some good, most not-
but the account of the 'run' should be preserved for the ages !!!!!
I don't think I have ever read a better 'trail report' than this !
thank you for your account--- it is a classic !!
(the wife, who isn't really into 4byin, still laughed a tear !!)

great story. Nothing better than wheeling with freinds and good times. :D

I wasn't going to talk about this but, We Just towed Jeff & Jason for like 10 miles we pull in for propane and unhook. I zoom around back to find a spot to piss..And this little ankl bitting Chew wawa starts tearin at my leg Locked on to the back of my sock! So I kick and the dog gose flyinand hit a shopping cart behind some trees! yarp yarp yarp of into the woods. So I go Back to pissin and up from around the cart come this homeless chick!. Shes stairin right at my Dong and she sees the bolt hang there and starts pointing and makin a scene ,getting load about my bolt and kicking her dog!! So I zip up and head for the rig, she fallows screamin, He Kicked my Chew Chew, He kick My Chew Chew, Sure as shit I start the rig and a cop rolls up! :( Out of the car rolls the biggest bull dike I have ever seen in my entire life This cop was gunna Break dicks just cause!!!! (I thought my trip was over, We're Fawked!! ) She says Nice rigs, do you guy compete?? I think I have seen this one before in one of the Mags . Then The Homeless lady steps in He kick my Chew Chew. the cop say SHUT up Mary!!! Or I'll Kick the freakin dog too!! Jeffs,Jasons,Jacks, Jaws Drop!!You could have heard Chew Chew fart, then the cop say Your Jeff Mellow aren't you? Wow your hair dosen't look so red in the BFG poster I just got from Sema . Hey I have it with me will you sign it? Please? I Could not beleive it when she pulled the poster out of the back of her unit the whole time we were sweetin bullits, And all this Dike want is to shoot the shit about Jeffs leaf springs!! :rolleyes: finally after a few mins. she got a call and left ... I did not stop crying from laughter for 2 hours..My face still hurts!! :eek: :eek: :flipoff2:

It'd be funny if the cop was on this board, read this thread, and then got pissed off, tracked y'all down, and then arrested you... Other than that, this cculd be one of the best wheeling stories I've ever heard... ever...

Mello, How was the water hole just as you reach the trees after passing the overlook? The ice is thick this time of year and usually about 30-40 inch's deep water.

Can't say I know exactly which hole you're talking about. Being a Bay Area guy I spend alot more time on the Loon to Buck side of the trail. I can say that it wasn't as bad as when I've been through there and the ice is almost thick enough to stay on top of and your tires are the blender making mud margaritas for two miles. Talk about side wall killers, and not in a place you want to get out a jack.

for some reason i just never pictured mello's jeep to last for that kind of trip :confused: :flipoff2:

Go past the overlook, cross the slabs. The first healthy water/icehole going back in to the woods. That one and the one up a bit before you reach baker pass cutoff are heathly this time of year. I usually weld on a 1/2 piece of tube to work as a ice breaker/guard for the front arb line. :D Good story, enjoyed the read.

i was hoping for some pics jeff :flipoff2:

That's not MY job...where were you?
Maybe some from this weekend.

over the past more than a few years, I have seen stories and tales on the board--- some good, most not-
but the account of the 'run' should be preserved for the ages !!!!!
I don't think I have ever read a better 'trail report' than this !
thank you for your account--- it is a classic !!
(the wife, who isn't really into 4byin, still laughed a tear !!)


PM camo to add this to the Classics Page!

:flipoff2:

great read! :laughing:

-tom