Badands, IN: JGW 2009-07-11

[awillard69]

This was a Jeeps Gone Wild Members Only event, with camping and a Night Run in the Badlands Offroad park.

I was looking forward to running at night, and was feeling good. I loaded up the Jeep in a light rain and headed to the oasis, bright and, er, well not bright, but early. The forecast was slight chance of rain, but clear in the afternoon.

I drove through a nasty rain storm on my way south to the oasis, but it was dry from there.

Mike showed up with Ashley asleep, just us, so we pointed south at 6am. Mike said that others went down on Friday night, Zach, Eric, Seth, Kevin, Chris, Cindi and others (Sorry, I don't know everybody, feel free to say you were there). I wish I had known that, I think I would have preferred that to the early morning wake up.

We arrived at the campgrounds around 9am (ET). I said my hello's, and started setting up my accommodations for the night.



Group shot:



A few others arrived, set up their sites and we all started looking for something to do. Into the Badlands.

Zach, Ashley, Seth, Eric, Aaron, Chris and myself (did I forget anybody?). We headed down to the south end of the park, across the lower leg of the creek trail. And started practicing our recovery techniques.





Eric went exploring a climb, slid into a tree and had to be helped back down the incline. Sorry no pictures of the situation, just the aftermath:



And the rain began, slow at first but then picked up. We headed out of that section, then hit the back, or Kevin's, trail. Still raining, at least is was knocking down the dust.

We headed back to the campgrounds for some lunch and someplace dry. Most of us had our tops up, but out windows out, so we got wet. Good thing we (Wranglers) have drain plugs. It rained for about 3 hours.

Mike encountered a problem when he tried out his 2WD Jeep. Apparently a problem with a brake line, and ultimately a master cylinder (?).



I went back in to the park with Chris and Phil and we tootled around the northern trails of the quarry, and then went looking for something else to do. We found a plateau down from the quarry, on top of a dune area. Basically a mud area. That was fun. The recent rains made that very interesting, the openness was just good muddy fun. Sorry, no pictures of that, I was trying to keep my camera dry.

We all registered for the night run, and after the park closed, near sundown, we all lined up waiting to enter the park.





We headed to the quarry to waste sunshine. Everyone was taking it easy, nobody needed breakage at this stage.

But, it's getting dark:



My camera doesn't fare well in the extreme dark, and dark it was. So, not many trail shots, use your imagination.

We set off for Kevin's trail, with Zach in the lead. His XJ looked really cool with the crown of lights. I was really surprised with my stock illumination, not that I couldn't use more lights, I was fine - that and my hand held 400,000 candle power spot : We all made it through, with only one minor casualty, a red Wrangler (Sorry, tell me who this was and I will edit) broke his exhaust, just a little loud.

Next up was the creek trail. The trail down to the creek is challenging in the daylight, in the dark it's really interesting. My usual scrapes and bypasses and we were in the creek. The more built rigs in front of me kind of headed off and left me alone. I wasn't worried, just me and my spot light. The creek at night is really awesome.

We all climbed out, regrouped, and with a clear sky, it was a really nice view.

We set off for the lower portion of the creek and climbed out into the dunes. Shortly after there was word of breakage. This time a front axle, but this TJ had locking hubs, so it was not a problem - 2wd it was for him.

After some delays regrouping, I set off to lead back to the muddy plateau. While I was waiting in the dark for the others to catch up, it was peaceful. Fog was setting in. But in the dark, you can't really see and all the trees, mud and dunes look the same. So I fire up my spot and guide in my fellow Jeepers.

Up to the plateau, and the fun ensues. Again, I don't have a camera to do this justice. But seeing the group at night bouncing and bobbing in the mud, with light beams flashing in many directions was really entertaining.... Until Zach got stuck. Others were closer to the action, hopefully they will post up more shots. It took a coordinated effort of at least 3 Jeeps either winching (Aaron) or supporting (Kevin, Phil) - and many spectators in the mud and muck.

After that, and after midnight, we called it a night 2 1/2 hours of night riding was a really awesome experience. I really enjoyed it, and really enjoyed the group of people who participated. Thank you Mike for setting this up and making it all possible.

Sun's up, so I'm up. Minor clean up, and it was time start the pack up and return home. The pressure washer hose had a leak, so it was not very effective, but it did knock off the chunks.

I made it home safely and spent the next 3 hours setting up the tent, spreading out my gear in the sun to dry. And power washing the TJ.

Total carnage report:
1 alternator
2 axles
2 brake lines
1 exhaust,
1 body/light bar damage

Did I miss anything?

Here is a link to my pictures

http://s484.photobucket.com/albums/rr206/awillard69/JGW20090711

Please post up any pictures and commentary you may have.

[IGotADisneyJeep]

Awesome write up Anthony and thanks for joining in.

This event was AWESOME! Our members did very well though out the day & night and helping each other in the time of need. Camping was relaxing and wheeling at night with all of our members was a memory I would never forget. I know there will be many more times our club will do this but that was our first night run and it was amazing. Our club is very fortunate that we are able to do night runs and other big events at the Badlands and we are very grateful with their warm open kindness with our club.
I had some break problems with my jeep so I could not run it for the night run. Even though I could not drive my jeep I was very content and watching everyone was so much fun. Just seeing everyone with a pleased smile on their faces made my day and it's a great feeling for myself, our members and our club.
I just like to thank our members and their passengers for joining in and we had an awesome time together.
Everyone got home safely and we'll see each other soon in our next run.


Thank You,
Michael
Club President

[Jeffro95]

Sounds like I missed a good time. Anyone use the night vision on their camcorder? I really hope I can make the next night run.

[awillard69]

Originally Posted by Jeffro95

Sounds like I missed a good time. Anyone use the night vision on their camcorder? I really hope I can make the next night run.

I was trying to take mine, but encountered some technical issues and left the whole thing at home. Now, I wish I had tried harder to get it functional.

And, unless Mike can schedule another run soon, request the time off for the next one in October.

[awillard69]

And, I must admit that being able to cruise around the Badlands without the screaming and whining of the ATV's and dirt bikes was really nice. Only the sounds of the crickets, frogs ... and cheering participants...

Watching the dance of the light beams in the fog was really cool, too.

[Acidcold]

That sounds like so much fun! i will definitely make the next one for sure.
Not sure about driving my Jeep but will hit the trails in the XJ!

[Acidcold]

How many Jeeps all together? i love it when it's a small crowd..

[awillard69]

Originally Posted by Acidcold

How many Jeeps all together? i love it when it's a small crowd..

I didn't count, but my feeling was about 15 Jeeps. Mike should have a more accurate count.

It was just small enough to keep it all together, although there were just enough that we got strung out a few times. But, it was a good group of people and we had a great time.

You definitely have to make the next one.

[torpex77]

You hear that sound?

It's me kicking myself for not making it.

Ouch!

Ouch!

Ouch!

[Acidcold]

Originally Posted by torpex77

You hear that sound?

It's me kicking myself for not making it.

Ouch!

Ouch!

Ouch!

Can i please participate??

[Xjay98]

Forgot my camera so my buddy used his camera phone. Came out good. Enjoy!

Waiting




The hole was deeper than usual. Luckily Eric(YJ?) was able to back out.



Gathering up for Kevin's Run


I was able to get out of this hole from the side.... Zach took the harder way out.

[aaronc88]

That was the Tan Yj with a scout 44 that broke the scout dana 44 axleshaft ears. Also Kevin in the yellow Rubicon broke with dana 44 front shaft Thursday but got a new one Friday morning. Zach's cooling fan burned out so we had to through a board in between the hood to keep it propped open on the way home. Also Seth(frump) automatic tranny was messed up was stuck in 2nd all the way home and eventually got stuck in 1st after we started hitting all the stop lights. And Mike's (Disney jeep) changed the master cylinder but ended up being the brake booster. Doug in the other black yj, idler pulley was a bit messed up.











http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w122/aaronc88/badlands%20JGW%207-11-09/

[TheEddie]

Looks like you guys had a freaking blast!!! I wont miss the next one.

[bojang]

The spider....


The mud flat.




The hole where we were getting stuck is in the middle.


Waiting to head out.




ON OUR WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Heading out.




We got a bunch more pics but they are kind of crappy, my camera takes great pics during the day but it is lousy at night.

[awillard69]

Great pictures everybody. Anybody else have any to post up?