Badlands, Jeeps Gone Wild campout, July 5th/6th 2008

[TheEddie]

Heres a little snippet of the action that went on during the 4th of July weekend campout at the Badlands in Attica, Indiana.

The main group convoyed down from the Chicago area and set up camp on arrival. A second group of guys form Indiana came late and as soon as they had camp set up we set out for some wheelin.

The beginning of Saturday started out in the quarry as usual. Everyone played around a bit and then made it up a rock wall that has become a common obstacle.

Here is Zack driving Mike's Jeep as his XJ was in pieces at home.


Here is the pumpkinator dominating the rock wall.


Here comes Chris in the newly lifted YJ.


Some went back down the easy way but some others went down the quick way. Heres Rod balancing his XJ.


We then ran the Green/Creek trail from top to bottom and bottom to top multiple times.

We soon ventured over to the newly improved Orange trail. First some played in the rock garden.






We then ran through some trails and find out they were actually quad trails. The entrance for the Orange trail was not marked very clear so we had to guess really. Some suffered a little paint damage but nothing a little buffing couldn't take care of.

There are two nice hills that have been added to the beginning of the Orange trail. The first part of the Orange went easy with no problems but once we hit the wet parts it got interesting. This section proved difficult a few times over.

Here is Chris trying to ride the high line but he ended up a little tippy. Because of the weight transfer his passenger side tires just spun and spun. After a little crafty pulling he was set back down.


Heres another TJ (Josh?) making his way through this section.


And there goes Dave.

[TheEddie]

Next came rod in the Silverback XJ.


He came through with a little too much speed and resulted in this.


With a little water, pressure and Carlos' Viair onboard the tire was reseated and Rod was on his way.


Here is everyone at the end of the Orange.


Once we made our way back to the parking lots Carlos had an accident. Everyone turned around and headed back to help. This is what we saw.




Everyone stood around pondering a fix but the damage was extensive. Carlos had to leave his rig in this spot overnight. Once morning broke the plan was to get the WK home whatever way possible. The solution turned out to be a flatbed trailer.

After that some of us played around in the water to clean the Jeeps a little.




Everyone headed back to camp at this point to get some food and a nights rest.

Sunday started out slow because a few people from recovering from the day before's damage. I led a small group around the dunes until everyone showed up. Soon after everyone arrived Rod had some breakage.

[TheEddie]

It turned out to be a Ujoint problem due to a damaged rear yoke. The Ujoint slipped out and lost its caps. Rod limped back in fwd and had it repaired at the Badlands shop.


Everyone eventually gathered back in the quarry and got ready to hit the Green/Creek trail once more. Newcomer Tony joined the group and gave his 4dr JK hell trying to clear this wall. Long wheelbase and a low belly kept him from clearing the top ledge.


Here is a nice shot of the two new JKs. They definitely held their own throughout the day.












After running that trail a few guys stayed back with Gribbles (Mike G) with his overheating TJ. They stayed back and told everyone else to keep going without them. They ended up going back to camp but a small group followed me around the dunes once more.

[TheEddie]

We then went and played in the water a little more waiting for a few guys to catch up. Heres a nice shot of the Rubi showing off.


The stock 4door JK left us at this point and it was better that he did as the next part got a little crazy. A long time ago when I ventured to the Badlands by myself me and my girl found a trail that was a lot of fun. Well, this time the same trail had suffered from a flood of sorts and was a completely different area. I asked the guys if they wanted to continue and the consensus was yes!

We did fine for a while (we were all running M/Ts but once Phil in his JK got a little tied up everyone started to sink in. I pulled Phil out and then tried to make my way over to Dave in his TJ. I did great up until I got a little too close the hole that Dave was in. I ended up within inches of Dave's front bumped and fearing damage I gave up on getting out. Angus made his way over (at this point he was the only one still moving.) and pulled me out. We then yanked Dave from this hole.


Once Dave and I were free I headed over to rescue Phil in his Rubi.




A tug from the front ended up putting me in a nice pit. I worked my way back behind Phil and a couple tugs later he was free.












After all that fun we made our way back to camp. The Indiana bunch was there packing up. We said our goodbyes and took off (but not before hitting the pressure washer!)

I had a blast and cant wait until next month!

A bunch more pics can be found at the Jeeps Gone Wild Events photobucket account below. (and add any pics you have of recent or past events!)
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm223/JeepsGoneWildEvents/8%20-%20July%205-6%2008%20-%20Badlands/?start=0

If you need the login/password just PM me!

[Jeffro95]

WOW! Looks like a very fun and eventful time...I'm ready and waiting for the next trip! Cool pics and report!

[Recoil]

Man that was a great report man thanks

[IGotADisneyJeep]

Thanks Eddie and Nice trail report


Everyone who joined this run is welcome to add their pictures here.

[Bennettj13]

Nice report man. Good job.

[TheEddie]

Thanks guys!

[Northsidejeepin]

Eddie, nice report,and once again thanks for saving my A$$!

[TheEddie]

Originally Posted by Northsidejeepin

Eddie, nice report,and once again thanks for saving my A$$!

Anytime Phil!

[gribbles]

good stuff eddie! bummer i didnt make it in more pictures, not because there werent any taken of me but because my jeep was running so hot I couldnt run the trails. I was dyin to run that orange trail. oh well, next run

[Bennettj13]

Originally Posted by TheEddie

Anytime Phil!

What he meant to say was "Anytime I can pull out a Rubi!"

I can't believe you guys in that mud. That's some crazy ****.

[Northsidejeepin]

Take a look at your avatar buddy! You know you love the mud too.

[Jeffro95]

Hey did you guys see of the Yota's out there? Did they get in the way..again...like did on the orange trail a while back?