COMPLETED: Green Ridge MD - Jan 3 2011

[bigezzyk]

where at on exit 62 will we be meeting and is there a gas station there

[Trail X]

No gas station there. Be sure to fill up before-hand. The closest stations are in Flintstone (the next exit west) if we have to fill up. I think we will use about 9 gallons to get there, so we may want to fill up upon arrival anyways.

We will meet you somewhere in that area near the 15-mile-creek rd bridge that crosses the interstate, just park somewhere visible to the exit from 68 westbound. If I get there and don't see you, I'll try you on the CB, and then the cell.

[bigezzyk]

sounds good i should get there around 1000-1030

[bigezzyk]

on my map it looks like there is a gas stop at exit 72 on I-68 looks to be an BP gas stop

[Trail X]

Ok, let's change the rendezvous point to exit 72, BP.

If it doesn't work out, we can always head to Flintstone.

[Trail X]

Well guys, I hope you all made it back okay.

To make a long story short, rangers don't accept ignorance as an excuse. - A word of warning... if a well-traveled trail isn't on the maps, and it is unmarked (as in, no signage at all)... just assume that it's off-limits. That's my quick lesson for the day.

All in all, not a great ride. Actually, my all time worst. The trail was fun, however, realized my 4WD wasn't working right (again?!), got a ticket, wasted an hour in 27 degree wind while waiting for said ticket, and had to turn back due to a river full of 6" thick ice slabs. Sorry about the crappy day guys.

I got a few pictures... I'll see if I can upload them soon.

[bartonmd]

Ouch!

[Gordinho80]

Damn... guess its good I didn't make it out....

Sorry for the crap luck, guys.

[Trail X]

Yeah Mario - prob a good thing you didn't make the drive.

Anyways, the pics:







One of my Christmas presents - a backpack for the truck - I mean a trasharoo.












This is to give you a sense of how cold it is... my tire is in a mud pit. Except the mud is all frozen.


DO NOT GO ON THIS SECTION OF TRAIL, IT IS A CLOSED TRAIL, BUT NOT MARKED. AGAIN, DO NOT TAKE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL.


You will see some pictures of us on this trail - these are shared here as an example of what not to do, as we learned later in the day.


I really need new front springs.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Hate to hear about the ticket, hope to join you guys sometime in near future.

[DJones]

What's up with the picture that is backwards?

Do those stairs that go down to the water come from somebody's house? I can't imagine what anybody living in the house would think about somebody driving through their river.

[dirty anton]

hey james thanx again for setting this up! other than the ticket i had a really good time. it was great meeting and hanging out with you all. really great people!!

[02TahoeMD]

Hi guys
Sorry to hear about the run - in with DNR. Major drag. My 3 hours of sleep caught up with me shortly after I left y'all, I had to nap by the time I hit Sideling Hill, but after that managed to get home o.k. I enjoyed the drive out and the forest definitely reminded me of the North Kaibab National Forest in Arizona - which is a very good thing in my book. You all have very nice rigs.

Anyway, here's my contribution to the pics of the day.

[02TahoeMD]

And a few more....

[Trail X]

What's up with the picture that is backwards?

Do those stairs that go down to the water come from somebody's house? I can't imagine what anybody living in the house would think about somebody driving through their river.

I took that picture out of my rear view mirror. That's why it's flipped.

I don't imagine anyone would have a problem with us driving through that section of the river. It's a public road. The next crossing of the same river is where we turned back. There was 6" thick ice on that section - broke in the center. So even if we made it into the river, the trouble would be trying to get out the other side, where there were 6" thick slabs bigger than the truck floating in the water. It could have meant some serious damage - we weren't about to risk it.

[Zero]

Very cool trip. Cant wait for the next TECORE.

[bigezzyk]

when are we going to start planing for TECORE V so i can start to save money for the trip

[Trail X]

Figured out why my 4WD wasn't working.

I assume back when I rebuilt the disconnect, I didn't get the inner circlip to seat all the way into the outer gear. The inner tripod housing fell out of the disconnect, but was still held in enough that it didn't come out of the disconnect housing entirely. Shoulda been entirely obvious to me when I checked it on the trail - but I guess it was too dark and I didn't spot it.

The shaft ate halfway through the outer shaft seal and wore away a little bit of the outer bearing. Otherwise it looks like its in ok condition. There was obviously some wear, as the grease is black in that area. I'll have to reorder a few parts and tear it apart when the parts come in. Yay.

So a word to anyone who has taken their CVs out - make sure they are fully re-seated!!!

[dirty anton]

some more pics of the trip

[dirty anton]

more pics