Mr.BlueSky

Aside from Paul M., Nathan, and Mike everyone is meeting at the 76 gas station Saturday morning correct? If anyone needs it, my cell is 402.741.0231

They certainly are not, but as we won't be bringing any pallets to burn, (it is strongly frowned upon and prohibited in several national forests due to leftover nails, toxins from wood preservatives, pests, etc) I guess we won't have to worry about it! : )

I have not yet had a chance to check the latest fire restrictions (if any - I expect we are in the clear), but we should plan on bringing boxed wood or picking up locally. I recommend we purchase wood at a gas station in Mt. Vernon - less weight to haul and wood sourced locally (we aren't bringing potentially diseased wood across 100s of miles to a new forest)

The winter rains feel like they happened a long time ago...

Spares and tools are a go! Took some time and wiped down with mineral oil - the trails are attempting to leave their corrosive mark.

I've got the spare ABS computer! Together we can rebuild!

Once I get packed tonight, I'll post my spares list for the super cool D1, RRC, Defender people.

Aren't you brining 3 parking brake assemblies???

Sorry to hear that Paul, we shall camp and raise a glass in your honor! In all seriousness, take care, and let us know if you need anything!

I shall leave my bottle jacks at home : ).

Don't forget your swimmies and wag bags! (please don't use them together : ).

@SLOHybrid (and everyone) I am slowly updating the itinerary as new information comes in. For those traveling separately to the start - please download and print the itinerary. I've added a Page 2 showing the campsites we hope to nab (in order). I don't expect them to be packed on a Sunday night, but worst case... here is a backup to a backup to a...

Yes it should be, satellite snow reports said no snow back on June 1st. And we are starting more to the East. I don't expect too much snow if any to be found. They also ran it in mid May. So we've gained some melt time. I personally don't love the plastiplanks, but I will be brining a improved equivalent. I don't recall the brand off hand, but they are flexible and can attach to the tire so not to jettison 50ft under a snowbank - great for mud, snow, and everything in between.

Some last prep items before we took off concluded this weekend. 1. Replaced all rotors and discs... the "rock squeal" was glazed discs, likely stemming from last year's ABS computer nightmare that locked up brakes. 2. While digging out brake parts, found some additional bump stop spaces to add to the already extended rear bumps. This should stop the occasional fender drag. 3. Re-wired the front passenger side to clean-up the winch and compressor lines and fit the new battery from Mike (thanks!) 4. Eliminated some electrical draws, but could not isolate all. 5. Swapped the Brownchurch rack for a MUCH lighter Front Runner rack, swapped over the mini-Jerry mounts, and snuck Johann's rooftop tent up there. (Maybe he won't notice?) 6. Welded the "two-piece" exhaust split at the muffler back into one piece.... (there seems to be a theme here with our classics as I had to do this with Eleven after the Mojave scouting trip). 7. Checked all fluids and topped up power steering. Now I just need to start packing... but first... whiskey and bed.

Fuel stops are already marked on the itinerary - most are under 200 miles, only a few will stretch this. If you are concerned on gas I will join the club... first time Snowflake is running with a roof-top tent and mileage was already not great... We are usually trying to get to camp by 5pm, so most days should work. But I'd avoid Saturday and Thursday as they are the longest trail days by mileage. Monday could be the longest by time, but will depend on road conditions.

Attached is the Brochure for Christmas Valley Dunes - looks like they actually specify 9ft tall from the ground. (I expect the typical 8ft is going to get us by fine). In the past, I've wedged, zip tied, and clamped the whip to the roof rack. A quick Amazon search shows that most of the ATV mounts should work I expect. https://www.amazon.com/atv-flag-mount/s?k=atv+flag+mount I might pick one up as well! Christmas_Valley_Sand_Dunes.pdf

Alrighty folks - the not-so-rough-draft has been attached here and to the first post. I'll continue to refine during the week, but this is the plan. I'd plan on expecting the unexpected on this one... - Sand flag needed - yes, please obtain a whip and sand flag for this trip. It will be necessary when we cross into the Christmas Valley dunes. This has been added to the minimum vehicle requirement list. - Rain, could be - Run out of fuel? - Only if you forget your friend Jerry ; ). - Trees down? - Johann and I have chainsaws - Rivers too high to cross... well then this is gonna be an (alternate) adventure - Satellites mis-reading snow levels - recoveries are in order - Mosquitos? - Bring 100% Deet - Mud, I bet so. 23.06.16_ORBDR_5-South_NCLR.pdf

Should have final itinerary up tonight - pushing hard to get it done. Looks like our fuel stops once we drop south into the Oregon Outback are limited, closed, or just plain nonexistent. I've got one section that I am trying to determine if we (*cough* older trucks *cough*) can make the stretch. Everyone must plan on 5 gallons minimum of extra fuel AND cash. In some places assume $6 / gallon. Behold, Oregon outback Chevron equivalent : ).

I feel like we need to trade off our ranchette for a real ranch so we can have some proper moos. Currently though, it is 96* in Austin, Texas with 58% humidity. I, nor this cow... are fans. Thus I do not expect to be moving down here anytime soon.

As of right now, we are ending Thursday near Burns area, so by Saturday we should be another good 80-100 miles south. This should put us within striking distance of home in a day (Our Paso Robles friends may find this more painful, but it's the farthest I reasonably expect to get). IF stars align, we could make it as far as Fariport/Goose Lake on the CA-OR boarder.

I am behind... but my goal in getting shipped off to Texas this week is to finish the last two days to get us home. Currently I am waiting on a call back from a lady with a cow (I'll leave you in suspense)... before I can plan the last two days. Two details folks should know come to mind: A heads up that we will have one or two "in-town" food days similar to the year we ran EMHT. We won't have quite the "open range" we did on EMHT - for anyone running a BoaFeng Handheld radio, I highly recommend ordering an external antenna and an adaptor at a minimum so that you can catch the communications One option for antenna with a BaoFeng adapter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XQ9H9OC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Of course, if you have any targeted questions please let me know either here or otherwise

Behold the rotisserie of the gods! I'm all in for the lamb! Let us know what we should acquire!

WOOOOOOO So happy you can join us Jeff! Looking forward to catch up!

Spotted a nice looking LR4 in the parking lot today... with mud! On the way home also spotted a clean D2 I spotted gal driving a lifted and kitted out D1 heading Northbound on 880, but was unable to snag a picture.

All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy... Earlier in the week the chain tensioner on the final drive obliterated itself on the skid-steer. Being that it is needed to continue doing its job in a timely manner to complete a few house projects... I've got to bail on this trip. The bolts just popped all at once. : ( I had hoped the overhaul manual wouldn't arrive before the trip... but alas it has. Have fun!