Tyler Mattson

The song that runs through my head as I pack last minute late into the night.

The song that runs through my head as I pack last minute late into the night.

And we can’t forget these bad boys!

Fresh gear coming in! In addition to the usual keychains, t-shirts, hats, coozies, patches, etc., we got some new items this year available for purchase at the event. Jackets and button shirts are available in limited numbers. The jackets are warm and the shirts are light weight and cool. Both are high quality and very practical for camping and wheeling trips. 

So I want announce the June MORG that I will be leading. It will be the second weekend (6/7-9) of June instead the traditional first weekend. That will give folks going to the PNW event a weekend to rest. This is an excellent trip and good warm up for the summer rock crawling season. Camping plans are still up in the air, but  I wanted to at least give the dates and trail plan so we can all cancel the children’s baseball tournaments with plenty of time to spare. This thread will be updated. 
 
This MORG will be an overnight and a rock crawling trip. Non rock crawlers can still come and have some fun though. There are plenty of dirt roads and overlanding opportunities in the surround area, not to mention we will be camping near some really nice lakes. I will be leading the run down Hell Hole Jeep Trail, but anybody is welcome to plan and lead a run on some of the surrounding trails and forest roads in the area.
 
The plan is usually to camp at French Meadows, but another late winter has that campground closed again. The option we used last, Stumpy Meadows Campground, is also currently closed. Luckily we did find a really cool campground on the way to the trail from Stumpy Meadows. i don’t have the coordinates / address, but I am sure someone here has it pinned from last year right? Please share if you do. I haven’t had any luck contacting the Forest Service yet, but I should have more concrete plans later on in the week which will be dependent on potential June openings.
 

 
We will be running the trail on Saturday with the plan being to leave camp at 9am SHARP. The trail isn’t long, but you’d be surprised and how quickly we always seem to lose daylight. Getting back to camp at night is not uncommon.
Hell Hole Jeep Trail (it’s called a Jeep Trail, otherwise I would not include Jeep in anything) is an out and back rock crawling trail. 

It’s only about 4 miles long, but it very narrow and steep. The first half of the trail will be dropping down to Hell Hole Reservoir and the second half will be coming back up. Depending on our group, I would anticipate it taking 2-3 hours each way with about an hour long break at the bottom. This is a very rewarding trail that will definitely leave you with a sense of accomplishment when you finish the trail. Body damage is a risk as the trail is narrow, but avoidable especially if you have something short like a D90 or something. The trail involves climbing and dropping down ledges and staircase sections. Minimum vehicle will be rock sliders, a lift, 33” tires, and a rear locker. Independent suspension vehicles can come, but they will need to be built and have a winch. Winching is likely for vehicles that just meet the minimum. I have yet to see an independent suspension vehicle do the trail. It would be an impressive challenge to any driver. Maybe we can convince Don to leave the ROKROVR at home 😉 😂 



 
This is one of my favorite trails to run. This will be my 5th or 6th time leading a run on the trail for the club. I am excited to introduce the trail to folks who haven’t had a chance to run it yet. It is always a challenge for even the most built vehicles and also a good test for the spotters. Please feel free to DM if you have any questions on the trail or trip in general. This is a trip you don’t want to miss and also a great opportunity to test your skills if you’re looking to do other trails like the Rubicon. If you can handle this trail without issue, you’ll be fine for the Rubicon. If you have a lot of issues, it’s a short trail so we can manage any issue and it won’t be the end of the world.

 
 

 
 

Had the whole Rovicon Committee (myself, Don, and Greg)  at the studio today. Check out the podcast, check out the swag!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nclr-after-dark/id1615586586?i=1000654496027
 

If all goes well and my range rover doesn't get rovery on me then I'll be there with myself and 1 dog possibly my son cooper depending on school stuff for him.

ITINERARY HAS BEEN POSTED

It's here. It's finally here!

Behold, the very long awaited itinerary fresh off the presses, attached below. Additionally it has been attached to the first post.
One major change - we WILL NOT be meeting in Ludlow, WE WILL be meeting passing through BAKER, CA. Earlier itineraries called for a meetup in Ludlow but after review we decided to run the entirety of Segments 3 & 4 for full benefit of those that did not attend EMHT 1&2. Baker provides a much better launch point to accomplish this.
--
Additionally, here is a rough plan for the convoy to head down to Baker. Sorry folks of House Nevadian, you need to come up with your own plans to convoy as I expect you'll take 395 down.
 
Bay Area Convoy Details
Additionally, here is a rough plan for the convoy to head down to Baker. Sorry folks of House Nevadian, you need to come up with your own plans to convoy as I expect you'll take 395 down.


If you spot any errors, corrections, or have questions please let me know.   
Communications for the convoy will be 146.460MHz. You may also call my cell to help coordinate - 402.741.0231.
 
 
24.05.02_EMHT_SEG3-4_NCLR_v2.pdf

If all goes well and my range rover doesn't get rovery on me then I'll be there with myself and 1 dog possibly my son cooper depending on school stuff for him.

If all goes well and my range rover doesn't get rovery on me then I'll be there with myself and 1 dog possibly my son cooper depending on school stuff for him.

Julias birthday was on Friday and we were unable to make it to the dunes or moab with everyone but i couldn't let the weekend pass without some camping.  just about an hour away from our home is Dixie Valley where the us navy does training.  As a result there are tones of old abandoned homesteads and tanks scattered around the area. We spent the weekend wandering decaying buildings, tanks, and army trucks.  The weather was nice but a bit cold at night, all in all a good trip that if anyone wants to recreate someday id be happy to make a trip. 

 

Julias birthday was on Friday and we were unable to make it to the dunes or moab with everyone but i couldn't let the weekend pass without some camping.  just about an hour away from our home is Dixie Valley where the us navy does training.  As a result there are tones of old abandoned homesteads and tanks scattered around the area. We spent the weekend wandering decaying buildings, tanks, and army trucks.  The weather was nice but a bit cold at night, all in all a good trip that if anyone wants to recreate someday id be happy to make a trip. 

 

Moab trip report days 1&2 - Getting there 

We split the 1000 mile journey into two halves and stayed at Spencer Hot Springs last night. As I got to camp, I noticed the battery light was on just as we got there. It’s partially hidden by my Scangauge and may have been on for a while. I was carrying a sore and swapped it over in no time. I started the engine and the battery voltage was about 12.8V. A little low, but then the battery may have been quite flat. 
In the morning we started to line up to leave, when Sasha said that his D2 wouldn’t start. It would not crank. The security system had been tripped (possibly due to the hood being open) and we had to reset the system by locking and unlocking the doors. We tried this several times and it was clear that it wasn’t the problem. The next thought was something to do with the PRNDL lever, but there were no tell tale signs of faulty XYZ switch and the gear was correctly show on the dash. 
We traced the starter circuit through the fuse and relay and down to the starter motor. I was carrying a spare starter and was preparing to swap it out. In desperation I asked Mike to give the starter a whack with a hammer. He used a screw driver handle as a mallet and it worked. The engine fired straight up after and thump to the starter solenoid. 
The next adventure was my replacement, used alternator. This had come of my parts truck and I did not have any issues with it previously. For this trip, the regulator was partially working at the best of times and switching on and off and slowly draining the battery (fortunately it’s a dispose deep cycle unit). I managed to drive the distance and got as low 10.5 V before the alternator kicked in just as we drove into town. I have a replacement ordered which should arrive at O’Reilly’s tomorrow. 
We had a nice dinner at Zax and finally scrubbed up before a night cap at the cabin. 

Not sure. Hasn’t done it since.

Great trip, just a couple of minor breakdowns that were dealt with. The trails were amazing as ever. It was great driving with Sasha on Hell's Revenge. He took the Super Truck easily through every obstacle. Jeff grilled up some awesome beef and chicken tacos on our last night.  Looking forward to our next trip!
IMG_0856.MOV

Julias birthday was on Friday and we were unable to make it to the dunes or moab with everyone but i couldn't let the weekend pass without some camping.  just about an hour away from our home is Dixie Valley where the us navy does training.  As a result there are tones of old abandoned homesteads and tanks scattered around the area. We spent the weekend wandering decaying buildings, tanks, and army trucks.  The weather was nice but a bit cold at night, all in all a good trip that if anyone wants to recreate someday id be happy to make a trip. 

 

Julias birthday was on Friday and we were unable to make it to the dunes or moab with everyone but i couldn't let the weekend pass without some camping.  just about an hour away from our home is Dixie Valley where the us navy does training.  As a result there are tones of old abandoned homesteads and tanks scattered around the area. We spent the weekend wandering decaying buildings, tanks, and army trucks.  The weather was nice but a bit cold at night, all in all a good trip that if anyone wants to recreate someday id be happy to make a trip. 

 

Julias birthday was on Friday and we were unable to make it to the dunes or moab with everyone but i couldn't let the weekend pass without some camping.  just about an hour away from our home is Dixie Valley where the us navy does training.  As a result there are tones of old abandoned homesteads and tanks scattered around the area. We spent the weekend wandering decaying buildings, tanks, and army trucks.  The weather was nice but a bit cold at night, all in all a good trip that if anyone wants to recreate someday id be happy to make a trip. 

 

Julias birthday was on Friday and we were unable to make it to the dunes or moab with everyone but i couldn't let the weekend pass without some camping.  just about an hour away from our home is Dixie Valley where the us navy does training.  As a result there are tones of old abandoned homesteads and tanks scattered around the area. We spent the weekend wandering decaying buildings, tanks, and army trucks.  The weather was nice but a bit cold at night, all in all a good trip that if anyone wants to recreate someday id be happy to make a trip. 

 

Who likes tires? Who likes talking tires? Who likes talking tires while being recorded for the NCLR After Dark podcast? If you answered yes to these questions then you might be the perfect guest for our next podcast! DM or call / text me (408-772-8534) if you’re free this Saturday

Definitely interested in going I'm not sure I can squeeze enough time for Texas but I get all tingly for moab.

Who's in the Bahamas and how do we get an on location podcast. I'll volunteer as tribute to go with Eric.

Who's in the Bahamas and how do we get an on location podcast. I'll volunteer as tribute to go with Eric.

Some interesting data on where people are listening. 
 

I’ll be interested to check out the daily schedules as the event plans get solidified. Best I could probably swing would be using the Monday and Friday as travel days and enjoy the weekend activities. Definitely close enough to try to make. Hit me up if you’re down near San Jose and we can do a podcast episode on the event. Since we are an ANARC club, it makes sense for us to have a group of us make the event.