Elherbinator

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 at a really nice lake. 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

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

The Irok era is over for my D2. Dismounted them and got the double beadlock inserts in the new tires (Geolander X-MT). Not a fun job, a lot of work. IMG_5453.mov

Attention Handbag Nation! The new L322 episode is out. Don, Paul, and Robert join me talk all things l322 amongst the usual BS. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nclr-after-dark/id1615586586?i=1000649447750

My biggest surprise was that the number 4 city ended up being Frankfurt am Main, Hesse. Can’t believe they beat out Sacramento!

Some interesting data on where people are listening.

The BW case could be installed, they came passenger drop on RRC’s so they would fit fine. They are not locking like the LT230 so most people go the other direction and swap the LT230 in place of the BW. If the vehicle has aspirations on tougher off-roading then the LT230 would probably be preferred. Although I have heard of some people liking the limited slip BW case over the LT230 with selectable lockers since it’s gives a little less transmission wind and the ability to totally lock up the axles mitigates the issues of not having a locking tcase

Shaver Recap podcast is out. I am joined by Sasha and Dave. We try out a new segment and chat about some current “news” and then breakdown the Annual Shaver Snow Run. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nclr-after-dark/id1615586586?i=1000647794553

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.

New episode out. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nclr-after-dark/id1615586586?i=1000647172193

Spotted 😂

The second half of the 2024 calendar of events podcast is note out.

We won’t be going on the snow run, but we will be renting a cabin on Dinkey Creek Rd from Sunday till Thursday. So hit me up if you guys are grabbing lunch or dinner in town.

I’m not bent about it or anything, happens all the time, but I do distinctly remember the situation.

Nope, you couldn’t get your radio to change frequency so I let you use one of mine. You said you were going to meet up with the rest of us in town for dinner but bounced out and took a left at the end of Dinkey Creek Rd. This is something I am certain of.

Quick reference link from the podcast. This is the type of snow shovel that I recommend. Easy to pack and can move a lot of snow quickly. https://a.co/d/h0GDaS8

New podcast out. Don and Miles come by and we breakdown the calendar of event through July. We go through each MORG and other scheduled events we have so far. Must hear episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nclr-after-dark/id1615586586?i=1000644010100

Attempted to stop by, but there was literally no place to park.

I’d probably just plug it off. I get so much heat radiating from the center console, who needs a heater in a RRC?

New podcast out. Don and Gustav come by for a New Year episode. Topics include Bug Out vehicle ideas, snow performance comparisons, Family Feud, engine trouble shooting, and the usual bs-ing. Please leave us a review and subscribe. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nclr-after-dark/id1615586586?i=1000642301664

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I’ll get together a panel to go over “winter prep” for the next episode.

I have a bunch of National Geographic paper maps. I like to use them for planning routes in new areas. I prefer it over a scrolling through a screen. Also always a good idea to have a paper map handy in case your electronics fail you. I also recommend getting one of those giant map books. I’ll give include a link to the one I have below. These maps are good since they have forest roads and 4x4 trails in them. They won’t be useful for closures. https://www.rei.com/product/200310/benchmark-maps-california-road-recreation-atlas-11th-edition?sku=2003100001&store=22&CAWELAID=120217890012091366&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=112274623393&CATCI=pla-904560427867&cm_mmc=PLA_Google|21700000001700551_2003100001|92700057788018066|NB|71700000074090487&gclid=CjwKCAjw-eKpBhAbEiwAqFL0mhyhF9P3CbwSyuIsDZJDOQr4nuwdblJGO0BHggRmFfSdnR8oyZFCTBoCEHYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

At camp till Sunday. I’ll be there in spirit tho.

Some last minute rover fixing before I go camping tomorrow. Lost my water pump and belt last trip. So new water pump, tensioner, belt, and coolant reservoir. IMG_4508.mov