articulate
Expedition Leader
Yet another benefit of hiring a full-time employee. Quick trips to Alaska.
Alaska 2007: Scotty takes on the bogs...
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
Alaska Mike
ExPo Moderator/Eye Candy
I never had a snorkel before this run, and I had run much deeper/faster water. That doesn't mean I didn't want one. My air cleaner was fairly high in the engine compartment, and if I maintained the air pocket and kept a fairly steady speed I never got water near the filter. However, there were times...
We actually turned around in the middle of the first major bog, realizing that it would take many, many hours to get past the remaining bogs. As it turned out, we spent 4 hours getting back to the trailhead from that point, and speeds on the easier parts were much higher than they were coming in.
Purches is one of my favorite trails up here, combining rocks, hillclimbs, mud, and water crossings in a loop that can be run in one looooong day or two manageable days. Since time was compressed between the wedding and Scott's departure that night, we limited the number and types of rigs and tried to get as much done as possible.
I had just pulled the Jeep out of long-term storage and made a few modifications to improve capability and durability. Unfortunately, I didn't drain the fuel tank well enough, and silt clogged my fuel filter periodically, making sustained high RPMs pretty difficult. Fortunately I had a clear glass pre-filter installed to tune in my fuel pressure, so clearing the silt wasn't too painful.
Since I hadn't wheeled in years, my skills were somewhat diminished. Something to be said for remembering exactly what your vehicle is capable of. The main thing I (re)learned was that rigs on 33s shouldn't follow the tracks of rigs on 37s into mud holes.
Lots of fun to get out there and get a little dirty. Must do it again...
We actually turned around in the middle of the first major bog, realizing that it would take many, many hours to get past the remaining bogs. As it turned out, we spent 4 hours getting back to the trailhead from that point, and speeds on the easier parts were much higher than they were coming in.
Purches is one of my favorite trails up here, combining rocks, hillclimbs, mud, and water crossings in a loop that can be run in one looooong day or two manageable days. Since time was compressed between the wedding and Scott's departure that night, we limited the number and types of rigs and tried to get as much done as possible.
I had just pulled the Jeep out of long-term storage and made a few modifications to improve capability and durability. Unfortunately, I didn't drain the fuel tank well enough, and silt clogged my fuel filter periodically, making sustained high RPMs pretty difficult. Fortunately I had a clear glass pre-filter installed to tune in my fuel pressure, so clearing the silt wasn't too painful.
Since I hadn't wheeled in years, my skills were somewhat diminished. Something to be said for remembering exactly what your vehicle is capable of. The main thing I (re)learned was that rigs on 33s shouldn't follow the tracks of rigs on 37s into mud holes.
Lots of fun to get out there and get a little dirty. Must do it again...
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
:iagree:
::::
Alaska Mike
ExPo Moderator/Eye Candy
Thanks Scott.
This run rekindled my enthusiasm for the sport. After years of wheeling every summer weekend and wrenching on the winter weekends, serving in various executive positions in a local club, editing the website... I was just burned out. So, I turned to other pursuits (ski racing, road biking...) for awhile to fill the hours.
Now I feel the old urge to go see what's around the next corner. The trails have changed a bit, so I will be seeing them with new eyes. New trails have been (re)discovered, and there's still a lot to see and do.
My respect for Super Swamper TSLs, ARBs, and my trusty 8274 has been renewed. Maybe one day soon I'll remember how to use them. When you're the shortest rig on the run (tires and wheelbase), you have to try a little harder.
This run rekindled my enthusiasm for the sport. After years of wheeling every summer weekend and wrenching on the winter weekends, serving in various executive positions in a local club, editing the website... I was just burned out. So, I turned to other pursuits (ski racing, road biking...) for awhile to fill the hours.
Now I feel the old urge to go see what's around the next corner. The trails have changed a bit, so I will be seeing them with new eyes. New trails have been (re)discovered, and there's still a lot to see and do.
My respect for Super Swamper TSLs, ARBs, and my trusty 8274 has been renewed. Maybe one day soon I'll remember how to use them. When you're the shortest rig on the run (tires and wheelbase), you have to try a little harder.
AKBearMoose
New member
Glad to see you guys keeping Greg active and running before he leaves. We will sorely miss him up here, he is a valuable resource for technology as well as trail/terrain inquiries.
You obviously picked the right woman if she would allow you out with that band of Yahoos so soon after the nuptials...LOL
Here is a shot of Greg's rig...CLEAN...LOL
You obviously picked the right woman if she would allow you out with that band of Yahoos so soon after the nuptials...LOL
Here is a shot of Greg's rig...CLEAN...LOL
Alaska Mike
ExPo Moderator/Eye Candy
The raised winch mount actually worked against him as we were trying to get him over a bank on the way out. The winch was pulling him straight into the bank instead of up and over. I also think there might be some leverage issues there, but having the winch clear of the mud certainly is a nice thing.
Greg has traditionally kept his rig cleaner than mine, but I don't have all of the fancy stickers to show off.
The wife is seriously cool for not only letting me spend the day after the wedding wheeling (I was gone over 18 hours), but also for hanging out with my family while I was gone. That is seriously cool, and I probably burned up a lot of kitchen passes there. Oh well, Scott only visits so often...
Greg has traditionally kept his rig cleaner than mine, but I don't have all of the fancy stickers to show off.
The wife is seriously cool for not only letting me spend the day after the wedding wheeling (I was gone over 18 hours), but also for hanging out with my family while I was gone. That is seriously cool, and I probably burned up a lot of kitchen passes there. Oh well, Scott only visits so often...
Jonathan Hanson
Well-known member
I love those footprint shots. I think it was Doug Peacock who said, "It's not wilderness unless there's something out there that can kill you."
Alaska Mike
ExPo Moderator/Eye Candy
As Scott said, they were fresh- as in, the bear probably heard us coming and moved on.
Last week I was driving to work and a brown bear crossed the road right in front of me. This was in downtown Anchorage, next to a video store of all places. Just an adolescent looking for a place call her own. Not something you see every day, and certainly not something you expect to see while commuting at 6:00AM. At least I wasn't riding my bike. By that point I get pretty tired, and if the bear's instinct kicked in and it decided to give chase... Well... hopefully I wouldn't be too torn up. Ship Creek is a major salmon fishery, and to be honest I'm suprised more bears don't show up there. I'm sure the tourists would love it.
To be honest, I'm less afraid of the bears than I am of the moose.
Last week I was driving to work and a brown bear crossed the road right in front of me. This was in downtown Anchorage, next to a video store of all places. Just an adolescent looking for a place call her own. Not something you see every day, and certainly not something you expect to see while commuting at 6:00AM. At least I wasn't riding my bike. By that point I get pretty tired, and if the bear's instinct kicked in and it decided to give chase... Well... hopefully I wouldn't be too torn up. Ship Creek is a major salmon fishery, and to be honest I'm suprised more bears don't show up there. I'm sure the tourists would love it.
To be honest, I'm less afraid of the bears than I am of the moose.
Alaska Mike
ExPo Moderator/Eye Candy
Here's my trip report, using Scott's pictures (with permission):
http://home.gci.net/~lf4w/trip reports/2007/PurchesJun2007.htm
http://home.gci.net/~lf4w/trip reports/2007/PurchesJun2007.htm