Tour de Plateau

[sinuhexavier]

You clearly mistake me for someone who is analytical and keeps track of such things... I am after all, a photographer not a writer, but I will do my best.

I'd say 800 miles was off pavement... Give or take a couple hundred.

Hardships... All 5 trucks.
3 shocks blown.
2 blisters on my feet.
1 driveshaft mangled.
1 flat tire.
1 fan clutch dead.
1 fuel pump rewired.
1 pit of quicksand.
1 hell of an off camber drop off on the Hole in The Rock Trail.
1 flash flood.
1 amazing mountain recovery utilizing 3 winches marshaled by Marc Olivares.
2 nights in a hotel
1 night in the truck (monsoon)
3 nights in a tent (rain)
8 nights on the ground

I don't use a GPS so I have no points or coordinates, I leave it up to the viewer to find these gems on their own adventure, after all that's half the fun. Only two of the sites had I been to before or known about, all others were stumbled upon. The location is the Colorado Plateau, between The La Sal Mountains and St. George. North Of the San Juan River, South of I-70.

Saw some ranchers, some industrial recreationists, some fat tourists, some German tourists, the usual suspects in Southern Utah in May. I did try and hook up with Beemerchef in Canyonlands, but missed him.

Food for me was about $300
Gas $960 ish
Hotels $200
Dinner at Hells Backbone Grill $340 for me and two others.

Those are the only costs I can think of....

 

[Z O O R O P A]

BEAUTIFUL!

and impressive

 

[sinuhexavier]

Actually if you are looking for a little more writing and the perspectives of the others on the trip check this thread out. It has photos from Marc and Steve... I'm sure Rob and Nick will be adding to them soon as well.

 

[cpg]

Great photos! Thank you

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Excellent

 

[J-man]

great photos man, that one of the sandstone cave is sweet - new screen saver...

 

[sinuhexavier]

Is that Kalbi you were grilling up?

Yeah, Steve did some prep back in Chicago and threw down the amazing Korean BBQ.

 

[Z O O R O P A]

Sinuh,

thanks again for sharing. I read your trip log on EE and want to applaud you for being that brave, really bad ***! I haven't been out that way yet but I imagine it is a heck of a thing to go from day to day life to a vast expanse of dramatic scenery accompanied by silence, weather, and most importantly self-reliance.

well done to say nothing of the photography skills you illustrated.

I was wondering if you think it would be possible to do that trip with a set up like Ho Chung's G4?

look forward to reading more of your future trips

 

[sinuhexavier]

I don't know if brave is the right word... I was certainly confident in my abilities, judgment and my vehicle. I was also prepared with plenty of food and water had something gone wrong, I also carry a lot of spares and a fairly complete tool set. My comfort in the desert comes from years of traveling through it, first on bikes, then on foot, now in air conditioning. Around Canyonlands I had no fear whatsoever, at it's most remote at this time of year there are people everywhere, in a relative sense. The Western shore of Lake Powell during a rainstorm was quite another story. The only other people I saw were 2 people leaving the area as I made my way out.

There was also a bit of a challenge, dangling like a carrot just out of reach, to do something solo. In my younger days in Montana I would hike nearby peaks to ski before class, sometimes starting at 4am, this was, needless to say, hard to find partners at times. The reward of solitude is very gratifying. Being out there alone makes you slow down, weigh your options with more precision and move at your own pace.

As far as being able to do it in Ho's G4... I really don't see why not. Personally, I wouldn't do it because I don't know the truck, not only that particular truck but the D2 in general. I'm fairly comfortable and confident in my D1, aware of what could go wrong, I know that I have taken care of every last possible known problem before heading out and I have a fair knowledge and the tools to repair common problems.

I think everyone should do a solo trip. I don't mean one truck either, I mean solo, one person. Even if it's to a nearby, no high stakes, quick over-niter with cell service...

 

[hochung]

I was wondering if you think it would be possible to do that trip with a set up like Ho Chung's G4?

You're not thinking of borrowing my Disco for a trip... are you?

 

[hochung]

I think everyone should do a solo trip. I don't mean one truck either, I mean solo, one person. Even if it's to a nearby, no high stakes, quick over-niter with cell service...

I agree. A man needs some time alone.

 

[kellymoe]

I think everyone should do a solo trip. I don't mean one truck either, I mean solo, one person. Even if it's to a nearby, no high stakes, quick over-niter with cell service...

Some of my most memorable trips have been spur of the moment solo trips. A few years back after a partner had to bail on a ski trip I decided to take of on my own. I spent 4 days skiing up and around Mt Whitney solo in the Spring. Another was a solo ski trip into the Palisades region of the Sierra. Even solo aid climbing trips. I have never felt "out there" or felt like I was hanging it on the edge. My moves and decisions are much more deliberate and I am not afraid to say no and back away whether climbing, skiing or wheeling solo. There is something so satisfying being alone in wild places. Even on trips with other people I have had them drop me off miles from camp while in the desert so I can walk alone with no sounds of engines or music, just the wind and the smell of creosote.

 

[Z O O R O P A]

You're not thinking of borrowing my Disco for a trip... are you?

hah! nah I'm the type of guy that has no problem lending out my possessions but never feels quite as comfortable using others

as much as I hate being unoriginal I took one look at your pictures and knew that is the best set up for me. I also highly enjoyed the video you all did with Truck Stop -

mind sharing your under body upgrades? any particular reason you don't use a skid plate?

Ho, what (if any) concerns about the 2004 model D2 and a trip like Sunexavier's trip come to your mind?

love your rig and business! :clapsmile

 

[tdesanto]

Yeah, Steve did some prep back in Chicago and threw down the amazing Korean BBQ.

Awesome. Nothing beats a cold brew and some sizling kalbi to get things started after a long day of trail negotiations and chasing the right sunlight for the perfect shots.

 

[kcowyo]

Most excellent - :clapsmile

Looks like this one had it all....

Utah... check
Landrovers.... check
good food.... check
slot canyons... check
crazy weather... check
good friends... check
trail repairs... check
scenic vistas.... check
firestarting torches... check
snow, sand, rain, wind, slickrock... check, check, check, check

+5 bonus points for the Pith helmet
-2 points for the sage smoke. How about a cigarillo instead?


Stunning photos and a great read through on the linked report. Very well done. Thank your Higher Power for the Plateau - :bowdown: