A few tips for anyone considering a first carnage trip;
Difficulty: Overall the Southern Carnage Routes are less relentless and not quite as difficult, the routes do make up for the difference in length, and remoteness. And dont be fooled, I have seen 2 vehicles totally annihilated.(1 not in our group, neither a Montero) and the stories of other groups failing to complete the Dusy as we did the one year are boundless on the net. My last big trip in the Red 2dr saw a near complete melt down of diverse systems. Overheating is essentially assured.(you make the Swamp lake climb and show me your gauge and I will believe you have a bad *** cooling system) Please plan to assist with winch operations on Thompson Hill. Fun on the trail is a team effort. Also be prepared to fight the trees that are extremely thick.
Scenery: The Dusy Ershim system enters a valley similar to Yosemite Valley while only missing the crowds. Granite domes, Massive ancient trees, lush meadows and lakes at every campsite dominate the southern Sierra Carnage. Altitudes tend to be higher with one of the highest Sierra 4x4 sections about timber line.
Equipment: Rear traction aid, rock sliders, typically 33" tires or taller, adequate armor, and over designed cooling system are certainly the minimums. But you will have more fun with more equipment.
Spares: Know your vehicle and its state of build, and what breaks. Bring spares. Its a drag driving hours to get parts, or losing days because of it. CVs WILL break, Tie rods may break, Gen III plastic drive shafts certainly may break, idler arms bend for examples. All IFS components fail with age. Spares make life much more fun.
Food and Supplies: Much more important for this years carnage as there is only 1 supply day, right after the Dusy. That means you need typically 5 gallons of gas or more each day on trail, plus getting there. So certainly for the second half of the trip you'll need extra gas. If you are using an old cooler, there is only one ice stop. We take big SUVs, so that means most modern conveniences. Be comfortable!
Showers: Typically available at each campsite, be ready to go when we arrive if you want to shed some trail dust.
Come with a carefree, fun loving attitude and roll with the punches as well as the amazing friendship and simply astounding scenery. Kids are welcome, I have two 4 and 6. Alcohol lead to fire walking and Star Wars Reenactments last year, so watch out for that.
