Overland Expo West 2015
- Thread starter TravelinLight
- Start date
nuclearlemon
Adventurer
ditto on not fun. while the gale force winds, rain and snow sucked, that's part of camping, but the fact that the organizers were not prepared for the weather even though there was plenty of warning and the entire field was downright dangerous to walk in is unacceptable. i spent a small fortune to be able to attend a bunch of classes that got cancelled due to weather and i had to leave while i could still walk (i have bad knees and i'm paying for just one day of sliding in the pigsnot field) they were finally putting in some rock on the walking path late sat am, but that was over 24 hours after the path became a slippery nightmare and i doubt they did anything in the camping area. the rocky mountain overland crew was up to six recoveries when i left them saturday am and two other friends had spent friday evening strapping people out. maybe the organizers should've set up a class there. there was more happening with the campers than you got to see in the classes and that was a free show. throw in lukewarm showers and that the lodge "forgot to order" hot chocolate and i won't be back. shame, because i'm sure under good conditions it would be great, but i can't risk the fortune that they charge on another gamble.
nuclearlemon
Adventurer
maybe those people have medical reasons for leaving. i'm home now icing my knee and i can barely walk because of the dangerous "walking" path. i was perfecting comfortable in my tent. had the organizers made walking around safe, i would've stayed and just been miffed that i spent a fortune for classes that were cancelled, but at least been able to enjoy the attendees. i met a bunch of great people there.Yea, it's pretty awesome out there. mud > dust if you ask me. It's pretty interesting to come out on day 2 and see the lack of fair-weather folks
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RHINO
Expedition Leader
thats the only reason i go,,, the event itself is a disappointment on many levels. if i was you i'd be demanding a refund for the cancelled classes.
again this year, trashcans everywhere but not a single recycle bin.
but it is a fun day and something a little different to do.
Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
This was the third time in recorded history that we have gotten that much rain in May. It was the third time to ever even get rain on the 15th of May. How do you prepaired for that? I'm odd but I loved the weather event and even took pics of the snow. How about a high five for the total lack of dust!
The lodge forgot to order hot chocolate. I think I woke my wife up with laughter. I'll leave it for the next guy but I'm sorry the epic weather event dampened your trip.
Jonathan Hanson
Well-known member
In truth, the number of completely cancelled classes totaled about four according to Graham. The driving course was closed, but the Land Rover and Camel Trophy instructors substituted one-on-one instruction on local forest roads for anyone interested, and several people told us that was the best part of their weekend. Several other driving classes were morphed into mud-driving instruction, which again seemed popular. One of the few consistent shortcomings we've had in instruction at the west show was the lack of mud instruction. This year, um, fixed that.
The lake bed? An astonishing mess, and unfortunately nothing to be done about it, either in advance or after the fact. Yet Ross Blair and I and several volunteers had tremendous fun pulling the few people out who were genuinely bogged, and everyone we helped was in great spirits, so I guess we did not meet Nuclearlemon - sorry we weren't there to help. The staff of the lodge worked non-stop from Friday morning getting down gravel and straw - there was no way to predict where it would be needed before the rain. Out in the vendor and classroom area the mood seemed as cheerful as ever if not more so, and the vendors have been selling like crazy.
For a contrast in perception, Roseann had a young woman approach her at the happy hour. She'd never been camping or overlanding before, and had dived in with a full package. She said she was having the time of her life, and when Roseann asked about the mud, said, "That's just part of the adventure!"
We learned years ago that there is simply no way to please everyone, no matter what the conditions are. There's no doubt that weather conditions this year were more challenging for all of us. I suppose that's the nature of an outdoor event.
Today is sunny and beautiful! I'm heading out to teach a winching fundamentals class, which might be more useful than usual thus year . . .
The lake bed? An astonishing mess, and unfortunately nothing to be done about it, either in advance or after the fact. Yet Ross Blair and I and several volunteers had tremendous fun pulling the few people out who were genuinely bogged, and everyone we helped was in great spirits, so I guess we did not meet Nuclearlemon - sorry we weren't there to help. The staff of the lodge worked non-stop from Friday morning getting down gravel and straw - there was no way to predict where it would be needed before the rain. Out in the vendor and classroom area the mood seemed as cheerful as ever if not more so, and the vendors have been selling like crazy.
For a contrast in perception, Roseann had a young woman approach her at the happy hour. She'd never been camping or overlanding before, and had dived in with a full package. She said she was having the time of her life, and when Roseann asked about the mud, said, "That's just part of the adventure!"
We learned years ago that there is simply no way to please everyone, no matter what the conditions are. There's no doubt that weather conditions this year were more challenging for all of us. I suppose that's the nature of an outdoor event.
Today is sunny and beautiful! I'm heading out to teach a winching fundamentals class, which might be more useful than usual thus year . . .
Jonathan Hanson
Well-known member
Incidentally, the Mormon Lake Pizzeria once again ran out of pizza, although they made it all the way to Saturday night this time and seemed quite proud of that . . .
Two friends and myself drove up yesterday for the event. We had a great time. All of us chose clothing and footwear that would be appropriate for a cold muddy mess. We even brought a chance of clothes and footwear for the ride home. We had rain, snow, sleet, and hail in Arizona in May. It was awesome.
Kmrtnsn
Explorer
Don't change a thing! We had a blast and will be back next year, rain or shine.
nuclearlemon
Adventurer
i was walking around all day friday and never saw anyone putting down gravel and straw until i saw the tractor dumping in the field before the pedestrian bridge on saturday late morning. the only time i saw the tractor on friday was outside the pizzeria when a portion of the building next to it fell on a couple of vehicles.
the area where the vendors was was great. there was plenty of rock there and it was very pleasant and solid walking. getting there from the camping and parking area is where everyone was sliding all over the place and the pedestrian bridge area took a little extra caution as it was angled. i watched a poor older gentleman hanging on to the flag rope in an attempt to get across without sliding off the side.
Jonathan Hanson
Well-known member
Thank you!