6 jeeps and Dave in the Dodge met up just after the Throgs Neck Bridge. After a decent bit of cursing and complaints we made it through the Cross Bronx without too much difficulty. Our caravan made it out to Hazleton without any excitement. The friendly and welcoming chatter on the cb helped Amanda and I feel welcome to the group.
Morning came quickly. Amanda and I arrived at the gas station at 7:30AM where I started jacking up the Rubicon so I could put on my wheel spacers and chains. I was just finishing up as the other members of the group showed up and started gassing up. Man, it was a jarring ride to Paragon. The chains were unforgiving on the pavement even at only 20 mph. When we got to Paragon we were the only group there. They were just starting to plow the lot. We aired down and signed in and paid we set off with Bob in the lead with “Lil Red.”
We never really traveled too far from the High Road and the staging area. The entry-level green trails were fun and provided some challenges. Bob broke out the winch once here when his rear started to slide down a steep hill. This made a nice and easy recovery instead of trying to motor out of a situation that could become real hairy real quick. As Bob was slowly scouting out our trail he broke through some ice and had to be tugged backwards by Mark in his white YJ. Everyone else was able to power through with just a touch of pressure on the skinny petal.
The first real obstacle proved to be a steep hill climb. Normally probably not too bad I imagine even a Ford Escape could handle it. But with the snow it was a different story. Bob struggled once or twice, but his 33s had great tread and helped him reach the summit. He walked back and started to spot. Mark tried it once, but then started down the bypass. I was up next. I pushed my magic button to engage the lockers and tore up the hill. The chains really did help; I had traction all the way. I went a little too fast and popped up over the hill. Next time I will take it a little slower.Alex gave the next one up, but speed, chains, or lockers was going to be needed. Dave was up next. He gave it one shot and then backed up and gassed it. The tactic of speed worked the big Dodge popped over the crest of the hill.
We headed back to High Road and moved to another easy trail. We all wondered what was taking Bob so long to wave us on. All we could see was Bob backing up and running forward. He kept saying something on the talk-about about wanting a snowplow. I could see what he was talking about when we finally followed him over the hilltop. We entered a small valley that was filled with about 4 feet of snow. This is why Bob was complaining about the need for a snowplow. Everyone soon popped through and decided what obstacle we would tackle next.
Bob started heading up a short hill climb that was studded with snow-covered rocks. Dave snagged his front diff on a rock and Bob broke out the winch and a snatch block to tug him free. We then oriented ourselves and moved onward. We soon found ourselves at the end of Whompum, a blue three. We decided to run it backwards. Bob led off and I followed, we both made it through after many attempts at finding paths that worked for each of us. I got high centered once, but was able to find some traction once my chains broke through the ice and grabbed ahold of a rock. Alex and Mark also attempted Whompum. I think Mark made it through after breaking out his winch on one occasion. Alex was winched out by Mark after he got stuck. His tailpipe suffered a little damage, but we were able to keep going.
We headed down a road to find some more fun. Bob and Mark were leading the way. They started down a trail and we soon heard something about a tree down and Bob attempting to roll “Lil Red.” As Bob tried to conquer the trail and Mark worked to talk him out of it the rest of us took lunch and had some fun with a photo op.
After lunch we headed back out. We found this nice little washout the leaders started down. Alex and Dave lingered on the High Road. It was a good thing they did. As we entered the washout we dropped about 4 feet and once we were in we were in. The leaders were way ahead of me as I was behind Alex and Dave. I continued on by myself. Amanda was out documenting the trail in photos. It was a good thing she was not in the Jeep the next obstacle was another drop, this time a little bigger probably about 5 and a half feet. I couldn’t see a damn thing, but I figured if Bob, Bill, Mark, Rocky and Angela could make so could I.
As I edge over the cliff and start sliding down the hill I hear Amanda screaming to stop. She says I am heading right toward a large rock. I crank my wheels hard to the left and edge forward, but the gravity and ice pull my front end right toward this rock. The next thing I know I am looking strait down at the ground held in tight by my seatbelt. I get out and know I am stuck. Amanda and Alex are saying something about my tire. Whatever it is I know I am stuck. A quick survey reveals I am definitely stuck and my left front tire is off the rim. I can’t change it here and I can’t go forward. There is a large rock pinned against my left front fender and bare rim. The chains spin on the ice as I hit reverse. They want to pull me out, but the angle is too severe. It also does not help that I am missing a tire.
Dave and Alex suggest we wait until the guys with the winches get back. Well, we hear on the talk-abouts that the guys up front are having trouble of their own. We hear bits and pieces about snow, ice, water and looking like the Iditarod. After about 20 minutes I suggest we try to get the Rubicon out of the ditch. Dave backs his truck up and we break out the tow strap. After two attempts we pull the Ruby just enough so I can get traction and back it up under my own power. I can’t continue to back up because the first drop was too steep to try in reverse. So I work on changing the tire now that I have room. I am just finishing up as the guys make it make from their arctic expedition. Bob assists me out of the ditch with his winch.
After we clean up our mess one of the guys “repairs” my fender and declares my tire a complete loss. We head onto some easy trails to finish up the day. This was the last of the incidents. Bob and Mark head out to do a couple of difficult trails. The rest of us wait and work on airing up our tires. We soon head out and head back to the staging area. We start the trek back to LI. We pack up and gas up and hit the road. We have some good conversations on the talk-abouts. After a brief stop for a bite to eat in NJ we make it back to the island. It was a great day for a run in the snow!
| Participants in the Ted the Fed Tribute Run | |
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