| Author | Message | ||
     Walter Dent (Walter) New Member Username: Walter Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2003 |
I got to really try out the D2 yesterday. I took up to Rocky Run yesterday. Nice trail but nothing real challenging in for my stock D2. I dolike that you don't drag branches on your vehicle, it's kept pretty clear. It did have some nice mud holes from the recent rain. The real challenge came later that day. My son and I finished RR at about 12:30 so I decided to go up to some fire roads that I know. We're tooling along and get to a point where you can go right or left. Having never been to the left, well, away we go. To make a long story short, we end up on what the Delorme Virginia Gazetteer calls a "jeep Trail"(we may have to get them to change that name!). The trail kept dwindling to almost non-existent, the only thing that kept us going was the fact that there was one set of tracks on it. We ended up going down rock washouts with 20" drops by piling rocks in the drops, something that the mystery tracks had started. By taking it slow enough and using my son as a spotter we didn't even bottom out. I gotta tell you I was worried at times but the D2 didn't even hesitate, never once thinking of getting stuck. I can't wait to see what it'll do with a 2" lift and better tires. Now I need to find all you VA. Dwebbers so you can show me your favorite trails. | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Senior Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 418 Registered: 04-2003 |
I am glad to hear that you did not get into a jam. Since it doesn't appear that you went with another vehicle. If you had gotten into an issue, this could have been a bad story vice the good one that it turned out to be. | ||
| Walter Dent (Walter) New Member Username: Walter Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2003 |
I had a good map and GPS so we always knew where to go for help. That and it's hunting season so there's lots of people in the woods. | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 888 Registered: 09-2002 |
Walter, As Joey said, good nothing happened and the truck impressed you but you should always err (is that how you spell it??) on the side of caution and go with another truck (preferably a well equiped one). Can't always count on a passer-by to help you as they may not always be equiped. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 527 Registered: 02-2003 |
There is no substitue for good judgement. | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 930 Registered: 05-2002 |
I like Walters enthusiasm. I personally try to do a solo trek with the family at least once a year. Typically we are in the middle of nowhere in Utah and rarely see a soul while tackling some reasonable challenges. We usually make the trips for about 3-4 days in length. On the safe side, I do carry a good HAM radio with APRS for position locating. There is hardly a place in the US that I cannot reach someone if all hell breaks loose. We also carry enough provisions to last us twice as long as we plannned. Like Phillip said, there is no substitute for good judgement; however, another rig is not always the only solution. The rewards for taking the risks on your own (and well-prepared) are priceless. -Curtis | ||
| Rupert J (Tehamarx) Member Username: Tehamarx Post Number: 78 Registered: 11-2002 |
"Be Prepared" and "The Buddy System". | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 495 Registered: 01-2003 |
Curtis, why haven't you invited me on any of your solo trips?  Going solo and being new at wheeling doesn't mean you are playing with fire. It just means you should be prudent and use that thing above your shoulders. Yes, you could get yourself into trouble, but even if your in a group you need to be self sufficent. Have recovery gear and emergency gear to get out of trouble or to get help. | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 931 Registered: 05-2002 |
"Curtis, why haven't you invited me on any of your solo trips?" LOL - Did you make Moab with the boyz? I hear they did some pretty insane stuff. BTW - Got some XC touring skis. Had a blast my first time out on Sat. Those things don't turn though... | ||
| Axel Haakonsen (Axel) Moderator Username: Axel Post Number: 544 Registered: 02-2003 |
There isn't anything wrong with going solo. You just have to be properly prepared, that's all. The reason why we tend to advice newbies against going solo around here, is because we have seen too many instances of inexperienced people buying into to "Go anywhere" advertising hype and then go out and get themselves in trouble. These newbies are typically new owners, who figure they will "just go out on a short trip", they don't understand the vehicle yet, and they go without any gear. Those are the people who would greatly benefit from going in a group with more experienced people. Somebody with experience - whether from owning a Land Rover or any other make - will generally not make those kind of rookie mistakes, and will be fine on a solo trip. - Axel | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 498 Registered: 01-2003 |
I agree on helping new wheelers and the advice of not going alone is quite sound. Any outdoor activity shouldn't be done alone, one never knows what could happen and having a partner could mean life or death. My point is one needs to use common sense first, even if your in a group. Being prepared for the worst and realizing ones limits is the first thing new wheelers need to know and practice. Turning around and going out the way you came, before you getting in over your head could save your ass. Not using common sense and knowing when to say when, could end up leading to trouble, even in a group of 50 experienced offroaders. Curtis, Yea I went along to Moab, great time, scared myself a couple of times with the fear of body damage. But Marc, Jake, Keith, Conner and John the ski patroler from CO we meet with the prettist D-90 I have ever seen , are all excellent spotters and helped me thought some crazy spots without trouble. We proved with my truck you don't need lockers if you get the right line. On XC ski's I don't know which is worse, stopping or turning. Let me know if you want to head out some time and ski, I do Millcreek a lot after work in the dark and use a headlamp to come back down. Millcreek, Park City rail trail, Jeremry Ranch, or the Unitas are all great XC areas. | ||
| James (Jimmyg) Senior Member Username: Jimmyg Post Number: 425 Registered: 10-2002 |
Walter, There is a group of us that go out as much as possible. We are located in the Harrisonburg/Charlottesville area. Let me know if you want to tag along sometime. James | ||
| EricV (Bender2033) Senior Member Username: Bender2033 Post Number: 261 Registered: 08-2002 |
I am located in Richmond, VA. I have been to Shoe Creek and Sherando, but thats about it. I'd love to run the GWNF in Harrisonburg sometime or Pott's MOuntaian in Roanoke. Let's plan a snow run sometime! | ||
| James (Jimmyg) Senior Member Username: Jimmyg Post Number: 426 Registered: 10-2002 |
There are some better trails then those close by. North of Charlottesville | ||
| Walter Dent (Walter) New Member Username: Walter Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2003 |
That sounds great James. Shoot me an e-mail the next time you're going out. I'm looking to meet up with people. [email protected] On another note, this isn't my first 4x4 nor was that the first time I've been off road. I was only making a note that the disco is a great running vehicle. The not going solo is good advice but I'm not completely lacking common sense. If I thought there was any chance of getting to the point of not going forward anymore I wouldn't. I also don't buy into the go anywhere do anything hype. I've passed to many suv's in my BMW that where stuck in a ditch in 3" of snow because of the feeling of the invincibilty. I DO appreciate the good advice I get from all of you here. Thanks! | ||
| EricV (Bender2033) Senior Member Username: Bender2033 Post Number: 263 Registered: 08-2002 |
I agree James that sounds great! We should try to set something up soon! I am not familiar with any 4x4 trails near c'ville ... the only trails I know of are MTB trails at waller's (sp?) mill. |
