Crawlfest, from an AZ perspective.

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
Whew! What a weekend. Etti and I attended the Southwest Crawlfest put on by Rockaholics Anonymous. Our drive there was eventful including snow, fog, and suicidal dear. But we made it in about 8 hours ( hit rush hour in PHX). Passing through Zion at midnight with a full moon was something to remember.

We got in two days of wheeling in the Hurricane/St. George, UT area. Lots of Red Rock, Sand Dunes, and a bit of mud that I tried very hard to avoid. There ended up being over 30 rigs in each of the trail runs we went on. We ran a trail called Milts Mile on day 1, Milt even joined the group for a ride along.

Since I don’t have much experience on red(slick) rock, it was a learning experience. I couldn’t crawl many of the ledges, the rears would just spin. So momentum was king and I have pretty much mastered ‘the bump’ after this trip. The odd thing was, if you tried to climb a ledge, no traction. If you tried to make a tight turn, the fronts would hang on like crazy.

All right, to the pics.

It all started with a beautiful view across the reservoir

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Part of the group on a climb followed by an off camber turn.
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Small ledge.
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A toy making its way thru a crack ( I ended up wheeling with the same group of toys both days, great to meet you guys).
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My turn.
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Wedge
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20027.jpg

Here is a JK on an optional climb. 40’s, Hemi, Teraflex 60’s, and Paint matched top, bumpers, & beadlocks. Didn’t scratch the paint and wheeled most of the obstacles.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20038.jpg

Approaching the same obstacle.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20039.jpg


Here I am on video
http://picasaweb.google.com/Xiled01/SWCF09#5433485615184009986

This one got the better of me, couldn’t get my rears up the undercut, even with a lot of throttle. After banging my mirror on the rocks, I called it quits.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20061.jpg

On the last obstacles before heading home.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20076.jpg
 

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
On Day 2 we ran the West Rim. Tons of different obstacles of all different levels.

Heading up the Red Rock
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20083.jpg

Looking back at the rest of the group.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20086.jpg

Dropping into the start of the play area.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20104.jpg

Our first obstacle was intimidating, the red GC blew his rear driveline, the Scout didn’t make it, and only the stretched TJ was hitting it. So I gave it at try. Took about 5 attempts at it but finally got it.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20125.jpg


Here are some videos of me trying and failing.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Xiled01/SWCF09#5433486530899178674
http://picasaweb.google.com/Xiled01/SWCF09#5433487002295993490
http://picasaweb.google.com/Xiled01/SWCF09#5433487842895037138
And finally getting it, it looks so easy.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Xiled01/SWCF09#5433488151091332194

A look from below at a JK trying it.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20133.jpg

We also had to go down some steep stuff
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20143.jpg

This stretched TJ took a harder line and didn’t make it. We pulled him out, only for his fan to take out his radiator and then his rear driveshaft to blow. Bad day, but we got him out.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20156.jpg

Pulling him out through the deep sand was a challenge. Here we are almost to the road.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20178.jpg

We regrouped and headed back to the fun.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20184.jpg
 

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
Here are the toys on the next set of obstacles.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20185.jpg

My Turn
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20188.jpg

SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20189.jpg

Big Climb
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20197.jpg

Lots o Rigs
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20202.jpg


SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20205.jpg


SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20210.jpg

Two climbs
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20219.jpg


SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20223.jpg

Better look at a toy on that first climb, kind of steep.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20225.jpg
 

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
Toy getting some on the next climb
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20232.jpg

Gorgeous country.
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20239.jpg



I was blown away by the number of land use groups UT has and how active the OHV community is in general. You guys have got it together. If we could get that kind of participation in AZ, we could really make some progress, or at least stop the regression.

It was great group to wheel with and I met lots of great people. I'll be back next year.

Here is a link to the rest of the photos and videos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Xiled01/SWCF09#

We used our video camera for the first time and I’ll get those up once I get the conversion all figured out. If anyone knows of a trusted and free .MOD to .MPG converter, send me PM. Thanks.

We hiked Zion on Sunday and Monday morning before heading back, extremely beautiful, especially with the snow. I'll throw a link to those pics in here when we get them uploaded.

For those interested, here is a link to our Zion pics.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ettienneaz/ZionNationalParkUtahJan10#
 
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Herzog

somewhat damaged
Admin
Location
Wyoming
Great report. The traction on the slick rock down there seemed to me like it was just slightly less sticky than the rock in Moab. Not sure if there's a difference in the consistency or if it was just the moisture from that weekend.

It feels good to hear people from other states say that we have together here as far as land use. Sometimes it just seems like we are yelling at a wall.
 

BEACH

Casey Beach Racing
Supporting Member
Great pics. The sight of the glass on the lake made me want to go out on the boat.
 

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
Where at it Arizona??? I need to find some wheelin' spots around Havasu. :eek:


I live in Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix. Sorry can't help you out with Havasu. I believe there are a few clubs up there, I know there is one in Parker and I think they have a forum. Try seaching around for it. Good Luck.
 

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
Sweet pics. What kind of camera you shoot with?


I don't have the model with me, but its a Panasonic SuperZoom (18X) point and shoot, about 2 years old. Really, I think that the Picasa software has more to do with it. The software reads the camera settings used for each pick, including histogram, iso, etc, and refines the shots. They always seem to look so much more alive. Might give it a try with your camera.

Edit: Camera model is Panasonic DMC-FZ18
 
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SAMI

Formerly Beardy McGee
Location
SLC, UT
Great report! I'm forced to vicariously live through those who are posting reports of the weekend.. Thank you!

My favorite shot!
SWCF%2009%20Hurricane%2C%20UT%20185.jpg
 

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
Here are the videos. Sorry about the wind noise, this is our first time using the camera. Some are bit boring, we'll have to work on our video skills. I'm posting all the links. I'll see if I can get the embedding thing to work on a couple after I read the FAQ.

Well after looking at these, the .MOD to .MPG converter cut them off about 2/3's of the way in on each. I'll work on that.

Looked at it again, since I'm using an eval copy of a converter, it only converts the 1st half. Bummer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRRgxnJ-xGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuMoz4oO2RA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb6LYXacVYE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_zAWRXkefU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-A-oG8kurI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuFfIo-XbNY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTaq6fM6fYg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GFNK_B2eHQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfQUxWk6KTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUYzIZ9qdjI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKilfdlJUck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vywnLQsalE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hORe1_H8p68
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW-iNe8FoX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcCuQ83xnR8
 
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ricsrx

Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting up the pics or should I say thanks to your wife for taking all the pics, I had a great time on the trail with you guys, I am glad you enjoyed Utah and all that this state has to offer. I was impressed with your driving and the Jeep, I look forward to seeing you again next year.

Rick
 

Xiled1

Member
Location
Mesa, AZ
Thanks for posting up the pics or should I say thanks to your wife for taking all the pics, I had a great time on the trail with you guys, I am glad you enjoyed Utah and all that this state has to offer. I was impressed with your driving and the Jeep, I look forward to seeing you again next year.

Rick

Killer pictures, thanks to you and your wife posting all of those. Hope to wheel with you guys again!


It was great wheeling with you guys as well. Hope we can meet up at some other events. Next on my list is Moab. If you are every planning a trip to AZ, let me know.

Although they are throwing a Hail Mary at out air quality issues and trying to ban ALL OHV use in the greater Phx area. We're fighting that battle right now, something nice to come home to....
 
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