Cancelled Old-School Vehicle Overlanding Trip - Running the WA Backcountry Discovery Route

[shortbus4x4]

Sounds like a fun trip. I'm ordering a Detroit locker for the rear of my Jeep and will have it installed before the trip. I'm driving over Saturday and spending that evening somewhere near Stevenson.

 

[armyRN]

Sounds like a fun trip. I'm ordering a Detroit locker for the rear of my Jeep and will have it installed before the trip. I'm driving over Saturday and spending that evening somewhere near Stevenson.

What kind of Jeep?

 

[shortbus4x4]

What kind of Jeep?

M715 with Chevy 350 power.

 

[armyRN]

Awesome. I'd love to find a nice M715.

 

[armyRN]

Getting the trailer back together for the Old-School run - it took a beating pre-running the WABDR. Replacement leaf springs are in place (4-leaf vs previous 3-leaf). New trailer shocks arrived today (one of the old ones was blown - don't know if from this past trip or a previous trip). Shocks were repainted blue (came black - I never trust the factory paint to last long on inexpensive shocks so I repaint them). Bumpstops came in (factory TJ foam bumpstops and bucket mounts). Since I'll be running bumpstops, I need to reinforce the frame where the bumpstops will be mounted with some 3/16" angle iron (about 18" on each side). While I'll be reinforcing the frame, I'll be relocating the upper shock mounts 1.5" more forward on the frame so the shocks aren't as extended in the resting position. Which means I have to reroute the electric brake wires... it is a domino effect.

 

[armyRN]

So we're about two months out from "Wheel's Rolling", and here are the folks that have expressed an interest in going so far:

Old School Vehicles:

armyRN (oh wait; that's me)
shortbus4x4

Support Vehicles:

DIYTaco15

Did I mess anyone? Looks like we've got three so far.

I posted this on one of the Willys Facebook pages (CJ2A/3A) to see if anyone might be interested since we have quite a few slots available.

 

[CJTherapy]

Hi, I just downloaded the app to see what info I could find about the WABDR and came across this thread. Didn’t find the dates that you have set aside but would be interested if it works for my schedule. I’ve got an 82 CJ5 that I’ve built up and should be able to easily handle the trail and was planning on doing it the 12-18th of Sept with a friend who would be on his MC. What dates are you planning? I’m far enough out perhaps I could change to accommodate.

-Chris

 

[armyRN]

Thanks for your interest. If you go to the beginning on page 1 and read through the first half-dozen posts they will tell you everything you need to know.

 

[armyRN]

Ok; we're about six-weeks out. Who's still planning on going on the Old-School run? If you need to drop out, please don't wait till the last minute to tell me (or just not show up on the start date). Thanks.

I'm finishing up the repairs to the trailer damage from the last run. Frame is reinforced where the new bumpstop will be "bumping". New shocks (blew one of the shocks from the last run). New springs, new rear shackles, etc.

Oh; and I'm getting famous:

https://www.fourwheeler.com/news/features/1998-jeep-wrangler/

 

[BA_Tony]

I wish I could, but that is when the kids MAY be starting back to school. I'm also not sure my 90+% stock M38A1 is up for that challenge. I did want to get back about the ability to camp here in Stevenson prior to start for those who are interested. I checked with the county, and there is camping allowed at the fairgrounds with no reservaations needed (or accepted). The fairgrounds are about 1/2 mile from the planned meet up point at A&J Select Market. I could maybe host on my land if it is just a couple rigs. I'd like to meet with anyone who is here the night before since I haven't been to any OB event yet. I'm open to starting a new Rally point for this if it makes sense to do so.
Here's the info i got from the county, oh and if you haven't been to the faIrgrounds, it sits on a cove, has a partial view of the Columbia, and an amazing view of the Oregon Cascades across the river:
Rock Creek Park (AKA Skamania County Fairgrounds) is accepting campers at first come first serve basis (plenty of room). We are located at 710 SW Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, WA 98648. If you have any questions please call Mon-Thurs from 7:30am-5:30pm, at 509-427-3980.

Amenities:

Camping
Dogs allowed (on leash)
Multi Use Fields
On site parking
Picnic Area
Picnic Shelter
Play Structure
Restrooms
Showers
Trails
View Point
Wildlife

$25 per night electric (one RV) or $20 per night non electric (2 small tents, 1 large tent, or a small RV with no hookup)

Thank you,

Sara L Slack
Event Specialist
Skamania County Community Events & Recreation
710 SW Rock Creek Drive
PO BOX 369
Stevenson, WA 98648


sslack@co.skamania.wa.us Email
www.skamaniacounty.org Web


Hope this helps!
Joel

 

[armyRN]

Thanks for the info; I might just do that if the weather will cooperate that night. Thanks for the intel!

Hegewald Center · 710 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson, WA 98648

Building

www.google.com

 

[armyRN]

So we're about four weeks out from the start of the Old-School Vehicle Overlanding Trip (Woo-Hoo!). I know a lot has happened Covid-19 related since I posted the Rally Point months ago. For some folks, it is ruining their vacation plans. For others, now they've got free time on their hands. If you need to back-out (I get it; stuff happens) the sooner you let us/me know, the better.

I've still got to do a few minor non-mechanical things to the Willys to get it ready. The trailer's fixed and ready to go.

I sent out PMs to the folks that have already expressed an interest in the trip to please let me know if they're still planning on attending. And if you haven't registered yet, there's plenty of time. Please be checking this thread for any updates.

However... as we get into September, if all I'm hearing is crickets and no commitments, this trip might get cancelled. There're time and expenses involved getting ready for any week-long trip, and I don't want to stock up on vittles', pack and prepare, and then be the only one showing up at the Rally Point on Sunday, 6 September.

Thanks!

 

[phlfly]

Shoot I would go if it would be not more 1,000 miles from house. I'm East, VA, it's like 3,000 miles.

 

[M Rose]

So we're about four weeks out from the start of the Old-School Vehicle Overlanding Trip (Woo-Hoo!). I know a lot has happened Covid-19 related since I posted the Rally Point months ago. For some folks, it is ruining their vacation plans. For others, now they've got free time on their hands. If you need to back-out (I get it; stuff happens) the sooner you let us/me know, the better.

I've still got to do a few minor non-mechanical things to the Willys to get it ready. The trailer's fixed and ready to go.

I sent out PMs to the folks that have already expressed an interest in the trip to please let me know if they're still planning on attending. And if you haven't registered yet, there's plenty of time. Please be checking this thread for any updates.

However... as we get into September, if all I'm hearing is crickets and no commitments, this trip might get cancelled. There're time and expenses involved getting ready for any week-long trip, and I don't want to stock up on vittles', pack and prepare, and then be the only one showing up at the Rally Point on Sunday, 6 September.

Thanks!

View attachment 166401

I would really like to make this one... but “The Adventure Machine” is in for an “Adventure” of its life... she left me stranded 2 weeks ago, and what seamed a simple fix has turned into a major surgery for her... she may be back on the road in 2021, but more than likely not in 2020.

 

[armyRN]

I would really like to make this one... but “The Adventure Machine” is in for an “Adventure” of its life... she left me stranded 2 weeks ago, and what seamed a simple fix has turned into a major surgery for her... she may be back on the road in 2021, but more than likely not in 2020.

Wow; sounds serious. Hope you can git'r fixed without too much drama and expense. Your Bronco? Full size vehicles are so much more comfortable to take on long trips.

My other adventure vehicle is a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 I bought new; now with 225,00 miles on the 5.2 engine. This is the vehicle I want to take on my next trip up to Canada/Alaska (trails are too tight for the truck here in WA and OR). It runs fine, but a couple cylinders have a low compression compared to the others. One of these days it is going to need an engine. Hopefully it won't leave me stranded up there when it does. I hope you weren't too far from civilization when you got stranded.

 

[M Rose]

Wow; sounds serious. Hope you can git'r fixed without too much drama and expense. Your Bronco? Full size vehicles are so much more comfortable to take on long trips.

My other adventure vehicle is a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 I bought new; now with 225,00 miles on the 5.2 engine. This is the vehicle I want to take on my next trip up to Canada/Alaska (trails are too tight for the truck here in WA and OR). It runs fine, but a couple cylinders have a low compression compared to the others. One of these days it is going to need an engine. Hopefully it won't leave me stranded up there when it does. I hope you weren't too far from civilization when you got stranded.

View attachment 166444

Yup the Full Size Bronco is out to pasture for a bit... my dad and I are both under the impression the motor just got plain tired... 260k miles and who knows how many of those miles have been with cracked head... I had been babying it along for a year since I got it... but it’s for the best... I had been planning a slow restoration... but it looks like it’s going to jump to a faster resto-mod...

My other Overland Rig is a 2000 Ram 2500 that I picked up in 2016...

I’m bringing OL’ Blue out of retirement for a few months

 

[armyRN]

Since the number of events happening locally is limited and the OverlandRS is to new; was thinking How about a 1972 Renault FWD (R5 or R16). Lifted with 10+ inches of GC and over 15" wheel travel you know the ones that one Dakar? 145-80-13 Offroad tires. Manual 4spd, 1400-6147cc with a carburetor! Or maybe dig my Renault Alpine A110 GR4 out of storage...Hmmm

Might be doable. Need to see pictures : )

 

[M Rose]

Since the number of events happening locally is limited and the OverlandRS is to new; was thinking How about a 1972 Renault FWD (R5 or R16). Lifted with 10+ inches of GC and over 15" wheel travel you know the ones that one Dakar? 145-80-13 Offroad tires. Manual 4spd, 1400-6147cc with a carburetor! Or maybe dig my Renault Alpine A110 GR4 out of storage...Hmmm

Paul is being protective of this trip due to his experience earlier this year running it. There was a lot of carnage, and day 3 (correct me if I’m wrong) was a 4 mile day... I later went back to the same spot to turn around and head back to base camp my wife’s 04 4Runner wasn’t up to the challenge with 32” tires and no armor.

 

[armyRN]

Oh yeah. There are places that are not for the faint-of-heart. Tight squeezes between trees and/or boulders, muddy ditches, hill climbs, etc. That's why the vehicle requirements are what they are (including dedicated tow strap attachment points front-and-rear, like tow hooks or D-rings or 2" receivers). Full size 4x4 four-door half ton and 3/4 ton trucks may have an issue with some of the tighter spots. Mid-size 4x4s are about the right size for this trip (TJs, JKs, ZJs, 4Runnners, Pathfinders, XTerras, etc.) as they're not too big, and not too small. A full-sized 2-door Bronco, Blazer, (etc.) or a full-size 2-door SWB truck would work, but might be a bit tight in spots. And trailers really really should be no bigger than the old WWII sized jeep trailers (M100 pictured below or M416).

 

[armyRN]

Sadly, I'm cancelling this Old-School Vehicle Overlanding Trip Run.

It came down to just me and one other person, and unfortunately they were going to have to bug-out on/after day #2. I can't see myself out in the middle of nowhere (we pre-ran this trip; I know how isolated it can be out there) stuck or broken down by myself if I tried to do the rest of the trip by myself. And with the Willys no less (although I have the utmost confidence in its mechanical ability - the best of vehicles can get really stuck and needing assistance). I think when we ran it earlier this summer, some days we saw nobody on the off-pavement part of the WABDR for the whole day.

Back in April when I first posted this event, we were still thinking the NWOR was a "Go", and nobody was wearing masks everywhere they went. Things have changed.

Thanks to everyone that initially expressed interest in doing something like this. Hopefully next year this COVID-19 thing will be history, and we will try again for another Old-School Run (maybe a shorter run).

As for me, I'm not going to be sitting around not going anywhere next month. I've already got the time off from work, the trailer has been fixed for a while now, and I'm itching to go somewhere. I'll probably do this run which I've been wanting to do ("Plan B"):

Overland Routes | Pacific Crest: Oregon Segment - Expedition Portal

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Spring 2018. A cool wind whistled through the pines around us, and I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with crisp mountain air. We had only left the hustle and bustle of Portland’s streets that morning, but the city’s...

expeditionportal.com

The WABDR was a 600 mile run; this Pacific Crest Oregon Segment is 500 miles (but you end up at the California border, so you'll be backtracking back to WA if that's where you started from).

I still plan on leaving Sunday, 6 September, but this time from Hood River, OR (a little further east on I-84 than Sevenson, WA). Nope; haven't pre-run it. Doesn't matter; I'm not leading a group as of now. I'm going in cold (does that make it even more of an adventure?). This week I'll go buy the Oregon Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer, plot it out, and see what I can do with my GAIA thingy on my phone for plotting the course there too.

Now should I take the TJ and trailer, or my truck (96 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 SWB single-cab) and trailer? Truck doesn't have a winch (TJ does), but I get the feeling this Pacific Crest route is easier than the WABDR (read the description in the link above - it is fairly short read), and if I put a cot in the back of the truck, it would make setting up & down camp too simple. TJ has lockers front and rear; Truck has True-Tracs front and rear. Both have 285/75/16" tires (essentially 33' tall tires).

What do ya'll think about which vehicle to take?

Anyways... sometimes things don't work out. It helps to have a "Plan B".

If you're interested in joining me for this Pacific Crest Oregon Segment send me a PM. I'm not going to post another rally point for such short notice, but if you get a wild hair let me know. I would still recommend the same vehicle size and trailer size suggestions as previously posted in this thread.