Photo Gallery
Mackenzie Trail, August 2005
This old log and stringer bridge had seen better days when we went over it in 2005 and was totally fallen in 2008. A challenging watercrossing with a wee bit of irony... about 60 feet to the left of this spot there was a ford of the stream with a nice firm bottom which we simply didn't see in 2005. In 2008 it was the only way across.
2005 Northwest Challenge, Funny Rocks, Naches, WA
A speed trial around a rocky obstacle course. I was making up time as I had stalled earlier on a rocky climb. The spotter was sure I was going over so he hopped on the corner. I came in 4th overall in the 2005 event.
Rover-Landers RTV Trials, November 2005
We warned them! As we set up for the RTV Trials event we discovered there were a few spots that the surface looked solid but was only about 3" thick, and underlying was a big layer of goo. This was at a heavy equipment training ground, and the owner had told us up front that they had almost lost a high hoe in the area a few days before. but several over-zealous drivers ended up in the soft stuff. Shawn, in this case buried his left side rather deep, and it took 2 of us, both with Warn 8274 winches, doubled up with snatch blocks to even budge him. Thats a 32,000 pound pull.
Black Bear Pass, Colorado, August 2007
One of the highest roads in the US, the Black Bear pass goes from Ouray/Silverton over to Telluride, which you can see far below in this photo. The highest point of the pass is 12,840 feet above sea level. The road itself is not that challenging, until you go over the top of the summit. And then a stretch of about a half mile creates enough pucker power to do you for several days. We drove through with a group from the Land Rover National Rally and all was well until it began to rain at the summit... Approaching "The Stairs", a series of 18" drops around a narrow off-camber curve with a thousand foot drop to our left, I was really happy to see one of the guides there to spot us. what he didn't know was that at this altitude our brakes were only barely working, and the rocks were as slippery as ice. Once through this section, we drove through Ingram creek (which immediately warped both very hot front rotors) and then through the notorious switchbacks. We stopped at the bottom of the switchbacks to get our breath. Would I do it again? Well, I don't really need to anymore, it's crossed off my list. There are some chilling stories about other peopels Black Bear adventures on google.
Red Mountain, Colorado, August 2007
A much calmer adventure than the one above, the Red Mountain tour we took brought us past several dozen abandoned mines in the San Juan mountains.
Imogene Pass, Telluride, CO, August 2007
Slightly higher than Black Bear Pass, the Imogene Pass summit is 13,114. This pass is slightly to the northwest of Black Bear but also delivers you down into Telluride. This pass is also open to two way traffic, while Black Bear is one way only due to its narrowness. The major challenges on the Imogene are a few spots of slickrock, which require low range driving, but other than that it's major attraction is the beautiful vistas at that altitude. Bring along a sweater, though as it's quite cool even on a nice sunny day!
Whipsaw Trail BFG Outstanding Trails presentation, September 2007
Joe Mazur of BF Goodrich Tires presents Dave with a plaque recognizing the Whipsaw Trail as one of the BF Goodrich Oustanding Trails for 2007. The Rover-Landers of BC, which Dave and Pamela are very involved in, are the stewards of the Whipsaw Trail, which runs from just south of Princeton to Coalmont, BC
Sunrise Lake, Spring 2008
Ever had a wedgie? This relative easy trail from the main Harrison West FSR to Sunrise Lake has one major obstacle to keep the Corollas out. The rocky wedge has seen its fair share of carnage and roll-overs from drivers with the wrong approach. Always best to use (and pay attention to) an experienced spotter!
Mackenzie Trail/Nuxulk Carrier Grease Trail, August 2008
The aspen jungle, as it was describe in books by Rich Hobson. This section of the Grease Trail really lives up to its name. This is on the north side of Euchiniko Lake in central BC. The beetle-kill that has struck BC over the past 10 years has resulted in a high water table and a lot of care must be taken to stay on the trail, and some places the trail itself is rather wet. As a result there are several hundred yards that simply require you to winch your way through.
Mackenzie Trail/Nuxulk Carrier Grease Trail, August 2008
We had to ford the Blackwater River about a dozen times along the trail. Most palces it is only about 18" depth, but still makes for a good photo-op.
Land Rover National Rally, September 2008
Roving Recovery booth at the Land Rover National Rally in Moab, UT. Lots of interest in Super Yankers and synthetic winch lines.
White Rim sunrise, Canyonlands, UT, September 2008
This photo doesn't do justice to the magnificence of waking up to a sunrise on the White Rim trail. The colours were incredible, the air so clear. Three trucks booked a year in advance to have the opportunity to do the White Rim Trail. Moderate off-roading, unbelievable views, great clean camp spots, and very few people. Well worth the trip!
Flintstones house, White Rim, Canyonlands, UT, September 2008
We were waiting for Fred and Wilma to come out and invite us to the Bronto Drive Inn for lunch.
Northwest Challenge 2008, Naches, WA Moon Rocks
Very close to the Funny Rocks described above. In this case it wasn't a speed run that got me in trouble, rather a marked obstacle course. You can't see the markers as they are in front of my truck. Shawn was spotting, but somehow we got signals crossed and I took the wrong line. I came real close to rolling the truck this time round. You can see the lean on the rubber of the left rear tire. This event was quite damaging to the truck, as about 5 feet further I caught my transmission cross-member on a rock and bent it quite badly. The day before we had damaged the roofline on both sides and the snorkel top when we got stuck on a skree side-slope and had to use the roof as a bumper between trees to keep us from rolling into the lake at the bottom of the skree. I think I may be getting too old for this!
200 TDi Range Rover, Fall 2008
Winter project that took a wee bit longer than anticipated. I've now put 7000 miles on the Range Rover and it is excellent to drive, gets 32 mpg (imperial) on the highway. If you can do the labour yourself, this is a great and easy swap and will pay for itself in fuel savings in a few years. If, on the other hand you need someone else to install it for you, expect a labour bill of about $5000. The engine originated from an early 90s UK Discovery and so long as you get it shipped with all the bits, most of it is bolt-in. One day I'll make a list. Only big challenge was welding in new motor mounts on the frame.
Armstrong, BC December 2008
I couldn't resist some play in the snow. It was 20° below and powder, but the snow filled the defroster and that was the end of my driving a few minutes later.
