Moab 2012

[humybby]

FWIW, I'll be leading one trail in Durango - Black Bear Pass and another in Moab, Flat Iron Mesa. It doesn't have a wicked name like Hells Revenge or Metal Masher but it's still one of my favourite trails down there. It has a few technical sections like 'The Falls', 'Easter Egg Hill' and 'Tilt-a-Whirl' and some beautiful vistas of Hatch Wash. It also has a gut wrenching section where you drive inches from an 850' drop. And by inches, I mean 'inch'. It's optional and has a bypass - but you'll want to do it! It really gets your attention.



Not that many sleeps to go!



This long weekend I'll install the fridge do a grease job and an oil change - then I'll start loading her up.



I can hardly wait!



Please introduce yourself to me when you're down there. I have a red wagon, plate says HUMYBBY.



BOOYA!



Greg

[humybby]

There's an optional wheeling day at the end of the event. I'll be wheeling that day too. It'll be easy trails - it should be a great finish to an epic trip.

Greg

[humybby]

Just a couple of days to go!

Tomorrow I'll do an oil change, grease job and fuel filter replacement. I'll install a mount for my high lift jack, give it a good wash and install my new GPS.



This is one of the highlights of the year for me. I can hardly wait.



Greg

[dwaxman1]

so we have heard nothing about this.. how was it?? I heard hotels were booked but then nothing..how did it go Greg, I assume you went...

[humybby]

Hmmm..... It was a fantastic event. There were more than 30 trucks including a few H2's and 3's. There were (I think) 8 trucks from Canada so we were well represented. Canadians rock the rocks!



But there were a few issues for a couple of us - way more than usual. Especially for us Canadians. In fact, it was the worst I've ever seen it in terms of mechanical issues.



One of us was in a traffic accident on the way down that caused extensive damage to both vehicles and a trailer but the Hummer did manage to keep on truck'n. I had an AC compressor fail on the drive down so I was stranded for a while - plus I had some issues with idlers arms and RR half shafts. I some sort of issue in a geared hub that was causing half shaft failures. It sucked. Anyway, all was fixed.



Another Canadian had a transmission issue that would've normally been easily fixed but a seriously inept transmission shop just made everything worse. His truck was shipped home. Another Canadian truck had a t-case issue. I'm not sure what the final result on that was.



We had WAY MORE than the normal issues. Usually it's just idlers and pitmans, maybe a ball joint. Anyway, mechanically, this year was a biatch.



As far as the event goes, it was fantastic. We did 2 full days of wheeling in Aztec New Mexico on 2 trials, grim Reaper and Secret. Secret is a Hummer specific trail - and it's a secret. It's really extreme wheeling in a very small area. Wicked steep, wicked sideways and awesome in every way. Day 3 was near Ouray, Colorado where we wheeled at altitudes as high as 13,000 ft! Stunning views and easy trails. We walked though old abandoned mining towns and through the gold mines themselves. It was stunning.



On our transfer day I led a dozen trucks through Black bear Pass. It's absolutely amazingly beautiful as we descend into Teluride, CO. The trail is a ledge road and although it's simple wheeling you're always on the edge of calamity. At the bottom one of the passengers ran up to me and gave me a huge hug for getting her through it. She was scared stiff. Almost every year someone is killed on that trail even though it's really not that hard - well, other than the super, super tight switchbacks. They're insane.



Then off to Moab for the reception dinner and trail sign up. A few days wheeling on trails like Golden Spike, Hells Revenge, Flat Iron Mesa (my favourite), Cliff Hanger and others brought us to the final tail gate party.



It was fantastic! Moab is a magical place........

BTW, it gets more and more closed every year. If you ever want to go, GO SOON!



Can we talk about next year?

If you've ever dreamed about it, ever thought, one day - make it next year! Seriously. Save the dates, around mid September 2013. I can guarantee you that it'll be the best year that the event has had in years. I expect that it'll be the largest Hummer event in the world next year! Plus it's one of the few that AM General attend. Don't fret if you have an H2 or 3 - they'll help you out should you need it. AM General is there for us, they're good people.



I'll have some 'inside info' that I can share in the next couple of weeks..... stay tuned.



Greg.... or my Moab name - Hollywood!

[dwaxman1]

sounds amazing....

[normsadler]

Wow that does sound amazing.

[nitrous]

I'm not sure I'm going to believe all of this GREATNESS without some pictures greg. LOL



You must have a couple kicking around you can post.

[Khamul]

Love to see some!



I'm going to see how the resources are next year after our California trip.... If I can budget it and not busy at work... The desire is definitely there!!

[humybby]

Here's a good pic. I took one from my drivers seat - I went next.



This obstacle is called Devils Backbone and its located in new Mexico near Aztec. It's part of the pre-event. We brought newbies, H1's, H2's and H3's up it, no problems.



I'll be posting news on the 2013 event soon. You just have to do it! The Hummer Club event is the very best way for a Hummer owner to experience Moab and the region. Great support, Hummer specific knowledge, guides and spotters with specific Hummer experience. We even have a Hummer specific trail called Secret!



Damn, I can hardly wait to get back down there in September.



I'll post a few more pics in the next few days.



Greg



PS, the tire is 37.5". Figure the 'lift' using the tire for scale. Then imagine what the driver is seeing and what he's experiencing. Hot damn, this is cool stuff.