This past Saturday, myself, GrapeApe, Smegal and Gene all ran the Naches East to West.

The trail is in better shape than it was a few weeks back when Ape and I ran sections of it, but it still managed to make all of us break a sweat at at least one point.

Dust was the order of the day. Lots of it. Running with the windows closed and the air on recirculate was about the only way to keep from gagging on it. Even so, we all came away with a light coating of dust in our rigs.

Some of the areas are more eroded than last year and some are in better shape. Overall, I would be inclined to say that any rig with 3" or lift or more and one locker will cruise the trail with no problem. Gene did fine with 3" of lift and no lockers, but that trail is rapidly becoming old hat for him. A stock height rig will make it, but is likely to drag in a few places. It will take some very careful driving and some spotting, but it can be done.

Those of you who insist upon keeping your running boards are going to lose them on this trail. Take them off in camp, before the run if you want to avoid damage from them getting hung up on stuff.

Washington pinstriping is a DEFINATE possibility on the trail this year. You can minimize it with a good coat of wax, but if a scrape from a stick is unthinkable to you, stick to the FS roads and Raven's Roost. I picked up a couple of quite obvious scrapes down to primer as did Ape and the other guys.

We DID manage to find access to the West end of the trail, so we are back on with our one way trips. We no longer have to make it an out and back from camp.

The organizers are meeting again this Thursday to put the finishing touches on the plan, so look Thursday night for a post from me with the final itinerary and schedule.

REMEMBER: If you are under 18, you MUST have your parent or guardian sign the release form before you will be allowed to participate in ANY event. That form needs to be witnessed by one of us organizers or a notary, so you need to be thinking about getting it signed NOW. There will be no exceptions. For those over 18, you can sign it when you arrive in camp.

Questions? Comments?

 

im 17, where do i get my form and if friends go with me that arent driving, do they need to sign one? thanks


wade

 

Yeah, what is the GNP of Zimbabwe in relation to bannana exports?

On a related subject, thanks to all that did the pre-run, I'm really jazzed about the 'jam.

 

You can view/download the waiver at:

http://www.wattora.com/WATTORAYotaTechWaiver.doc

We need to have one on file for you and for any passengers you bring along.

 

Here's a PDF version of the release just in case anyone has trouble opening the word file.

 

Rob, where is the west side access point? How do we get there from here?

 

As I mentioned in our mail thread, you can access the West end of the trail via FS roads, but it has to be done from the Little Naches. There is no known access from this side of Chinook Pass.

 

Thanks Shane!

 

Rob could you also post the release form for the RTI ramp as well? And tell everone to make sure that all nuts and bolts are tight on there trucks.:pat:

 

We have to tighten stuff. You just mean hand tight don't you? My stuff comes on and off so often I just make it handtight now. Saves the hassle of bringing wrenches on the trips.

 

Not everyone is going to want to try the RTI ramp, so it makes sense that we just have the releases on site with the ramp. Besides, I don't wan't to confuse everyone with multiple releases online.

 

Man, I had a great time on the pre-run! The last time I ran this trail, I had an air locker in the back of my 4Runner. But this time around, I found that I needed to do some creative throttle control to make it over the same obstacles. <grin>



I really enjoyed the way the Taco handled the trail!

 

Skinny pedal get a work out Gene? When is the locker going in the Tacoma?

 

Not anytime soon - that's for sure! It's not from lack of desire though. There are SO many things I want to do to the Taco; it's a great rig to build upon, but with the economy as it is right now, it may be a while.

 

I'm sure Jim could fab you up a sandbag locker like he has for cheap!

 

whats a sandbag locker? im thinking about running that trail open diffs windows down........then again i do absolutly hate my truck but dont worry, its not gonna become a peice of trail trash cause when it was my daily driver it cost me 4 grand....then i wrecked it but thats a differnt story. drunk: (j/k)

laterz
wade

 

Mr. JRuz has a bag or two of "tube sand" he carries in his bed to give him better traction on runs. We refer to it as his locker.

 

Wade, which rig are you taking. I am in the same boat from the sounds of it running open difs on TXRs if your taking the Tacowagon. No Off.! I was worried my TXRs and basically factory diff set up would not get me far but who knows. I just wanna go to go and if I play I play.

 

Whahoo what a fun pre-run!
Im not sure if its because we ran it east to west but there were some spots that felt tighter than ever.
The Naches will really test your driving skills and how much you know your rig.
All in all this run will definitely need your individed attention. But man is it a kick to run.

Gene. Thats a great photo of DREAD 1. I sure miss that beast.

 

big bad blue im pm'd you......hey that rhymes!

but im taking the pickup not the taco....both will be there though

laterz all

wade