Gunsight Pass 8/06 Photos

[DaktariEd]

First, a thousand "thank you's" to Scott for organizing this trip...and to everyone who attended. :friday:

I had a great time! :D

I uploaded some photos in a Yahoo album: Gunsight Pass Album (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/daktaried/slideshow?.dir=/e760scd&.src=ph)

See you on the trail!
:sombrero:
Ed

[datrupr]

Great photos Ed. Thanks for being so quick in getting them up. I had a great time, and it was a fun run. Good to see you again and also good to meet some people I had never met before, like Jonathan, Erin, and Randy and Linda. As usual, a great trip with a great group of people. I will post up a few photos in the next day or two.

[flyingwil]

Nice Pic's Ed!!! It was a lot of fun to see you again! Next time you'll have to try and get out of the whole being on call thing.


Here are some of our pictures!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1060.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1061.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1062.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1063.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1064.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1067.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1079.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1072.jpg

[flyingwil]

* insert girl scream because a beetle fell in the taco off the Ocotillo *

It was a lot of fun and we were blessed with some lovely company and weather! We had a great time, and loved meeting everyone we have not yet meet! Here is some more Photos:

Overlooking camp:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1077.jpg

"here hold my beer, watch this.... I'll drive over it.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1080.jpg

Nice Disco!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1078.jpg

Or camp visitor, (this one did not rattle!)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1082.jpg

Cool Camper!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/Gunsight/IMG_1095.jpg

[jeffryscott]

http://web.mac.com/jeffryscott/iWeb/Site/Library.html

And here are some of mine. It was a fun trip, great people and yet another great trip.

I've said it before, and will say it again - this a a great crowd to run with. Thanks.

Jeff

[erin]

:coffee:
I to would like to thank Scott for organizing this trip. I had an excellent time, and was very glad to finally meet so many after all this time posting, but never meeting. This is definitely a great group of people, who couldn't be more friendly. Didn't get many pics as I was at the rear of the line all day. I will have to improve on that next trip. I was very impressed with Arron and Marks vehicles all day, as well as some of the others. It just goes to show how far you can get with only slight modifications and alot of driver skill.:bowdown:
Can't wait to see all the rest of the photos!!

Great trip, thanks again!

[kcowyo]

Wow, what a great run!

Of course I love the pics of the Taco & FWC. So many great outfits among our members! - :cool:

Three quick thoughts and then I'll wait for more pics -

1. Wish I'd been rambling a little closer to AZ so I could've attended and harrassed Aaron and Mark all weekend
2. SpeedyJeff has the coolest looking snorkel ever, period.
3. Why is it that Jonathan just looks so in his element out there? Seeing pics, it just looks like there should be blue skies, rocks, Sagauros and Jonathan. All just part of the natural landscape.

If I ever grow up, I wanna be like that. :bowdown:

[datrupr]

Wil and Jeff, thanks for posting up the photos. Some great shots from all. I am still laughing att eh radio conversation between you and Brian going up to the mine, Big Daddy. Or is that Brian? I need to get some clarification from Wendy on that, who is Big Daddy, you or Brian. Erin, it was great to finally meet you, and don'r feel too bad about sitting in the back of the pack, it is often times fun to observe what everyone else is doing, and it can be a big help in picking your lines also. Thanks for the compliments on the Trooper too, it truely is a great platform even in stock form. KC, get your butt down here while you are on sabbatical, and I am sure Mark and I will make time for you to herrass us, can't wait to meet up with you again soon, and we can then compare notes on all of the big changes going on in our lives. This weekend was just the respit I needed from all that has been going on in my life, and if I knew that I was going to get the flack that I got when I got back I would have stayed an extra day, or found someplace else to crash. Anyway, I will get my pics up here soon.

[Brian McVickers]

I am still laughing att eh radio conversation between you and Brian going up to the mine, Big Daddy. Or is that Brian? I need to get some clarification from Wendy on that, who is Big Daddy, you or Brian.

Um, That would be me:wavey:

Amy and I were chicken to go up the hill first so Wil and Wendy volunteered to go first, or at least Wil volunteered for the both of them!

Once they raeched the top they said it was no big deal.
I think Wendy called me Big Daddy for encouragement!
But that still need verification, Amy and I were laughing too hard to catch the full context of the comment over the radio:xxrotflma

[FlyingWen]

I am still laughing att eh radio conversation between you and Brian going up to the mine, Big Daddy. Or is that Brian? I need to get some clarification from Wendy on that, who is Big Daddy, you or Brian.

I had so much fun camping, that I had to join the Portal!
Now, to set the record straight: Brian is the one I was speaking to when I said "10-4, Big Daddy". For some reason I didn't think people would hear the CB transmission.. maybe that is the blonde hair thinking or someting.

During the climb up to the mine, onlookers witnessed the Taco stop dead in its tracks half way up the hill and begin to thrash around. My darling husband, flyingwil, was nice enough to hold down the speaker button on the CB while I was being ATTACKED by the gigantic killer Beetle that ambushed me from his position atop the ocitillo. Naturally, Wil held the speaker button as to alert everyone that the Taco was in fact not stuck, but that his wife was only being violated by the beetle. The Taco pervailed once again!
Now combine that with the 3 ft Rattle snake that came by our tent in the middle of the night in hopes of snuggling with me and you have a Great Trip!!!
Thanks Everyone!!!
Wen

[Ursidae69]

Any pictures of the rattler? :lurk:

[flyingwil]

Any pictures of the rattler? :lurk:

Chuck, the rattler was just to close for comfort and there would have been no way that I could have gotten to my camera, although I did want to! (next time I'll sleep with my camera, instead of my wife! She won't let me bring them into bed anymore)

[Ursidae69]

Great stories, wish I could have made it down for this run. Next time. :smiley_drive:

[seth_js]

A little upset I missed this one... had been looking forward to it all week, then for whatever reason I decided to get out of control Friday night. Oh well... next time.

[articulate]

A little upset I missed this one... had been looking forward to it all week, then for whatever reason I decided to get out of control Friday night. Oh well... next time.
Seriously! We had a moment of silence for you...after someone asked, "Where the f^ck is Seth?"

You suckah.

[BajaTaco]

I had so much fun camping, that I had to join the Portal!
Now, to set the record straight: Brian is the one I was speaking to when I said "10-4, Big Daddy". For some reason I didn't think people would hear the CB transmission.. maybe that is the blonde hair thinking or someting.

During the climb up to the mine, onlookers witnessed the Taco stop dead in its tracks half way up the hill and begin to thrash around. My darling husband, flyingwil, was nice enough to hold down the speaker button on the CB while I was being ATTACKED by the gigantic killer Beetle that ambushed me from his position atop the ocitillo. Naturally, Wil held the speaker button as to alert everyone that the Taco was in fact not stuck, but that his wife was only being violated by the beetle. The Taco pervailed once again!
Now combine that with the 3 ft Rattle snake that came by our tent in the middle of the night in hopes of snuggling with me and you have a Great Trip!!!
Thanks Everyone!!!
Wen

Hey Wen!! :wavey: Too cool that you are actually posting up here on ExPo. A HUGE welcome and a :beer: for you too. I was laughin my arse off at your beetle story - very good description of what was going on :p I could totally see Wil doing that with the mic... :xxrotflma Sorry I missed the trip.

And Seth - you suckah... LMAO. We need to go back to Baja... LOL

[FlyingWen]

I was laughin my arse off at your beetle story - very good description of what was going on :p I could totally see Wil doing that with the mic...
Yep... sorry girls, he's taken!
It was a great trip and for me still being in a walking cast, I was SHOCKED I didn't do a face plant somwhere. Normally, I fall without any outside interference.
Thanks for the welcome. After 2 great camping trips, I think I am ready to retire the Beach towel and Pina Coloda for Rocks and a camp fire. :campfire:
oooh, Maybe with an AC adapter, I can have the camp fire and Pina Colodas too! :friday:
Wen

[datrupr]

OK, to start things off..... Seth, you suckah!!! we waited and waited for you to arrive at the pre determined meeting spot so long we go a very late start. I think because of you we left a whole 4 minutes late! Now, the trip just gets better after this. The Central AZ contingency were all caravaning to the trail head, Scott jumps on the CB and announces the exit number we need to get off at, and announces again that we are getting off at "this" exit. Now, I have to admit that I thought that this was a bit silly because we were basically all in a line. We proceed to get off I-10 and just a moment later Brian comes on the radio and says something along the lines of "Ooopps, guys, we just missed the exit.", and Mark immediately replies "See ya SUCKAHH!!!!". Now, after much discussion over the CB channel 4 it was decided that Mark, nice guy that he is, will turn around and try and find Brian and Amy and guide them to the trail head. We arrived at teh trail head where the Southern AZ contingency is already waiting for us, park, air down and do introductions while Scott heads back to the road to wait for Mark, Super Cool Chick, Brian, and Amy. Now, I do not know what it is, but why is it that mud holes, no matter what the size are huge attractions to dogs? After the quick drivers meeting conducted by Scott, I loaded my muddy *** dog into the truck and we were off. Great trail by the way, and a great job Shotts did leading a group of this size. We did encounter a little play area off of the main route and several of our members played around on the steep hills, off camber spots, and a small mud hole. We did have a slight snag here though. Randy in stock '05 Tacoma attempted to get up the steep exit to the play area and managed to get his truck high centered on the exit point, damn those long wheelbases! Brian call down to Ed for a Snatch Block. Ed, ever so eager to try out his new winch was a little dissapointed to hear that all they wanted was his snatch block. I drive up the trail a bit with Scott to the exit point for the optional portion to see GoodTimes with his Jeep parked off the the side and his winch unspooled ready to wrap it around a tree to perform the extraction. Now, assesing the situation, expert that I am, anybody could clearly see that Randy was stuck. Scott is walking around looking att eh situation while Brain is making comments about how his Jeep is going to have to another Toyota unstuck. Now, I do not know if this struck a nerve with the Toyota gang and Mr. Brady, but shortly after that Scott turns to the rest of the group and asks if anybody tried to push Randy out backwards. "Well, we did, kinda, but there was only one of us pushing." came the response from the peanut gallery. Scott rounded up the troops and we all gave Randy a good push and off the hill he went, and GoodTimes did not even get to use his winch. But, his cable did get run over by a Tacoma, FJ40, Vitara, and a Discovery before He got to put it away. Back on the trail we go. I'll continue in a little bit.

[erin]

:xxrotflma :xxrotflma :xxrotflma

Outstanding recap!!!!

[goodtimes]

KC--not to worry, there was plenty of harassin' going on. I picked up the slack for you....this time.

It was a fun trip, but I ended up with a nice sunburn. oops. Cherokee ended up with a bunch of cactus thorns in her legs, but otherwise, all was pretty much perfect. Although I am still concerned about the bodies in the bottom of the well.....remind me not to piss off Jonathon.

[datrupr]

Thanks Erin, but here is section 2:

Back on the trail and all is going really well. Shotts is still leading and the trail is a good mix of light wheeling, two track, a bit of challenge for the mostly stock rigs, and outstanding scenery. The southern part of the state has been getting a lot of rain and everything is green and the wildflowers are blooming everywhere. A huge contrast to the Phoenix area. We stopped in the middle of the trail for a lunch and some idle chit chat and Shotts and his son had to head back into town so Scott took over as lead. The next section of the trail had a bit more challenge to it, especially for the long wheelbase rigs with the tight switch backs. So far, no more trouble....... Until......... After we all climbing up a slightly washed out rocky slope we continue on the trail when all of a sudden we get call from our tail gunner Mark that he is having trouble getting up the slope we all just climbed..... Karma is a ***** ain't it Mark? Anyway, Erin and I jump out and casually walk up to see what Mark has gotten himself into. To sum it up, he had his left rear wheel in a bit of a ditch that was causing his rear axle to over flex causing to lose any and all momentum he had going for him. Now, I can not confirm this, but I am sure Brain was laughing because of the "See ya SUCKAHH!!!!" comment from Mark earlier that day. After some excellent spotting from Erin we got Mark up the hill and on we went. We continued on the the ghost town of "??" and Scott decided that this would be a good spot to camp. We all got our camps set up and and were chit chatting with the Southern AZ group, along with everyone else there when Wil and Brian decide to go on a little trek up to the Mine we were camping near. We are hanging around the Expeditions West Tacoma talking and putting down a few cold ones when we hear Brian calling to Wil asking him how it was looking. At this those of us in camp look in the direction of the mine and see Wil and Wend stopped near the top, and Wend calls out on the CB that it is good or something and then a "10-4 Big Daddy" All of us in camp get a bit of a chuckle out of this and then ask amongst ourselves why is Wil stopped? Is he stuck or something? Then Brian calls out over the CB "Wil, why are you stopped? Are you stuck or something?" At this point we in camp are all pretty much laughing historically when Wil responds "No, we are not stuck, Wendy has a bug in her boot, I think it's a beetle of some sort." And, the whole time Wil has the mic engaged we can hear Wendy screaming almost bloody murder in the background. Well, needless to say all of us hearing this interaction were practically rolling on the ground laughing our asses off. Well, the excitement of the Wil and Brain show on Saturday evening CB Chanel 4 was over and it was time to relax. Those of us camping were saying our good-bye's to those that were not camping and we started to relax in our chairs. Well, the wind only picked up and blew the bugs away while I was trying to put my rain fly up (thanks again for your help Randy), then quickly disappeared and the bugs came back. Now, I learned two things this evening. 1. Scott will almost anything for a Shiner Bock, and 2. Super Cool Chick will do almost anything to keep a dirt dobber out of hers, even throw one (a Shiner Bock that is) all over my tent to get the flying critter away from her beer. After we all ate dinner we gathered around the Expeditions West Tacoma again, yes a popular gathering spot out on the trail (I don't know why though), to view a slide show about the Outback Challenge 2006 presented by the overall winner himself Mr. Scott Brady. What an awesome show, Scott! Thanks again for sharing. And, to finish the night off Randy and Linda baked a very delicious chocolate cake in the Dutch Oven.

Day 2: The drive back to civilization.

Now, the drive out of camp was not as eventful as the first day was, however Scott did take us on a State Trust two track that carried us down in elevation and we were able to see the changes in vegitation and it was beautiful! With a run through an Ocotillo forest (musta scared the crap out of Wendy bringing up some flashbacks from the vicious attack attempted by the very rare Africanised Sonoran Black Killer Beetle the previous day). And, Scott gave us quite a show on how to repair a slightly unseated tire as the only failure of the weekend was a flat tire on the Expeditions West Tacoma. Lucky for those of us in the group this did happen as we all got a lesson on using a Hi-Lift Jack, and how to repair a tire. I do have photos of this, and I will post them up if I can ever shut up on here and take the time to download my pictures. All in all, a great trip with a great group of people that I am happy to know, and to those that I got to meet. Thanks a lot Scott for putting this trip together and allowing for a good time to be had by all.

P.S. Remember Wendy, it is all done for safety.

[articulate]

Nice Aaron! I usually forget the funny details and just make up my own. Good work! My very own wife called me a wuss for radio-ing for help to get up the hill. Like Norm said on the TV show, Cheers: "Women. Can't live with 'em."

I was so pleased to meet the new faces and join the harrassin'. Have I said this yet? Nobody looks like what I think they should look like after knowing them on the internet. Did that make any sense? Anyone else say, "OH! That's what you look like!"

[seth_js]

Seriously! We had a moment of silence for you...after someone asked, "Where the f^ck is Seth?"

You suckah.

LMAO. I know, I know. I was freak'n pissed man. Especially since I wasted my Saturday laying in bed watching B-movies on TV telling myself over and over I'm never gonna drink again (hmmm, where have I heard that before).


And Seth - you suckah... LMAO. We need to go back to Baja... LOL

Heh, fer sure. :p

[datrupr]

Mark, I was not calling you a wuss. And why did Brooke not spot you up the hill? When Erin and I got there she was just standing at the top and pointing at you telling us you have no idea in hell what you are doing, and would we please help you. Just kidding, she didn't say any of that, or that I recall anyway. Hey, she still wants a fridge and a snorkel, so she is still Super Cool Chick, even though she did throw Shiner Bock all over my tent, and if she feels she needs to call you a wuss, well then so be it. Just accept that fact and carry on with what you were doing.

On a side note, and I know that only a few of us heard it, I do have to put up a favorite quote for the trip. "It is like looking at a hot chick walking away every time."- Mark D. Stephens.com watching the Expeditions West Tacoma Pull away to head back into Tucson

[erin]

:ylsmoke:
I think Mark just needs to remember to not always follow me through the deep ruts next time!!!

And actually to give credit where credit is due, it was Goodtimes line that got him up the hill, I was going to have him try a harder line to negotiate around the ruts!!

[Jonathan Hanson]

Although I am still concerned about the bodies in the bottom of the well.....remind me not to piss off Jonathon.

Mine shaft. It's a mine shaft. Get your facts straight, or else.

[CAPTAIN COORS]

what a fun weekend! enjoyed meeting new freinds and seeing old ones, here are a few pics

[ShottsCruisers]

FUN DAY FOR US! THANKS SCOTT FOR HEADING SOUTH AND PLANNING THIS!

GREAT TO SEE OLD AND NEW FACES!

There's a short description of the run as well as all my pics here:
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/gallery/1821603

Meanwhile, here's some previews:

http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91319281-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91319626-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91319847-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91320117-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91320332-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91320635-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91320757-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91320770-O.jpg
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91320922-O.jpg

[datrupr]

John, it was great to finally meet you, Becky and Tyler, and to sse the old '93 and the ROKLIMO in person. You did a great job of leading the first portion of the trip, and your pictures are outstanding. Hope we can get out on the trail again soon.

[ShottsCruisers]

John, it was great to finally meet you, Becky and Tyler, and to sse the old '93 and the ROKLIMO in person. You did a great job of leading the first portion of the trip, and your pictures are outstanding. Hope we can get out on the trail again soon.

Right back atcha!


http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/photos/91320244-O.jpg

[ShottsCruisers]

Oh....HILARIOUS!

Just now...I'm in the drive-thru at Wendy's in Tucson, by my house.....who rides through.....SCOTT BRADY! I got the skinny on the rest of the trip. Sounds like fun! Timing can be everything. :D

[Scott Brady]

Great trip everyone!

I will post some pictures as soon as I get a computer problem figured out (my laptop crashed hard).

[goodtimes]

Mine shaft. It's a mine shaft. Get your facts straight, or else.

oops....yea. Mine shaft. Definately not a well (what was I thinking......).:smilies27

So, uh....what did you guys find in the bottom of the mine shaft? anything cool?

[Jonathan Hanson]

Scott encountered a slight technical difficulty (see above) which required him to leave early, so Jimmy Hoffa's corpse at the bottom of the mine will have to wait.

[BlueFly]

I'm a little late to the post-trip party, but let me add my own review. This was my first introduction to the group after lurking for many months and I was pleased to find that I felt right at home, thanks to everyone's warm welcome and generosity. Marian and I had a great time hanging out with you all.

Thanks for all the help, tips, and patience with my questions and blundering with radio and (lack of) trail skills- all of which was met with great humor! Just as impressive, I didn't hear one word about the truck's blinding chrome or faux front grill- perhaps that comes on the next trip. :)

I'm inspired by the skill I saw demonstrated by everyone and will be quite happy to learn some fraction of what you folks can do.

Kudos to everyone and muchisimas gracias! :clapsmile

Oh, and a special thanks to Scott, for divulging, among other things, the purpose of the mysterious switch on our dash

[goodtimes]

Just as impressive, I didn't hear one word about the truck's blinding chrome or faux front grill- perhaps that comes on the next trip. :)

Yes, that is usually reserved for at least the 2nd trip, and usually after the campfire has been lit and the 3rd "C" (option B)* has been making the rounds.



Oh, and a special thanks to Scott, for divulging, among other things, the purpose of the mysterious switch on our dash

Yes, that is a handy switch to have around. :smiley_drive:





*Scott Brady's "3 C's of Life": Coffee, Cow, Chocolate (or Cerveza, depending on your mood).

[upcruiser]

Great pictures, looks like a fun time for all. I hope one of these days I get to meet up with you guys for one of these outings.

[Jonathan Hanson]

Donna, it was great having you and Marian along with your Four-Wheel Popup, even though it made me miss ours. I loved watching you whoop and throw your hat in the air at the top of that climb. Well done!

You'll have plenty of input as to proper flat black accessories here.

And if you'd like more perspective on potential camper interiors I'd love to contribute. It's going to be a terrific setup.

[FourByLand]

WOW!!!

Neat pics and I am really sad I missed out... timing is everything!
:rolleyes: