Gulches 3-29

[Theteener]

The day was great and the trails were in good shape at the gulches. There were forum members and guests. Was great to meet some new people. We did Metberry then Hackett. 7 of us started the day and all was well on Met until an axle was broke and on Hackett until there was a rollover. All made it out healthy and in one piece. The rolled ride landed wheels down and drove out. It was very eye-opening to me, being new to this side of wheeling that is more technical than just trails / overland. I hated to see it happen and genuinely felt horrible. I'm thinking 2013 mall crawler and 19XX trail rig with tubes and armor....

[Jim]

More story & pix of the roll please.

[Canyonero]

I think I saw you guys on Metberry (I was driving my Honda Pioneer SxS solo) and I'd done Hacket earlier that morning. Definitely some technical spots on Hackett! Was my first time out that way, and definitely will be going back.

Where was the rollover?

Did you guys see the stock land cruiser at the end of Hackett? 60 Series I belive. Damn! I talked to that guy for awhile, he had a dented in passenger door but otherwise seemed ok.

[dieseldoc]

More info please......

[ExplorerTom]

Yeah, more info. I've done Hackett 3 times so I can picture the trail fairly well in my head.

[The StRanger]

Damn !

[ExplorerTom]

Canyonero previously posted:

[MultiScuf]

Pictures? Where was the roll over?

[Canyonero]

ExplorerTom previously posted:

[ExplorerTom]

That was him. New didn't go over to him and talk to him so I didn't know his story.

[Theteener]

I didn't take pictures. My immediate concern was the driver (once I stumbled out of my jeep because of where I parked). It was down on the ledge towards the bottom of Hackett. There is video and pictures, but I have neither. I hope they get posted to show how easily it can happen. It wasn't an overly heavy-footed testosterone charge up the hill, more like "just one of those things". This could have been tragic if not for the seat belt He was wearing. Apparently a couple years back a jeep rolled where the driver was partially expelled from the rig and was killed on a different part of the trail. Again - I do hope the video makes it on here as a way to show how easily it can happen and possibly prevent this in the future.

[dieseldoc]

The ledge and to much loud pedal.....that explains it.
Abput the only spot one can flop it.
Glad every one is ok.

[Theteener]

It wasn't really a heavy foot. Just a "one of those things, OH ****" incident. At least from where I was at. If the video gets posted I think it would show that. He hadn't been crazy or jumping from hill to hill all day.

Just my humble opinion

[dieseldoc]

Hmmmm.....still very confused.
But I have seen people flop it getting it off the trailer so I gues I shouldnt be to surprised.

[ColoradoCox]

desildoc, there was not too much pedal. in fact the jeep was stopped.

my mistake was the line i took. i tried to go up the rock about 2 feet to the left (down hill) from where we normally bump the ledge. i drove the front end up over the ledge and as i did my front end slid about 8" left which put it off the rock and onto soft decomposing granite. my spotter saw this and said be careful you don't slide... i was stopped at that time so i turned the wheel right (up hill) and give it a little gas. the front end slide more left. i turned the wheel back to the left and put it in reverse to attempt to back up. right about then the bank completely gave out and the front end started sliding left and down the hill. with the vehicle completely stopped it rolled over on the driver's side and landed on it's wheels agains the winch bumper of my TJ. i should have been about 1 foot further to the right and slighty pointing up the trail and this would not have happened.

there are videos from 3 different cameras/angles. i've studied them in slow motion and am convinced there wasn't much i could have done different other than the line. the only thing that might have avoided the roll is when my front tire first slid 8" to the left. i could have completely froze and put a winch line on to hold the front end but at that moment it didn't seem like that bad of a situation. nobody expected the bank would cave away like it did.

i'll show you the video(s) on the trail some time but they won't be posted on the internet for a while

[Jim]

ColoradoCox previously posted:

[dieseldoc]

So7nds like it was just one of them things.
that ledge is poor shape as it is expossed to elements.
Then we go tear it up too....
am glad you are ok and it wasa slow roll.
will have to see the video some time.
glad your sporter had done there job to warn you.

We wanted to join the grojp but no firm plan or post so we did other things that weekend.

[ColoradoCox]

The grand cherokee is a total loss. Roof, both rear quarters, both front fenders, rear bumper, windshield, hood, both doors on passenger side, passenger side A-post... mechanically it's like brand new. the only thing that leaked out of it was windshield wiper fluid. i drove it all the way home. very sad.

[gm4x4lover]

I am glad everyone was ok. Regardless of how carefully we are things can still happen, they can go sideways in a heartbeat. I am really sorry that happened.

[Jim]

Total loss... quite sad.

What's next up for the Jeep - insurance takes it away or will you hang on to it?



This season's starting off in an unusual way (number of mishaps).