I am not a fan of heights or trail damage.  My Samurai, which was built pretty well when I got it, is way more vehicle than I know what to do with.   I am looking forward to this trip as a learning experience and there will be a lot of wheeling experience to take advantage of.   Fun is the name of the game so you can't go wrong showing up and meeting some people at these kind of events.  Even if you go on a run by yourself at least you  can file a flight plan with someone in case you have trouble.

See you there 

I think it'll be a great time...and as you said - a terrific learning experience.
Or
A very popular You Tube Video  

BTW - I've  been noodling around the net looking at GPS apps for my Android phone.
Anybody have a recommendation?
I know I'm getting waaay ahead of myself but they seem helpful and it'd take a few days to get used to the interface.

Well I finished jobs I had to do to get my Tracker ready.  I added a Safari Snorkel that I had laying around for years. Today, I repacked the front wheel bearings.  We do a lot of deep mud and water at Rausch Creek Offroad Park here in PA and I have found if water gets into the bearings they can pit or rust so I alway repack them before flat towing to the west. So I am down to packing tools and the motorhome. I am getting excited to meet everyone and do more wheeling in the Rockies.  I guess I will be the first one on the road due to the distance.  I am planning to leave on Tuesday the 7th or on Wednesday the 8th since I have a few days of Interstate driving ahead of me. If any of you are planning to be in Colorado early, please let me know via phone or email since I will probably be in Colorado by Friday. We could do some wheeling east of Gunnison for a few days.

Dave Horst

If you need help with any issues as you get to Denver give me a call
Peter 303 91 eight  944 five

I've been doing quite a bit of reading about the area. One thing that's consistent is the advice that cell service is spotty at best. I, for one, am on Sprint. When up in the Black Hills last month I had zero signal most of the time.

Is there a back-up plan for communication in the event we have no signal?

A lot of people will have CBs in thier rigs.  I don't have one, but I have 4 of the Motorola GMRS radios with the 35mile range.  Of course they never get that, but they do have a decent range outdoors.

Looking forward to the trip.  I just got back from a desert wheeling trip, but I love the high altitude!

Rob

I just bought a new CB for this trip; A radio shack mini cb.  I hooked it up last night and was instantly connected to the local white-trash culture that (still!) use the CB radio as their primary form of electronic communication.  It was like listening to a local version of the Jerry Springer show hosted by Unknown Hinson.

Look at your local Craigslist.  Often people are selling $5-15 handheld CBs.  I have two handhelds that I could lend out but you would need to suppy the batteries. I added a CB to my Tracker for this trip but it was on my to-do list anyway.   

I am leaving for Colorado in the morning.  Only 1800 miles to go.   

I have a hand held CB...I'll bring it along.

Cell service is really spotty in the Gunnison area. Not bad around the towns, but a lot of up/downs and few towers. I'm not sure around the Taylor area. How about a general outlay of plans? I still don't know where everyone is camping, or a list of contacts. I will be staying at one of my houses there, so no camping for me.

I've been doing quite a bit of reading about the area. One thing that's consistent is the advice that cell service is spotty at best. I, for one, am on Sprint. When up in the Black Hills last month I had zero signal most of the time.

Is there a back-up plan for communication in the event we have no signal?

I will have 2 handheld FRS/GMRS radios, one CB installed in my Samurai, a VHF/UHF handheld and mobile radios (my wife and I are KE7RKL and KE7SDG; anybody else a Ham?), and I have a 4 watt cell phone booster in my truck.  It won't create cell service, but it does consistently add 2-3 bars to whatever is already available.  I have been many places where nobody was able to get service, but inside of my truck had 1-2 bars.

Took my Samurai out on a local trail last weekend for the first time since I did all the work; it worked perfect.  No problems, and the new 1.6's torque was a welcome addition on the steep hillclimbs.  Putting it up on the lift on Wednesday for a re-torque of all of the suspension and engine parts and an inspection of all of the work I did; if no problems are found it goes onto the trailer along with all of my camping gear.  We head out on Friday morning!

I have been out here for a couple of days in Alma and its super nice.  Rained a lot last night and yesterday afternoon.
Good thing I came out here early it will hopefully give me time to get my rear brakes repaired (note to self make  sure parking brake is  completely off when flat towing!)  Hope drums are OK, tires survived without any excessive wear.

No CB, Cell sucks, this connection is thru our friends internet.  We will be here a couple more days hopefully my jets will arrive so I can rejet for the altitude.

Looking forward to seeing and meeting everyone and hopefully will be acclimated to the altitude by then.

Scott

I'm heading out Sat. Which carb are you running?

Weber/Solex 34 DG EC carb.