First rule of four-wheeling

No Worries · 10-21-2008, 07:30 PM

As an exploration geologist, I spent a lot of time four-wheeling in the wilderness. The number 1 rule of jeeping was not to do it at night. I only broke the rule once. Twisted the rear driveshaft in Utah and had to drive up a steep trail at night with two-wheel drive. On some switchbacks, the headlights were black. That's because they shined out on nothingness. The trail was next to a 500ft cliff.

A father and son were killed on Monday, when their Jeep went off a trail at night and plunged down a cliff. The father's body was found 300 feet down the mountain, and the son's 1,000 feet down. They still haven't found the Jeep yet. Story: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...-killed-plung/.

dReWpY · 10-21-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No Worries

As an exploration geologist, I spent a lot of time four-wheeling in the wilderness. The number 1 rule of jeeping was not to do it at night. I only broke the rule once. Twisted the rear driveshaft in Utah and had to drive up a steep trail at night with two-wheel drive. On some switchbacks, the headlights were black. That's because they shined out on nothingness. The trail was next to a 500ft cliff.

A father and son were killed on Monday, when their Jeep went off a trail at night and plunged down a cliff. The father's body was found 300 feet down the mountain, and the son's 1,000 feet down. They still haven't found the Jeep yet. Story: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...-killed-plung/.

first: thats a sad story that you hate to hear

second: did not know you were a geologist, i completed my minor in undergrad in geology, majored in enviromental science and biology, dont think i could us the geology background in TN, but out west geology has a better job market.

marko138 · 10-21-2008, 08:10 PM

I was gonna make a joke about the first rule of 4 wheeling...but this story brings me down. So no joke.

'73 H1 Triple · 10-21-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko138

I was gonna make a joke about the first rule of 4 wheeling...but this story brings me down. So no joke.

The son was 9 years old. Hell of a phone call for the wife/mom to get.

marko138 · 10-21-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '73 H1 Triple

The son was 9 years old. Hell of a phone call for the wife/mom to get.

No kidding.

Katherine · 10-22-2008, 11:19 AM

No more sad threads. I can't take it.

No Worries · 10-22-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewpy

...did not know you were a geologist, i completed my minor in undergrad in geology, majored in enviromental science and biology, dont think i could us the geology background in TN, but out west geology has a better job market.

I worked in mining for two years before I got into exploration and evaluation of mining properties. In 1988, I was evaluating some uranium properties in Utah. The Hey Joe Mine was one of them: http://www.utah.com/offroad/hey_joe.htm. The cliff was actually 600 feet. On the trail along the Green River, a rock the size of a garage fell on the road. Being a lazy SOB, I wanted to ride over the rock instead of hiking to the mine. I had a brand new Dodge Ramcharger. I made it over the rock, but broke the rear driveshaft. Here's what torque from a 360, four barrel, granny gear, and low range can do to a driveshaft.

Twisted it like a pretzel. After getting to the other side of the rock, we had to go back over with just the front wheel drive. Luckily the Dodge had a Warn winch. But it took us all day. That's why we had to go up the cliff trail at night. Rented two ATV's and made it to the mine after we got a new driveshaft. The reason I didn't want to hike was all the mapping, sampling, and safety gear we has to use to safely go into an abandoned uranium mine.

MikeSP1 · 10-23-2008, 01:26 AM

That storry is beyond sad.

Sixxxxer · 10-23-2008, 01:37 AM

First and Foremost...RIP to the Father and Son...Thats Tragic

Secondly...That Driveshaft is Ridiculous.

I've wheeled before with myself and My dad and a Few buddies of Mine...Never at Night though...Always wanted to thought it would be cool but I just dont like that Visibility is Key and when you see a "puddle" it might really be a Lake.

jeeps84 · 10-23-2008, 12:59 PM

As a kid, we wheeled 90% at night. Luckily we have lots of trees to keep you from rolling to far down the Mtn.

10-21-2008, 07:30 PM	#1
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	First rule of four-wheeling As an exploration geologist, I spent a lot of time four-wheeling in the wilderness. The number 1 rule of jeeping was not to do it at night. I only broke the rule once. Twisted the rear driveshaft in Utah and had to drive up a steep trail at night with two-wheel drive. On some switchbacks, the headlights were black. That's because they shined out on nothingness. The trail was next to a 500ft cliff. A father and son were killed on Monday, when their Jeep went off a trail at night and plunged down a cliff. The father's body was found 300 feet down the mountain, and the son's 1,000 feet down. They still haven't found the Jeep yet. Story: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...-killed-plung/.

10-23-2008, 01:26 AM	#8
MikeSP1 Perpetual trouble Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: at the base of the Alps Moto: VTX 1300C, RC51, CBR600RR, CBR929RR Posts: 715	That storry is beyond sad. __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

10-23-2008, 01:37 AM	#9
Sixxxxer Like Gixxxxer But Not Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dirty Jersey Moto: 2008 ZX6R Posts: 4,891	First and Foremost...RIP to the Father and Son...Thats Tragic Secondly...That Driveshaft is Ridiculous. I've wheeled before with myself and My dad and a Few buddies of Mine...Never at Night though...Always wanted to thought it would be cool but I just dont like that Visibility is Key and when you see a "puddle" it might really be a Lake. __________________ [FRSH] Candy Plasma Blue

10-23-2008, 12:59 PM	#10
jeeps84 No longer MIA Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Western NC (The Great Smoky Mountains) Moto: 1987 GSXR 50, 1996 Ducati M900, 07 GSXR 750, 07 Harley Davidson Night Train Posts: 984	As a kid, we wheeled 90% at night. Luckily we have lots of trees to keep you from rolling to far down the Mtn. __________________ Lets ride!

10-22-2008, 11:19 AM	#6
Katherine WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Moto: 07 CBR 600RR Posts: 562	No more sad threads. I can't take it.