OK, time for the awaited pics.
I didn't get to the Badlands until around 10:15AM.
I had to park back near the campground entrance, walk to the building, and wait in line FOREVER just to check in. (well in excess of 30 minutes) There were a gazillion ATVs there.
I couple phone calls to Warlock and Buster went to voicemail. :sad2:
I decided to hit the puddles and mud flats with the ATVs to get the Jeep warmed up, then head to the quarry to find the gang. On my way to the quarry, Buster must have noticed his missed calls and gave me a ring back. It had to have been well after 11AM when I finally met up with them.
After watching a "John Deere" Jeep try to burn itself up, we headed for the green trail.
First ballbuster was a dirt hill. Bogdan passed after losing traction. I followed Buster and we both were VERY disappointed that Warlock didn't follow. His modded rig was a sight to behold. He guided Scooter on the pass-around.
Next up was Scooter's Folly. As Warlock already mentioned, it got a little hairy. Once Scooter lost traction, the rear end started sliding sideways UP the hill. I took this pic after I heard "WINCH!" on the CB.
A few more twisties and we were back at the quarry for lunch.
Bogdan graciously offered everyone grilled hot dogs. Buster said Bogdan would be grilling, so I brought ribeye, but it was still frozen solid.
Buster exiting the rock face
Warlock cresting the edge to start down the wall
Buster taking a pic of Warlock on the wall
Micah and woodweavil came back from lunch with Warlock.
Micah got to see me hang my RF control arm on a rock while taking the hard line, which probably wasn't prudent with my tire size and 2.5" lift.
The wisest path would have been straight toward the camera. I continued the direction my tires were pointing. :crazyeyes:
(pic courtesty of emt_micah, taken just before I got hung up and woodweavil pulled me forward)
Micah peeled off and woodweavil stayed with the gang.
A pic of the gang after crossing the creek and coming up the hill.
From left to right, sixt7gt350, woodweavil, Buster's buddy Bogdan, Buster, Warlock, Scooter Scott
Time was getting away from us, so we headed for the orange trail.
Following Buster down a trail.
A pic of Warlock in a mudhole, with exhaust burbling.
Scooter up and over a hump.
Warlock down into the mud and up a hump.
Buster was goading woodweavil and Warlock. (woodweavil saw Bogdan's window go kablooey on a tree and his wife was a little skittish after that)
Warlock was called on as "scuba boy" to test this hole after Buster's RF tire took a quick dive and he wisely backed out.
Scooter buried, street tire tread completely filled with mud.
Warlock had a chance to play with his winch again.
Buster's and my Jeep waiting for Scooter to get pulled out.
The infamous busted window on Bogdan's Liberty
After this trip, I had much more respect for the capability of a Liberty.
Bogdan took that thing places I would never have expected.
The highlight of its day was pulling Warlock out of the mudhole Buster goaded him into.
At some point in the day, I was deep enough in mud that it was OVER my sills, soaking the rear carpet.
Cleanup is going to be a real b!tch, but it was a great day and well worth it.
