**Rickashay's Wheeling Pics Thread**

[rickashay]

Every time I see new posts here, I get all excited in ways I just can't quite decide.... But then I see no pics... Giving me blue balls here man!:crazy:

Sorry brother, my life sucks. haha Trust me, I'm itching to get out......:violin:

 

[rickashay]

I headed out to the Crowsnest Pass last weekend for a day on the trail. The Crowsnest Pass doesnt get a whole lot of wheeling traffic, especially in the winter. This is normally AWESOME as you always get fresh tracks and you rarely see people when your out there, which makes the whole experience more isolated and IMO better. However on this very day, the snow conditions and lack of vehicle traffic killed us. We ran this trail last year, on this very weekend with the most massive amount of snow I've ever wheeled in. (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/116034-%2A%2Arickashays-wheeling-pics-thread%2A%2A-9.html - post #128) This year we decided to run it in reverse, hitting the sections of the trail that we were not able to reach last year before being turned around. I really pushed for this as I know there are a few tricky summer-obstacles that could only be more fun in the snow....

The snow conditions in general were just bad, heavy snow that would not pack. No matter how many times you would drive, reverse, drive, reverse to pack a section of the trail down, it just wouldnt compact. This made the trail slippery feeling and gave us a bunch of challanges that required vehicles to be anchored to trees or other vehicles in order to make a simple recovery. At one point we had [MENTION=66300]Intruder[/MENTION]s 5th Gen 4Runner anchored to a tree with a winch extension with his winch anchored to my LX450 with a pully off my rear to help with the load, and then my winch fully extended to Nicks HDJ-81. The day was monotonous in terms of winching and recovering. Have a look at [MENTION=66300]Intruder[/MENTION]s write-up here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/143951-intruders-build-off-road-pics-thread-22.html

As such, I really didnt get my camera out much. I was too busy running around in waist deep snow hooking shackles up to various vehicles or watching for 18-wheeler's coming down the forestry trunk road as we had our winch lines strung across the road to anchor to a tree on the opposite side. But thats a whole nother story... haha

Pics -

"Ron Burgundy" taking on the winrow of snow to get us into the trail head.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/143951-intruders-build-off-road-pics-thread-22.html"]http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/143951-intruders-build-off-road-pics-thread-22.html

Dropping in.

20130216-IMG_2156.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

About 800 feet down the trail and 5 hours later.

20130216-IMG_2160.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

You can't say we didnt try. It should be noted, this HDJ-81 has 4.88's, 37's, and has air lockers F/R.

20130216-IMG_2165.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

On the way out, aside from the blizzard, notice the height of the snow bank on the right.

20130216-IMG_2167.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

The only photo of my truck I snapped all day. Back on the road after 10 hours on the trail and about 1000ft of progress.

20130216-IMG_2172.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Thats all for now!

 

[MCObray]

Love these pics Rickashay. I feel like I am there.

 

[Shibby!]

Haven't logged in here for awhile, but always great to see one of the first post new pictures from you!

I've been itching to spend more time in the back country but snow conditions this year have been horrible. Too dangerous for this guy.

 

[aleks77]

Wow amazing photos and trips! Im over in Vancouver, BC, would love to come to Alberta just to go wheeling with you guys, looks like an awesome time!

 

[rickashay]

Wow amazing photos and trips! Im over in Vancouver, BC, would love to come to Alberta just to go wheeling with you guys, looks like an awesome time!

Anytime! Im from Nelson BC so Im also out that way as often as Im able.

 

[rickashay]

Bumping this thread with a splash. haha

Got back into Canada last night from my US Adventure. It's interesting how no matter how much you plan and prepare for adversity, you still never know where you will end up. More words and photos to come, but a few teasers for now:

 

[downpour11]

So how'd you lose your brakes?

 

[Dirtco]

Glad you made it home safe! I'm looking forward to more pictures, and the whole story of your trip!

 

[rickashay]

The Stairs on Slickrock Trail:

 

[TBuzz]

I've always admired your builds and your photography skills. Looking forward to more and thanks for your many contributions.

 

[rickashay]

So how'd you lose your brakes?

Ripped my rear brake hard lines off while climbing a one of the ledges on Top of the World. It was one of the bigger ones and I was making it more difficult with the line I was trying to get up. I was struggling to bump up my rear tires cause of how big it was and on my second attempt I kicked loose a large rock under my rear drivers tire which rolled out behind the rear axle. When I got off the gas and the truck settled back down the ledge, I smashed the brake lines on the rock and started spewing brake fluid. I pinched the lines with some vice grips and had to run the trail all the way back down without brakes. I was nearly at the top so it was an interesting ride down all the other ledges using my E-Brake and engine gearing only to scrub speed. On top of it all, I destroyed my Master Cylinder in the process (not sure how...). I'll have more info and the whole story later.

Glad you made it home safe! I'm looking forward to more pictures, and the whole story of your trip!

Thanks Jeremiah. Still buzzing from the trip. It was awesome! Need to hit Colorado next time though.

I've always admired your builds and your photography skills. Looking forward to more and thanks for your many contributions.

Thanks and I'm glad you appreciate it! All the details and more will come in a few days. Your Moab trip looked awesome BTW.

 

[Hepar]

Can't wait to see the pics you're keeping from us. Looks like an epic trip from the few you've posted. You're a tease...

 

[rickashay]

Can't wait to see the pics you're keeping from us. Looks like an epic trip from the few you've posted. You're a tease...

Haha just soo much editing.... Here's a few more fresh out of LR

A couple more:

Slickrock Trail - Northern California

20130513-IMG_2595.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

20130513-IMG_2617.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Poison Spider - Moab

20130507-IMG_2392.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

20130507-IMG_2414.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

20130507-IMG_2429.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

The "Lonliest Highway in the US" - Nevada

20130511-IMG_2529.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[whataboutno]

I love seeing your updates! Great ride!

 

[Sierra946]

Some great photos!!! Haven't seen views like that off-roading since I lived in Colorado.

 

[Fishwerks]

God damn those pictures are bad ass

 

[TheArkMaster]

I officially put "Wheel with Rickashay" on my bucket list today. Don't let me down :hat:

 

[rickashay]

Some great photos!!! Haven't seen views like that off-roading since I lived in Colorado.

God damn those pictures are bad ass

Thanks gents, although I admit, it's hard to not make Moab look good. Unreal down there. Soon I'll have to plan a trip for Colorado, it looks amazing also!

I officially put "Wheel with Rickashay" on my bucket list today. Don't let me down :hat:

lmao. I appreciate the compliment, let's make it happen!

 

[NateMob]

Nice ones so far, Maybe i can make it onto a leg of USA 15' (US Adventure 2015) next year. That's awesome that your dad brought his Tacoma, how'd he do and what did he think of the trails yall ran?