theksmith

it was a wild ride! here's a link to all my photos - since all my embedded ones in the trip report stopped working: https://photos.app.goo.gl/BwPveHqrgVEpVPZi9

spent the weekend out scouting for a future ORP overnight run... there's a trail somewhere in there... encountered a boulder in the middle of the trail on a shelf road area that i couldn't squeeze by. probably could have crawled over it, but i was alone and that would have pitched me really hard towards the edge so seemed prudent to winch. next issue was a tree and a major washout. fortunately i was able to use a creek-bed as a bypass for about a quarter mile to get around those. there had been some MAJOR water flow in the area recently. i walked the creek route first make sure i wasn't going to sink Gadget in some bottomless mud hole. i was in rolling hills for a while after that, so i took the only tiny flat spot i could find (the start of a short spur trail) as my camp spot for the night. had a bright-ass full moon for the evening. climbed up from around 3k feet to over 7k where i had endless views and even a small pine and oak forest. now this part really was just a forest road! found next to a random fire ring, someone had a bath here! tiny but bright flowers. i only scouted about a third of the route i had planned. so watch for a future difficult rated "exploratory" overnight trip in the Superior area - maybe early December!

crazy nice sunsets this week here in Phoenix - these first 2 shots are directly out of the phone camera without any edits:

all of us, talking to normal peeps that don't spend all their money on a 4x4 and camping equipment...

also tagging @Nillabean1999, @Dan.K with 4runners, and @Lichen who has a FJ Cruiser, and @Bradywgn71 & @Mick Bowers with their Lexus - any words of wisdom about essential upgrades for a 4Runner or experiences with particular yota/lexus specific aftermarket vendors? other good forums for yota tech questions besides IH8Mud?

we usually rate trails with in general terms of easy, moderate, or difficult. you'd be fine on anything we call easy, and on the lighter end of moderate too. take a look at what you have for factory skid plates - i think you'd be better served by upgrading any deficiencies you find there and investing in some rock sliders rather than more lift and/or tire size right away. @mynr1 & @lofreqjeff have 4-runners, maybe they can chime in here?

I was just recently telling someone about this magic hole in the desert, then ran across this little summary on FB recently...

i don't think we're having a call-in or web conferencing option this time... but to anyone that can't make the in-person, please go ahead and reply here with what ideas you have - let's start a virtual meeting right here! @Ladybug, @Bradywgn71, @shellback91

not too shabby for $20!

another great ORP Gala in the books! thank you all so much for coming out!!!

One last reminder - please print out and sign a waiver if you have access to a printer. Thanks! Waiver: https://offroadpassport.com/forums/topic/855-required-waiver-amp-emergency-info-for-official-staff-led-events-only/ Looking forward to seeing you all!

Don't forget to bring some firewood please everybody.

Gadget took a bit of a beating on our Dusy-Ershim CA adventure! click here for trip report/photos... i just finished getting her mostly all cleaned back up: took a stiff wire wheel on the grinder to the sliders to remove all the new jagged edges sprayed some Krylon satin black on the sliders, wheel edges, and diff covers where the boulders established dominance! inside is all blown out, vacuumed, wiped down, and some Chemical Brothers leather scent deodorizer spray to remove the smell from 4 days campfire and sleeping in there without a real shower! adjusted the drag-link to re-center the steering wheel (tie-rod had gotten rotated up a little) i need a new Nemesis rear passenger fender flare still - might just go to the narrower ones in the rear also still waiting on a replacement passenger mirror from eBay (OEM salvage part) the top did take a few tree hits, but those scratches will probably buff out the next time i decide to get Gadget detailed. my roof rail gas carrier took a good hit too, but just slid backwards a couple inches - i was super lucky it didn't rip off a chunk of the rain gutter!

Don't forget your salsa or dip for the contest!!!!! There will be a new tradition started with this year's winner... what could it be?! ALSO... we're stepping up the prize this year! Annual Salsa & Dip Contest: Enter your homemade salsa or chip/veggie dip! Keep on ice until Saturday evening. Offroad Passport supplies the chips, but you're welcome to bring more (or crackers/pita/etc.). Everyone come hungry! Enjoy the chips, salsas and dips and VOTE for the winners! Salsa and dip contestants will compete for 1 prize this year. However, you can enter as many salsas/dips as you want!