kaspily

So sorry to hear that it ended this way. Prayers to the family and friends.

We had a nice leisurely morning and then went and met up with Gearhead at the local gas station. We then drove north to Oracle, AZ and run the Rice Peak Look and attempt to drive to the top of Rice Peak. We stopped at the old Post Office at American Flag to airdown: A group was restoring the historic post office while we were there and let a few of us inside to take a peek. The post office is the white building on the right in this photo: We then took the Mt. Lemmon Control road to the Rice Peak trail turnoff. The leaves were starting to turn in this area and it was really pretty. After climbing for a while we took a spur trail off to see the mine There were several mine shafts you could go into and explore but they were really muddy. The old mine ore shoot was really starting to lean: We then continued on the trail and rejoined the Rice Peak Loop. Lots of nice views of the San Manuel valley below us. We then got our first glimpse of the skinny and steep trail to the summit. We started up the trail to the top and came to a step area that was really loose gravel and washed out. The step on a previous run was only small curb height and now was much bigger. We attempted to go up the step. Without lockers we started slipping and then the rear of our Jeep took a "bunny hop" to the edge of the cliff. It was the scariest moment we have ever had wheeling. It was super steep and the brakes didn't want to hold either. We couldn't go forward and had to back down which made us tip towards the cliff. There was nothing to winch to and nothing to brake our fall if we were to roll. This would have been it for us had we gone over the edge. I still couldn't get out the Jeep until he could back down a few more feet. Huge thanks to Ksmith for spotting Chris in this awful spot and then helping me get out of the Jeep without falling off the cliff. I got out and walked down the hill. (Sorry honey!). With help Chris was able to back the Jeep down and turn it around. Both of us were shaken up and so thankful to be safe. Only shot I got of him after he had backed off the ledge: The majority of the group decided not to attempt going to the top. Ksmith and G&D were able to continue up the step area and then around a skinny spot to reach the top. I lent my camera to Ksmith to at least get some shots at the top: Parked at the top: The Biosphere 2 can be seen in the distance: Now we go back down and follow FR 4472 out the long way back to the Mt Lemmon Control Rd: Everyone made it back to the air-up spot and all were safe. Huge thanks again for everyone for following us. Another great ORP trip!

So we all turned around and made our way back down. The steep hills and gravity were fun!! The long straight road you see in the distance is Tangerine Rd: We got back to camp around 4pm and set up. I was so thankful I brought all my warm weather gear and extra blankets. Once the sun dropped it got cold fast. I have lost any cold weather tolerance that I used to have! We got a large fire going and Ksmith treated us to a movie under the stars. I played around trying to get a few shots of this. The full moon then rose above the mountains

A big thanks for everyone who made these runs! The album links are below. If you get an "Internal Server" error while using Firefox try using Google Chrome. For some reason occasionally Firefox doesn't want to go to Picasa. Here is the link to the highlights album: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/2014SutherlandRiceForSharing?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCN_RiIaE95C49gE&feat=directlink Here is the link to the complete album (500 photos): https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/201411SutherlandRicePeakMini?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCO_Z9PuW9M6vrQE&feat=directlink The weekend began on Friday night when we met George, Dianne, and Kristoffer at the campsite to hang out around the fire. I was surprised to see other people camping in this area as normally it is empty. However they found a nice quiet spot overlooking the mountains. The temperature quickly dropped and we all enjoyed a nice fire. George introduced me to "butt coals" (place coals under chair you are sitting in) which kept me nice and warm! Chris and I then went home to sleep and came back the next morning to meet everyone else in Catalina. We then proceeded to drive a few miles to meet up at the campsite and air-down. The Sutherland Trail is rough! There is not spot where you aren't bouncing over rocks or washouts. Despite being beat-up the views are awesome: The first true obstacle is "The Squeeze". Last year we made it through but this year it was much more washed out and our Jeep tried but without lockers couldn't make it through. Thankfully there is a bypass. Ksmith made it through no problem: Nice shot of TucsonWJ: Kermit: Hurricane Dave was the next one through the squeeze. He got some serious wheels up but powered through. Clifford was the next to make it through the squeeze: Clifford's exo cage got friendly with the boulder: We continued up the rocky trail into the washed out hills: The trail had lots of wasps and poor Dave ended up getting stung by one. I even was being bothered while trying to shoot pictures of Clifford: The decomposing granite hill was much more washed out then last year. This area got over 12+ inches of rain during monsoon season and it shows: Remember those views I was talking about. The higher you go up the trail the views get amazing. The next steep hill is really deeply washed out. Took a few attempts for us to find that perfect line to make it up: We then parked at the top of a grassy area and walked down to the stream. This is the easiest spot to turn around and the trail after the stream is buggy level if not impassible. Some walked up the trail. Here is Ksmith walking up the rock face where the trail crosses the stream: Continued next post....

We are tentative for this.

Thanks all! Certainly an awesome place to see and camp at!

I can do both days.

Please put myself down for this. Thanks!

Welcome. Nice to see another WJ!

I wish we found a place to swim it was so darn hot. The pool of water that we were found were green and full of algae blooms. NO way I was going in it!

Happy Birthday! Hope you have something fun planned!

Please sign Chris (Bradywgn71) and I up. Thanks!

Thanks all!

I have a bunch of photos from Saturday but I am in Washington DC and my camera is in Tucson! I will try to post next weekend if I make it home on time. big thanks to ORP for hosting this fun annual event!

We got this: http://smile.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Lightweight-Self-Inflating-Air/dp/B004QCJVT4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1408663215&sr=8-3&keywords=alps+pad Two fit in the back of our WJ. Only complaint is it is slippery. I would go for a different version in the future. They have a non-slip one: http://smile.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Comfort-Air-Pad/dp/B000MNBLY4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408663215&sr=8-2&keywords=alps+pad

Some great photos this month!

Just renewed mine. I will do the husband's when I get home.

Here is the link to day two complete album. I do have high resolution verisions if anyone wants them. I started on day three's pictures this morning. I should have them done on Saturday. https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/RubiconDaytwoMiniComplete?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPTZu6bXkabnMg&feat=directlink

I have managed to edit and get through Day 1 and Day two of pictures. Day two complete album has 600 photos and is still uploading. I will send a link to that tonight. I have high resolution copies on the home computer if anyone wants/needs them. These links are to the small resolution photos. Day 1 Highlights: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/RubiconDayOneMini?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLr9xYDCz6extAE&feat=directlink Day 1 Complete: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/RubiconDayoneMiniComplete?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNSU2tzcrLbBvgE&feat=directlink Day Two Highlights: https://picasaweb.google.com/110968346826086888564/RubiconDaytwoHighlightMini?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPXR7aebt7XraA&feat=directlink Wonderful trip and I promise to do a trip report in the near future. Enjoy!!

We are leaving on early Saturday and opting for scenic route Las Vegas/Beatty/Topaz. Leaving Beatty really early so we have time for lots of stops for photos/gas fill-ups. I have to be in Georgetown by 5pm on Sunday to get our room check-in. -Sarah and Chris

Wish I had a job in phoenix already. Although looking at the surrounding homes looks like there might be a junkyard/hoarder a few houses away.