The DeTour Trip Report-As told by Blackdawg

yeah. Was not that cool...haha

 

Awesome chapter. Totally forgot about Mark hitting that deer! @IDtrucks That was a great start to your story.

Man, Woodchuck was such a beautiful area.

 

This has been great. I just read yours. Forgot a few cherry details too. I love doing this.

Just wait till you see it all green and snow free!

 

When does the next chapter drop?

 

Pretty soon. Readying mine now, Monte will post after.

 

Very soon

 

Actually now

 

just gotta get to a new page

 

Too many photos..

 

Load times would suck for some

 

thus a page per chapter

 

Seems to work.

 

Okay getting close

 

here we go

 

Bam

 

Chapter 6: Okay F*ck this. We out..​

Well.


This. Is not how you like to wake up in the morning.


2017-09-23 - 00001 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_0362 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0364 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0366 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0371 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


At least by the time I got out of bed the snow had stopped.


DeTour-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


It had snow a few more inches through the night. Again. What once was snow free was not covered in it. The tents struggling to hold up the rain fly’s.


DeTour-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The push broom came out again and did the rounds. I’ll tell you what, for a last minute “that might be handy” grab. That damn broom was sure nice to have.


IMG_0373 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


The sun did come out though and it was actually fairly beautiful.

DeTour-64.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00004 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00005 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00006 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3612 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3614 by mike digirat, on Flickr

DeTour-65.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3615 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Plus, the sun was out. Ben realized he had to be good on his word about making breakfast. I loaned him a bigger pan, and Kirsten proceeded to make us breakfast...not Ben.


Something we all teased and jeered at while she finished the eggs. As soon as we started eating, the clouds came back, and it got cold again.


With the new snow fall, I wasn’t super sure how the day would go. Little did I know it would go in several directions I did not hope for. But we were here and figured we would try and set off for Boulder Basin.


2017-09-23 - 00009 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_0377 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


The road was muddy, but clear of snow at least. Mud. Im even getting sick of writing about it. We were definitely sick of driving in it.


As we left the Paint Rock Lake road and started down to Shell reservoir, the clouds rolled in again and it started to rain/sleet/snow lightly.


DeTour-66.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


By now we had burned a lot of gas and some wanted to top off before we went much further. Having passed the resiervoir, though barely able to see it, we stopped at Adelaide lake to fuel up. Derp was the one who was quite low. And of course he didn’t bring any extra.


“What the hell man, why don’t you have any extra??” I jeered.


“I just didn’t fill it up!” Mark exclaimed in full Derp fashion.


Mike was kind enough to give Derp some of his as he had brought 10 gal.


Pit stop over, we now started the roughest trail in the Big Horns. With fresh snow fall..


DeTour-68.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


As we crossed a clearing, I said, “Look there's the trail!”


DeTour-67.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


I could almost hear Dan’s heart drop haha


“Just kidding, it doesn’t go over those rocks” I said over the Cb as I started up the small hill.


“I was going to say..” replyed Dan


Does look like it's going to be crazy though.


2017-09-23 - 00013 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


But really its just a spot for cool photos.


DeTour-69.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-70.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00014 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_0380 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-71.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_0382 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-72.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-73.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00015 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00016 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_0386 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


The next chain of events was..well..funny.


Im not entirely sure how it happened but this the best way I remember it.


Ben had asked me a question and was 2nd in line behind me. I had run out ahead a bit more than he was as I drive faster generally. We had gotten just to Shell Creek which is where the wilderness boundary is.


I don’t remember what the question was. But I was answering it over the CB not really paying attention to what the hell was going on. Im in Frankenstein..this trail is chill for me, I am indestructable.


A though process that constantly bites me in the ass.


Well mid way through my chat with Ben. The road seemed to just disapear.


“WHAT THE FUCK MONTE! OH GOD!” Screamed Devin as the front of the truck tipped over into the river.


Everyone heard this of course as I had the CB mike button down. No doubt followed but the loud exhaust of Frankenstein being floored in reverse.


“...sigh…I’m coming” was all Ben said in a funest “here we go again” tone I’ve heard.


I shut the motor off as soon as I realized I was screwed and hoped I hadn’t hydrolocked anything. I mean..look at my view.


DeTour-74.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-75.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-76.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Of course, the view everyone else go was just flat out entertaining.


2017-09-23 - 00017 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00018 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00019 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00020 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


Really though. It was hilarious. Mark could not stop laughing and I couldn’t stop really either.


IMG_0389 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0390 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


Devin..was not impressed though and climbed out as soon as she could. I gave her the camera as we started the winching process.


DeTour-77.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_0395 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-78.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_0392 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


At first, we tried just one pull with just Ben’s rig.


DeTour-79.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


But Frankenstein was just too heavy and the hill too steep. Ben’s rig just slide towards Frank.


So then we lashed Dan’s rig to Ben’s.



2017-09-23 - 00022 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


But even that was not enough. So Glenn pulled up next to Ben and Mike attached his rig to Glenn’s while Glenn’s wich pulled from the second point on the rear bumper.


DeTour-80.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-81.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00023 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_0398 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


With some great coordination and teamwork, the 4 trucks easily pulled Frank out of the rive and was soon free!


DeTour-84.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-85.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-86.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The lights were filled with water, but everything else seemed okay as Mark and I inspected the engine bay.


2017-09-23 - 00024 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

DeTour-87.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-88.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


With Frank fired back up, I then showed Ben the correct not fall off a small cliff way to cross the river and he went first to free up space to let me back up.


DeTour-89.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-90.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-91.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


With everything done. I was glad nothing more serious had happened as no doubt Frank would have been buried in snow till spring. Grateful to be in good company and with a good scolding from Devin, we continued on.


IMG_0402 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0406 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0410 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-92.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_0417 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0419 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


And almost as soon as we had started, stopped. A tree had fallen down and had been cut. But not wide enough for a truck. I jumped up and worked it over with the axle and we were quickly on our way again.


IMG_0428 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


Then we hit our first bigger obstacle. It's a steep hill climb with a fun ledge on it with a very poorly placed rock that can hang you up bad. Line choice is key for smaller tires.


I climbed up no issues,big tires do help..


Next was Ben on 32s with no locker.


DeTour-93.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-94.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Ben struggled for a minute as I tried to get him over further. Finally he got out and looked at the line himself. Saw what I was trying to get him to do. Jumped back in and nailed it.


Dan saw this spot and decided he would take the bypass. This being by far the hardest trail he had done to date. As the trip would go one though, Dan would grow a lot and probably would have done this 5 days later..im sure he will next time.


DeTour-95.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Then it was Derp’s turn. And he has no problems as he was on 35s as well.


DeTour-96.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3617 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_0430 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-97.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-98.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-99.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Ben and I talking about the line


IMG_3623 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Then it was Glenn’s turn in the wide 3rd gen.


IMG_3624 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_0438 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-100.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00026 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00027 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


Not sure if it was the longer wheel base..or width..or what. But Glen couldn’t keep the rig on the line and got hung up on the diff.


IMG_0443 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0447 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


No worries. He got the winch out and pulled himself over the rock with ease.


DeTour-101.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00028 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_0449 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0454 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


Glenn over it was now Mikes turn. We all gathered to watch..


IMG_0455 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


Mike generally listens to my as a spotter. But not always..


IMG_0458 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0461 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-102.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00029 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

DeTour-103.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-104.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Alas, Mike fell victim to the rock as well.


IMG_0466 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0470 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


But a quick tug with the winch and he was free.


IMG_0473 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

DeTour-106.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00030 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_0478 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


Ben..very smug to be be the guy with the smallest tires and no lockers to make it.


2017-09-23 - 00032 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


But now things were getting interesting. We were back in the trees and it was getting muddy with slick snow on it. Some spots were very slick. Frank didn’t want to go straight through this small cattle gaurd that was on a small hill.


IMG_0481 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


Then ben almost got caught it a weird situation due to lack of traction.


DeTour-107.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

DeTour-108.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


But the next spot I was kind of worried about. It was a large slab or granite that was off camber. I was really concerned it would be covered in snow making it very dangerous to cross, especially as it was now snowing again on us. I’d voiced my concerns several times to the group over the radio and now it was hyped up..


Thankfully it was snow free.


However, everyone let the shit fly about how “hard” and “dangerous” this spot was “going to be” haha


screw you guys! I was CONCERNED! Haha


Either way, we all made it over easily. Made for some great photos.


IMG_0485 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

IMG_0489 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00033 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

DeTour-109.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00034 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

DeTour-110.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Weeee 3 wheelin!


DeTour-111.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_0491 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


We then got to a steep rocky hill climb. I started up like normal and hit a ledge hard and it killed Frank. Started back up and tried again only to stall a 2nd time.


“Well, I think only Mark and I might be able to take this line” I said over the radio.


“Ooo that bad huh? Hold on I want a photo.” replied Ben and he came running up from behind to snap photos.

I started up the ledge a 3rd time.


PING!


Something broke.


“WHOA WHOA WHOA!” yelled Ben.


IMG_0493 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


Well...thats….not right.


2017-09-23 - 00035 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00036 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


The Lower ball joint bolts had given out. Again.


IMG_0495 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00037 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

This was bad. First of all, I was parked on a steep slick hill. At least two of the bolts had snapped meaning I would HAVE to extract at least one with any hopes of getting 3 bolts back in to get me home.


Unfortunately..I knew 3 was enough from previous experience..


But could I make that happen. Could I make it happen before we got snowed in with several hill climbs left? The snow was starting to come down hard. So it was either fix it. Or leave Frankenstein here, potentially until spring..for the second time today, the thought of potentially leaving my rig on the mountain was in my head.


Lucky for me, I had freinds a plenty to go around. Mark got out his tools, his impact gun proved exceptionally helpful. Dan gave me a Hi lift.


2017-09-23 - 00038 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


It didn’t take me long to break everything down and assess the damage.


2017-09-23 - 00039 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


I needed another LBJ which I had in my truck. I crawled in the back and started moving gear around to get the the OSK(Oh shit kit). The truck started to slip.


We quickly got the winch line spooled out and attached to keep Frank from rolling backwards.


DeTour-112.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00040 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


By now the snow was really starting to come down.


DeTour-113.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


A new LBJ. Not even a year all. The bolts had ripped out the alignment pins. It was junk now.


2017-09-23 - 00041 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


Ben graciously gave me one of his spare LBJs and I set about trying to get 3 bolts in.


I could not get one started for the life of me.


2017-09-23 - 00043 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


The snow was really coming down. Temperature was dropping fast and I was cold wet and pissed off.


Not even the umbrella could cheer me up. Did keep me a bit more dry though.


2017-09-23 - 00044 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


Frustrated, I grabbed the impact. Slapped in on the bolt, and let it rip.


It went in. Probably never coming out too.


With all Franks wheels bolted back together..more or less. We started packing up tools. Mark had had the situational awareness to crack open his grill...and feed everyone hot dogs.


“Can’t rescue trucks in the winter without food man!” Mark said cheerfully.


I for one, hands frozen, tired and mad at Frankenstein was VERY Grateful for the hot food.


“Lets get the hell out of here” Mike said.


Easier said than done. We were clumped up good and there had been a small narrow spot for people to make there were up here. Ben would have to go around to the bypass first. Whiched proved to be very tricky at first as it was steep and slick. With a redirect to a different path, everyone made it around fine.


Mark, not wanting to let the incident dampen the wheeling move, too the hard line and had no issues.


From there we took off, eager to get out of the snow and out of potential trouble. The word “Moab” was beginning to be thrown around a lot as we made our way up the moutain


2017-09-23 - 00045 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

DeTour-114.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


With hardly a stop on the way out, we bombed out of the backcountry through more mud slogged road and to the highway.


We were sick of the rain. Sick of the snow. Sick of the freaking mud. Sick of the weather.


It was decided to just go back to Powell, for the second time in only 3 days. We wanted warmer weather, drier..everything. And had had our fill of the mud.


We aired up. All a bit bummed.


DeTour-115.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00047 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


Frankenstein wasn’t happy with this idea. And threw one last fit and woudln’t start. Jumping didn’t seem to help.


2017-09-23 - 00048 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


Then, for some reason, fired up.


“Gotta say. I have to come back,” said Ben, “you can really tell it would be beautiful here”.


It is. Another time perhaps.


Defeated turned tail down the mountain. Stopped in Greybull to wash off the trucks AGAIN. Called my Dad to say we were coming to eat dinner at the bewery.


We me met him and the FRV late in Powell. We were the last folks to sit down there and grateful the kitchen was still open.


2017-09-23 - 00049 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-23 - 00050 - The De-Tour - Day 07 by Dan, on Flickr


I dropped devin off at the house and she immediately went to shower and get warm in bed.


Everyone had already told the tails to my Dad when I got there but I certainly helped tell them again.


“I freaking told you that was gonna happen!” he said, “what did you think the weather man was gonna be wrong?” he laughed.


That word Moab came up again.


It sounded nice. Warm. Sunny. Cozy even..


And with that. The Tour was over. It was now the DeTour, to Moab.


We didn’t know where we were going, but we knew it was south and it was going to be in Moab somewhere. Anywhere that wasn’t snow covered and muddy. We were fuckin done with that shit.


Loose plan in order. We ate our burgers. Chatted some more. Then headed back to the house were most gathered in my Dad’s shop to bullshit somemore while watching me unload Frankenstein and swap the RTT over to Igor my daily driver double cab late into the night.


Sometimes it pays off to own two tacomas..

To be Continued:


Chapter 7: Not out of the snow yet.

Enjoying the De-Tour story? There's more - @turbodb also wrote up a version. Check out his version of this chapter here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-turbodb-september-2017.562116/#post-18463958

Read the full story:
As told by @turbodb: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12] [Chapter 13]

As told by @Blackdawg: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12] [Chapter 13]​

 

So fun! And damn right I'm not taking that bypass next time. Let's go!

 

Great day! Well..at least it was because we got out haha Fun times.

 

I thought Frank was "Bulletproof" must have forgotten his vest for the trip

 

Id like to think he is..but history has proven he is FAR from it haha