Muddy Delica Excursion - Oct 13/08

[trialsmaster2]

Well, this trip made our first few 4X4 excursions seem pretty tame. This trip was slippery, muddy and steep in places! The Delica proved to be the little van that could. I sure did like the torque for these off road trips. I won't be heading to this area again anytime soon, as we nearly got stuck several times. The only way we'd head back would be if it was drier, if I had mud terrains and/or if I had some recovery gear! It sure was entertaining. Hope you enjoy the pics!






We arrived in this clearing that looked like a war zone with all the dead burnt out cars everywhere. I had to play in the mud though...sometimes I'm just like a kid :)




Then I decided to try a little hill climbing. I love the torque in the Delica combined with the BF Goodrich All Terrains (when they weren't packed with mud yet). It felt like I could have gone right up to and over the top but I decided to back down. According the the gauge in the Delica, that slope was over 30 degrees. It sure felt steep!



Hard to believe just how slippery that mud was. There was lots of slipping sideways and nearly getting stuck because of those mud filled all terrains! Maybe I should have gone with the mud terrains instead... :)


While crossing one ditch, I managed to scrape the front license plate on the bank. I couldn't back up as I didn't have the traction, so forward I went. Thankfully I managed to not mangle the plate!



Chalan and me in front of the Delica




Check out that wheel travel! I was pretty impressed how well this Delica handles funky terrain!


Mud covered tire after one of the last big puddles


Chalan and me...tired and ready to head home :)

Aaron

[mararmeisto]

Well, this trip made our first few 4X4 excursions seem pretty tame. This trip was slippery, muddy and steep in places! The Delica proved to be the little van that could. I sure did like the torque for these off road trips. I won't be heading to this area again anytime soon, as we nearly got stuck several times. The only way we'd head back would be if it was drier, if I had mud terrains and/or if I had some recovery gear! It sure was entertaining. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Aaron

Going with someone else is always a good idea too, especially if you're not familiar with the area. As for the tires, I've thought the same thing, and it's almost as if I needed two sets of rims: one for driving around and one for play!

But, yes! It's fun getting these vehicles off the pavement, seeing what they'll do. I'm always amazed at what these little "delivery cars" are capable of.

[trialsmaster2]

Lesson learned... I don't mountain bike by myself, so why should I 4X4 by myself. On "easy" logging road stuff where I know where I'm going the whole time it's not too bad to go solo. Plus on the logging roads that I frequent, you'll see lots of other people. Where we were 4X4ing yesterday we didn't see many people at all.

I think the two sets of tires idea is a great one (but I certainly can't afford to be doing that). I guess the weight of the all terrain tires inside the Delica can give extra weight and traction for the mud terrain tires

Well, this trip made our first few 4X4 excursions seem pretty tame. This trip was slippery, muddy and steep in places! The Delica proved to be the little van that could. I sure did like the torque for these off road trips. I won't be heading to this area again anytime soon, as we nearly got stuck several times. The only way we'd head back would be if it was drier, if I had mud terrains and/or if I had some recovery gear! It sure was entertaining. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Aaron

Going with someone else is always a good idea too, especially if you're not familiar with the area. As for the tires, I've thought the same thing, and it's almost as if I needed two sets of rims: one for driving around and one for play!

But, yes! It's fun getting these vehicles off the pavement, seeing what they'll do. I'm always amazed at what these little "delivery cars" are capable of.

[konadog]

I don't mountain bike by myself, so why should I 4X4 by myself.

But if you do go backcountry motoring solo it's a good idea to take the mtn. bike along as well - waaaay faster than walking should your bus breakdown or get too stuck. I also generally toss in the bushbuddy stove, extra grub, warm clothes and come-along. Thanks for the pictures btw - Looks like a fun afternoon!

[trialsmaster2]

I'll be sure to pack a little better on future solo trips. Thanks for the list of must haves, konadog. It was fun, that's for sure!

[glenn]

looks like fun! Just curious, what's with all the burnt out wrecks? It reminds me of those sad, sad photos of a stolen, then joy-rided, then burnt delica a while back.

[trialsmaster2]

Glenn, I think those burnt out wrecks suffered a similar fate to that joy-riden Delica. I guess it's the place to take stolen cars to maybe? Not a good place to get stuck, that's for sure.

looks like fun! Just curious, what's with all the burnt out wrecks? It reminds me of those sad, sad photos of a stolen, then joy-rided, then burnt delica a while back.

[Erebus]

And if I may add to Konadog's suggestions, also let someone know where you are going and when you will be back, and (especially) what time to sound the alarm if you don't let them know you are back (they just call 911 and ask for search and rescue). That way if you are really stuck, someone will come looking for you.

If you break down, or have a flat and are several hours late, SAR may be activated, but everyone in SAR would rather be called and stood down because the person/people were late, than to be called 3 days later and discover the subjects deceased because they had no food/shelter/first aid/whatever and they would have survived if the alarm had been raised quickly.

[trialsmaster2]

Good call on letting people know the travel plans and expected return times. Just like mountain biking too...