Wheelers for the Wounded

[Chris]

Any word on how this came off?

[Brody]

Here is a real quicky:

About 65-70 rigs showed up. The trail run planning was extremely well organized. The BBQ was supposed to have been great, but we were late getting one broken rig down off the trail, so we missed it.

We, meaning LaDawn and I ran Iron Chest, Bald Mountain and Arnold Gulches in addition to Wheeler, which we ran on the way home today.

Iron Chest: Hard, comparable to Spring Creek or Saran Wrap with a harder 20' section. Do not do this without rock rails. Probably easier with lockers, but I ran it open/open for grins. Not for Randy's big Dodge!

Bald Mountain/Arnold Gulches: Both located about 25-30 minutes from OCG. Can be done with a pick up, 2WD. We camped about halfway through this. Bald Mountain Gulch eventually exits onto Trout Creek Pass where you run into 24/285.

Wheeler: is simply Wheeler and open all the way.

We forgot our camera, so no pictures. Biggest thrill was watching Chris do some really fine driving and get his Dodge through Iron Chest to the amazement of everyone! Probably the absolutely biggest rig that you can drive up this trail.

Biggest disappointment was the lack of actual veterans who showed up...or didn't in this case. And this wasn't for lack of media coverage or anyone falling down on the job either...Eric and crew busted their asses trying to get veterans involved...

Second most impressive thing: That with 65-70 rigs of all makes, vintages, modifications and models, we only had problems with one rig....and that was most likely due to a sensor simply giving up the ghost, not for lack of maintenance. Says a lot about the up keep and general professionalism of this group of wheelers when this is the only thing that goes wrong after running all sorts of trails.

Here is the link to the Colo4X4 group that ran Chinaman's Gulch: http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=152299.Here is the link to the Colorado 4 Wheelers where their trip report will show up: http://www.coloradofourwheelers.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=8. And here is the CTTORA link where the pictures will be shown: http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92467
Anyway, the support was there in force and what a great bunch of folks!

[Chris]

:thunb: Great to hear!

[Roostercruiser]

glad it was a good time

[WINKY]

i was talkin with eric and he explained to me the circumstances for this year.

This year was the first year for this and there was a steep learning curve and many things were not finalized till last minute due to being a first.

The meet spot couldnt be confirmed until last minute by BLM, which in turn inhibited public advertisement of this event until a meet spot was available and confirmed. There were many legal things to learn about for this kind of event but the one radio show spot eric did, actually pulled in i think 10 vets that were there for ridealong. there was also much speculation as to the turn out for support on this event, as we saw there is no issue with that and we had publicity of the whole event so it will get known.

Next year he said will be different as he knows the hurdles to get over and such which will allow preplanning in time to get a good soak of advertisement out there for a HUGE turn out of vets and dirvers. I will be there next year for sure as this is a great thing to do for us vets!

[RockyMtnHigh]

Sorry for not posting sooner, after tearing everything down getting it loaded and the drive back Saturday I didn't get home until midnight. Slept most of the day yesterday.

It was a lot of fun, nice to see Brody and LaDawn again and great meeting Randy, wish we had some more time to kick back and BS.

Here's the pics from the link that Brody posted above from COTTORA. There also some here: http://4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/3426

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P1010292.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P1010298.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P1010302-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P1010304.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P7180313.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P7180315.jpg

[RockyMtnHigh]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P7180319.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P7180322-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P7180329.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/avsfreak1234/WFTW%20Iron%20Chest/P7180330-1.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/fretslider51/DSCN2495.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/fretslider51/DSCN2496.jpg

[RockyMtnHigh]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/fretslider51/DSCN2497.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/fretslider51/DSCN2500.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/fretslider51/DSCN2501.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/fretslider51/DSCN2503.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/fretslider51/DSCN2504.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/RockyMtnHigh_2008/WFTW%20July%2018/1.jpg

[RockyMtnHigh]

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/RockyMtnHigh_2008/WFTW%20July%2018/2.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/RockyMtnHigh_2008/WFTW%20July%2018/3.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/RockyMtnHigh_2008/WFTW%20July%2018/7.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/RockyMtnHigh_2008/WFTW%20July%2018/12.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/RockyMtnHigh_2008/WFTW%20July%2018/14.jpg

[RockyMtnHigh]

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2770.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2772.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2773.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2774.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2775.jpg

[RockyMtnHigh]

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2777.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2778.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2781.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2783.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2784.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg253/KnAph0t0s/WFTW/IMG_2785.jpg

[WINKY]

nice pics guys!

here are my pics, if anyone wants copies of my pano's let me know

[WINKY]

more

[WINKY]

i need to get a tripod for my panoramics and put it to manual setting to keep color and light levels the same... but ive only begun doing this too :P

[Chris]

Sorry for not posting sooner, after tearing everything down getting it loaded and the drive back Saturday I didn't get home until midnight. Slept most of the day yesterday.


Thanks for all you did Jock, it looks like the groundwork is set for a great annual event. :thunb:

[Funrover]

Iron Chest is on the trails to run list

[Funrover]

Those Tin Cup pics piss me off, we caught the jack asses that went off trail and created the trail up the MTN

[WINKY]

didnt mean to piss ya off man, but yeah f'ing jacka$$e$ screwing up stuff....


did they get flogged? good for catching them!

[Funrover]

didnt mean to piss ya off man, but yeah f'ing jacka$$e$ screwing up stuff....


did they get flogged? good for catching them!

I took pics of them, their bike and the OHV license. Sent that of to the USFS which promptly took care of it. One lady did notice me snapping all the pics and warned everyone, but it was too late I had the all.. Thanks to Jon and Steve who distracted them (or chewed their butts... either way)

[WINKY]

NICE!!!!! next time i see ya ill buy ya a beer! good job on cracking down on these clowns. When did it happen?

[WINKY]

Everyone, if you could upload photo's of the WFTW event that you have do so here...

http://coloradowftw.shutterfly.com/


i have started the TINCUP section on there and its a simple sign up to post photo's.

(not sure if everyone knows this yet):thunb:

[4Runner3Wheeler]

Looks like fun! It's amazing how quickly a beautiful mountainside can be damaged.

[RockyMtnHigh]

Thanks for all you did Jock, it looks like the groundwork is set for a great annual event. :thunb:

:thunb:




(not sure if everyone knows this yet):thunb:

Thanks for posting it Randy, was just fixing to do so.

I also wanted to post a thank you from Eric to everyone.

*******************************************

Wheelers for the Wounded Folk,

I wanted to take a few moments and thank all of you for making this day special. For the last 18 months I have been cautiously optimistic and have been humbled by the support each of you have shown. We started with a simple plan to get together and make a trail run to show our support, but our plans slowly expanded and eventually blossomed into July 18, 2009, and instead of a dozen of us getting together for an afternoon, we formed a coalition of four-wheel drive clubs from all over the state that coordinated a spectacular day on 4 beautiful trails with 50 rigs and 60+ participants! I can’t thank you enough and my mind is now spinning with future possibilities.
In that vein, if you have photos or comments you would like to share, I would like to start collecting them so we can start promoting next year’s event(s). Feel free to email or post, and send me the links to material you are willing to share.

I also wanted to take some time to thank a few folks in particular. These individuals are the core of this effort and without them none of this would have come to fruition:

Brian C for participating in our charity wrenching events and donating his time (his only day off during the week) and his expertise to work on rigs.

Don G, for making substantial donations to fund this event and for his blood and sweat during several of the charity events. Next time you better get the day off!!

Doug H for the masterful grill work in, keeping us all smiling during adversity and taking the time to help plan the awesome BBQ menu. Have a cigarette on me… NO, NO! Don’t do it!!

Gary G for being our local expert in the BV area, helping us coordinate the trail runs, and helping me work out many of the details to keep this event on track and safe for everyone.

Jim A for working on tracking down wounded veterans, contacting the VA, DAV, MedHold, American Legion, Easter Seals, and so many others I’ve lost track, getting 300+ fliers distributed in Denver, Colorado Springs and other locals along the front range, helping us collect supplies from all over and to the event, and for keeping us on track, focused and motivated.

Jock T for helping me keep my sanity, showing up at every event and helping out wherever he could, designing the Colorado WFTW commemorative sticker, and taking up the role of treasurer for our organization.

Kevin and Susan G for getting us connected with many of the folks down south that we had never met before and really made this event a success.

Layton B for supplying the tow rig, trailer, and making the drive all over the front range and up to BV and back with all that in tow, working as a liaison with the BLM and USFS and facilitating the Letter of Agreement for the land use, donating a large portion of our food stuffs and manning the staging area and food tent during the event.

Matt G for the use of his home and garage facilities for our first charity event in 2008, for his support for this event from Day One and for his service to our country. We missed you Matt, but saved some brats for ya!

Molly H for coordinating our charity events in Parker, Longmont and Colorado Springs, coordinating the schlepping of all our gear and food to BV, and manning the staging area and food tent during the event. Truly, without Molly, this event would not have happened ;)

Scott R and Big Horn Graphics for donating the Colorado WFTW commemorative stickers.

Troy G for volunteering the resources of CoTTORA to support this event, supplying the location, tools and experience for many of our charity events, not to mention hours and hours of mechanical advice, experience and plain old labor to get rigs ready to participate.

Sean Y for his overall support, and helping with his mechanical and welding experience at our charity events.

Shane W and the staff at Peterson AFB’s Auto Skills Center who graciously hosted our last charity event and allowed us to use their facility, tools and expertise to work on a number of projects, the proceeds from which made all the difference.

Members of CoTTORA, Colorado4Wheelers, Colorado4x4, Front Range 4x4, Blanca4x4 and Rising Sun, each of whom took the time and effort to support this event during its development, and especially on July 18th by showing their support in person.

We also had support from a number of agents, supporters and sponsors:

Bill Burke’s 4-wheeling America for his kind words as we ramped up this event and the donation of several items that went to our participants.

Boulder Sausage for donating a portion of the food served at the BBQ.

The Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce for helping us get in touch with many of the local folks who helped put this all together.

Expedition One for the donation of a number of discount coupons that went to our participants

Joseph Kreiss and KVRH radio in Salida for getting us on the radio and joining us at the event to document our success.

Linda S and Tambi G with BLM and USFS, respectively, who were very helpful and accommodating while making sure we complied with the regulatory needs of those agencies.

Scott M and Unlimited Sanitary for supplying our septic closets at a great price, along with great set-up and tear-down service.

ToyTec Lifts for the donation of several items that went to our participants.

WabFab Off-Road and the Wabbit for their donation and support.

Tommy Knockers supplied all of the awesome root beer, chips and other food for our event thanks to Eric G!

Thanks again to everyone who participated, and looking forward to next year!

Eric Ross