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Had another run to Hollister Hills with some guys from Yotatech and friends on Saturday 5 February 05. It was raining quite a bit a few weeks before so we expected some good mud. I made some videos low quality 6MB high quality 70MB

I caravanned in with some guys coming down the 101, we all met up at the Ranger station as usual to air down. We then went to the obstacle course to play around a bit. They filled up the logs by the frame twister so a couple of us went through and had some fun. It was my first time doing it and with it being filled with water to make it more interesting. Some pics below of Adam, Steve and myself going through. There was also a big build up 4Runner playing before us.

After having some fun with all the usual obstacles we parked by the benches to have some brunch. Adam and I cooked some sausages for hotdogs. Strangely enough we both had exactly the same little gas grill. Most people brought some stuff and everybody had (hopefully) some good food.

We then went off to the quarry to play some more. Sorry no pics, only some pieces of video. Adam ended up busting his CV by playing with too much skinny pedal and turning the wheel.

Lesson one: Don’t gas it while hopping on a hill and turning the steering wheel around.

We then proceeded up Fremontia road up to Hechtor Heights. Adam did some running repairs on his 4Runner and the rest of us just enjoyed the view (yes of Adam working too :D )

We then went down to Truck hill. As the surface on the hill road was a lot softer and more loose than I have seen before it looked more challenging. Brad already completed a run or two in his 4Runner and I just saw Justin do it in his Jeep. I decided to give it a bash. On my first run I didn’t lock the center diff and with the tranny in drive I made it halfway, before VSC really clamped down on me. So I had to back down the hill, which was not fun as my 4Runner went side ways as the front got stuck down a groove. Brad helped out with some advise and I managed to straighten it out and get down. On my second try I still kept it in Drive, but locked my center diff. The tranny kept shifting up and down on me, so definitely not a good idea. I eventually made it.

Lesson two: Put your auto tranny in a gear before doing a long steep climb, so it doesn’t try to think too much.

We then went to look at the water hole by Truck Hill. Brad already crossed and some other guys were playing there. Ryan and I previously have gone through the deeper end of it, and he decided to take the same line again, agressively this time. We all quickly found out the water level was a bit higher than last time. Fortunately he didn’t get water into his engine, but his whole 4Runner was filled with water. Brad recovered him. It seems the 4Runner now has tranny problems after getting some water in it, damn autos.

Lesson three: Check how deep water obstacles are before entering.

Again I only have it in video, so enjoy it there.

After finishing this episode we went looking for some mud by Area 5. We then returned to the mud area below the obstacle course for some good fun. Almost everybody got stuck at some point, but nothing too serious. Below a few pics and the rest is video enjoy.

I then left the upper ranch with the Landy to go clean up and air up. Below some pics of some dirty vehicles.

I also added some pics of my 4R after I spend hours power washing off the mud, then washing and waxing it.