Yesterday, RonB & I decided to "practice" at Gorman. My first time there; RonB's 3rd time with his virgin (no trail rash yet) BEAUTIFUL H1.

This place is like a mecca for off-road vehicles of all sorts. Not scenic, but gazillion of trails from yawners to puckers.

Of course, we have to start with the puckers...

This is from on top of Powerline through the easy back door. Ron's way at the bottom (red dot) at the start of the run. A tiny part of Gorman is behind..

Yesterday, RonB & I decided to "practice" at Gorman. My first time there; RonB's 3rd time with his virgin (no trail rash yet) BEAUTIFUL H1.

This place is like a mecca for off-road vehicles of all sorts. Not scenic, but gazillion of trails from yawners to puckers.

Of course, we have to start with the puckers...

This is from on top of Powerline through the easy back door. Ron's way at the bottom (red dot) at the start of the run. A tiny part of Gorman is behind..

Yesterday, RonB & I decided to "practice" at Gorman. My first time there; RonB's 3rd time with his virgin (no trail rash yet) BEAUTIFUL H1.

This place is like a mecca for off-road vehicles of all sorts. Not scenic, but gazillion of trails from yawners to puckers.

Of course, we have to start with the puckers...

This is from on top of Powerline through the easy back door. Ron's way at the bottom (red dot) at the start of the run. A tiny part of Gorman is behind..

Start of climb.

1/2 way up.

Almost to the top.

Ron looked like he was half a sleep it was so easy...

Much later, some motorbike dudes told us they won't even attempt Powerline, it's so steep (and waaay high).

I gotta tell you, the pucker factor is definitely there since you gotta go slow, looking way up, for so long. I got one of them level-o-gauge which showed 40 degrees incline. Lest some skeptic doubt authenticity, look at the green ATV at top right...

I have a few other pictures, including RonB's "Tie-Rod Hill" where the deceptively simple looking trail has killed his old H2 many times. Will post in a few days.

But since there were only 2 of us, mostly we had lots of fun, going quickly from trail to trail.

All in all, this was an amazing "practice" session for me. I actually learned a new lesson while trying another, steeper, looser path up Powerline. I kept getting stuck near the top, despite trying every method I know. So, towards the 10th or 12th attempt, I was lazy to drop the gear to "R" when reversing, and just eased back down by releasing the brake. Well, suddenly a couple of warning ("ABS") lights lit up, and my engine DIED!! With it, power brake dissapeared and the steering locked!! The truck continued sliding backwards -- the engine wouldn't re-start -- and my tail started to turn... image of my beautiful blinged-out H2 rolling over flashed before my eyes -- and I STOMPED on the brakes with both feet, while wrestling the wheel to correct my angle...

Btw, I did all of the above TWICE just to make sure it wasn't a fluke, before calling it a day and left the park.

RonB was kind enough to explain later on:

Ron: "Were you in 4Lo?" Me: "Yes"
Ron: "Were you in 1st gear?" Me: "Yes"
Ron: "Were you in Rear Lock?" Me: "Yes"
Ron: "Well, the truck kept thinking you wanted to go forward, but you kept sliding back. So it decided TOO MUCH STRESS on the engine and what not, and killed it..."

Noobies, listen up -- lesson learned: When reversing down a mountain, ALWAYS (as in EACH AND EVERY SINGLE TIME) put transmission in "R" ..Thanks RonB!

Did you can-ching in your pants or did you make eh-eh?

My younger brother was in the truck with me. So outwardly I was all calm and in control, as my brother looked at me with eyes that just about popped out of his sockets, holding on white-knuckled to the dash handles for dear life... (while inwardly I was like "FF******CCCCKKKKK!!!" )

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by H2Finally:
The truck continued sliding backwards -- the engine wouldn't re-start -- and my tail started to turn... image of my beautiful blinged-out H2 rolling over flashed before my eyes -- and I STOMPED on the brakes with both feet, while wrestling the wheel to correct my angle... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dang, H2F has finally come over to the dark side...on the verge of flipping over, he's concerned about his truck and not one single thought about leaving his precious as a widow? I'm SHOCKED. She's gonna toss your ass out now, boy.

Stacy

Great pics, funny story.

And your passenger was about to eat dirt and you didn't even tell him.

You're way on the dark side now.

Dems awsome pics H2F. You must try harder for Moab. And BTW.....

H2F.....I am your father.

Well you know, we had these extensive discussion abt roll-overs (some trails were closed because an idiot Hummer driver in a Happening rolled) with some dirtbike groupies (they followed us from trail to trail), and they agreed that while to be avoided -- in the event of a rollover, the Hummers are the best vehicle to survive in. So, I wasn't concerned abt my live. Now, my bro may well disagree..

In this nice little hill, there really isn't anywhere to go when you reach the top. So you have to kindda do a seesaw u-turn at the top to go back down, and that little "ditch" in the middle which you hardly noticed on the way up, suddenly caused your right rear to float in the air, while your nose dipped to the ground, and washer fluid jetted out of your washer nozzle as you rock back n forth, not knowing wether you'll flip or not... So I said to my brother, "COOL! Get the camera out!"

From where he was, RonB said it really looked like I was going to flip. But in the truck, I never felt in danger.. Dunno, maybe you're all right.. I'VE GONE TO THE DARK SIDE!!!

Those inclines look steep in the pictures so I can only imagine in person. Thanks for posting.

originally posted by H2Finally,
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I'VE GONE TO THE DARK SIDE!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Does the "little princess" know?????