I’ve been meaning to do a wrap up type post in this but never got around to it. However, one participant is misrepresenting this trip as some sort of “nightmare” on Facebook, so I feel compelled to address that.
First, stuff happens on the trail sometimes. You have to be prepared for that, especially in larger groups. We had the Union Springs group, and then the Dunklehollow group split into two because a couple people were late. In that first group that went up, somebody had a cam/crankshaft position sensor pop, and unfortunately nobody in that group could diagnose it.
That same person has claimed there was some sort of “preexisting” or known problem with the vehicle as if he irresponsibly came along, and that’s absolutely not true. He also says he should’ve gone back down and bailed, but they were closer to the top and that exit than they were to the start. He was right to keep going.
This person also claimed it “blocked” our group, which is again untrue. We stopped and were happy to do so, knew what the issue was within 45 seconds of being there, and we got it fixed. Nobody from our group was upset about it (at least outwardly) and we’re glad we were able to get it fixed. If we wanted to just keep going we could have, but we’re not like that.
Then this person claimed we blocked a Jeep group and created a “big traffic jam,” which is again untrue. They (3 or 4 trucks) had to pause a minute while we rearranged our trucks, but they were cool about it. There were only two people being impatient and upset, and that’s the person making the claims and one other person, who continued on their way up to the Knob.
I had a good time. I’d say most people did. Stuff sometimes happens on the trail, and you have to be ready for that possibility. Personally I’m glad to have the opportunity to practice a trail fix and get to know the people around me, what they have tools/capabilities/parts wise, and do it successfully. Would’ve been cool to get more time up top and more time before dark to find a campsite, but I have zero complaints about the trip. Learning and experience are always good things. And now next time our group goes out I’m even more confident with the people around me.
If a vehicle breaking down or any type of schedule change/interruption (especially a minor one that just takes about an extra hour and doesn’t even result in having to stay on the trail past dark) is going to make your trip into a “nightmare,” then maybe off-roading with a group isn’t something you should be doing.