Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

On Wednesday we ran Moab Rim, and then Hell's Revenge after lunch.

If you have never done Moab Rim, the opening mile is quite sketchy as it starts at the Colorado River, and then climbs along the rim of the cliff going up over a thousand feet I think. And it's technical. It is one of my favorite trails in Moab.

Here is a GoPro Video of the first half of that climb, up to and obstacle called the crack. Hard to tell, but for a lot of the trail the driver is staring down a sheer drop off down to the Colorado.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

If you made it up the opening climb, the first major obstacle is called "The Crack." You climb this ledge - it's not a slam dunk, but also not terribly difficult - but it is right along the cliff.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Soon after passing through The Crack, and changing your shorts, comes the Z-Turn. It's a stepped climb obstacle that takes the path of a Z.

This gives you some perspective on the opening ledge.

The easier line is to the left - Chris goes right up the middle.

And here is the view from the driver's seat:

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

One of my favorite Lunch spots is this overlook at the top of Moab Rim. You have a view of all of Moab. This is the first time I have been up here without 20 other rigs. It was quite cool to be up there by ourselves.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Moab Rim is a loop trail which circles back on itself. About halfway through the loop there is a cool sand hill which goes from one side of the loop to the other. It's pretty steep, and a cool pace to let the Hemi eat.

And here it is from the driver's sear.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

As I said Moab Rim is a loop trail, and the last mile is going back down the cliff you came in on. Which means coming down the Z-Turn and coming down The Crack - down these obstacles while looking over the cliff. Pucker Factor = 11.

Coming down the Z-Turn:

And coming down The Crack - my brother Dave (with the camera) has his back to about a 300 foot drop. After a pause, the video continues down the rest of the trail.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Wednesday afternoon was all about Hell - Hell's Revenge that is. Hell's is a fairly easy trail with several hardcore optional obstacles. But the opening climb will wake you right up.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

The iconic obstacle on Hell's Revenge is Hell's Gate. The Gate is a loop, and this is me following Chris through the first half down to the valley floor:

And then following Chris around the rest of the loop and back up to the top. It's not a tough climb, but many people have picked the wrong line and tumbled end over end back down to the bottom.

Apparition · May 3, 2022

Great story so far Jeff. I figured there was a deluge of videos coming since they started popping up in my youtube feed.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

The fun of Hell's is in the optional obstacles. Here is one - it's a steep, steep, slick climb of about 30 vertical feet which goes up to the hot tubs. Not for the squeamish: when you start to slide, you slide over sideways.

The roar in the background after I'm up is Chris making a few attempts to come up behind me.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Then we are at the famous Hot Tubs. There are three in this location: Mickey's Hot tub is the most famous, but there is also Car Wash (which is dry and easy), and Devil's (which is neither dry nor easy - it's also not hard, it's INSANE).

Funny story, while we were up here we actually met Mickey (Dan Mick). He was up here guiding a group, and gave us some pointers on how to get through.

This is Car Wash:

And this is Chris attempting Devil's - he wound up backing out. You can't believe how deep it is (must be 15 or 20 feet) and how steep the back wall is (must be 50 or 60 degrees). As I said - INSANE!

This picture will give Devil's a bit of perspective:

And this is me coming into Mickey's:

And me getting out. It took me a few inelegant shots - Chris did it in two.

And here is Chris coming through Mickey's:

GoPro video of me coming through.

Did I mention it was crazy windy up there?

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

My memory is fading as to when, but somewhere along Hell's way we hit Tipover Challenge. We both managed to stay off of our lids...

taylormade73 · May 3, 2022

NashvilleTJ said:
A short hike off the trail at our lunch spot is this unbelievable arch. That's my brother standing out there - behind him is about a 1000' drop down to the Colorado River.
View attachment 327682

Chris also made the climb - I stayed behind to take pictures. Hey, someone had to do it...

View attachment 327684

Here is my brother climbing out there. This is anything but a simple walk...

This is what that arch looks like from the other side of the river. This view is from the base of the Moab Rim Trail.

View attachment 327685

Balls of steel.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

The trip was not without its significant mechanical challenges for the rigs. I for one had two valve stem cores fail - AT ONCE! Sketchy.

When we got back to our place after running Hell's, Chris noticed his passenger side rear axle shaft seal was leaking. So, after dinner in town, we threw in a replacement.

Good as new.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Then we took it up a few notches, as the plan for Thursday was to hit Pritchett Canyon. Chris and I hooked up with Team America (Hardest of the Hard Core - 'Merica! Fuck Yeah! - just watch the movie) as they were planning to hit Pritchett on Thursday as well.

After sending Ryan (@Apparition) our vehicle specs, countless videos, testimonials and letters of recommendation, he granted Chris and I permission to join his team. We were in.

First up on Pritchett is the Brick Yard.

Here is a GoPro video coming through.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Pritchett Canyon has five major obstacles: Chewy, Rocker Knocker, Axle Hill, Rock Pile / Son of Rock Pile, and Yellow Hill.

First up is Chewy, which is another stepped obstacle with a right hand turn half way up.

I hit it first to let Chris go to school on my line, and it took me two shots.

And then Chris one shotted - being very sure to remind me afterwards....

Here is a GoPro video on me coming up Chewy.

reddvltj · May 3, 2022

NashvilleTJ said:
Then we took it up a few notches, as the plan for Thursday was to hit Pritchett Canyon. Chris and I hooked up with Team America (Hardest of the Hard Core - 'Merica! Fuck Yeah! - just watch the movie) as they were planning to hit Pritchett on Thursday as well.

After sending Ryan (@Apparition) our vehicle specs, countless videos, testimonials and letters of recommendation, he granted Chris and I permission to join his team. We were in.

First up on Pritchett is the Brick Yard.

Granted you permission!!!

It's just disgusting how easy those 2 rigs make that look!!!

#IWANTONE!!!

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Although not a major obstacle, at least is has a name. Here are Chris and I coming up Broken Step.

And a GoPro video of me following Chris up.

NashvilleTJ · May 3, 2022

Next up was Rocker Knocker. The line most take is to slide sideways along the two steps to the left, and crawl out the notch at the left side of the obstacle. Not wanting to slow the group down, and therefore inviting the ire of @Apparition, Chris and I went right up the middle: