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Next up was an obstacle I wanted to do in 2021, but the day was almost over and I bypassed it. The Escalator. I had seen Mr. Antolovich do it in 2019 in a TJR on 32’s with a flat belly in 1min 25sec. After him the LJ on 40’s in our group tried. After 25 minutes and almost laying it over he succumbed to having line pulled.

This was my year, and I was pumped that @EternalHobbyist wanted to run this trail just for the Escalator challenge and the new exit which opened called the Staircase.

When we got there a side by side was laying it on its side, twice, and succumbed to line being pulled. There were about 25 rigs there and a big crowd, but no line for the Escalator, so after calming my nerves I went up.


Needless to say, I was elated. It made my day/trip. It’s all about the line, patience, and making good decisions. I had a guy come up to me later on the trail and tell me I taught him something on the Escalator. All I can say to that is he learned something from 72 year old Mr. Antolovich that was passed on through me.
 
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JMT said:
We’re at Moab. On Saturday I took @EternalHobbyist on Hell’s Revenge. This was the first trail I ever ran in Moab about 5 years ago. I was on 33’s and 2.5+1.25 locked. The group I went with were just some folks I met at the RV park I was staying at. They looked my rig over and said, just follow us. They had two JKU’s on 37’s, an LJ on 40’s, and a TJR on 32’s with a flat belly driven by a 72 year old named Rick Antolovich. That was a great day as they showed me the ropes. More about Mr. Antolovich later…

Here’s Hell’s Gate this year. Great crowd up top. They loved it. Of course, I convinced @EternalHobbyist to do it! Great job Daniel! Hopefully he’ll post his video of him.

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Made that look too easy.
 
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JMT said:
Next up was an obstacle I wanted to do in 2021, but the day was almost over and I bypassed it. The Escalator. I had seen Mr. Antolovich do it in 2019 in a TJR on 32’s with a flat belly in 1min 25sec. After him the LJ on 40’s in our group tried. After 25 minutes and almost laying it over he succumbed to having line pulled.

This was my year, and I was pumped that @EternalHobbyist wanted to run this trail just for the Escalator challenge and the new exit which opened called the Staircase.

When we got there a side by side was laying it on its side, twice, and succumbed to line being pulled. There were about 25 rigs there and a big crowd, but no line for the Escalator, so after calming my nerves I went up.


Needless to say, I was elated. It made my day/trip. It’s all about the line, patience, and making good decisions. I had a guy come up to me later on the trail and tell me I taught him something on the Escalator. All I can say to that is he learned something from 72 year old Mr. Antolovich that was passed on through me.
Click to expand...

Great job sir!
 
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Next up was an obstacle I wanted to do in 2021, but the day was almost over and I bypassed it. The Escalator. I had seen Mr. Antolovich do it in 2019 in a TJR on 32’s with a flat belly in 1min 25sec. After him the LJ on 40’s in our group tried. After 25 minutes and almost laying it over he succumbed to having line pulled.

This was my year, and I was pumped that @EternalHobbyist wanted to run this trail bc it gave me an opportunity to lead him and to tr the Escalator and the new exit which opened called the Staircase.


When we got there a side by side was laying it on its side, twice, and succumbed to line being pulled. There were about 25 rigs there and a big crowd, but no line for the Escalator, so after calming my nerves I went up.

IMG_9726.jpeg
 
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Well, I got shut down on Hamburger Hill. Now I have to go back. I felt the line at one point, but I didn’t follow my instincts. I can drive it, but I didn’t, so it doesn’t matter. Bummed and mad at myself mostly. Shitif I double post here, sorry, I’m staying in the boondocks and I’m not sprnding my time deleting what I screwed up. Here’s a night shot of where I’m camping. Nobody around. 3 mile trail in. Small ledges to get there
IMG_9703.jpeg
 
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JMT said:
Looks can be deceiving. Loved every second of it. Have you done it?
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Hells gate many times.

Attempted the escalator without knowing the line a couple years ago and made a mess out of it. Didn’t have time to redeem myself last year but it’s on my to do list.
 
Apparition said:
Hells gate many times.

Attempted the escalator without knowing the line a couple years ago and made a mess out of it. Didn’t have time to redeem myself last year but it’s on my to do list.
Click to expand...

Escalator is really easy to screw up, but not as terrifying as screwing up on Hells Gate.
 
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jjvw said:
Escalator is really easy to screw up, but not as terrifying as screwing up on Hells Gate.
Click to expand...

If you ever make it to run hole in the rock, there’s a chute that reminds me of hells gate but it’s about 30 miles into the trail. Which means it’s 30 miles back to where it intersects highway and still in the middle of nowhere.

We ran it solo, screwing up in that situation would bother me more than hells gate. There’s always someone at hells gate if help is needed.
 
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The gate is easy ImhO. I’ve never not done it. Just stay level. I’ve seen enough mess it up. I think overconfidence in tire size is a main contributor.
 
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The Escalator is just deceiving if you let it be, and you can’t get out and walk around when you’re in it.

Anyway, we did the Trifecta Perfecta yesterday. When I get the pics from the photographer I’ll post some. It was fine. No winching. The Waterfall was fun. Apparently I didn’t do the Gilden Crack right bc I just went through it and didn’t pause to pose. 🤣
 
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Here’s the damage report. It’s amazing it wasn’t worse. Honestly, I just kind of zoned out trying to find traction. Dumb but true. Sometimes I’m not fully focused, and sometimes I am (Escalator). The A Pillar has some damage that I’m buying armor for. The tub on the side at the top of the rear Corner Armor. I can work it out, and need to to get my hardtop to fit for the drive home.

Sorry, no pics of the A Pillar right now. I’m in the hot tub (not Mickey’s). 🤣

IMG_9902.jpeg
 
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I saw the jeep. It's amazing how little damage was done. Door looks perfect and most importantly JMT is ok.

I do wonder if the backing plate on the corner would have stopped the slight bend to the upper rail in the rear by dispersing the blow. I dont think it would have held up nearly as well if JMT didn't work so hard getting the corners and fenders on though. I think he did that just in time.
 
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Alex01 said:
I saw the jeep. It's amazing how little damage was done. Door looks perfect and most importantly JMT is ok.

I do wonder if the backing plate on the corner would have stopped the slight bend to the upper rail in the rear by dispersing the blow. I dont think it would have held up nearly as well if JMT didn't work so hard getting the corners and fenders on though. I think he did that just in time.
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lad Jeremy is OK and that there was only a little damage to his Jeep.
 
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