Chevy & GMC Vans

Over on Expedition Portal my mind has been going since this

RocKrawler wrote:I'm envisioning a west coast top to bottom Astro Expo tour next year; who's with me?

and this

RocKrawler wrote:I wouldn't be opposed to doing a location event either though. During ownership of my FJ cruiser I was privileged to attend several events in Sedona AZ and Ouray CO.

Who else would be interested in an Astrofari gathering?

Would you want it to be travel or location based?

Where would you like an event to go or be?

How many days should it be?

What time of year should it occur?

I've personally been to Ouray, CO (without van) and Moab, UT (with van) and know that there is plenty that even a stock vans can do. I'm always willing to visit both again.

Ouray is just awesome, but most of the trails are usually only open for a few months beginning in July. The thought of a line of vans coming down Black Bear Pass into Telluride tickles me so. FYI, Black Bear is more of a head trip than anything, it's good to have a spotter for reassurance.

Our last Jeep trip to the Moab area spent several days in Canyonlands National Park, no facilities, pack it in/out. I must say the campground at The Dollhouse is breath taking and worth the trip. Previously, I completed 7 Mile Rim (Level 3.5) in Grumpy driving solo, bypasses and rock stacking did come into play.

Let me know your thoughts.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... ition-2012
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=7363

I would like to go and generally prefer travel based, but the idea of traveling thru moab or basecamping and looping daily sounds good too.

I would probably not be able to get away in July or August.

Personally, I don't like feeling like I have to get back somewhere at the end of each day. While we were in Canyonlands we were in a different campsite each night. That just felt like the way to go.

I don't mind passing through the same town multiple times if good trails circle it (like Ouray).

Sounds interesting!
I definitely prefer the travelling kind of expedition, and I've always wanted to explore the States more. Wouldn't mind seeing the major destinations: Yellowstone, Grand Canyon etc.
2012 is still a ways away, so we'll see.

I'm hoping that I can attend the BABE Rally the first week of June next year, and would like to have a week before and after at home.

Ouray, CO is usually good through mid October, but trails can get snowed in earlier.

Moab, UT was cool, but pleasant when I was there mid-November last year. Good bundle up in the blankets to sleep weather.

I'm planning an expedition to the Steens Mountains in OR later this summer and I have 3 hillclimbs to tow my race car to in September, so I'm likely not in.
Sounds like a great idea, however, and if the location is right...maaayyyybbbeee...

Great A'Tuin wrote:I'm planning an expedition to the Steens Mountains in OR later this summer and I have 3 hillclimbs to tow my race car to in September, so I'm likely not in.
Sounds like a great idea, however, and if the location is right...maaayyyybbbeee...

But I'm planning this for next year in an effort to increase the number of vans showing up.

timelessbeing wrote:Sounds interesting!
I definitely prefer the travelling kind of expedition, and I've always wanted to explore the States more. Wouldn't mind seeing the major destinations: Yellowstone, Grand Canyon etc.
2012 is still a ways away, so we'll see.

Gary's shop in Hamlin NY to help him out.........

If I can afford it, I'll probably be there. Then again, I'm unemployed right now... Like some others said, I like the idea of it being a traveling expedition as opposed to having a definite campsite. I like to travel and see the sights. I'm pretty sure that July 1 to 7 I can't make it because of a revival, but I don't know if the dates on that revival are set in stone yet.

If I get to come, do you think I'll be able to handle it in a stock RWD? I want to hit some trails but I don't want to be the guy that everyone has to tow out of something every ten seconds...

I'm in... I think having a long weekend option would be great. Maybe three or four days with everyone together with a few travel days on either end to make the total trip about a week.

I'm partial to areas where you can access water to play in, Steens sound great, Owen's Valley in CA. I love Moab, especially if I can convince someone to hold onto my rope while I climb... I haven't explored much through ID. How about glacier?

I tend to roadtrip with my son around the fourth of July, although the desert areas are getting fairly warm by then.

Working on compiling the data from the different forums.

JTalley, yes there are trails in Ouray and Moab that can be run in a stock 2WD van. I've been spotting Jeeps through trails for a few years now and have had stock unarmored Jeeps get places undamaged that their owners never thought they would.

For me taking a week off work, traveling the weekends and having the event during the week works best.

Glacier is cool, been there twice now. July through September seem to be the best months for this area as many interesting roads aren't clear of snow till then.


I'm thinking about a week long Moab scouting run this sometime this November, since I have a week of vacation left to take. Others would be welcome to join me of course.

When you get details for a scout trip to Moab in November, shoot it out. I may be game if it is early in the month.

Which week would be better for you?

Nov 6-12
Nov 13-19

I can't pull off a whole week, but I may be able to meet up Thursday-Saturday the 17 to the 19th

For now I'll plan on being there Nov 13-19.