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What perfect a time to have a night run, but in the month of "All Hallows Eve"?

That's what Island4x4.com thought. To add to the theme, not only having a run in the most malicious of month's, but on the most feared day of the year: Friday 13th, a with a full moon on hand no doubt.

Setting: a cold, windy, Friday eve, 6:15 pm.
Members of Island4x4.com collected just beyond the barriers at Harbourview Rd.

Present that morbid eve:

Phil Senkler (88 YJ)
Matt Muddie & Amy (89 YJ)
Bill, Gina, & Tia Innes (88 Jimmy)
Shannon Cupper (82 ToyRusta)
Tom Slattery (YJ)
Rowena Law (87 Samurai)
Keith Daly (82 Toyota)
Jo Poole and Brian Webb (87 Samurai)
Gord and Brett (YJ)

The eve came to a very abrupt halt as we tried to leave the parking area: I was dead in the water. The problem was electrical; I was getting juice everywhere except headlights and ignition. A bad (read no) electrical connection was the culprit. Tom showed a little know-how and had me up and running in about 5 minutes. Thanx Man!

We met up with Shannon, Bill, Matt, Brett and Gord at Show Off Rock. Our number had risen to 9 vehicles. Off we went, Jo leading, Bill taking up tail gunner.

Steady progress was made save for a few brief stops. Having new a digital camera in hand, Jo made a quick stop in the creek bed to get some shots of the Sam under flex.

Our first obstacle of the eve was the waterfall at the lower Crabapple trail entrance. Jo, after a couple of attempts, made the climb no sweat. Phil was next, and made the climb after numerous, very entertaining, attempts at the rock. I was next. Having not yet done my spring swap yet, I was getting crossed up very early in the game and just spinning the tires. After about 20 minutes in the hole, with MANY jokes flying this way and that, I decided to let the next vehicle in line try. Matt made it appear relatively easy and Shannon breezed over it like it was freshly paved highway. Hmmpphh! Row and I lead Tom, Gord and Brett around the easy way of Crabapple and met the rest of the crew at the trail head, just beyond Hill 35.

This, apparently was what Jo had in mind for our run. The trail had been part of Jason Dumont's "Poker Run" a few years back. The trail started off heading up and behind Hill 35. Most of it was easily doable by a stock vehicle; I'm sure some of the troop were in 2wd for most of the way. Then we came to a long uphill climb. Jo was leading, followed by Phil, Shannon, myself, Row etc . . .

Jo crawled up this section of the trail without a whisper of tire spin, driver skill and know how proved itself here. Phil was next. I sat in my truck for nearly 15 minutes before I jumped out to see what was going on. I could hear Phil's YJ winding up as he tried to get over something. A few CB call's went out cracking jokes about what was taking so long. At this point, most of us walked uphill to see what was up.

A very loose section of large river stones and soft, silt-like dirt was making for a tire spinning mayhem. To top this wonderful 100ft section off, there were a few boulders that Mother Nature had placed very strategically. One 3ft high unit on the passengers side, followed by two more equally large side by side about 15 feet beyond. Not quite a large enough gap between the pair for a Samurai to drive right between. This was going to be fun.

Phil, after playing with different lines, strategies, and throttle levels, finally decided he was not going to get through. He winched himself up.

Shannon, being locked front and rear with 3/4E Mazda's and YJ springs in the front was a sure win to pass this. Or so I thought (he's gonna get me for this J). Even Shannon had a tough time with it. He was even having trouble GETTING to the rocks, let alone passing them. Because of the nature of the trail and Shannon's "well used" tread on his M/T's, every time he would back down to get a run, he would just spin the tires, almost having to return to the bottom to get traction. Finally, with the attitude that he would destroy RusTota before giving into this section, he made it up under his own power.

My turn. Having a much easier time actually getting to the rocks, my folly was lack of a locker. I made several attempts, using just about every line possible, different throttle levels. Nope, no luck. I needed a tug. Shannon's Toy had not enough weight (read as: too much rust) to tow me up, so Phil gave me some line and winched me through.

While watching Shannon, Phil and I trying to conquer this hill, Row made a comment something along the lines of :"Get these things out of the way so I can show em how it's done!" Indeed, that's what she did. Three attempts, or so, were made to no avail. After Jo recommending to remove a bit more air from the tires, on her 4th attempt, she crawled through. Ah, so much for our prides.

Tom. One of the highlights of the eve was Tom making the obstacle, now aptly named "Hell's Rock", bow to the might of his front bumper. I actually missed it happening, but somehow the 2nd rock on the right was dislodged from the trail!

Matt and Gord both made it up under their own power; Gord with a couple of runs at it. With Gina claiming Friday 13th as her luckiest day of the year, a few minutes after midnight (that would make it the 14th Shannon): Enter "THE JIMMY". Being the largest vehicle of the group, these rocks were an absolute NIGHTMARE for Bill. With a few attempts under his belt, Bill put out the request for some brake fluid: his clutch master was low and was having problems finding gears/clutch. Someone, owner unknown, donated to the cause, and Bill was under way . . .for a minute. While attempting to maneuver around and through the first rock and onto the second Bill slowed slightly. Coming right to where everyone was having difficulty on earlier attempts, a loud "Keer-rack-klang" was heard. The Jimmy had let go of a front axle. Pictures taken, parts salvaged from the ground to add to the trophy room, Bill then winched his way up to leveler ground.

We had spent about 3-3.5 hours in this spot, all said and done.

It was then decided that we would continue on to the 90 degree turn, where there was some flat ground, so that Bill could remove his axle and hobble home. Jo lead the rest of us to the trails end, then headed back to help Bill. Shannon and I lead (half lost) the group back down the mountain. It was nearly 3:30am when we arrived at the gas station to air up. Row and I were last in line at the pump, and by the time we were half done, Jo and Bill had caught up to us.

No longer being able to think, or speak any recognizable form of English, we headed home for the comfort of bed.

Keith <aka RedApe>
Island4x4.com