Kai & Tina & Parker Serrano in the MooMog 416 Doka.
John Wessels in the 404.1 troop carrier.
Trip report:
We ran Golden Spike today. I decided to leave my VLF in camp, due to the damage I did to the box on Golden Spike last year. John Wessels was kind enough to offer me a ride.
At the beginning of the trail, a spot weld on the white Mog's gas pedal broke. John Wessels still drove up the Water Fall, by pulling the engine cover off, and running the throttle by hand. One of the guys in a group of jeeps had an on-board arc welder, and fixed the pedal for us.
Kai climbs the Launching Pad in the MooMog, and Dan Johnson gets ready for the approach.
Bob's MogLite stalled on the steep hill...
...and got a strap to help finish the climb.
Kent on the way down the hill.
Kai and Tina at the overlook. That's Moab in the background.
The Unimog lineup at the overlook.
Kai drives across the Golden Crack, and makes it look too easy.
John Wessels crosses it, too.
...and Dan Johnson.
Bob R. gets some air in MogLite.
Bill C. puts those crawler gears to good use.
Bill G. does some impressive air,
but I think Kent gets the award for the most air today.
Kelvin didn't want to hurt Bill C's 411,
so he spotted the little Mog,
while Kai drove it across the crack. We stopped for a lunch break, and then we headed on up the trail.
Kai climbs the Steps, while Kelvin approaches with the mini Mog.
This is the spot where Bob R's Radio Mog rolled last year. The 411 climbed it without trouble. The short wheelbase really helped out here.
This is Double Whammy. There were spectators that were pointing and laughing as Bill C's U1300 approached. I'm sure they assumed the Unimog wouldn't make it up the hill. They were sort of silent after Bill just drove right up it, and didn't even spin a wheel.
There were a few more big steps to climb, but none of the Unimogs had any trouble with them. We stopped for a break after we got down off the rocks, and then we all went back into town. We all met for Chinese food, and Kai presented a bunch of awards. Ron McLaughlin won the "Longest Drive" award, Dan Johnson won the "Most Body Damage" award, although the damage was pretty minor. Bob Newsome got the "Best Trail Ettiquette" award for being so helpful out on the trails. The "Huevos Grandes" was won by Rob Pickering. He likes to test the limits of his Mog. Bill Caid won the "Big Billfold" award, and incidentally, provided all of the materials that Kai welded together to create the trophy's. They were made from all the broken gears and bearings that Kai replaced in Bill's U1300. Some of those things were really heavy! John Wessels won the "Elegant Driving" award. Brad and Mary Beesley were awarded the "Parkers Choice" trophy for spending their honeymoon with all of us in Moab. And finally, Kai gave the "Most Savory Co-Driver" award to his wife Tina.
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