SW CO Roadtrip: Off Roading in the Outback! (pics)

[anothernord]

I decided to take off on Friday, pick up a friend in the Springs, then headed to Lake City to do some camping/hiking. From there we crossed over Cinammon Pass, down to Silverton, then to Ouray to climb Mt. Sneffels

Up the shelf road to American Basin, tons of high speed drifting here.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/6fbd715c0365416189e01fa3f057847a-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/6fbd715c-0365-4161-89e0-1fa3f057847a.jpg.html)


At the "4wd recommended" parking lot to hike Handies Peak:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/IMG_20130706_082744_173-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130706_082744_173.jpg.html)

Heading up to Cinnamon Pass! There were a few obstacles that required "gunning it" due to: 1) no low range 2) no low end torque 3) lightweight flywheel 4) 6 puck clutch
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/IMG_20130706_125824_182-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130706_125824_182.jpg.html)

With some clutch slipping, climbing was fairly easy
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/IMG_20130706_123800_379-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130706_123800_379.jpg.html)

Disconnecting the swaybars and airing down the tires was absolutely required to make it up
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/IMG_20130706_082041_726-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130706_082041_726.jpg.html)

At the top of Cinnamon Pass. I got some flat out hilarious looks from the Jeep-rental-driving Texan tourists.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/03/IMG_20130706_131053_7611-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130706_131053_761-1.jpg.html)

Day 2 of the trip; Yankee Boy Basin near Ouray.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/IMG_20130707_081349_077-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130707_081349_077.jpg.html)


https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/IMG_20130707_083507_251-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130707_083507_251.jpg.html)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/IMG_20130707_133705_3191-1.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/anothernord/media/IMG_20130707_133705_319-1.jpg.html)


Overall the Outback did great. I would probably not do this again without a low range gear and a slight lift. But other than that it was incredible.

[Muse]

Wow... First, You have a pair of softballs, sir. Second, those are some amazing pictures.

[Dead91silvia]

nice!

[Dead91silvia]

Hey wait... When did you get the bumper?! Dont ever remember that beast! I have thought of building one just fr the fun of it.

[anothernord]

Hey wait... When did you get the bumper?! Dont ever remember that beast! I have thought of building one just fr the fun of it.

I guess I still need to put up info on that little project in my build thread! It's a crazy custom deal, and it performed amazingly off road. Nothing forward of the front wheels touched dirt the whole trip. I can't say the same about the exhaust or pinch welds, however... :neutral:

[1996Battlewagon]

Awesome blossom. Aren't you on stock Outback springs? That's pretty impressive especially with those tires.

[csbrat]

Beautiful pics! I lived in the Springs for years - bought my '99 Outback wagon there. You said that you can run your fog lights with your high beams - is this a simple thing to do for a not so mechanically inclined person? Thanks

[anothernord]

I am indeed on stock springs. And I actually never had much trouble with grip with the 215's. Mostly just power and gearing.

^^ Yep, and the lines in my signature are all links to DIY articles. :)

[legacygt4]

I like it! It's nice to see someone else doing offloading in there Outback