Hunting morapos

This week i went out solo on a hunting trip in the white river national forest.

Finding elk was pretty hard to do, but so much more happened this week that its hard to be mad at myself.

The area I was going to was about 4 1/2 miles down the Morapos creek Trail just south of Craig, CO. I slept in the truck the first night and headed out early morning.

My pack is pretty heavy as I decided to bring some creature comforts and a little bit stronger of a tent this time around. I definitely didn’t anticipate that this trail would lead me straight up to Wilson Mesa. (This trail it seems was built for ONLY mules)

Once I go to the top of Wilson Mesa, I met a couple horse packers Who were pretty surprised to see that I just walked up that steep as hell incline with just a pack on. We talked for a bit and they shared some information about the area, like where to find the elk and I continue down the trail and search for a little better of a camp spot. I was also nice that they told me about this little spring that came up from the ground that I could then filter my water from if I needed to.

I found a little clearing here with a bunch of awesome quartz rocks that seem like they were dripping out of the hillside, it seems like a good place to make camp for a while. And just a couple of moments I had set up my Hammock and my Hilleberg Rogen tent.

Primus fuel canister, gsi pinacle stove, and stanley cookset is a pretty low cost backpacking option!

I set up my little kitchen right away on this piece of rock and I was pretty stable. I got to make some pretty awesome meals of ramen, spanish rice, and some cold breakfast.

After I had dinner that day, and went out for the evening hunt. I really didn’t know the area so I was more or less just exploring around that’s when I started seeing a ton of awesome wildlife. I wish I got some pictures but to be honest I don’t have my phone out when I’m walking In the woods and I ended up just watching and listening to the coyotes, grouse, Falcons, hawks, deer, and rabbits once i found them.

The ecosystem in this area was super vibrant, and I couldn’t help but notice this is one of the more alive areas that I’ve ever seen. My goal there was to kill an elk, but I still hadn’t seen one and barely seen any sign. Where were they? How can 600 pound animals be so silent and elusive?

I reached the ridge line by the time 730 rolled around and was able to glass for a good half an hour is the sun set over the valley. Still in the exploring mindset I decided to head down a new trail and ended up in some pretty dense underbrush where i had to throw my headlamp on, if only to see where I was going. This is sort of where it said in that I was 4 miles back, by myself, and one wrong step could mean a really dangerous situation.

Next morning around 6 AM I headed out In search of elk. I have to hand it to the backpack hunters out there: it is really nice being a little farther in where you don’t have to wake up as early and you can still get on the animals early in the morning. I follow this river bank down a ways and ended up being spit into this valley that I didn’t yet know is Wilson mesa.

As I was following a sheep herders trail, I stopped to catch my breath and as I look up, about 600 yards down into the valley I see this brown bull elk emerge from the forest starting to feed. Man, what a majestic animal I honestly didn’t know what to do. Do I close the distance? Should I just watch him for a day?

I closed the distance as fast as i could, looking like an awkward, clumsy Legolas running across this valley. I waited till the bull was out of sight before i reached the aspen grove..he was gone.

12 hours a day of hammock lounging, napping, and reading. Eno hammocks makes some good gear! Check them out

That was pretty frustrating… I sat down and had another cold breakfast under the aspen trees. Watching, listening, thinking hard about what i was doing out here. I wanted to get close to the animal, but by the time I started closing the distance I didn’t know if I’d actually be able to kill him. To me, it was more about getting close and being out there, kind of a mixed bag.

Fred Bohm said it best, either failure moves you to try harder, or it can make you pack your shit and go a different direction in life. I didn’t really want to kill anything in that valley, so i packed up and walked out after three days in the wilderness. Some will say i’m a fraud, honestly i didn’t care at that point.

till next time :)

AVS

Why I love the Honda Fit

Amazing.

That’s what I keep saying whenever I drive the Honda Fit. It’s not a “holy shit, this is the fastest car I have ever driven” or “this corners better than a Ferrari”, no, it’s more of a “I can’t believe you can get this much out of how little it costs!”

I keep expecting it to let me down in some way, maybe it won’t make it out of this snow bank…I always think “Oh it’s not going to have enough space for what I need” or “ OH MAN, it’s not gonna make it up this hill”. Even “I wonder if this will compensate for my other shortcomings as a man?” maybe I should have gotten a truck to make up for that.

Alas, a truck may have been in the cards but, I already have a vehicle for Truck things called “CLEO”

Let’s be honest, short of moving everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink, the FIT excels. It can get me to and from work quickly, get’s insane fuel mileage, and is actually pretty fun. Throw that bad biotch in sport mode and OH MAN, you’re going to have a blast. It’s slow on the highway, but accelerating up to 50mph it’s pretty much in line with most other cars.

It can even carry anything you want in a quarantine situation…screw your bugout rig, I’m taking the FIT and passing your F350 by, when you have to stop for gas, or when you let me.

god damn I love those unimogs. Oh man that’s actually super sick

I can carry way more groceries than I would ever buy in a non-emergency, and they all fit neatly in place in the back “magic Seats” Honda calls them. Sure, maybe I have to bend down pretty low to get at things at the way bottom, but you don’t over extend your shoulder when you reach back for some sick snacks while you’re driving.

I’ve actually been thinking about “Bugout” builds lately, and read this article on why smaller economy cars might actually be better in a “post-apocalyptic” scenario. [Link if you’re interested] Zach Bowman explores the possibility that there might be room for two on this road to Bugout prowess. Whereas on one side, you have the Ford Excursion, lifted on some 35’ tires and a 120 gallon fuel tank that can make it to any border on a full tank in any direction. But the author suggests that might not be the case in reality:

 When your vehicle is your everything, when it holds all of your worldly belongings and your family, the risk versus reward tables suddenly start looking very different. I’d spent thousands of dollars preparing the truck for anything. Burly 35-inch tires. An ARB locker. A Warn winch that could dangle the 12,000-lb truck from its nose if it needed to, all in hopes of taking us as far off the beaten path as possible. But when we found ourselves staring at a swollen river or a swampy two-track hours from anyone, we inevitably found a safer route.

That’s jut the thing, when you’ve spent more than you should (or really can afford to lose) on a vehicle to get you anywhere, do anything, you don’t really want to risk it and put those dollars on the line.

As one of my buddies said, “Any car is great off-road, it’s really just the driver that is holding the thing back in most cases.” Vido has a point, traction control, ABS, wizard differentials all make your normal economy car pretty good off-road, and I even tested that theory on summer tires with my FIT going up to shoot at the local archery range

Don’t get me wrong, I would have felt better in a Highlander or JEEP, but the Lil FIT still got up the gnarly ice dirt road with no problems. That trick differential upfront does a good job, and while I won’t be taking it on MOAB trails any time soon, do I really need to?

From my perspective, and I’m not a mechanic by any stretch, the FIT is pretty easy to work on. At least easy enough to change the oil, filter, and flush the transmission fluid all in an hour in the driveway. Coming from the Audi A4, which didn’t even have a dipstick, that’s pretty nice. As a matter of fact, it’s even easier to check the fluids on the FIT. Every other car I’ve worked with, driven, or owned has been somewhat ambiguous when it comes to checking the fluid levels. Maybe, it was just me, but the FIT oil and tranny fluid level is super easy to read.

It’s just a car, it’s just an easy-to-work-on mode of transportation that will get you to and from work in relative comfort. I wouldn’t look for it to do much else than that. Throw three guys and camping gear for a weekend in the back, and you’ll need to make sure you are choosing EXACTLY which gear you are in and when. This is because you’ll smell burning transmission synchros if you let the Honda choose when you shift. ( I can only imagine what it would smell like had I chosen the CVT)

All of this being said, its cruising strong right at 122000 miles (high enough to get a @highmileagereviews review?) and it does the job!

till next time,

Alex

Excited AF: How loud can you R8?

It didn’t even look real to me... remember those hot wheels cars? “Let’s make it neon green wheels, racing flags on the sides, and BRIGHT BLUE exterior.

This was the V10 model too, so it may very well be the most ostentatious Audi R8 i’ve ever seen. I can see real GT3 influences too, it screams "race car for the street" to me.

Nostalgic, yet current. I'm sure you all get some sort of Need For speed vibe from this, like when you were a kid, what colors would you paint the car and, FxK it, put some bright green wheels and vinyl on.

Yep, we're going with the V10, of course because why not?

You probably don't even r8 tho, you wouldn't understand 

#racecar #audi #notavw #haha_notevenalamboLoser

xd  

Sick: 1983 Porsche 911 SC

My heart honestly skipped a beat this afternoon

A man walked directly toward this beautiful '83 SC, keys in-hand as I scrambled for the camera--'not letting this one get away'. We get to talking and I learn that he's been modifying this car for the past year since he moved to Barrington...lucky me (October's been RIFE with awesome cars)

I first noticed these insanely wide semi-slick rear tires--315s in the rear, i'm assuming 255s in the front, both barely contained by RSR-style fender flares. What could be hiding underneath the bonnet that would justify such meaty rubber?

A 1991 911 motor bored and stroked out to 3.8 liters!

@irishgreenoutlaw says he makes exactly 300whp "Got it dynoed yesterday" and the car only weights 2400lbs so we're looking at a weight/power ratio of exactly 8. (re. other cars with a weight/power ratio of 8) 

I guess you don't NEED to check out the link, but if you have, you'll notice that this home-brewed air-cooled beast shares some VERY solid company. Namely, the Lotus Evora 400, Camaro 1SS, and isn't far away from the C63 AMG. Granted, what I find important about this one is the quality of power it makes. 

By that, I mean the individual throttle bodies competing for oxygen while you feel the rumble of the flat 6 through the bottom of your loafers. The distinctive smell a carbureted engine gives off while you bask in the raspy goodness emenating from the stainless steel exhaust system.

I'm a lucky guy, this beast just fell into my lap today and I hope I've done it some semblance of justice.

Cheers, AL

IG: @irishgreenoutlaw (click here)

'Twas Sent: Club FR's Skidpad Sunday

Getting to Joliet was easy enough, just a straight shot down 355 with very little traffic.

So we roll up and are IMMEDIATELY followed through the gates by these two clean AF Supra with awesome owners (who indulged my picture-taking)

The twins; two powerhouse warriors meant for speed and agility.

Although most identify with the former, one can't help but remain frozen when stumbling upon one, let alone TWO--and they demand respect from any enthusiast worth his salt. We witnessed this as they drove through the mustang meet, everybody's head turned as they rumbled by.

Anyway, I came down to Club Fr’s Skidpad Sunday with two pals and boy were we really impressed with the turnout :]

S13s, S14s, Z cars, even an Rx7 FD showed up to bask in the bosom of this fall car culture experience.

And the setting was a skidpad, just like the Drift Chitown event where cones were set up in a pseudo-figure 8 pattern with an especially sketchy exit which would spit out the slippery chassis INCHES from the idling soon-to-be- sliders. I tried to get as close as possible to the action, but with this basic lens it proved difficult (I was too close and I apologized xD) So, since these are the best shots I could manage of all the action, (here’s Simba’s S13 throwing down one of many perfect runs)—I focused most of my energy toward those stationary cars and BOYYYYYY were there some STARS

First we see this ILL Laurel with an awesome pink pearl paint job and roll cage.

I love these longer wheelbase drift cars and how they throw their weight around to initiate drifts, while at the same time having plenty of power out of their 6 cylinder (usually turbo motors). I didn’t get to see under the hood of this one (anybody know?) but I’m assuming it’s a Toyota JZ variant.

Next to the Laurel sat a smoking hot S14 Kouki with a purple pearl color from the factory chevy BOLT. COOL AF, Mike (@rad_mike) also killed it on the track too.

and check out that classy suede interior (King of the castle)

OH how I love RX-8s, but you already know that dontcha..This one is a lot more aggressive than my old one, sitting on WEDS Kranz wheels, X side skirts, and Front bumper. 

It has a very commanding presence and reminds me of Mad Mike’s BADBUL version

See It? it might even be the same front bumper. But look at those arches, it’s a factory wide body that blends seamlessly into the bodywork (those rear fenders are actually one huge piece of steel—really expensive)

A bit of a rare find at a drift event, this FD rx7 soaked it all up. I love the white the driver chose and the ridiculous wheels XD love it. I’m wondering if he got the car as a shell and built it as a drift car instead of stripping down a fully-functional FD (you could pay 15k for a good example these days)

It's refreshing to see some art on painted on these cars. What a perfect way to express yourself while participating in a sport that's all about style :] That storm trooper is YOda's savior--props 

I think this s13 is the meanest of the day. A devilish black cherry metallic paint scheme coupled with a Silvia front end with a wing that I think works with the demonic persona. YES.

This event got me thinking, as it's one of the last events of this drift season: what projects do you have going on for next year?

 Comment below :]

Sick: "Touge" FR-S

The Scion Toyota Subaru BRZ FRS GT86 86 Ft86 is a car that knows exactly what it is.

I mean look at the title. The bastard child of Subayota is here to fricken PLAY and it doesn't give a shit if you hate its name. 

'Aight, let's give this b***h a flat four, perfect weight distribution, not too much power, not too little, Prius tires, and a manual gearbox--that'll really throw those soccer moms for a loop'

-actual quote from lead engineer

I've only driven one in the rain around the block. Once--and I can tell you it feels awesome, but have no idea what about the limit. From what i've seen and read, it's great on the limit and feels composed; fun even if you don't speed about like a miscreant.

Even at drift events, the Yota looks beautiful going sideways; and even shows more angle than alot of modified-knuckled cars IMHO. 

Is this the next future classic or do you think it's destined for 'MISSLE STATUS' i.e. 240sx ;-/

LMK in the comments below ;]

They're Connected, really..

For some reason, these two spoke to me...

The STI parked outside Cook Street Coffee caught my eye not because of the Blue, nor the second-gen sculpted fender flares with a huge rally-inspired spoiler. No, it caught my eye because of what was behind it and got me thinking;

These two cars are more related than you might think.. First, they're both designed to be a car--they will go pretty much anywhere and are designed to get you from point A to B without much fuss (something you might go without in an earlier Ferrari). Second, they both have low-slung, unorthodox engine choices; a turbocharged boxer flat four in the Subaru while the Porsche has a flat six mounted way behind the rear wheels!

These two also seemed like they were actually driven by their owners, instead of just keeping them in the garage for Sundays only. Both had imperfect paint with subtle modifications: The STI had a pretty nasty-sounding exhaust system while the Porsche has tastefully-matched wheels and a free-flowing intake.

Two very different vehicles on the surface, but if you stretch it far af you can find similarities...maybe? wtf

Cheers

Thrashing drift cars at GLD

Where the hell are they going to drift at a drag strip?

Here. 

Following my ears, I walked toward the action at Greate Lakes Dragway while a huge grin spread across my face as I heard the screeching tires. I could hear two different screeching qualities; one came from something like this--

The other from front engine, rear wheel drive layout cars like this Nissan s14 below. As I mentioned in the sunset Dori Post, I fell in love with the s14 at this event as I didn't really think about it previously. Simultaneously overshadowed by its younger brother S15 in looks and older sibling S13 in analog/vintage class, the S14 has fallen in a weird place in drift car history--at least to me.

It seems like a hodgpodge-effort here, where the tail lights seem to have been designed by an intern, while the rest was sculpted by experts..but--like I said--I changed my mind and I'm for it now. This one below actually has an RB20 swap, where the owner finished a front end swap just in time for this event. I'm told control arms, bushings, and camber plates where adjusted but I'm not really sure...will find out 8-)

Everybody helped.

Whether it be getting a car started, moving it off track, re-setting up cones, even getting this 240 running! The guys and girls of Drift Chicago really make it seem like they are one big family who just care about having a good time.

They'd been working all day in the heat, but still managed a smile because this shit is all about bringing what you got and driving the pants off of each vehicle. 

It was also pretty nice to see some different stickers here as most of the other ones I see are forgettable..

Panda, splatter paint, trump bandaid, and 'KINDA LIT' (my favorite sticker to-date)

I thought this Miata looked especially planted and comfortable mid-drift. I wasn't suprised, however, as I understand balance on the race track makes for balance on the skid pad. Since Mazda made over a million of these roadsters, you can--and probably always will be able to--pick one of these up for 2-3k USD.

86 LEVIN !&@^#$!&@%^#$&!@ ferkin love this car...I didn't get a chance to see what was under the hood of this one but I think I remember it sounding like a 6 cylinder something--perhaps an RB or JZ? Although these old corollas don't seem like they're getting much angle on film, the feeling from inside is MUCH different. It feels like you are constantly riding the thin line between oversteer and understeer and--I know you guys will say "hey that's what drifting is ya fricken dummy"--but hear me out on this one.

An older Hachi Roku has a live rear end right? That offers the driver less control when at the limit than, say, this FR-S with an independent rear end. There is more give, more leeway and room for error in a newer car, which--in turn--makes it seem like the line between over and understeer is larger. I can't really say which is more fun, or if it really matters, but that thin margin is what really endears the old 86 to me

Poised to attack the skidpad, these BMW E36s arrived as a group and tried to drive together as much as possible...if it's between an E36 and an 86 which would you take? On one hand the 86 as raw AF and will definitely teach you proper driving...but the BMW has so much more engineering, power, safety, and potentially more fun packed into an affordable package. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this one----

E36, AE86, or S14? [I'll have all three thanks]

This new Fr-s defs looked amazing all day, but had some trouble staying sideways...maybe too much grip? Needless to say I'm glad I saw this setup as it looked amazing once the sun started to set.

Unfortunately, the day ended with a pretty serious crash [everyone was ok]and it brought everything home to me. By that, I mean cars forge bonds like nothing else I've seen, but I feel most think nothing substantial can be real when the subject matter is material...I disagree fully. Anyway, DriftChitown was an awesome event that's way closer to Chicago than a lot of others.

-Al

DriftChitown FB page

AE86, 240 played out?

Extras :]

Sick: Sunset Dori

Glad I made it..

Just got back from an awesome time at DriftChitown's Street-style event at Great Lakes Dragway ;) More content coming this week but, for now I'll leave you with this S14 with a recently-completed front end and RB20 swap.

Cheers,