Tellico Rock Run 2002

The Ocala Jeep Club of Florida

The Quest for "Bam Dammit"

Each trip to Tellico has its own flavor, and last week's trip was no exception. As part of Jeff's Tellico Rock Run, most of us chose to forgo the traditional digs at the Murphy Best Western (and the looong drive to the staging area) and stayed in one of the many cabins close by the trails. Not only was the scenery invigorating, but the days felt more relaxed as we felt less pushed.

In addition to renting out cabins, our host Chuck Davis also has a sticker business - the most infamous are those bright neon "Bam, Dammit!" ones that are reserved exclusively for placement next to rock-massaged Jeep metal. Despite the fair number of rock-novices (including one snorkeled red TJ!) our group was eager to conquer all that Tellico had to offer:

Thursday: We gathered at Jeff's cabin to wait for stragglers before hitting the trails. Some of the more macho types decided to show Chuck how easy he made his mini-rock garden at the cabins. Ten feet later, after being spun three times by the huge slippery bolders, I was winched off again and decided the rock garden wasn't for me.

After they all stopped laughing, everyone saddled up for a leisurely ride on trails 1,4, and 6 to hone their skills and prepare for the upcoming days. Many left their doors and tops at camp. Things were fine until it began to rain...and rain....and rain.....

Friday: Jeff wanted to run Lower 2 before the Labor Day congestion begins. Despite an early start the Allen Gap staging area was packed with ATV's and other 4X4's all getting ready to ride. Luckily we got the jump on the others and nine of us started up Lower 2 as the others watched from above. Our leader, Brian Shipley, was making a flawless run up the final set of ledges when his front Tom Woods driveshaft grenaded.

Ditto for Jock, who pulled the splines out of the front driveshaft of his fiberglass bodied, bumblebee yellow Humm-J. Next victim was Greg McCracken, who bent his tie rod and snapped an axle in the front Dana 50 of his TJ, then succeeded in stripping his steering box as we valiantly tried to winch his way to freedom. I made it through with a little Warn help, but only after I ripped off a rear axle shock mount. Joe Pollick, Chuck Higgins, Tony Sommo, and Jeffrey Priest made it through with a rich mix of throttle, more throttle, and a liberal helping of cable....although Tweety looked a little wobblier than the others afterwards.

Ellen Priest had a smooth run, but managed to smoke her winch in the process. Jeff Priest once again showed just how durable the rev limiter is on a 4.0 liter engine as he roared, bounced, and knocked his way up the trail - and almost laying it over in the process.

Afterwards we regrouped and headed up Upper 2 and the BobSled. The key line up the big ledge was HARD right, enough to rake the right side of each Jeep against the bank. We all got a small dent or two in either the windshield or the tub. Tony impressed us again on just how high he could stand Tweety up on the spare tire without actually rolling over.

Saturday: Brian Shipley led us up trail 12's Schoolbus . It was pretty washed out, with sharp rocks and slick ledges. David Nash stopped to replace the clutch linkage on his freshly-prepped narrow axle CJ7, and I managed to snap a front SuperWinch hub. Chuck Davis also broke a SuperWinch hub, but had more difficulties due to a balky winch, and had to turn back. The last ledge at Schoolbus was well eroded, with a wide offcamber path to the left, and a smoother but risker line on the right. Most people conquered it on the left with a combination of throttle and deft steering. I chose the right. I started up the hill as I saw David Nash begin his climb, but was called back by the sound of a rolling Jeep and Kelli's excited screams. Luckily it was a "soft" roll as David lost the angle and laid the CJ on it's side. Everyone and the Jeep was fine, but David earned his Bam Dammit!

At the top of 12, we started down the back side of trail 11, past the infamous Rainbow Rock (painted by the Jeep tubs that it catches). It was really eroded, but most folks found the line and squeezed through with only mild carnage....Bam Dammits to Ron Westcott and others. Somehow, the perfect line that I thought I took was too wide for my wide axles, and suddenly my Jeep was rolling into the Rock - stopping only as the Rock crunched my windshield frame, tub, and door surround. I ended up on my side, with the boulder pressed against my left thigh. Thank god for full rollcages and 5 point harnesses! Another Bam Dammit!!!!!

Sunday: Joined by Scott Allen, we decided to tackle trail 9's Slick Rock. Almost everyone made it over the rock garden below with little trouble, but all had to winch up the SLICK ledge at the base of the rock. I somehow grenaded another SuperWinch hub (replaced this time with a Warn Premium), but managed to rip off the shock mount again and twisted loose my rear wishbone suspension arm. Jeff roared over the bottom of the rock garden, but somehow got crossed up on a particularly large boulder. The combination of the angle, and Jeff's tall Jeep was too much, and once again we heard the "crunch" of a rolling Jeep. Jeff was OK, and his Jeep was righted again quickly.

Chuck Davis used up the rest of his supply of Bam Dammits marking all the dents on Jeff's jeep.

Jock was doing well, and almost made it to the top of the rock when a front Dana 44 axle exploded and he had to winch. Luckily I had a spare that fitted his Jeep, and soon he was rolling again. Scott wanted desperately to run Lower 2 again, but sadly discovered that he had sheared two bolts that held his rear suspension arms to his frame. We all limped home on trail 1to camp and some hot food.

Later that night, there was enough interest for a night ride, and Chuck Davis led those few folks who still had a running Jeep on a midnight ride up Lower 2. Brian Shipley followed, trailed by Joe "Rookie Luck" Pollick with Scott Allen as copilot. Upon their return at 4 am, we found out that Joe's luck may be running low as he underestimated the size of the ledge, and overestimated his throttle foot - creating what Scott Allen vows is the highest tailstand he's ever seen without a rollover....and subsequently blowing a Bogger off a bead upon landing.

I hear that we missed a lot of excitement on the other rides, but that's another story.......