Independent Event Grenadier Gathering West (Moab)

[MarksGrenadier]

You got me thinking about all the Gatherings and what I really used. So,
in order of perceived importance , and on the presumption that you are running light without rooftop tent or full over-landing camp gear, and ONLY for the Gathering - where you’ll never be solo.

Random input from experience:
A. Good leather gloves & hat & sunscreen & wet wipes, and nothing under the driver’s seat and a coffee mug that fits the cup holder-Thermos works great even at high angles and on drop offs
B. Good mount to hold the GMRS radio handset close by- anyone’s RAM ball mount (forum shop) and ram’s holder
C. Secure place to keep lunch & cold drinks (i.e. a mounted cooler/fridge/etc) and 2x as much water as you think you’ll need
D. GPFactor’s excellent back door table…you’ll use it multiple times a day-beeswax the bamboo and slide areas
E. Fold out torx set, tiny dropper of blue loctite & small set of Rollercam straps—stuff will come loose
F. Take pictures of whatever trail sign-up sheet you choose, so you don’t forget which day is which trail, and take off the tow hitch if fitted (24mm socket) takes 30 seconds with a battery impact wrench * put the bolts back in the holes until you refit the hitch*
G. 255 85 17” Baja boss AT tires on Method bead lock wheels or stock steelies with washers under tailgate mount mod. The lighter weight methods and tire’s extra lift,better traction and quieter ride are really worth it.

Requested input:
1. Anyone’s compressor (I like ARB) - mounted and plumbed with quick connect ports left & right if you’re crafty, portable if you’re not, and a 2 way splitter with enough hose & a good gauge & Stauns deflators - set for 18-20psi
4. Swing arm skids&diff skids because you’re stock height on stock tire size and new and will scrape bits of your new baby’s bottom by accident
3.-yes

When you eventually go out on your own or with a buddy NOT at the Gathering :
Requested input:
5. yes, but I prefer Overland Fuel’s mounts and jugs being imported from Europe now
6. yes-minImum is 2x small tree straps , 2x soft shackles, 1x bow shackle, 1x ARB ultra light pulley block, medium shovel, aforementioned winch, Silky Big-boy folding saw
7. yes
8. yes

Random input from experience:
H. Safe extract app and a Bill Burr recovery class (usually one on the last Gathering day)
I. Tire plugs and sidewall patches
J. Spare front and rear ABS sensors and tools to fit same
K. Radiator hose securing mod -see Agile’s video
L. Satellite coms -Starlink mini-garmin, etc
M. GPFactor’s Maxtrax spare wheel mount because it sucks to get up on the roof every time you need a traction board.
N. Some organizing bags from Rob the Outdoor Gear Guy for the crap still rolling around on the floor on your 3rd outing, and a good first aid kit
O. Tiny bottle of tri flow to seasonally coat all the exterior bolts
P. Spare rzeppa joint and tools to fit same
Q. Camel on shield decals — just cuz’
R. LeTech’s absurdly expensive rear ladder and Lifesaver’s expensive water filter jerrycan. Why?- because you don't know how great they are until you use them, and you’ll never regret the missing money. It’s a ladder you don’t need to hold on to with your hands-while needing your hands to get stuff on/off the roof - you just stand there and do the work. Its by far the lightest way to carry a Jerry can (and skis) and with Lifesaver’s Jerrycan you can pump out a water bottle full when you can’t open the back, or the fridge, and you can’t get to your electric pump easily, or pull a jerrycan off a locked heavy side mount (Leitner) (i.e. when your wife has the car keys, or you are trapped at a Mexican inspection port for 9 1/2hours). Bonuses, if you mount your Pull Pal and/or Hi Lift on it - they won’t touch the truck when you open the door, and a stadium chair umbrella on a tube clamp mount fits on it in seconds so you can sit and have a beer without having to get the awning out, or make coffee on that back door table in the shade.

I hope some of this helps .

Wow, great advice all around, there's a lot to learn and this really gives me a leg up by learning from others. I am slowly making headway and will add stuff along the way and when I go to overland expo to see what all is out there. Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable lessons learned, tips and advice, I greatly appreciate it. I hope to connect at the gathering or some oyther events in the future.

 

[radair7475]

Newb question: Will a handheld GMRS radio suffice? I was looking at the Midland Gxt1000

 

[Ovrland Bill]

Newb question: Will a handheld GMRS radio suffice? I was looking at the Midland Gxt1000

Yes (and the same GMRS License is good for both handheld and mobile radios).

 

[Tenac]

Newb question: Will a handheld GMRS radio suffice? I was looking at the Midland Gxt1000

Like overland Bill stated yup sure will. I think in the past the issues we ran into with Radio's has been simply low power V high power. High power cannot talk with low power channels so if my 50watt onboard radio I had to be on a FRS or .5watt channel it is not allowed and these radios will not talk to each other on lower power. There is only really 22 channels from GRMS (not getting into private, etc etc). The chart below really helped me understand why some things can or cannot be reached when in larger groups. My 50watt can talk to all except 8-14. Some of the cheap radios that do both FRS and GRMS really struggle as well being on a direct GRMS channel.

 

[Ovrland Bill]

Like overland Bill stated yup sure will. I think in the past the issues we ran into with Radio's has been simply low power V high power. High power cannot talk with low power channels so if my 50watt onboard radio I had to be on a FRS or .5watt channel it is not allowed and these radios will not talk to each other on lower power. There is only really 22 channels from GRMS (not getting into private, etc etc). The chart below really helped me understand why some things can or cannot be reached when in larger groups. My 50watt can talk to all except 8-14. Some of the cheap radios that do both FRS and GRMS really struggle as well being on a direct GRMS channel.

View attachment 7925211

Quite rightly, and for the reasons you stated, the Trail Leaders should avoid use of FRS/GMRS Channels 08-14

 

[Itsdchz]

Like overland Bill stated yup sure will. I think in the past the issues we ran into with Radio's has been simply low power V high power. High power cannot talk with low power channels so if my 50watt onboard radio I had to be on a FRS or .5watt channel it is not allowed and these radios will not talk to each other on lower power. There is only really 22 channels from GRMS (not getting into private, etc etc). The chart below really helped me understand why some things can or cannot be reached when in larger groups. My 50watt can talk to all except 8-14. Some of the cheap radios that do both FRS and GRMS really struggle as well being on a direct GRMS channel.

View attachment 7925211

I have these 8n my vehicles

Frequency Sticker or Magnet

Frequency Sticker so you can "Listen" to GMRS or FRS devices while on the trail. Every time I sync my ham to my buddies FRS or GMRS devices they take photos of my cheat sheet, so now I and you can pass it out.

solvefunction.com

 

[parb]

I have the Midland 50w radio. But i also brought with me the handheld radio. Sometimes you just need to be on a low frequency and without it you'll miss out. I now have an extra in case someone has problem with their radio, they can borrow mine.

Bring some cash.... I know or at least one highly respected vendor that will show off some new stuff that aren't super expensive that they will debut at the arena at a special price.

Bring water, lots of water. Sunblock. I think a hat is needed.
I bring a sandwich lunch. I think a cooler at a minimum is needed. I have a fridge in my car. It's not tied down but it's been rock solid, it's a low profile drawer style fridge and it sits on top of diabolical drawers with an anti skid mat that i cut to profile from the material they put under weight lifting benches at gyms.

You'll do some minor walking on the rock to see a line or check out how others are doing an obstacle, wear decent shoes (I've worn flip flops every year but I'm not really that normal...)

Most important thing... Gas up every night. You want to have a full tank of gas every morning. Ive waited until the morning and I'm always feeling stressed...

Pro tip, put into a notes app on your cell phone which trais and which trail leader numbers you signed up for when signing up the first day. It's super easy to forget and that makes the morning line up for the trail easy. You roll in, check your phone which number, find it, get into the line up. Park your car, hang out with the group. Head over to the arena for the morning briefing. And then back out in your convoy for your group.

This is fun stuff, bring s good attitude and have fun. There is no pushing it, just enjoying the trail together. Build up your confidence with easier to more challenging trails as you want.

I prefer to go to the level 4-6 (medium) difficulty and more scenic trails with the occasional 7 or 8.. My friends prefer highly technical trails. It's a bit for everyone there. I'm more of a go slower and enjoy it kind of guy, I'm not well paired with a group who wants to push both speeds and vehicles to the max. I usually ask before the check-in when signing up what style it is. My favorite trail is fins n things, a few harder sections but really pretty.

My real name is Par, if you see it on the list for a drive in Moab feel free to reach out and drive a trail together!