Waking up was difficult as the night could not have been more perfect. My tent was in a rocky cove that blocked all wind, the temperature was perfect for sleeping with no bag or covers, and there was nothing directly above me to block my view of the bright stars. It was one of the most satisfying nights of sleep I've had in a long time (and that speaks volumes since I am a lazy ass who frequently sleeps too much).

I'd been looking forward to this run for a few reasons. First, The Gap is epic and always a good time. Second, we were running it North to South which I have never done. Furthermore, we planned to wheel down the wash to the 'Lost City,' a rumored collection of buildings and homes that were abandon mysteriously (I was told the people left all their stuff behind). And lastly, we were being invaded by our FJC-Central friend Cameron who was visiting from Canada!

The wash to the Lost City was fun. It had that 'raw' feeling that washes sometimes do. Rocks were just sort of thrown everywhere and the path to take wasn't always well defined as it typically is on a more established trail. (It's worth noting that this wash is a marked trail - randomly blazing through washes is not cool!)

There was one major obstacle along the way. The best way down it was across a sort of bridge of rocks, very interesting stuff.

Sonic hits it and Jake follows...

Impromptu run to The Gap!!!!

I tried my hand at steeper sections of the granite wall. After making it steeper than I had the last time, and watching the others conquer similarly huge spots I decided I had to go for the steepest possible line.

It was a lot more than the front could clear. I had to take it at an angle, and grind the front end up the wall.

Image credit: CactusCruzer

My first run to The Gap! Finally! Well, not really the first... I wheeled up the 'The Unsurvivable' alone one night when I was totally stock. I didn't notice the bypass and didn't feel like flopping the FJ over by myself in the dark with no recovery gear. So, I turned around. That was about ten months ago! A lot has changed since then and I was glad to be back...

It was a great run with lots of fairly ridiculous optional obstacles to play around on. I am crazy behind on writing these blog entries (more real life than internet? wha?!?!) so I will just briefly narrate a barrage of pics.

Big granite wall of doom thing...

Image credit: Sonic FJ