Rover Ranch 2011

[DaveB]

Hello, we're looking forward to Rover Ranch 2011.

Rover Ranch is a Rover-Landers of BC event and as such open to all members of the RoverLanders, within this criteria:

1. This event is NOT by invitation only, but it is capped at 25 truck/family units due to space constraints of the property. Details below.

2. You must pre-register with us, and not just show up the day of the event, so that we can manage the number of vehicles.

3. This event has a fee of $40.00. Details below.

4. No fires or smoking is allowed on the property (or the rest of the Okanagan for that matter) due to extreme fire conditions in August. (There is a small possibility that the event could be cancelled due to fire closures as well.)

Dates: August 19th - 22nd, 2011

Why did we move it off the July long weekend?

• We've taken Rover Ranch off a long weekend as some lower mainland attendees expressed frustration in returning home via the Fraser Valley corridor on a holiday weekend.

• Due to our own frustration in many wasted hours spent trying to break thru snow up here before July 1st we have pushed the event into mid August. With the Okanagan experiencing a long snowy winter (just melting now!) the melt will be slow at the upper levels.

• We did not want to conflict with dates already set for the National Land Rover Rally in Colorado (Aug 2-4) or the Northwest Overland Society's first event in Washington July 27-31. That left us the 3rd weekend in August and so not to conflict with the August Monthly Rover-Landers Meeting, Rover Ranch 2011 will start on Aug 19th (Friday) and will run until the 22 (Monday).

Capped Event

• This event will be capped at 25 trucks.

• There will be some number flexibility for those not camping on site or those not planning on doing any or less than the 3 days of trails.

• Main point being: we must keep peace with our resident farmer and his cows and we can only use a specific sized area for camping and truck parking.

• Due to space constraints – please let us know if you plan to bring more than one vehicle and what it is, and we'll see if we can accommodate. (truck & camper, trailer, RV etc)

• A CANCELLATION/WAITING LIST will be started so if you have put your name on THE LIST to attend and then cannot for some reason make it (family obligations, emergencies, work schedules or heaven forbid your Rover breaks down!!) please let us know ASAP so we can fill your vacated spot with someone else who would like to attend.

Trails

We are pleased to offer you 3 Runs again for this year. Some sections may be similar to past years but most will be different and new. A 4th Trail will be selected for Day 4 going out of the Okanagan for those returning to the coast and wanting more dust before hitting pavement.

– Friday Aug 19 - easy, no scratch Run, about 4-5 hrs.

– Saturday Aug 20 - easy to moderate Run, may be some pin-striping trees, rocks, about 5-6 hrs.

– Sunday Aug 21 - hard. We will be offering the full Jeep Trail this year but will try and limit the pack to 12-15 trucks on the day. This trail can be difficult in places and is like the Whipsaw Trail condensed into about 2 hrs. There may be winching and or tugging as well as possible vehicle damage. Expect rocks, rock shelves, climbing, roots, ruts, mud, bog & everything else in between. To reach the Jeep Trail will be via the Cooke Creek Trail to a spectacular viewing ledge around 7000' ft. Total time 6-7 hrs depending on stops, delays and/or break downs.

Extra Activities

• These are in the works and as usual we like to try different things so who knows what fun will be had this year. We are also open to suggestions.

• Kids activities are also being planned as we usually get 10-12 kids at the event. Open to suggestion here too.

• Some local non off-roading activities will be posted upon arrival for those wanting more rest & relaxation time and not so much off-roading.

• Sunday night will be our usual Pot-Luck dinner - please bring something that can feed 6-8 people.

Cost

New for 2011

• Due to the ever increasing costs of hosting an event such as this including the main cost being bathroom facilities, we've made the decision to charge a reasonable fee for entry with the goal being the outhouse rental costs will be paid for by the event attendees and not on the shoulders of the Rover-Landers of BC.

• Event Fee is set at $40 per truck/family for the whole event or $20 per truck/family for one night. Fee to be paid immediately upon arrival.

• Last year's event was full by the end of March 2010, so please let us know quick if you want to come. A number have already indicated, but please confirm as there is still space.

• Reservations are a must, please do not just show up at the gate.

Other

This is a family & dog friendly event - please no aggressive dogs. Dogs must be child friendly and also not be livestock chasers (cows, horses, sheep)

Let us know if you will be bringing kids and how many, same goes for dogs.

Please email us with your intention to attend: daveblair [at] sunwave [dot] net or hoofandpaw [at] sunwave [dot] net

Sincerely,
Pamela & Dave Blair
Organizers & hosts for Rover Ranch 2011

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[DaveB]

Due to a few last minute cancellations we have 4-5 spots still available for Rover Ranch. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

thanks, Dave

[JC]

Hey Dave, we are thinking of coming in on the Friday morning now, what time do you figure you will be heading out in the morning of the 19th. We are hoping to come up Thursday night and then drop stuff off in the morning and come out for the trail. Is that cool?

J&Sandrine

[DaveB]

Hi John,

That shouldn't be a problem as the Friday morning run won't depart the ranch until about 11 AM. See you then.

Dave

[JC]

OK great, that will work nicely thanks see you then, winch rope on already, looks good!

[DaveB]

Short video of some of the trucks on today's run of the Jeep Trail:

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KBVggH78tTk" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[D2000]

Had a great weekend! Looks like we missed a great run on Sunday.

Thursday night before the event I changed my motor mounts as I had a bad vibration. One of them being completely broken.
On the drive out from Langley I noticed another vibration. After the run on Saturday it was getting bad - thinking one of my new mounts was bad.
On the drive back home I had to limit myself to 95 km/hr, and it kept getting worse.

After an inspection tonight I found my rear rotoflex broken. A couple of months ago I put in a new one - backwards!!!!!!! :(
Put my old rotoflex in, problem solved.

[ANDYD]

Thanks for posting the video Dave, if that's a sample we can expect to see a 1hr long version soon???

Glad it all went well, looking forward to seeing the photos soon (see what I missed out on!!).

Cheers, Andy

[rayhyland]

Fantastic time as usual, thanks Dave and Pam!

Sorry for such a delayed reply.

Cheers

Ray

[Bill E.]

Hey Dave, nice little video but how about some photos for the gallery? Any from other attendees?