Post EJS blues...

[gijohn40]

Has anyone else come back from EJS and felt like hanging it all up and selling off everything? The past two years I come back and just want to dump it all... This year I did some damage on the LJ and as soon as I got home I parked it in the garage and haven't looked at it since. No desire to work on it. I have even gone as far as to hide the EJS fb page and other 4wheeling pages. I know this will pass but for now I just have no interest.

I know exactly why the hatered... Kanes creek trail. its gotten to the point where it should be rated a 8 due to all the buggies that have dug out all the rocks and made it terrible for those lesser built rigs. I had fun all week long until that trail. It was the same way last year but for a different reason. I was a gunner and I told a kid to hold tight until I got back down from parking my jeep up the trail so I could spot him.... well he decided to go it on his own and got hung up between two huge rocks and dented his side panels. later he told the trail leader that I need to learn to spot better.... he did this all before I got back from parking my jeep.

I feel that for me I am a 6 or under trail kind of guy

 

[mbryson]

I’m not sure what I think about EJS. I missed it this year. I’m looking fwd to next weekend in Moab.

My take: if you’re not having fun, make some adjustments. I don’t want to dump my whole investment but had to analyze what is fun for me and worked more towards that? I think everyone would be wise to do the same. Life is short. The past few years, I’ve had a lot more “work” at EJS than actual fun. The fun at EJS is going to change or I’ll abandon EJS altogether. I don’t mind giving a couple days to the event but giving more than 3 is over.

I still have fun in the Jeep. The kids have really latched onto that (hard for them not to) and that’s a good time to spend with them. You’re in a different situation than I am though

 

[mesha]

John I feel like you do sometimes. This year I went the week after and came back wanting to build my rig and go wheeling more often.

If you aren't having fun at jeep safari, then go a different time. I hope you don't give it up because I like seeing you out on the trail.

 

[N-Smooth]

I’m the opposite, getting to EJS was a battle for me- rather trying to decide if I was going. That’s for different reasons though with no longer going with friends, it was just me and my son. It’s a little more complicated than that but the point is I think we all go through ups and downs with wheeling.

 

[ozzy702]

In general, I'm not a people person, and certainly not a big group kind of guy. EJS for me is full of frustration so I have no desire to go other than to check out cool rigs and hang out. As far as actually wheeling, I'll do that in the off season when the trails aren't full of idiots and I can enjoy it with friends.

 

[AaronPaige]

I went through that stage too, but had may of the opposite feelings, in my mind( responsibly driven) buggy’s leave less damage to trails and many of my favorites have become less challenging do to less capable vehicles stacking rocks or changing obstacles all together, I guess everyone has the right to look at things from there side of the fence but neither are to blame if there just trying to enjoy what they love...

 

[Kevin B.]

I went through that stage too, but had may of the opposite feelings, in my mind( responsibly driven) buggy’s leave less damage to trails and many of my favorites have become less challenging do to less capable vehicles stacking rocks or changing obstacles all together, I guess everyone has the right to look at things from there side of the fence but neither are to blame if there just trying to enjoy what they love...

I think a person can enjoy what they love and still ruin the trail for others, if they enjoy it the wrong way. I"m sure there are just as many small wheel guys that ruin the trail their way, as there are big wheel guys ruining the trail their way. I wish there were as many responsible big wheel and small wheel guys on the trails as there are here on RME, because I've met and wheeled with a ton of guys on this board and probably only three, maybe four of them max didn't wheel responsibly. And I wish we all wheeled together more often with less regard for make/model and wheel size, because it's good to see what the other guys struggle with and what you can do different to not dumb the trail down or make it too hard for them.

I've never been to EJS. I've been traveling through Moab at the same time EJS was happening and might have accidentally stopped at the vendor show at the fairgrounds - what I saw convinced me that I don't ever want to participate in that circus. I know it can be fun for folks that enjoy that sort of atmosphere, but it's not my speed. I'll take my Moab in the offseason, thanks.

 

[Stephen]

I feel. Last year I gunned for the first time on two trails. The first leader was awesome. Reminded me of Bob Castaldo or Frenchie LaChance. Kept to the schedule, provided information about the trail and area to the group over the CB, used the gunners as they are supposed to be used; to help move the trail along and assist anyone who needs assistance further back in the group.
Second trail leader was horrible. Was more interested in pimping his business and chewing the fat with the trail "sponsors" (who were asshats that kept going off trail). He was a younger guy that thought he was hot shit. Didn't talk on the CB about anything but his business and the "sponsors". Didn't listen to the gunners about issues, just kept rolling on at the pace he wanted to go. Left a really bad taste in my mouth. So this year, I didn't go to EJS and I don't know if I'll be back.
On top of all that, people on the trails have become cliquish. Used to be that everyone would mingle when the trail stopped, now everyone only talks to their friend. And no one gathers at obstacles to watch people go up anymore; which was half the fun. Of course, since 90% of the vehicles at Safari now are JKUR's, I guess there isn't much excitement in wondering if that stockish Nissan D21 will make it or what line the Bronco will take.

 

[Bart]

Sorry to hear that some of you had a bad time. This past one was one of the funnest EJS's that I've experienced, and I was leading or gunning 4 of the first 6 days and I was there 8 days overall. I agree with what MBryson and Mesha have said, if you're not having fun, then make an adjustment. If it's a pain, do something else, life is too short. I lead trails at EJS, Trail Hero, and Winter 4x4, and do it mostly to give back to the sport and to educate people. That's probably why when I go out with friends I like a smaller, more experienced group that I don't have to worry about.

 

[Cody]

I stopped going to safari about 15 years ago. I got into 4wheeling to get to more remote places further away from people. Once rock crawling became so popular I moved to more mild camping/exploring kind of stuff. Now that the crowds have turned camping into "overlanding", I'm wondering if it's time to get back into rock crawling....Either way, I preferred Moab on the off weekends.

 

[Herzog]

I stopped going to safari about 15 years ago. I got into 4wheeling to get to more remote places further away from people. Once rock crawling became so popular I moved to more mild camping/exploring kind of stuff. Now that the crowds have turned camping into "overlanding", I'm wondering if it's time to get back into rock crawling....Either way, I preferred Moab on the off weekends.

 

[N-Smooth]

it's time to get back into rock crawling.

I support this message.

 

[Bart]

Ditto

 

[moab_cj5]

I have sold many Jeeps because I got frustrated after breaking something on the trail, and cutting my trips short. I have had similar feelings in the past, but decided I just needed to change up my setup, rather than abandon the hobby.

Wise words have been shared about identifying what you like, and focusing on that. I love variety and i do love challenging trails, but I also enjoy more scenic and longer trips too.

 

[Slangy]

John I feel like you do sometimes. This year I went the week after and came back wanting to build my rig and go wheeling more often.

If you aren't having fun at jeep safari, then go a different time. I hope you don't give it up because I like seeing you out on the trail.

I did the same thing, came home and have been on all the classifieds looking for a 60/14 bolt combo so I can get the Jeep built how I want it. Feels good to have that feeling again. We always go the week after EJS because the crowds are smaller but you still get to see some cool rigs but you don't have to wait in line all day to hit an obstacle.

I snapped the front end this year and spent a few hours in the garage fixing it, it always sucks to work on a rig in Moab but it sucks worse to be in the office working.