May 2003 - Annihilator
Trail Rating - 5.0
Trip Leader: Jack Adams
Photos submitted by Chris Villarreal
The destination this weekend was Table Mesa. We were heading out to watch a few people test out some new modifications to their rigs. Since we ended up with a pretty big variety of vehicles we decided to start with some easy stuff as a warm up. We made a quick trip thru Terminator. This thinned the herd a little when one of the rigs started ripping a hydraulic steering mount off his axle. The next trail, Predator, claimed another rig via a broken spring. Someone also punctured a TSL/SX tire. A couple of us were already at the waterfall on Annihilator waiting on the rest of the group. We decided to start into it since it usually takes a while.
(Click for larger images)
The lower part of the first waterfall really needs a good unstacking. The top has been cleaned out of ramps which made it difficult to climb without using some momentum (or having a long wheelbase).
I easily got to the position in the second picture. At this point all my tires are trying to climb, the passenger side rear tire is at a 4 foot vertical face. All attempts to crawl it were unsuccessful.
So I backed up, put it in second gear and gave it some gas. The rig scooted right up the waterfall. It was a little unnerving because as soon as my tires hit the first ledged the whole rig would tip way to the right, but the rockers kept me from going over.
Scott was trying the same method I used, give it a bump to get up the first ledged. He made a good effort but on his second try the rig bounced to the right and we heard a loud bang.
We are pretty sure he landed on the driveshaft which shattered the yokes on the differential end. The force of the impact also bent one of the rear springs.
Larry was up next, he made it look easy taking a perfect line.