This Saturday was the first test run of Cary's rig since undergoing a pretty substantial rebuild.  He linked the front end and added an automatic transmission along with a 2 speed Atlas transfer case.

Link to video highlights from the trip.

The main event for the day was Matrix.  We were pleasantly surprised to see the trail was a bit harder than before due to some good water movement over the summer.  The first fall is another couple of feet taller and the last fall is about 6 feet taller!

The crack was completely free of rocks so it's as hard as it can be.

Jack, Cary and Craig all ran a new line up the crack that worked really well.  They ran straight up it and at the top did a front dig to get their front tires over to the left both.  from there is was just a matter of working it till the rig climbed up and out of the crack.

Here's the last fall.  You used to go up right next to the tree but the tree was knocked down by the water that dug out the big hole at the base of the fall.  With the tree in the way of the old line we were forced to try a steeper line to the left.  Surprisingly you could hit the base of the fall with a lot of throttle which would bounce you up the face, from there it was full power until you either started going forward or sliding back.  If you slid back you needed to get off the gas before your rear tires touched bottom otherwise the rig tried to torque over. I was up first and gave it two soft attempts to feel out the launch.  Everything felt good so I gave it some onion on the 3rd attempt and the rig shot right up it.

Jack made a few attempts before finally settling on a 3rd gear assault.

This is about as close to rolling as you can get without going over. Pat was able to put it in reverse and back out of his predicament.

Here's a shot from the top of the fall with Cary lining up for a shot at it.  Here's one of his warm up runs followed by the successful run.

Craig (aka Stubby) tried it a few times without enough commitment.  About the 4th or 5th try he had about the gentlest roll I have ever seen as his buggy laid over in the sand.

Pat "helping" Craig out of his buggy.

I believe Pat "accidentally" gave Craig a wedgie as he tried to help extract Craig from the overturned buggy :)

After recovering Craig's buggy, Cary got to run the fall again.  The test run was a success and I believe Cary is an automatic transmission convert now.

Some of the great scenery on the way back from the trail.

Pat doing his best to mock a rare crested saguaro...... 

Thanks to Jack for providing the pictures.