Our goal today is to make the crossing of the pass. Neither of us have ever used this route, it's all an exploration.
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It's a special kind of strangeness that makes one explore the unknown tracks . . . it's even STRANGER to do it with TWO BIG TRUCKS AND A TRAILER!!!
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We've not spoken with anyone about the conditions of the track, . . . or done any research on what the route is like. Can we fit through tight spots? . . . will the angle of some climb be "off" enough that we risk laying the "She Beast" on her side? . . . Will it be too soft, eaten by erosion? Will we find an impasse and have to back track for hours? It's all unknown to us.
This is NOT how I would advise anyone to go! This is how I go!
It's not about getting there, it's about going there! For me it's the knowledge that we are not dependent on anything that we do not have with us. Even fuel, . . . the challenge for this run is that we buy little (or NO) fuel, we know that diesel is available and will most definitely be used if needed. The fuel processing trailer (`sketer) is still under going testing. Some would do that in the safety of their driveway, side yard, maybe even a garage. That just doesn't work for me . . . I have to really take it out there.
The route we have planned lands us in some small town about every 100 - 175 miles. That should give us the chance to help out some Mech-Docs with all the vital fluids that they collect. If we collect even 100 gals of used motor oil, ATF, kerosene, etc. at these towns, we can with filtering and separating, use it to replace the fuel it took to get there. With tanks on the trailer we can stay a day ahead and only have to collect once every two days. Therefore, the ability to NOT buy fuel.