Anyone who's traveled through Dusy Ershim knows the beauty and challenge that Dusy has to offer. Trail Gear held their first annual Dusy Ershim Run. The fawked up part of this trip was a few idiots that ruined it. Driving off the designated trail into meadows and over rock cropings, climbing trees with their rigs, parking and camping in undeveloped campsites at the lakes name a few. The best part about it is they bragged about it on their website until they got seriously flammed. What better advertisement than having a rig almost verticle on a tree off the trail that reads, "Trail Gear?" The album that one of their attendees posted is clear evidence that any greenie or USFS/BLM resource manager would use against us to propose closures.
I agree with everyone, and don't like the drivers actions. Trail gear had sponsored some products on the rig, and when they found out about what happened, they emailed the driver and basically severed their ties with him.
I know Chris Geiger, and if he had seen this happening; he would have said something. I dont THINK they knew it happened. On large events, its hard to 'babysit' everyone and be everywhere at once. Maybe I am wrong....
The driver did apolagize...
And again, I think it was stupid to do, but its done.
Quote:
hello,
talk about ignorance. i feel soooo stupid. i was so excited about the trail and how pretty it was, i just wanted to share the photos. i have seen so many pics of rigs climbing up a tree that i didnt think. i didnt realize that leaning on a tree was bad news. please realize this was my first experience wheeling in this sort of terrain. i am used to TDS and hammers which are just kind of open, but, even on those trails, i dont run over bushes and wildlife. i feel really bad and after many phone calls that i have gotten from pbb members to explain the situation, i am sorry i didnt think first.
TG had nothing to do with my actions. I run their stickers because they gave me some parts to help fix my suspension problems. Matt called this morning to tell me he cant sponsor me anymore. I understand why and i do not have hard feelings towards him as it was my fault and i will take my punishment like a man. i wasnt around chris geiger the whole trip, so you can stop assusming about him haveing "bad" photos.
also, if you know me, and if you were there, then you would of seen me picking up left over trash from other wheelers, (as i do on the mountain when snowboarding), you would of also heard me tell folks to stay on the trail so we dont "tear" things up out there. i was not out there clowning around, however, i did make a mistake and i was wrong for doing it and it wont happen again.
sincerely - Hobie
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Last edited by JLam : 11-20-2006 at 12:09 AM. Reason: showed too much cooter
My problem with it is that Trail Gear held this event and has absolutely zero responsibility? Not to mention that it wasn't just Toby doing this crap. What is Chris Geiger and Trail Gear going to do to make it right? This really fawks it up or threatens the trail for ALL of us.
And to answer you, your right I should have posted more info, but I'm affraid who else may see the pics.
settle down take some of this
jk but dont take thing so serious
Come awn...you gotta have something better than that chump.
If we all collectively stepped back with the "don't take it so serious," mentality I'm sure that here in California, our trails would be something of the past.
The last thing Trail Gear needs is additional bad publicity or more legal troubles.
The lesson here is learn from this past trip and speak up if you see some jackass(s) tearing up the very resources that you, I, and everyone else enjoys.
I agree with everyone, and don't like the drivers actions. Trail gear had sponsored some products on the rig, and when they found out about what happened, they emailed the driver and basically severed their ties with him.
I know Chris Geiger, and if he had seen this happening; he would have said something. I dont THINK they knew it happened. On large events, its hard to 'babysit' everyone and be everywhere at once. Maybe I am wrong....
The driver did apolagize...
And again, I think it was stupid to do, but its done.
You cant blame TG for what occured , TG was not driving the car, and yes its bad PR for TG. This was driver error. and he got his hand slapped... no need for the lynch mob. he know that he F'ed up. and could be the blame of whatever to come...
what do you suggest for punishment??? a fine? time? community service? suspension of wheelin privleges?
what do you suggest for punishment??? a fine? time? community service? suspension of wheelin privleges?
Well, if it goes down through the feds, and now their pursuing this, I don't think a lynch squad will be needed. I think several folks are going to be stuck with some pretty heafty fines and/or jail time according to Cal4wd and Del Albright. The evidence is overwhelming. I seriously doubt it will be a mere hand slapping for Trail Gear or the driver(s) involved.
At the beginning of the trip we handed out copies of the forest rules as provided by the local rangers. We also invited a local ranger to speak with our group before we hit the trail. After speaking to our group Friday Morning, the ranger continued with our group for a few miles. I stayed with the group until we reach the first obstacle “Chicken Rock”. After this point I took up the rear of the group and made sure no one got left behind. There were 4 of us in the rear group, including my parents, Eric from YotaMasters and a Red pickup with a narrowed front hood joined the back of the group shortly after Chicken Rock.
Our group of four stayed on the trail and did not do any climbs off the trail or next to the trail while we traveled to the second camp site. I asked the ranger specifically about obstacles on the sides of the trail. I asked him about the “25’ rule” used on the Rubicon. He said that they did not use that rule and that many parts of the trail are much narrower than 25’ and he would appreciate it if we would say on the “traveled path”. I and those that traveled with me followed these rules to the “T” and did not stray off the trail except when passing another group or allowing others to pass us. Then we pulled off only far enough to allow the pass and did “Crawl” over anything along the sides of the trail.
We arrived at camp on the second night several hours after the other two groups due other traffic ahead of us and some minor troubles with our rigs.
The following morning (Saturday) my Father and I left the group and returned home driving back the way we came in. The other two groups continued on toward Ershim lake. Thirteen of the 25 rigs completed the trail driving all the way to the exit. The other rigs that did not complete the trail drove back to the entrance on Sunday.
I did not know about what went on in the other groups until I returned home and saw photos that were posted
I personally believe that TG does bear a share of the responsibility for any wrong doing occurring on a run it hosted. As an employee of the company I am at least partiality to blame for what occurred and I truly regret what has occurred. The local Prather rangers know who I am, where I work and what I drive. I have and will do anything the rangers ask of me.
I believe that Trail-Gear made a reasonable effort about informing the group about route, rules and group plans. We also spent considerable time reviewing the rigs, talking with the drivers and making contingency plans in case of major brake downs.
I don’t know what I can/should do to make this right but I feel badly about what happened on this run.
Chris Geiger
Marketing & Web Design
Trail-Gear Inc.
I personally believe that TG does bear a share of the responsibility for any wrong doing occurring on a run it hosted. As an employee of the company I am at least partiality to blame for what occurred and I truly regret what has occurred. The local Prather rangers know who I am, where I work and what I drive. I have and will do anything the rangers ask of me.
I don’t know what I can/should do to make this right but I feel badly about what happened on this run.
Chris Geiger
Marketing & Web Design
Trail-Gear Inc.
Chris,
Out of all the negative forums where this has been discussed, this is the first time that I've seen any acknowledgement or regret for what has happenend from you or Trail Gear. Like you, Dusy Ershim has a very special spot in my heart because of it's challenges and the beauty. I was absolutely appauled at what I saw posted; especially from a group that has years of wheeling experience.
Folks on this forum may not understand the impact of carelessness of the several drivers that were involved during your organized run and the resource damage that was caused; not to mention the negative publicity to Trail Gear.
It sounds like LE is handling the investigation for the idiots that literally ruined your event. I'd really like to see Trail Gear step up to the plate with FOTR, and the 4x4 club that adopted and maintains Dusy to form a "Friends of Dusy Ershim" patrol to assist in eliminating the very behavior that your attendees exhibited. I spoke with Del Albright about this yesterday after reviewing the disturbing no white fenders pictures. This wasn't just Hobie, Chris. This was documented evidence with 11 other rigs driving in areas that they had absolutely no business in.
I'm only one wheeler out of the hundreds that actually love that area. But for me, it's a step in the right direction and obviously a solution to the problem. If I can help, let me know as this would benefit the very trails we all enjoy with our families.
Rest in peace little buddies
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