Toys for Tots & Snow Run

[kenny811]

Great day in the snow, with a great purpose, toys. Here are a few pic's of the trip.
Leaving the Ranger Station

Once we hit snow, it was time to air down

The drive up was very nice

We got up to the query and messed around, and with a banner picture

Then messed round in the snow

All types of rigs were on the run

Here comes Larry

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj639/kennyxj811/snow%
20run/691.jpg

It was an awesome day in the snow, Christmas Trees, and Christmas Branches

 

[DailyDriven00]

Looks like fun! Maybe next year ill make it.

 

[Gold Cobra]

Yay!

 

[in4aride]

Wanna send some of that this way?!

Looks fun, more pics!

 

[Demonoid369]

Here some
Bronzewyrm wheeling in 2wd lol

Have more but tapatalk is being dumb right now :/

 

[AwesomeXJ]

I want to say thanks to everyone who came out and donated a toy.

Last year there were 18 rigs and 24 toys. This year there were 8 rigs and an amazing 55 toys, more than double the amount from last year. We will be dropping off the toys this week and will get a photo and post it up.

Nice work NWC!

 

[nightfoam]

We rolled out of Estacada and headed up Hillock Burn road. The plan was to air down at the bottom of the road up to the summit of Goat Mountain. However the diesel 4runner with no working fan had other ideas.

Fortunately, we were able to hard wire the fan to the battery and things stayed cool. We headed up to the intersection, aired down, then headed up the road to Goat Mountain. The gate was closed, as expected, so we turned around and headed back down.

We rolled over to the quarry by South Fork Mountain and played around for a while, both up top and down below.

After gathering Christmas trees, the group split up, with most folks heading home while Daniell, Jason and I continued on. We drove up to the summit of South Fork Mountain, someplace with a wonderful view, if it isn't fogged (and snowed) in.

Where we parked was just a little too far forward for Jason and he ended up needing a tug to get out. While getting in position to back up to him, I also pulled a little too far forward and got stuck at the same time.

After she pulled me out, I pulled Jason out and we headed down the mountain. We decided to take the scenic/less traveled route down the moutain on our way home.

I was fortunate to have a couple of decent codrivers, especially the dog, he sat on my brother's lap all day, completely relaxed. A perfect road trip dog.

I'm also rather pleased with my tree. Nicest tree I've gotten on one of these runs.

 

[Demonoid369]

now I'm starting to regret leaving so early lol dang I should have stuck around lol

really want to go back out there again lol too much fun

 

[NW99XJ]

The annual Toys for Tots Drive, and X-mas Tree run was a huge success.
Thank you to all that came out and participated, even from those who couldn't wheel, came out to at least show support and be apart of this yearly tradition.
It was great to see everyone, and the massive haul of toys that were donated:

As Aaron stated, over 50 toys collected, thats better than I was expecting, and incredible for how many vehicles there were. Thanks again to all that donated.
The NW is going to make a lot of kids happy this Christmas.

After seeing a couple different groups meet, and depart, it was our turn:

Ryan led us the whole way up. It was reported the snow level was about 2200ft, and right about then we hit the snow line.

It wasn't long after that, the word came over the radio from the tail gunner....
"The 4-runner is down - we have a problem"
The Diesel Toyota's fan quit working and he overheated.

I pulled out my logic probe/test light, and a set of strippers/crimpers, ryan grabbed his box of connectors, and the Toyota's owner luckily enough had a length of wire which we used to hot-wire the fan into working condition.

About another mile up we stopped to air down:

 

[NW99XJ]

We were making our way up to the tower, but the gate was closed, so we turned around before the rest of the group even made it up there.

On our way up to the top, the fog parted a bit to give us some great views:

AS we climbed higher and higher, the scenery changed at every turn:

We got up to the top, and it opened up into a big clearing, where it was instantly one big free for all.... I wish I would've got video of this part!

Everyone going their own direction, throwing their rig around...

We staged up into a nice line up with a couple of "Cherokees in training" at the ends

We proudly hoisted our colors....

 

[NW99XJ]

I think this little guy had never seen the snow before....

We stood around, and sort of took it all in for a little bit, socializing in the snow for a while......

Then it was time to play...

We hit that quarry, and had a great time messin around:

 

[NW99XJ]

Just about everyone got in on the fun down there, and those who didnt had a great vantage point for spectating:

There were plenty of little hill climbs, and mini trails, fun little runs in the snow!

Kenny takin a breather for a min

We had a first-timer with us, and she wanted to get some "proof" that her rig was wheeled, and getting dirty, I was happy to oblige, and this giant mud puddle was perfect for the photo shoot.....

Turning around to hit it the other way....

Hittin it again...

...and again....

....hell why not...one more time!

Others joined in on the muddy/splashy fun

 

[NW99XJ]

...I have no idea what the hell this was....

We got down to business, and those that came for the trees got what they came for...

This little guy started to get cold, so it was time to warm up in the Jeep for a bit.

We stood around, talked Jeep, told some stories, and snacked...Ryan devoured a bag of Doritos, and used a little patch of snow to clean himslef of the reddish-orange paste that had formed on his fingers..... I could see the gears turning in his head as the snow quickly tuned a "delicious" orange-ish color.
...nothing better to wash down those Doritos...than DORITOS SNOW!

After the good times, the group split up, most of us went down the hill, aired up below the snow line, and went on our separate ways. I had a great time, as did everybody else.
I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
Thanks again to all that came out!

 

[NW99XJ]

I want to say thanks to everyone who came out and donated a toy.

Last year there were 18 rigs and 24 toys. This year there were 8 rigs and an amazing 55 toys, more than double the amount from last year. We will be dropping off the toys this week and will get a photo and post it up.

Nice work NWC!

Nice work indeed....Original plans for the drop off fell through, but luckily, we had a contingency plan.
Les Schwab has long been involved with the Toys for Tots program as an authorized collection site. And since they have been supplying offroad enthusiasts around the nation with the tires that make it possible to do what we do, I felt it a natural choice to drop off our immense haul this year with one of the local stores. Thanks to Scott and his crew at the Mill Plain Les Schwab in Vancouver, Wa. for taking the time to be a part of a quick photo shoot.




Oops! - Classic Aaron Barnes! LOL
(sorry buddy....HAD TO)

HERE we go.... From left to right:
Store Manager Scott, Tyler, Aaron, Myself, Van, Josh


It was a very substantial amount of toys we put together, and seeing them all stacked up like that really put it all into perspective.
Thanks to the efforts of those who participated this year, many, MANY underprivileged children are going to have a much Merrier Christmas.
Thanks Again, and good work guys!

 

[kenny811]

Well done everyone that helped out.