After a grueling 12 hour day with multiple breakdowns, every team is still on the trail.
The only words I have to describe Day 2 of the Vermont Overland Trophy are expletives. Trail conditions were extremely difficult, and every team regardless of capability was put though the ringer.
Hitting the first trail of the day
The day began with us immediately hitting 2 consecutive challenge trails, which caused a multiple vehicle backup lasting over 6 hours.
Team 13 hitting the trails
Dragging the boat anchor up the second challenge trail
Replacing a broken CV
The first portion of the second challenge trail consisted of a rocky hill climb which quickly claimed 3 axles. While there were multiple breakdowns, many of the teams completed the trail segment unscathed.
Hitting the “hill of suck”
Pulling cable due to the lack of traction
The backup was mostly caused by the hill on the second challenge trail which proved to be exceptionally difficult due to the [throttle control of some of the jeep drivers] soft Vermont mud. Due to the poor trail conditions, the winching skills of each team were put to the test.
After getting a short reprieve, teams were hit again with the final challenge trail before heading to the evening’s campsite.
Team 6’s Discovery tackling the hill
Breaking out cable to clear the hill
The final challenge consisted of a washed out roadbed and one crazy hill climb. While many of the Jeeps on 35” tires completed it with ease, vehicles with smaller tires struggled to make it through the trail.
To give you an idea of our day, we left camp this morning at 8:00 AM and didn’t get to the campsite until a little before 9:00 PM. To say we’re beat is an understatement. Still, we’re eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s route and the surprises, struggles, and victories that it’ll bring.
Day 2 Breakdown Report:
Team 2 – Crash Brothers – Broken axle on the 1995 Range Rover Classic.
Team 4 – VAEV – 2 broken valve stems, and 2 tire punctures on both 2013 JKU Rubicons.
Team 6 – Overland Surivial Coalition – Flat tire 1997 Land Cruiser
Team 8 – FJ Northeasters – 2 broken CV’s on the 2008 FJ Cruiser.
Disqualified Teams:
Team 1 – Royalton Farms
Is it alright to ask why the one team was disqualified?
Not at all. I’m sure Alex will be able to chime in later. Data service is predictably poor where they are. He’ll be plugged back in tonight.
Team 1 was disqualified due to a breakdown on Day 1 which prevented them from completing one of the Day 1 challenge trails.