Thought I'd hit up a few of the FAQs that come up each trip.
1) What trails will we run?
Sunday is usually an easy day and hopefully F5 will pick out another scenic trail for us to do. Generally there is little technical stuff on Sunday, though if it's an early day a group may split off and do another trail like Fins N Things afterwards.
Trails are decided by the campfire the night before. Hell's Revenge will certainly be run once (or twice). If there are days with very tough trails, a second group may split off and do easier trails.
2) Can I do Hell's Gate/Tip Over Challenge/Escalator/Wipe Out Hill etc?
A complicated decision. Your truck needs to be capable, which generally but not always means rear locker and a lower range transfer case. Your driving experience and skills are reviewed - courage is needed, bravado doesn't belong, a steady foot is required, smooth skills are required, a good eye is required along with excellent listening skills. Damage control is huge. What would happen if you were to break on that obstacle? Do you have the spare parts? How will it affect the group? For example, a base H3 might make it up Hell's Gate but if not, the recovery could be horrendous. That's an unfair burden to place on the group. We always endeavor to have you have as much fun as possible without taking unnecessary or foolish risks.
3) What do I need to bring?
Plenty of water and food for each day. Days can end at 1 pm or 2 am. Basic spare parts, which usually includes for H2s and H3s: half shafts, tie rods. Vehicle fluids including power steering fluid (quart) and brake fluid (pint). Basic tools, and the specialty tools for the common repairs. (H3, for example: 36mm (or is it 35mm) socket for axle nut, 22mm? open end wrench for inner tie rod). Bring a camera, spare batteries and a laptop to unload the days pictures.
4) Where do we meet each day?
At the Outpost, aka Neo's house. Day usually start with a 9am-ish start time. Be fueled up, have your sandwiches already, be aired down. Often we air down on arrival and air up at the end of the week.
5) What about dinners?
Some group dinners occur, or split off on your own. Assuming there's no rain or wind you can expect there to be a fire at the Outpost each night.
6) Does it cost anything?
No dues and no don'ts. For a couple of trails, like Hell's and Fins, you do need to buy a park pass for the week. $10? Okay, it is sorta customary for first-timers to bring Neo and Nav some good local beer from where you live.
7) Do I need lockers, UCP, rocker protection, 4:1 transfer case, a compressor, extra lighting . . .?
UCP and rocker protection are very highly recommended. You'll enjoy yourself a lot more if you're not panicking every time you see a large rock. Locker and low range transfer case are beneficial but not required. Other stuff - you'll be fine. There are a lot of tools and a lot of equipment between all of the trucks. Good tires are helpful - don't come to Moab with those base 265 passenger car tires from the base H3. You won't make it very far.
8) Do I need a CB?
Highly recommended as we use that to communicate on the trail and to make fun of 06 H3 and his grease gun. HAM radio is used by a few people too.