Andrew Kozelouzek showed us...
Andrew Kozelouzek showed us some of the harder hillclimbs the area had to offer and spent some time showing us how they crawl in Kentucky too.
While this is only the second year for the Kentucky Mountain Crawler's Southern Shine Crawl, they've got everything lined up for a long, successful run of awesome events.
Held about two hours from anywhere in Harlan, Kentucky, the event is three-fold. There's a competition featuring several challenges, including an obstacle course, a log pit, a tire crawl, a rockcrawl, and a massive mud pit. There's also a vendors row with many varied crafts and products on display. To top it off, the event is held at the Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Park in Harlan. The park offers something for everyone and it features some of the most challenging hillclimbs we've seen, some seemingly impassable rockcrawling trails, and some easier, scenic trails for mild or stock Jeeps.
Before we went to this event, it had been such a long time since wheeling somewhere we were wanted that we had forgotten what it was like. We've gotten so used to peaceniks and greenies giving us the cold shoulder, thanks to those few irresponsible wheelers, that we had come to accept it as normal.
Well, it isn't normal for the town of Harlan, the Kentucky Mountain Crawlers, and it was really a blast from the past. People from surrounding towns come out to this event to see the competition, maybe get out in the park, and just enjoy a day or two of four-wheeling to support the event. We wish more towns were like this.
If you want to get away from it all and go somewhere you and your Jeep are wanted, check out the Kentucky Mountain Crawler's Southern Shine Crawl next year.
This is just a washed-out...
This is just a washed-out section that's right next to the main trail into the park. We were in the park for all of about five minutes before we found this, and the guys took the harder way around.
There were two rock courses:...
There were two rock courses: one for highly modified rigs, and one for more streetable rigs. Both courses gave the contenders a rough time, and each time through, the rocks were moved for the next competitor.
This Grand Cherokee tore it...
This Grand Cherokee tore it up in the obstacle course, but unfortunately, had some technical difficulties and was unable to finish the competition.
Unfortunately, Dale must've...
Unfortunately, Dale must've had a few too many beans before he stole it and was quick to resort to unusual methods of bead reseating.
This Unimog-axled, small-block-powered...
This Unimog-axled, small-block-powered Jeep owned and flogged by Andy Larowe was a neat TJ to see, and he put on a show for us all day long by never being afraid of trying anything.
Dale Cousine was one of the...
Dale Cousine was one of the few not running bead locks, but that didn't stop him from wheeling it like he stole it. With a 5.0L H.O. Ford V-8, I-6, and 203/205 doubler, watching Dale "get it" was a good show.
J.D. Napier of Big Hammer...
J.D. Napier of Big Hammer Wheel Forge (606/558-3936) was there with a bunch of really neat stuff, but nothing caught our eyes more than these railroad spike knives with cross-cut handles. J.D. was also on hand with a portable forge, making all kinds of things so the crowd could see how it was done.
It's funny-we didn't think...
It's funny-we didn't think a big tire would be such a rough obstacle for these well-built Jeeps. The loose dirt at the bottom of the tires and the loose dirt at the top made for some high-throttle runs, though. The tire course was an oval, with tires laying flat on the ground (think football training camp for Jeeps) and monsters like these standing up. Quickest time wins.
This XJ was supposed to go...
This XJ was supposed to go with us, and when it didn't show up, we just figured it had broken down. But, nope, it was out wheeling and bashing. There was just a communication problem along the way somewhere, so we missed the of a 32-inch-tire-shod XJ going where 37-inch-shod TJs only dared.
Brent Bellingar was running...
Brent Bellingar was running the stock 4.0L and transmission, added a 3.8 Atlas II, Rock Jocks front and rear, and still needed a few attempts with more throttle each time to make it up this hill. Luckily, we did catch a bunch of pictures of Brent trying-until he finally made it up in spectacular fashion.
The log run was deep, and...
The log run was deep, and it was wet. Some spots between the logs would swallow a 44-inch tire whole. Momentum was the key to making it through here. Touch the side berms, though, and you were out.
Jack Bettio was there wheeling...
Jack Bettio was there wheeling with his wife and actually had the smallest Jeep of the group we were with, sporting "only" 33-inch tires. That didn't stop him from running some of the hardest lines, and thanks to his driving skill, making them look easy.