Rock Crawling: Ultimate Motorsports

http://TheThrillSociety.com It’s wicked Thrilling!

What Is Rock Crawling?

Rock Crawling is an extreme form of off-road sport where different types of vehicles are driven through and over difficult terrains and obstacles. Any type of vehicles can be used, but the most common are jeeps, trucks, and buggies. Many rock crawling enthusiasts modify their vehicles in order to make them more powerful and flexible in any type of harsh terrain.  Rock crawling usually takes place on mountain trails, boulders, mountain foothills, and terrains with almost impassable trails. Rock crawling is a fast growing sport and it is even featured on some TV shows.

History Of Rock Crawling

When automakers started manufacturing more four-wheel-drive vehicles and people started buying them, the growing interest in driving off road also flourished. Many outdoor enthusiasts started using their four-wheel-drives on off-road trails.  It started as a follow-the-leader type of game until only the hardcore off-roaders were left. Phil Howell is the rock crawling originator and he made the rules and point system for the sport. In 1998, the first ever nationally recognized rock crawling event started with 40 highly modified vehicles competing.

Rules And Point System Of Rock Crawling

A team is composed of the four-wheel-drive vehicle, the driver, and the navigator or spotter. The goal is to have the lowest points at the end of the competition. The team doesn’t accrue points if they follow these rules:

• Vehicle should not hit any navigational markers located on the courses they have to drive through.
• Drivers should avoid putting the vehicle in reverse.
• The team should avoid using a winch to help them get forward on the course.

Customizing The Vehicle

Ordinary manufactured four-wheel-drives will never survive the unforgiving trails of rock crawling courses. Competitors and enthusiasts have to modify and customize their vehicles in order to get through boulders and large rocks. The custom parts for rock crawling vehicles include:

• Off road mud terrain tires that are taller and bigger than usual
• Four wheel steering
• Modified suspensions
• Locking differentials
• Torque modifications
• Engine upgrade
• Roll cage to protect driver
• Winches
• Portal axles
• Body armor
• Upgraded shock absorbers

These are just some of the custom parts that can be installed in the vehicle. The possibilities for modifications are endless.

Click HERE to visit the TTS store filled with original products! 

Where Are The Best Places For Rock Crawling?

Now that you have modified your vehicle and you are ready to take your rock monster vehicle for its ultimate test, where would you go? Here are some of the best known places in the US for some rock crawling action.

Rubicon Springs – McKinney Road

It is located 50 miles east of Sacramento and this trail is very popular for rock crawlers. The course is 12 miles in length and it includes popular four-wheel obstacles such as Big and Little Sluice Box, Walker Hill, and Cadillac Hill. You can finish the trail in one day and the view at the top of the Cadillac Hill obstacle is truly spectacular.

Anaconda

The Anaconda course is located 30 miles north of Phoenix and it is considered to be one of the most difficult rock trails in Arizona. The highlight of the Anaconda course includes sheer waterfall, vertical rock walls, and very narrow notches. If you survive this challenging snakelike trail, you can also try out the other nearby trails, which offer average to advanced difficulty.

Habanero Falls

Habanero Falls is located 10 miles west of Las Cruces, New Mexico and it is the site for the Chile Challenge that is a gathering of rock crawling enthusiasts. The trail may be short, but it offers many difficult challenges such as large, rock faces and scattered boulders. At the very end of the trail, you will encounter six, very steep waterfalls, which should not be taken lightly.

The Snake Pit

The name itself is very daunting and you should expect difficult obstacles for this course. The Snake Pit is located 10 miles south of Clayton, Oklahoma. This trail will take you through a series of creek beds with lots of large, wet boulders, and big, underwater drop offs. Water will be a huge factor for this trail so you have to do your own waterproofing modifications. Your rig will mostly be half underwater and beware of poisonous snakes as well.

Bow Hunting Large Mule Deer Bucks

Please check out: http://TheThrillSociety.com It’s wicked Thrilling!

This article is all about bow hunting mule deer, but many of the concepts discussed will work well for rifle hunting mule deer as well.

Overview

Male mule deer fall into two categories. Super dumb or super smart. When a mule deer buck is younger, say below three years of age, they can be incredibly easy to hunt. If they make it past their early, stupid years, it’s almost like they flip a switch and become super smart. This article is about the super smart ones.

Ambushing

In previous articles we have discussed ambushing elk and antelope. I am sure there are places that an ambush is possible, however generally speaking ambushing large mule deer is not feasible.

Calling

We have also discussed calling as a method of hunting elk and antelope, however calling doesn’t really work with large mule deer. I have successfully stopped a mule deer from walking using a honking sound that mimics their alarm honk. Honking can work well if you need a buck to stop walking away from you to present a shot, but I would not really label honking as calling.

Stalking

So that leaves a hunter with stalking as the only available method of hunting large mule deer. When we discussed methods of bow hunting elk I wrote about slow stalking elk in dense timber. Elk can be discovered in dense timber and stalked upon. However, large bucks will sneak away long before you get close to them. In most cases you will never see them or know they were there at all.

Glassing

In order to stalk large bucks you have to see them first. The only way you will see them first is to get yourself in a position before daylight to overlook a large expanse of mule deer infested countryside. Get up high, hide yourself, and plan on spending the day glassing.

Large mule deer bucks are mainly nocturnal. They will spend all night feeding and all day hiding and sleeping. Bucks will always hid in place that has multiple escape routes and allows them a vantage point to scan the surrounding terrain. That is why you can’t hope to spot a large buck while walking.

Many times while glassing for large bucks I have seen a buck get up from a place I had no idea was hiding a buck, walk 10 paces, relieve himself, and then return to their bed. Even after seeing exactly where the buck laid down it is nearly impossible to find it.

Click HERE to visit the TTS store filled with original products! 

Proper Gear

If your going to spend all day glassing be sure to bring proper clothing that will allow you to remain immobile. The morning hours can be very cold. If you get up and walk around to warm up you will alert every buck within a couple mile radius. I generally pack a sleeping bag covered with a bivey sack for just this occasion. The bivey sack is simply a water-proof shell that surrounds your sleeping bag to keep it dry and clean. I will generally take my boots off and climb in the bag for the morning to stay warm while I am glassing.

Be sure to hide in place that will allow for convenient bathroom breaks. Remember you will need to remain hidden all day.

Glass your area by working in a grid pattern to make sure you cover all of the terrain. Look for ears or sections of horn. Pay special attention to bases of trees and rocky areas.

I will be honest. Glassing is not very fun. It gets very old, very fast. If your not doing a good job you are wasting your time. Glass for 5 minutes and then take a small break. You will have to glass over the same terrain many times. As the sun shifts in the sky shadows may disappear, the buck may move it’s head just enough to be visible, that odd looking branch may turn out to be part of a huge rack. Keep glassing.

Plan Your Stalking Route

Once you have spotted a buck, spend some time figuring out your route to sneak up on the buck. Stay hidden by terrain as long as possible. Try to find landmarks that will give you guidance when you get closer to the buck.

Keep spotting the area once you have found your target buck. Large mule deer bucks will often bed with other large bucks. You have to find them all before you start your stalk. Assume there is another buck with your target buck until you can prove with more glassing that there is only one buck.

When you get within a hundred yards from the buck you will really have to slow down. Get on you knees and start crawling. Move slowly and quietly. The last 100 yards could take hours to cover.

Of course the wind has to be in your favor. If the wind shifts you have to abort the stalk immediately. If the buck winds you, you are done.

In Bow Range

When you get within bow range of your target buck you will need to have the buck standup to take a shot. This can be a tricky procedure because you want the buck alarmed enough to standup, but not too alarmed or he will race off without giving you a shot.

Before you get close to your buck put a few small stones in your pocket. When you get within bow range, toss a stone over the buck if possible, or in a direction that will make the buck focus away from you. Often times the clatter of small stone will alarm the buck enough to standup without running away.

Conclusion

Every hunt is different. Often times the difference between failure and success is the ability to improvise. Think about each situation and do your best to put yourself within bow range.

Harvesting a large, mule deer buck with a bow is extremely challenging. However, with a lot, and I mean a lot of patience it is possible.

Follow TTS on YouTube by clicking HERE!

Do you have a Thrilling video, photo, story or music you would like to see on our site? Send us your stuff by clicking HERE!

If we post your stuff you will win a TTS logo t-shirt!

TTS Swag Winner Naomi!

Discovering Ambergris: Priceless Whale Snot

http://thethrillsociety.com is your link to Thrilling Stuff! This article is just a taste!

The Highs And Lows Of Finding Ambergris

Story provided by an

Australian Thrill Seeker and TTS Swag Winner

The Big Storm

On October 12,  2016, a big storm belted the 2,632 inhabitants of the small, seaside village of Port Noarlunga South, located 30 kilometers south of Adelaide, Australia. Port Noarlunga South is where the Onkaparinga River meets the salty water of St. Vincent Gulf.  The big storm created fierce flooding and left a wake of destruction behind in the form of tons of wood, sponges, sea grasses, and other ocean debris.

Catching The Beachcombing Bug

After watching a new’s program from the U.K., about a man finding a lump of debris on the beach that turned out to be worth $240,000, my son and I began walking the beaches around Port Noarlunga South. After six years of walking the beaches on a daily basis, we collected all kinds of sponges, shells, and other ocean related items.

The Discovery

The day after the big storm, we stumbled upon a small, hard, unknown lump in the sand. We dug the lump out of the sand, but were taken back by the stench and decided to leave it on the beach.  As an after thought, I conducted a Google search and found out that the smelly lump was actually something called ambergris.

What Is Ambergris?

Ambergris is highly, valuable material discharged by Sperm Whales. Ambergris is believed to be produced in a secretion of the bile duct, in the intestine of the Sperm Whale. Giant Squid beaks are often found in Ambergris, which leads scientists to theorize that ambergris is used to break down the squid beaks and aid passage through the Sperm Whale’s digestive tract.

Normally ambergris is passed with Sperm Whale’s fecal matter, but if the ambergris lump becomes too large and forms into an impassable size, it is discharged through the whale’s mouth as vomit.

Click HERE to visit the TTS store filled with original products! 

It can take years to develop ambergris in a whale. Ambergris is only developed in Sperm Whales and is only developed by 1% of Sperm Whales.  Ambergris can float in the ocean for years before making landfall. All of these factors combined make ambergris a very, rare substance.

Ambergris Facts

• Ambergris can range in size from a couple of ounces up to a record 110 pounds.
• In 2015, a 29 pound piece of ambergris was found on a beach in Oman.
• Ambergris is generally found on the beaches of southern oceans.
• Ambergris comes out of the Sperm Whale as a pale color, but through time and oxidation develops into a gray or black color.
• A fossilized piece of ambergris from 1.75 million years ago was discovered.
• Most commercially found ambergris comes from the Bahamas and the Caribbean particularly New Providence.
• In 2015, a 2.4 pound lump of Ambergris from Wales sold for $17,ooo at auction.

What Is Ambergris Used For?

In modern times, ambergris is used primarily in the production of high-end perfumes around the world.

Ancient Egyptians burned ambergris as an incense and modern day Egyptians use it for scenting cigarettes.

Ancient Chinese used ambergris for perfume production, as an aphrodisiac, and for food flavoring.

During the Middle Ages, Europeans burned ambergris because they thought the smell would ward off the plague and fight colds, headaches, and epilepsy.

 We Are Rich

After collecting several lumps of ambergris over the course of several days after the big storm, we thought we were rich.

We found some tests on the internet that involved lighting a small piece of the ambergris on fire, which produced a white smoke, confirming we did indeed have the priceless, whale snot.

Next, we took a lump of our ambergris to a local museum. The curator showed us a piece of ambergris that had been drying for seven years, confirmed that we had indeed had found ambergris, then asked us to leave immediately because it was illegal for us to have it in our possession. However, the curator suggested we leave the lump of ambergris near the back door and that he would display it in the museum.

Now all we had to do was find a perfume manufacturer that wanted to purchase our rare ambergris for exclusive perfumes and we were going to be rich beyond our wildest dreams.

Not So Fast

When we tried to sell our ambergris we quickly found out that in South Australia, the government owns anything found on the beach, especially items of waste from whales. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 prevents the sale of ambergris in Australia. In the United States, The Endangered Species Act of 1973 prevents the sale of ambergris. Australian and United States laws are designed to prevent animal cruelty and profiting from animal products.

Now What?

So there I was with over three kilos of nearly priceless, whale snot in one of the few countries in the world I could not legally sell it. I tried explaining this issue to my eight-year-old son, but he could not grasp the issue. We had whale snot worth more than it’s weight in gold and could do nothing to collect on this fortune.

Without any legal way to collect our fortune and not wanting to go to jail, we buried our treasure, hoping for a change in Australian laws that someday would make us rich beyond our wildest dreams.    

Interesting Facts About Comic Cons In The U.S.

Please check out: http://TheThrillSociety.com It’s wicked Thrilling!

When it comes to the biggest pop culture gathering in the East Coast, the New York Comic Con is among the top contenders. Everything about the latest and the best in comics, movies, television shows, graphic novels, video games, toys, anime, and manga are all here in this one enormous event that happens once a year. The New York Comic Con features autograph sessions for the fans and screening rooms for sneak previews of upcoming movies, tv shows, and video games. Comic con is also an opportunity for many to feature new creations and ideas. 

The New York Comic Con is a very large event. Last year, this event recorded over 151,000 attendees and it is recognized as the second largest event in New York City. Some even say that the New York Comic Con dethroned the San Diego Comic Con as the largest comic book convention in the country.

Why Are Comic Cons So Popular?

Every year, thousands of fans swarm the Comic-Con International in San Diego and the New York Comic Con. Why do people from all walks of life go to these comic book conventions and why are they so popular? There are a lot of reasons why this type of event has a very large following and it’s popularity has spread around the world. Here are just some of the top reasons for its popularity:

Click HERE to visit the TTS store filled with original products!

• Comic Cons are the main venue for producers, publishers, and game creators to announce their biggest news. This is where fans get to see and hear the latest news about their favorite video games or the long awaited movie trailers.
• You get to meet your favorite stars, creators, artists, and writers. Star celebrities can sign your comics or take a picture with you and shake your hand. For most fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and greet their idols and even talk to them about their latest works and creations.
• Fans can wear costumes and transform themselves into their favorite characters. Aside from the celebrities, these cosplayers turn into an instant star and they draw the attention of everyone because of their awesome costumes.

• There are many great items that can only be found in the convention. Comic book creators feature their latest creations and they often bring their hand printed comics to be sold at the convention. These convention items can be comic books, trading cards, action figures, t-shirts, and toys, which you can purchase for yourself or for your loved ones.
• Comic Cons are very popular because people can mingle with others who have the same interest. This are also chances for online gamers and chatters to meet face to face for the first time.

• Everybody loves freebies and comic book conventions are rich in freebies. Many attendees go home with loads of freebies and some of the items are even one-of-a-kind and unique. Freebies can be promotional items, posters, video games, and so much more.
• Most comic cons, especially the big ones, are held for two or three days. This is a great opportunity for a family getaway vacation. 

Who Attends Comic Cons?

If you are going to attend a huge Comic Con for the first time, you may be surprised to see different types of people in this convention. As this type of event becomes more popular every year, it draws so many people from all walks of life and from different backgrounds. There are lawyers, doctors, college students, professors, athletes, businessmen, writers, and many others coming from different professions. Comic Cons are the perfect excuse for anyone to transform into a geeky kid for one day and have a blast with their families and friends.

The Biggest Worldwide Comic Con

The biggest and the most spectacular event is the Comic-Con International held in San Diego. This is the largest, comic book convention in the United States followed by the New York Comic Con. The Comic-Con International started small, just like the other comic book conventions, until it grew every year and developed a huge following. Video game studios and movie producers became involved with the Comic Con and it soon became one, big, star-studded event where pop culture fans gather every year. There are crazy, after-event parties and other big events that take place before and after the San Diego Comic-Con International.

Follow TTS on YouTube by clicking HERE!

Do you have a Thrilling video, photo, story or music you would like to see on our site? Send us your stuff by clicking HERE!

If we post your stuff you will win a TTS logo t-shirt!

Thrill Girl Maria Alvarez