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Moab, Utah Rock Crawling - The Moab Experience

Thousands of Hard-Core 'Wheelers Converge in Scenic Utah For a Week-long Tribute to Rockcrawling

By Joel Mollis
illustrators: Joel Mollis, Kevin McNulty

Each year during the week preceding Easter, an off-road event takes place in Moab, Utah, that defines the sport of rockcrawling. If you're looking for the most scenic rocks in the world, Moab's the place. If you're seeking the extreme of rockcrawling, Moab has it. Even if you simply enjoy watching the sport's legends attempt the impossible, Moab's the place to be.

For more than 20 years, enthusiasts have been flocking to Moab during Easter week for rockcrawling to share the camaraderie that off-roading offers and to see and be seen at the numerous events, shows, and dinners put on by the Moab faithful.

And we do mean faithful: This year, more than 5,000 4x4s and in excess of 12,000 spectators packed the city of Moab for a week-long celebration of wheelin'. Rather than clutter up our coverage of Moab with a bunch of words, we felt it was best to showcase the event with colorful and spectacular images. Enjoy!

 Jeep Front View Two Car Climbing Rock
 Jeep Side View White Car Climbing Mountain
 Jeep Cherokee Driver Side View White Car Climbing Mountain

 Jeep Front Driver Side View Sliver Car
This is what Moab is all about: spectacular Utah scenery, your choice of challenging trails, and the satisfaction that comes with the skillful guidance of an off-road machine. Note the stylish fenderwell headers on that silver Jeep.
 Ford F150 Passenger Side View
This image accurately illustrates the type of vehicles you'll find on the trails around Moab, Utah: Jeeps, and Jeep-like vehicles outnumber fullsize trucks at about a 14:1 ratio. Lone Ford F-150 skulks away after finding no one to play with.
 Pro Comp Jeep Under Side View
Scotty Ward of 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers went upside-down during an attempt on one of Moab's nastier obstacles. Multiple tow straps eventually freed the black Pro Comp Jeep. Note the front wishbone and skidplate combination.
http://images.off-roadweb.com/events/0309or_moab07_s.jpg
At mid-week, an off-road manufacturer's midway is held at Moab's fairgrounds. The well-attended event is heavily supported by aftermarket manufacturers that set up displays showing the latest off-road and rockcrawling accessories.
 Toyota Land Cruiser Front Passenger Side View
Yikes! This green Toyota Land Cruiser shows impressive articulation and plenty of trick mods. Note the front multilink suspension, which uses King coilover shocks with triple-rate coils, limit straps, and a fair amount of fabricated chassis supports.
 Hummer H2 Front View Hood Up
Moab consistently draws out the who's who of the off-road world. That fellow in the center checking out 4 Wheel Drive Sport Utility's Project Jeep is none other than Dave Withrow, publisher of OFF-ROAD magazine. After jetting into Denver, Colorado, earlier in the week, Withrow hit Moab's trails in an H2 Hummer, managing to impress a few Moab veterans with his elegant driving style.
http://images.off-roadweb.com/events/0309or_moab10_s.jpg
Three cuties and a kid: Three of Salt Lake City's nicest made the trek to Moab. Amber Vincent, Crystal Bruner, and Tianna Schultz (left to right) were at the show to promote EK Motor Sports. We didn't catch the name of the girls' chauffeur; let's call him Lucky.
 Hummer Front Driver View
There were dozens of "Hummers" running the trails of Moab, but only a few were authentic. Most were 'glass replicas, such as this bright-yellow two-door. Not real, but very nice.
 Grand Cherokee Front Driver Side View White
Back at the trail, we find a group of enthusiasts attacking Potato Salad Hill, a steep rock face peppered with loose rocks and littered with holes. A white Grand Cherokee and a matching white Cherokee show how to attack and conquer this type of rugged obstacle.

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