Jeep Academy Coal Mountains 2024

[AyeCantSeeYou]

Any of you going to the Coal Mountians Jeep Academy this year? I just registered for May 16th. It's a Thursday, but I figure it won't be as crowded as Friday and Saturday would be.

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[AyeCantSeeYou]

Tomorrow's the day! Can't wait! Should be plenty of mud on the trails with all the rain we've been getting the past week.

and yes, I am talking to myself in this thread

 

[Jaxmax]

We hear you Nancy!
I can’t go but have a great time and learn a lot!….Jack

 

[Jena]

I'm headed to the Coal Mountain Jeep Academy tomorrow as well. I have a bright yellow Wrangler 4XE. I'll look out for you!

Jena

 

[TheOpa]

That’s a nice event, have a great time and post some pics!

 

[AyeCantSeeYou]

Had a blast! I learned something about my Willys that I didn't know and wasn't "advertised" - it has rear auto lockers. For those that want to argue, that info came from one of the Jeep Corporate guys and also from the trail guide. I also learned how to use hill descent (aka duck mode) in 4LO - damn what a difference it makes! Love it!

In all, there were about 55 attendees with approx 20 Wranglers (mostly Rubicon, a few 4XEs, one 392), 4 JTs (all Rubicon except for my Willys), and 1 Grand Cherokee. We split into 2 groups with both taking the same trails.

Group 1 - Trail lead in the white wrangler at left, me next to him

Group 2

Jeep Corporate 4XE- Jeep had 2 employees from corporate there. These 2 go to all of the Jeep Academy events around the USA and also get to go to some of the international Jamborees.

Area known as the 'whaleback' at AOAA (Coal Mountain, PA) - 392 to the right
We stopped to let the others in my group (1) catch up. The whaleback is a steep hill (Heigh 10 showed 23 degrees pitch) with loose and embedded stones/rocks. The pictures below do not do justice as far as the height/distance and the size of the rocks.

Another view of the whaleback - Team lead in the white Wrangler, me behind him. I was first in line, basically the guinea pig for others to watch and learn from.

Corporate in the back to the right

 

[AyeCantSeeYou]

Top of the whaleback descent - This person decided they didn't want to go the route me and others took, which was directly over the big rock in front of his Jeep. There's a big drop from the top of the rock to the dirt below that you can't see in the pictures. He went to the left to avoid it. Basically, he didn't trust his Jeep. This is where those with lockers were told to engage them and to also unlock their sway bars.

Picture dump from other areas (sent to me by another attendee - they were behind me):

One of the small water puddles:

Switchback area - tight corners and steep drop in front of you - This one, we were told, has claimed many taillights and signed the sides of Jeeps. Can't speak for others, but I had no problem with the turn.

Going to the switchback, you're going downhill, at the corner, you start going up. Picture below to help show the elevation difference. Trail width is narrow:

Heading back to the meeting point:

 

[toddarama]

Nice pictures! looks like it was a very good time, thanks for sharing.

 

[Minty JL]

Hell yeah, looked like a good time and ideal weather

 

[Jaxmax]

Look at you Nancy, showing what a stock Willy’s can do. Nice photos and comments Now what lift, winch, fridge, skids, roof top tent, bumpers , tires, GMRS radio, compressor are ya getting…..Jack

 

[sarguy1941]

Looks like a good time. My wife went to an academy the first year they offered them. Now we split driving at JJ events. Last fall I actually rode for 2 days. Some dont like the JJ events but for us its a fun event every time. We still ride our 2009JK with 190K on it. Only a 2" lift and MTR's with a winch we have yet to use for ourselves.

 

[AyeCantSeeYou]

Looks like a good time. My wife went to an academy the first year they offered them. Now we split driving at JJ events. Last fall I actually rode for 2 days. Some dont like the JJ events but for us its a fun event every time. We still ride our 2009JK with 190K on it. Only a 2" lift and MTR's with a winch we have yet to use for ourselves.

It was fun! I love the JJ events. From what I've experienced, the fee covers paying the trail guides and park fees (not all have entry fees, but many do), among other things.

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