Episode 5, Day 5: Long Canyon & Shafer Switchbacks
Moab’s infamous trails, no guardrails. Just cliffs and CVTs

We point three used Nissans at Moab’s worst manners and ask their CVTs to smile: a calm cruise along the Colorado River turns into Long Canyon’s ledges, Pucker Pass’ under-boulder squeeze, and the infamous Shafer Trail switchbacks clinging to Island in the Sky—no guardrails, no second chances. There’s the sound of skid plates on sandstone, recovery boards bridging drops, side-tilt pucker moments, and that unmistakable “CVT smell” as temps rise toward fail-safe.

Jeep folks stare. We get judged. We keep climbing.

From gooseneck overlooks and Thelma-and-Louise vistas to a sunset water crossing, the Nissans take their lumps (and a few new scars) and still roll back to camp. Lessons are learned in dust, laughter is cheap, and gravity is undefeated. Did the transmissions survive?

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Thanks to our sponsors www.pohanka-nissan.com, www.colenissan.com, www.empirelakewoodnissan.com, and mocproducts.com.