Tales of a Texas-Size Jamboree
Adventure Magazine Lifestyles Off the Beaten Path
Adventure Magazine October / November 2007 • Issue 5 • Volume 2
Tales of a Texas-Size Jamboree 2008 Jeep liberty kk review • Adventura in costa rica • Red rock Challenge kj-Style Old dog, new tricks • Camp jeep 2007 • project tj • buckskin gulch Climbing the tooth • trail of the summer • 24 hours of exhaustion Oct ober / november 2007 Freek Speak thereof), theywereproviding fodderforthosewhowant to duty toarticulate tothemthatthroughtheiractions(orlack for theprinciplesofresponsiblelanduse,anditbecamemy number ofOHVenthusiastswhoseemedtocareverylittle to enjoythefuture. While Iwas ineast Texas, Iwitnesseda providing ourchildren andgrandchildren thewherewithal believes thatresponsibleuseofthenaturalworldisvitalin however, Iamalsoapassionate “environmentalist” who toenjoyournaturalsurroundings;right offellowadventurers for OHVuse. As anavidadventurer, Icaregreatlyaboutthe lands large lobbyrequestinglimiteduseofpublicandprivate mind. Ibegan totrulyrecognize why therehasbeensuch a trails. The importance ofthisissuebecamesolidifiedin my of east Texas toenjoysometimewithmy TJ Rubicon onthe provoke legislationlimitingthistypeofrecreation. has becomeanincreasinglyvolatile subject thatcontinuesto landsforoff-highwayuse ofpublicandprivate vehicleuse dominated thepoliticallandscape. Within thisdiscussionthe and moving forwardsources ofenergyhas withalternative spectrum. Concernaboutdecreasingcarbonemissions that hascausedpassionateresponsefromallsidesofthe great planet,hasbecomeanincreasinglyimportant subject start nowbeforeit’s toolate. in the world.” That change must be thechange youwishtosee Gandhi oncesaid, “You must resources aspossible. As as minimalimpactonour enjoy ourgreatplanetwith consider howyoucanbetter to limitthistypeofrecreation. whole willcontinuetobe “black bythosewhowant marked” for responsiblerecreationaluse,theoff-highway industryasa As longassmallgroupsofenthusiastsshowalack ofregard by leavingtheplacesyouvisitsameway youfoundthem. we onlyhaveoneplanettoenjoyandshare.Fun canbehad useourresourcesinaresponsiblemanneras adventurers, limit OHVusealtogether. Several weeks ago, I took a trip to the pine-ensconced terrain The environment, andallofthegifts thatwehaveonthis Editor-in-Chief Frank Ledwell I encourageeach ofyouto It isvitalthatwe,asoff-highway enthusiasts and E E C without SAS submission will be answered or returned liability for loss or damage. the sender, and JPFreek cannot accept or other materials is done at the risk of office. Submission of photographs, articles jpfreek.com email to our editorbe atsent via Story and photograph submissions should Frank Ledwell B M R Art Director Photography & Design Daimler emblems are registered trademarks of nameplates, and its corporate logos and is expressed or implied. Jeep®, its model Daimler JPFreek is not affiliated with rights of others. original and in no way infringes upon the Submission implies that the material is meet the requirements of this publication. material is subject to such revision as to Hiking Frank Ledwell E R C M 4x4 M Alan Jeff C Jeff Haley M M ditor-in- xpedition usiness Development ichard ay Schindler limbing ontributing Writers att Adair ark D. Stephens ichael Pavelin ark Filonowich ditorial rew & arketing & Financial All Rights reserved. Published in U.S.A. JPFreek Adventure Publications, LL C B E orrespondent orrespondent aird llis C C C hrysler. hrysler and no such association orrespondent T C innell C C E , or by mail to our corporate orrespondent orrespondent hief hief opyright 2006-2007 opyright 2006-2007 if sent by mail. Accepted C C L i f e s t y l e s o f f t h e b e a t e n L p i a f t e h s t y l e s o f f t h e b e a t e n p a t h orrespondent orrespondent ontributors N o unsolicited fledwell@
C Photo by Richard Tinnell Richard by Photo : Atrip tothefamed Rubicon Trail. Trail of the Summer A Weekend onElDientePeak,Colorado. Climbing to the Top of the Tooth Photo EssayoftheJeep® GrandCherokee. A Grand Perspective Adventure intheWorld’s LargestSlotCanyon . Buckskin Gulch Mark Stephenssetsuphisrigwithanewroof-rack &tent. Project TJ Camp Jeep 2007 Seasoned Adventurer+NewJeep=Beginnings. An Old Dog Learns Some New Tricks International cross-countryroadtrip.Destination:Moab,Utah Red Rock Challenge, KJ-Style Adventure &RelaxationinCentralAmerica. Pura Vida and Adventura in Costa Rica 2007 FallTexas SpurJamboree. Tales of a TEXAS-SIZE Jamboree Trail Testing byWillMorganofJeepBrokers.com KK Review Jeep® Liberty 2008 Team PNWJeep/JPFreek takeontheTeam Trophy Challenge. of Exhaustion24 Hours Features Departments Freek Speak Freek Techniques Freek Review Freek Show. News, Events,&Stuff ...... (From theEditor)...... 13 ...... 44 40 34 32 29 26 21 11 38 17 36 35 43
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2 3 o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 News & Events October 6-7: ‘8 http://www.naxja.org information, pleasevisit: attheMeccaforJeepmembers ®vehicles.For more inMoab,Utah. 2007’ An annualgathering ofNAXJA October 2-7: ‘North American XJ Association Fall Fling http://www.opseminar.com/ Chicago, Illinois.For moreinformation,pleasevisit: events inSan Jose, California;Denver, Colorado;and your photographicskillsatoneofseveraltwo-day Seminars’ sponsoredbyOutdoorPhotographer. Hone October andNovember: OutdoorandDigital ‘2007 http://www.jeepjamboreeusa.com information, pleasevisit: ofwheelingand adventure. Forweekend more Lick, Indiana. Join Jeep ®Jamboree USA for a Jamborees’ inMurphy, North CarolinaandFrench October 12-14: ‘Appalachian andFrench Lick Jeep http://www.expeditionswest.com team trialevents.For moreinformation,please visit: skills,navigation, driving specialtasks,and course PREMIER off-highway challenge thattestsclosed October 11-14: ‘Expedition Trophy in 2007’ Arizona. A l 1878556,00.htm http://www.bicycling.com/event_detail/0,6747,s1-2----- visit: 6-10 For hourlongcourse. moreinformation,please a4-6hourshort anda feature twocourses: course, this USARA NationalQualifier Adventure Race will SituatedalongthePlatteAshland, Nebraska. River, October 7: ‘Warrior Challenge Adventure Race’ in http://ca.offroadexpo.com/orepomona/v42/index.cvn please visit: things Jeep andoff-highway. For moreinformation, California. Advanstar’s flagshipexpositionforall- th Annual Off-Road Expo’ inPomona, http://www.jeepjamboreeusa.com information, pleasevisit: ofwheeling andadventure.Forfor aweekend more in Salton Sea, California. Join Jeep ®Jamboree USA October 26-28: ‘1 http://www.superlift.com Springs, AR. For moreinformation,pleasevisit: marquee eventsoftheSuperlift Off-Road Park inHot of each year, the4xAdventuretrailridesare Hot Springs, Heldduringthespringandfall Arkansas. October 19-21: ‘Superlift Fall Gilmer4xAdventure’ in http://www.nycmsbiketour.org information, pleasevisit: National MultipleSclerosis Society. For more the Lincoln Tunnel and Manhattan. Benefitsthe York City, New York. Rideyourbicyclecar-free through October 14: New ‘2007 York CityMSBike Tour’ inNew asp?ievent=219584 http://austin07.livestrong.org/faf/home/default. For moreinformation,pleasevisit: proceeds benefitingtheLance Armstrong Foundation. cycling optionsof10, 40,60,&90mileswithall signature eventthatfeaturesa5krun/walk, aswell Livestrong Challenge’ in Austin, Texas. The LAF’s October 13&14: ‘Lance Armstrong Foundation http://www.4x4training.com/tours/mojaveroad.html entire family. For moreinformation,pleasevisit: Mojave Road Wagon Trail. forthe A funweekend Needles, California. along the A 3-dayexcursion October 13-15: ‘Mojave Road 3-Day Adventure’ releases/06_07/06_26_team_imba.html http://www.imba.com/news/news_ information, pleasevisit: biking andoff-highway adventure. For more 24-hour mountainbike race attheMeccaofmountain October 13-14: ’24HoursofMoab’inMoab, Utah. A Photo usedwithpermissionfrom ChryslerMediaServices st Annual Salton SeaJeep Jamboree’ http://www.bmja.org/ For moreinformation,pleasevisit: ® wheelinwithallproceedstobenefit Toys for Tots. announced. Join theBMJA ofJeep forafunweekend Toys for Tots Charity Run’withlocationtobe November 3-4: ‘Blue MountainJeep Alliance Annual http://www.ocalajeepclub.com/ information, pleasevisit: largest Jeep-only showinthesoutheast.For more Jeep isthe ClubofFlorida,thisonedayfestival Speedway inOcala,Florida.SponsoredbytheOcala system; afour door Wrangler Unlimited witha525HP 6.4L HEMIwillalso befeatured. Vegas, Oct.30 -Nov.2, includingafully-equipped AEV 4-Door Wrangler (JK) withacustomKicker Audio sound Several AEV vehicleswillbe featured atthe2007Specialty EquipmentMarket Association (SEMA) showinLas Wrangler intoacustom AEV Brutepickup. integrated “Brute”conversion kithaselectrifiedtheoff-road community, providingallpartsneededtoconvert a TJ including astampedfront bumper, hood, cornerguards,wheels,andskidplates,amongothers. The company’s fully- In thepastyear, thecompanyhasbroughtforthanumberofproductsforpopularnewJeep Wrangler (JK), community. stamped partsandaccessoriesforJeeps, AEV continuesarapidexpansion ofitsofferings tothe dedicatedJeep Regarded asthepremierinnovatorinJeepaftermarket, aswelltheonlysupplieroffully-validated,all-steel plant. Watch forfurtherannouncementsonplansformerNthDegreeproductsat Montana facilitywhilewarehouse,distribution,and manufacturingwillbemovedinto vehicles. AEV willintegrateNthDegree’s design,engineering, anddevelopmentoperationsinto AEV’s Missoula, AEV itselfhasbeenanNthDegreecustomer, employingitssuspensionandskidplateproductson AEV conversion components tomakeiteasierforourdealernetworkstockandusersinstall,”Harriton said. “Most ofthelinewillremainunchanged,althoughwebesimplifyingandredesigningsome of theexisting several newproductsinthenearfuture.” into oursystem.Itisgoal,however, tohavemostoftheexistingsuspensionlinebackonmarketalongwith this hashappenedsoquickly, wearestilltryingtodeterminehowlongitwilltakeforusincorporatetheirproducts industry andhasdevelopedanearcultfollowingwithgoodreason,”saidDaveHarriton,President of “It’s reallyunfortunatethatNthDegreehadtocloseitsdoors.hasbeenamajorinnovatorinthesuspension innovation thatNicoleandJimFrensprovidedNthDegreeMobilitycustomersforyears. AEV asksforpatienceasitmovesoverinventoryandequipment,butpromisesthesamecommitmenttoquality and distributingthoseproducts“inthenearfuture.” will pickupa“significant”portionofNthDegree’s inventoryandproductline,withplanstocontinuemanufacturing and expertlyengineeredlong-armshort-armsuspensionliftkits,amongotherproducts.Now AEV announcesit Off-road enthusiastshavebemoanedtherecentclosingofNevada-basedNthDegreeMobility, providerofinnovative product line. road community, willsoonbeaddingthehighly-regardedNthDegreeMobilitysuspensionliftkitstoitsexpanding Missoula-based American Expedition Vehicles (AEV),longafavoritesupplierofaftermarket partstotheJeepoff- Product Linefrom RecentlyClosedNthDegree Mobility American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to Pick UpSignificant Amountof October 27: ‘10 th Annual Jeeptoberfest’ atOcala http://www.nagca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31361 visit: the Pacific Northwest. For moreinformation,please Washington. ofwheelingwithNAGCAA weekend in Association Grand SlamNorthwest inLiberty, 2007’ November 16-18: ‘North American Grand Cherokee http://www.berklee.edu/events/detail/51 information, pleasevisit: the largestactionsports filmontheplanet. For more Presented byJeep ®, Warren Miller’s “Playground” is Berklee CollegeofMusicinBoston,Massachusetts. November 9-10: ‘Warren Miller’s “Playground”’ atthe www.aev-conversions.co AEV’s Walled Lake,Michigan AEV. “Because 6
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o o n n / / ber ber o o Oct Oct vember 2007 2007 vember vember Oct ober / november 2007 News & Events http://www.earthroamer.com • To learnmoreaboutEarthroamerandthesoon-to-be-releasedXV-JP vehicle, pleasevisit: has begun. the junglesofCentral America,thedesertsofMoabUtah,andnowRubicon Trail, iscompleteandproduction Initial testing,whichhastaken theXV-JP proto-type fromitshomebaseinthemountainsofColorado through production camperhasconqueredtheRubicon.” difficult off-highway trails inthecountry, ifnottheworld.Thisisfirsttimeaself-contained, fullyenclosed fantastic experience”saidSwails. “TheXV-JP worked exactlyaswedesignedit,safelytraversing oneofthemost sanitary facilitiesincludingtoilet,sinkandshowerwithhotcoldrunningwater, worked greattoo. “Itwas a electronically expandableLoftop™,thelargeon-boardrefrigerator poweredby abuilt-in 80watt solarpanel,and EarthRoamer’s co-founderandChiefDesignerBillSwails was happy toreportthatthequeensize bedinthe EarthRoamer XV-JP camperhasgonewherenobefore. aggressive 33”mudterrain tires,ultra low5.13gearing,lockingdifferentialsandstoutskidplates,the The JeepRubicon UnlimitedbasedEarthRoamer XV-JP didnotdisappointonitsnamesake trail. Withits has successfullycompletedtheRubicon Trail intheCaliforniaHighSierras. The EarthRoamerXV-JP, arevolutionarynewself-contained,go-anywherecamperdesignedandbuiltbyEarthRoamer, EarthRoamer ®XV-JP FirstCamperto Cross theRubicon! locations that celebrate discovery of the natural world. MacGillivray Freeman’s Great Adventure Film® brand, aseries of filmsbased on adventuresreal-life in remote yearssame peak earlier. 40 quest of mountaineer John Harlin to climb the Eiger’s sheer Face in honor North of his father who died climbing the Narrated by Michael Gambonand featuring songs and music by rock legend Queen, follows Alps The the inspirational cinematography. We aimed to celebrate both the power rugged of the mountains and their fragile beauty.” of the most majestic inspired places Swiss in the the Alps—which world—the film’s dramatic, sweeping one man’s epic struggle to reconnect with the father he lost as aboy. This intensely personal is story played out in one director Stephen Judson. is Alps designed “The as amoving, family of story courage and perseverance, focusing on will announced be October 4at the festival’s Awards Ceremony in Jackson Hole. compete for the Best Theatrical Program Award at the prestigious Jackson Hole Wildlife 2007 Film Festival. Winners For more information or to see the film at a location near you, pleasevisit: http://www.alpsfilm.com/en/frame.cf continues Alps The to open in giant screen theatres around the world. It is the seventh film be to released under was Alps The released to giant screen theatres with on March more 9, 2007 exhibition than 30 sscheduled this year. “We are honored to have been selected as afinalist in theJackson WildlifeHole Film Festivalcompetition,” said MacGillivray Freeman Films’ original giant screen production was Alps The nominated as one of three finalists to “The Alps” Nominated For Best Theatrical Program at Jackson Hole Wildlife FilmFestival
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o o n n / / ber ber o o Oct Oct vember 2007 2007 vember vember Oct ober / november 2007 News & Events beginning in spring 2008. beginning inspring2008. allowtheJeepbumpers J8tobeeasilytransported byairplaneorhelicopter. government applications. and otherduties–alsomakingitsuitableforcivilian Tow eyesandheavy-duty variety ofdutiesrangingfromcommandvehicletotroop/cargocarrier, ambulance, communicationsvehicle in eitherright-handorleft-hand drive. a four-door multipurposevehicle.Itmaybeproducedwithnumerousvehicle-bodyandseatingconfigurations conditions foruptofivehours. thatenablestheJ8tofordwaterhood-mounted snorkel upto762 mm(30in.)deep andoperateinsandstorm five-speed automatictransmission. TheJ8alsofeaturesauniqueair-intake systemwithspecialfiltrationanda (7,716N•m (295lb.-ft.)kg of torque,providing towingcapabilityofupto3,500 lbs.). The engineismatedtoa andperformanceinbothon-off-roadversatility conditions. spring suspensionsystemintherear. The J8’s Command-Trac® four-wheel-drive systemallowsmaximum government use,includingutilizingaleaf- engineered specificallyformoredemandingmilitaryandcivilian (2,952lbs.). greater payloads–uptoamaximumof1,339kg andsuspensioncomponentsare Axles, brakes and versatility. The frameofthe Wrangler Unlimitedisreinforcedforincreasedruggednessandtoallow Wrangler and Wrangler theJeep Unlimitedfamousalsomakes J8atrulymultipurposevehicle.” theJeep government use–thesamecapabilitythatmakes return tovehicleproductionformilitaryandcivilian said Thomas Hausch, Vice President –InternationalSales, ChryslerLLC. “The newJeep J8marksthebrand’s astheworld’sthan 65years benchmark andmilitaryvehicles,” foroff-road forcivilian capabilityandversatility militaryservice. active Equipment International(DSEi)militarytradeshow, makingthelegendaryvehicleavailableforreenlistmentin government applications but alsosuitableforcivilian Iconic off-roader returnstoitsstoriedrootswithJ8multipurposemodelprimarilydevelopedformilitaryuse – Unlimited Reports for Duty Jeep® isBack inUniform: NewMilitary Version ofJeep Wrangler The Jeep J8willbeproducedinaChryslerLLCjoint-venturefacilityCairo,Egypt,andavailable While notdesignedforfront-linecombatoperations,theJeep J8isfullyarmourcapableandexcelsina The Jeep J8isavailableasatwo-doorwithanextendedpickup orequipmenttransport, bedforpersonnel or The Jeep J8ispoweredbya2.8-litrefour-cylinder turbodieselenginethatproduces118 kW(158 hp)and400 Jeep With theall-new2007 Wrangler Unlimitedasthestarting point,Jeepincreaseditscapability engineers “Jeep vehiclesmadetheiroriginaldebutin1941 formilitaryduty, andhavebuilttheirreputationwithmore Auburn Hills, Mich. -Chrysler LLCunveiledDefenceSystems theJeep®& J8multipurposevehicleatthe2007 serviced byChrysler, Jeep andDodgedealerships. whichever ismorefavorable tothecustomer. These warranties are Limited Warranty orMopar’s Limited 12-month/12,000-mile Warranty, New accessories arecovered underChrysler’s 3-year/36,000-mile Vehicle at Chrysler, Jeepacrossthecountry. andDodgedealerships Mopar guards, fuelfillerdoorandexhausttip. foglights,wheels,tubularsidesteps,taillamp and reartubularbumpers, 82208626AB) forthe TJ Wrangler grille (P/N82210558AC) is$299forthenewJK Wrangler, and$173 (P/N to provide compatibilityinfunction,fitandfinish.” Jeep accessoriesaredesignedaswellperformanceandsafetytested Service &Parts, ChryslerLLC.Cortez added, “Our factory-engineered at ared-carpetevent,” saidChrisCortez, Senior Vice President –Global dresses uptheJeep Wrangler soit’s suretoturnheadsonthetrailor doesn’t affect the Wrangler’s coolingsystemperformance. corrosion protectionspecificationsandstandards,the chrome grillealso long-lasting finish.DesignedandengineeredtomeetallChrysler O.E. emblem, hoodsealandfasteners. Accessory fromMopar, thechrome grillekitalsoincludesaJeep Unlimited Popular Jeep® Wrangler andJeep Wrangler Mopar® Offers NewChrome Grille for the Jeep parts manufacturer, announceditoffers anewChromeGrilleforthe Visit www.mopar.com for afulllineofauthenticaccessoriesfromMopar. The chrome grillefromMoparisavailableforpurchase andinstallation Mopar offers acompletepackage ofchrome accessoriesincludingfront The U.S. Manufacturer’s SuggestedRetail Price (MSRP)forthechrome “Our newchrome grille,an Authentic Jeep Accessory fromMopar, Installing inlessthan20minutes,thechrome grillehasadurableand Center Line, Mich. -Mopar®, theChryslerLLC’s originalequipment • • • ® Wrangler andJeep Wrangler Unlimited. An Authentic Jeep Provides abrightcomplementtoany Wrangler bodycolorfora The chrome grillefeaturesprecisefit andlong-lastinggoodlooks stylish exterior their Jeep topersonalize The ChromeGrillefromMopar®allowscustomers ® Wrangler aboldstatement tomake . reaching adiverse seeking audience? [email protected] (832) 722-8116 and adventure- Frank Ledwell with JPFreek
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o o n n / / ber ber o o Oct Oct vember 2007 2007 vember vember Oct ober / november 2007 News & Events go anywherego and anything do in their Jeep vehicles. stores. They all have one common trait: the ability to to baby strollers –that is available at Jeep.com and retail abundance of Jeep gear –branded products from clothing the every country year. identified be Somecan by their owner-only, weekend driving off-road events held across Jeep andCamp Jeep Jamborees, the family-oriented, identified be Some can by their regular attendance at identifiedbe by their ownership of multipleJeep vehicles. passionate owners in the automotive industry. Some can vehicles under one brand in the industry, bar none.” freshest, most and capable widest range of sport-utility Jeep offers customers the vehiclesport-utility (SUV), mid-size introduction Jeep Liberty of 2008 the all-new Marketing and Global Communications. the “With history,”66-year said John Plecha, Director –Jeep most available to retail consumers at one time in the there been seven Jeep vehicle models at his disposal. that we could not II without have it. won WW thateffort General Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed today’s Jeep ®Wrangler would prove so vital to the war that came to called be the “jeep.” This predecessor to shipments the 4x4 rugged of the vehicle Willys MA, Jeep s Showca Jeep vehicles have produced some of the most seven“The Jeep models in our lineup today are the One only can imagine what Ike might have said had JuneOn 7, 1941, the U.S. received Army its first Text and photos courtesy of Chrysler Services Media 2008 in ®Brand Jeep the Expanding 2008 ® e power, refinement, on-road comfort and space. offering benchmark capability, off-road versatility, yearsthan 65 of heritage and accomplishment by comfort, refinement, power fun. andopen-air and convenience features, interior space and in the name of capability, providing safety Jeep Wrangler doesn’t2008 demand sacrifices values of freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. Wrangler does not wander from the brand’s coveted core while delivering driving experience. atrue open-air Jeep and simple, capability off-road achieving best-in-class Jeep Wrangler isRubicon® tough, –the 2008 versatile blaze its own trail –on amountain or to the mall. Wrangler remains without peer as avehicle that can drivetrainscapable Jeep on the planet, the 2008 removable windshield doors, fold-down and the most chassis, solid frontbody-on-frame and rear axles, http://www.jpfreek.com/news_events/index.html • Jeep Wrangler lives 2008 The up to its more forWhile prowess, legendary its off-road the Offered in three models –Wrangler Sahara and X, Built on the successful, original Jeep ®formula of specification sheet from Chrysler at: Wrangler,JK download the official To 2-Door read more about the 2008 2008 Jeep® Jeep® 2008 Wrangler and innovative removable convertible tops. half doors, exposed windshield hinges, fold-down construction, full-framed or tough body-on-frame all Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models use the same Unlimited is also drive. offered However, in two-wheel the standard Jeep Wrangler, the Jeep Wrangler and significantly moreoccupant cargo and room. inches. length added The allows for alarger rear seat Wrangler Unlimited’s wheelbase topped out at 116 Jeep wheelbase,Wrangler’s the 2008 95.4-inch but needed even more space and versatility.” appealing to customers who always wanted aWrangler Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is George Murphy, Senior President Vice –Global Brand and it’s the on most the off-roader capable planet.” said vehicle with for enough cargo everyday capacity tasks, convertible with room for five adults. It’s a practical http://www.jpfreek.com/news_events/index.html • Unlike configuration of the four-wheel-drive-only addingBy 20.6inches to the standard Jeep Jeep ®Wrangler Unlimited 2008 The is afun, capable specification sheet from Chrysler at: Wrangler,JK download the official To 4-door read more about the 2008 Wrangler Unlimited
2008 Jeep® Jeep® 2008 Control, Hill Assist and Start Trailer Sway Control. safety Hill and Descent security technologies for 2008: aluminum chrome-clad wheels.and 18-inch seatswipers, and memory mirrors, iPod connectivity, System, ®headlamps, SmartBeam rain-sensing without ParkSense navigation), ®Rear Park Assist as well as ParkView™ Rear or Back-up Camera (with auto-levelingintensity headlamps, discharge (HID) on the road today –SIRIUS™ Backseat TV. including one not found on other full-size SUVs design and ahost of innovative premium amenities; Cherokee features arefreshed interior and exterior than the Jeep Grand engine it replaces. 2008 The improved fuel economy of more than 5percent in horsepower, a10 percent increase in torque, and engine4.7L that delivers V-8 percent a30 increase http://www.jpfreek.com/news_events/index.html • Jeep GrandThe Cherokee also features three new Jeep Grand Cherokee newAlso on the 2008 are high- Jeep ®Grand CherokeeFor 2008, adds an all-new specification sheet from Chrysler at: Cherokee, download the official To Grand read more about the 2008 Grand Cherokee
2008 Jeep® 2008
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o o n n / / ber ber o o Oct Oct vember 2007 2007 vember vember Oct ober / november 2007 News & Events models – Jeep Liberty Sport and Jeep Liberty Limited. and Jeep Liberty Sport models –Jeep Liberty list of available features and options. There are two down windows are to added the vehicle’s ever-growing seats,wipers, memory radio and mirrors, and express-up/ experience.a Jeep” open-air Remote rain-sensing start, industry-exclusive; that “Only giving the Jeep Liberty in debut is the Slider™ new canvas Sky roof, full-open an increases and seat comfort improves. Making its world its consumer appeal. Inside, cargo and storage space the attention of current owners and broaden Jeep Liberty a more classic rugged, Jeep look that is sure to captivate link rear suspension steering. and rack-and-pinion with the new independent front suspension, new five- ride and handling have been improved and refined Command-Trac® and Selec-Trac the all-new ®II. On-road Jeep Trailtwo Rated ®four-wheel-drivesystems – remains true to 4x4 its legendary heritage by offering http://www.jpfreek.com/news_events/index.html • exterior Liberty’s The has been redesigned, and takes on from theAll-new ground Jeep ®Liberty up, the 2008 the specification official sheet fromat: Chrysler To Liberty, read download more about the 2008 2008 Jeep® 2008 Liberty trailer stability and increased towing safety. to reduce trailer sway and provides improved to increasing throttle to provide a smooth launch. system ABS The decreases wheel pressure in response seconds uponthe driver’s release of the brake pedal. a grade. system The will hold brake pressure for two from brake to throttle to achieve asmooth launch on Drive II, this feature allows the driver time to transition models equipped with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra- Standard on all Jeep Commander Assist (HSA). Start works whether the vehicle in forward or reverse. system senses changes in topography. system The automatically, after button the is HDC engaged, as the Jeep Commander’s is activated HDC and deactivated transferlow-range case provides. For ease of operation, reduction and engine braking that atraditional mechanical electronic brake control, supplements HDC the gear assistance at acontrolled rate of speed. means By of in the “4WD Low” position, provides HDC downhill OperationalDrive II ®is Hill Descent Control (HDC). models equipped with Quadra-Trac II ®and Quadra- Control, Hill Assist and Start Trailer Sway Control. Multimedia Infotainment System, Hill Descent including SIRIUS™ Backseat the all-new TV, MyGIG™ are awide arrayfor of innovative 2008 technologies engine it replaces. new Also on the Jeep Commander economy of more than fivepercent compared to the a 10 percent increase in torque, and improved fuel engine that delivers percent a30 increase in horsepower, http://www.jpfreek.com/news_events/index.html • newAlso is Trailer Sway Control, which helps Another new feature for Jeep Commander is Hill New for Jeep Commander and standard on 4x4 Jeep Commander 4.7L adds an all-new V-8 2008 The the specification official sheet fromat: Chrysler To Commander, read more about the 2008 download Commander 2008 Jeep® Jeep® 2008 Brake System (ABS) with rough-road detection. withBrake rough-road System (ABS) Brake assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation and Anti-lock traction control, driver-controlled ESP, three-mode the requirements of the enthusiast Jeep customer. tested over numerous terrains off-road rugged to meet Jeep Patriot’s and chassis body were developed and vents water to 19-inch fording support capability. The additional sealing body and high-mounted drivetrain angle. Trail Rated Jeep Patriot models also have breakoverdegree departure angle and 23.3-degree approachground angle, 34.2- clearance, 29.6-degree tires contribute to the Trail Rated Patriot’s 9inches of Package’s Off-road The 17-inch wheels and OWL articulation, maneuverability and ground clearance. requirementscapability for traction, water fording, non-Trail Rated versions and meets Jeep off-road that provides true Jeep 4x4 Trail Rated® capability). full-time, activePackage (a 4x4 system with low range and the with Freedom lock mode) Drive II™ Off-Road full-time, activeDrive (a I™ system four-wheel-drive three drive configurations: front-wheel drive, Freedom any other vehicle in its class. Jeep Patriot is available in add to Jeep Patriot’s tremendous value. and standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), features, air bags such as standard side-curtain price of or small car acompact pickup. Safety the performance, handling, fuel economy and and interior flexibility vehicle of a sport-utility with http://www.jpfreek.com/news_events/index.html • Jeep PatriotAll models include standard brake TrailThe Rated ®Jeep Patriot sits 1inch higher than New Jeep technology gives Patriot more than capability Jeep ®Patriot combines 2008 theThe packaging the specification official sheet fromat: Chrysler To Patriot, read more download about the 2008 2008 Jeep® 2008 Patriot are Jeep Compass. all standard on the 2008 detection withlock Brake rough-road System (ABS) Brake Assist, Electronic(ESP), Roll Mitigation and Anti- controlled Electronic three-mode Stability Program weather conditions and low-traction surfaces. driversJeep Compass the ability to handle rough system features alockable center coupling, giving calledmode Freedom Drive I™. This four-wheel-drive full-time, active system four-wheel-drive with lock configuration,CompassJeep also has an available characteristics.ride and handling and fun-to-drive independent suspensions for comfortable on-road productswith fully first front-wheel-drive-based Patriotand its stable-mate are the Jeep brand’s price of or small car acompact pickup. Compass with the performance, handling, fuel economy and combining the packaging and functionality of an SUV sense of adventure to market, the SUV compact who may not have previously considered the brand. designed SUV to reach consumersmodern-styled Jeep continues to grow by offering an affordable, 4x4 at capability aterrific value.WithCompass, freedom, utility, excellent fuel efficiency andJeep that delivers fun, vehicle sport-utility compact (SUV) new —a Jeep Compass territory with the 2008 http://www.jpfreek.com/news_events/index.html • air bags, Brake TractionSide-curtain Control, driver- In addition to its standard front-wheel-drive and nimble,Compact brings Jeep Compass anew Jeep ®brandThe continues its expansion into the specification official sheet fromat: Chrysler To Compass, read download more about the 2008
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News & Events & News
o o n n / / ber ber o o Oct Oct vember 2007 2007 vember vember Oct ober / november 2007 Ben passed awayBen passed the night of August 26 his at home cars in thecars 1960s,exploring all over the West in one leading pioneer in with the semiconductor industry solar all eclipses over the world, the recently most Adair, the father of regular Adair. contributor Matt life in every respect, fromracing Europeanlife inrespect, sports every of his numerous Toyota Crusiers, Land to chasing near Seattle, peacefully in peacefully hisnear Seattle, sleep. led He arich He willHe by missed all be and knew who loved him. Libyan desert. In between adventures, he was a In between Libyan desert. like this to dedicate in of issue Ben the memory the spirit which we strive to he Here capture. is The staff of JPFreek Adventure Magazine staff The would in 1982 in his 1964 FJ45W. was He climbing up multiple to him. credited and patents products Tiger Mountain near Seattle to better see the see Tiger Mountain to better near Seattle Though never aJeep owner, Ben epitomized eruption Helens…truly St. of Mt. a“freek.” Tracey CharlesFitch Additional photographybytheTimber Tamers and Words andPhotosbyMattAdair Challenge. Oregonian Doug Shipmanstarted the Team Trophy though onasmallerscale. Itwas withthisgoalthat be agreatideatoputon asimilareventhimself, following theCamel Trophy andthought itwould there was aLandRover enthusiast who hadbeen Trophy ceasedtoexist.Coincidentally, thatsameyear event, andforallintentspurposestheCamel trophy. with teamsfromallover theworldvyingfor terrain. Itwas anincredibletestofmanandmachine, challenges, inadditiontotheseeminglyimpossible events was theemphasisonteamworkand mental on earth forweeksatatime. Another hallmarkofthe some ofthemostdauntingandchallenging areas Range spec,traversed Rovers, ineveryconceivable accomplish. FromLandRovers and 1980 to2000, vehiclescould display ofwhat4-wheeldrive Both IanandryanlookingonspottingasImaneuverintopositionforaverytoughrocksection. In 2000, LandRover pulledtheir support fromthe In 2000, For theCamel twentyyears Trophy was theultimate 24 Hours of Exhaustion his navigator. be theother half, andBryanGrey wouldfilltherole as invaluable. Jesse Connorand hiswhite4-drXJwould navigator/co-driver/riding mechanic, andheproved rig. Perfect. A goodfriend,IanFoley, servedasmy out ofthetotaltwenty, butneeded onemore primary Jeep club, PNWJeep, was fieldingtwoteams Keeping publiclandpublic,asitwas. them openforfuturegenerationstoenjoy. The goal: much dedicatedtohavingfunonthetrailsaskeeping very active Washington-based 4x4clubwhoareas Tamers Off-road Club. The Tamers areasmallbut the step inandputontheeventfor2007; Timber enough forme,therewas anothergroup ready to become toomuch workandmoreofajob.” Luckily had enoughandthrewinthetowel. As heputit, “It’s vehicle imaginable. model Broncos,Suzukis,andeverykindofJeep ® imaginable fromLandRovers to Toyotas, withearly TTC grewandgrew, challenging everykindofvehicle both physical andmentalendurance.Everyyearthe thinking,teamworkand focused moreoncreative
I becameaware of the eventlastJanuary, andmy After ofamazingeventsthough,Doug sixyears The TTC was similartotheCamel Trophy, though
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 Friday a weekearlierpreventedhisparticipation. but atthelastsecond,deathofhisbrother-in-law the hellhe’d beenputting throughforyears wheelers plagiarism, though:Dougsigneduptoexperience their ownends.Don’tthinktherewas any outright competition, thoughadaptingitalongtheway to Saturday way tooquickly. meetingthenextmorningat7amcame the drivers forsleeping)andretiredearly; enclosed toyhaulers we allmadeourway back (wehadtwo toour trailers instrumental inmakingtheeventhappen. After tech, theForestThis alsokept Service happy, whowere buggies wouldbecompeting…streetlegal rigsonly. my fronthighpinionDana44axle…itwas close! had setup,Iwas gladIspentthemoneynarrowing each tire. throughtheconesthey As Ibarelysqueaked was amaximumwidthof76” fromtheoutsideof tech inspections.Oneoftherules Tamers enforced rest oftheteamsarrived, wemadeourway tothe though wewereatanelevationover 4000’. Oncethe This was pretty unusualfor Washington Stateeven rendezvous/event campground,itwas snowing. stock! Jeep morethan weighedinat5100 lbs,about1500 stopped atanunmannedtruck weigh station:My Washington andthe “Wet” sideofthestate),we Pass betweenEastern (thegeographicaldivider Cascade Mountains.Ontheway over Snoqualmie PNWJeep team,weheadedourway acrossthe John Herrick whowouldbecompetingontheother After meetingupwithanotherPNWJeep member, mycorners tireswererubbingagainst my flares! the Jeep sofull,anditletmeknow. Around sharp packing…andAnd wekept packing. I’ve neverhad head undercoldwater, westarted packing theJeep. before the competition. PNWJeep teams breakfast Ian fixing the two The Timber Tamers usedDoug’s templateforthe These rulesweremeanttoensurethatnotube lateratthe When wearrived afewhours After drinkingseveralpotsofcoffee andrunningmy , 28September07- , 29September07 - have beenthe best with onions. Itmay country scramble dozen), insort ofa and eggs(two huge pansofbacon plate andfixedtwo stepped uptothe meeting.Ian drivers before goingtothe (lots of)coffee hot breakfastand order tohavea about 5:30am,in We early, awoke day for Team 31. start fromscratch. This was thebeginningofalong one. Itwasn’t, andwewereforcedtoback track and tore off downatrailwethoughtmightbetheright The namestuck. We finallyfound ourbearingsand they borenoresemblancetoany languageIknew. pictograms. Iquickly dubbedthemhieroglyphicsas found abafflingcombinationofGPScoordinatesand told, “Go!” 8:45am, wewerehandedaninstructionpacket and after themeeting, wedidn’tknowverymuch. Around really hadnoideawhatwewereinfor. And even tight lippedaboutthechallenges wewouldface. We event. would discover ourrunningorderandrulesofthe meetingwherewe it was timetoheadthedrivers breakfast I’ve everhad,butassoonwe’d finished it wentthe distance. weekend; it tookafewpintsof superglue,but the were takingbetswhether itwouldsurvive My faithfulmascotand hoodornament.People Uh….we quickly toreopenourinstructionsand Up untilthispoint,the Timber Tamers hadbeenvery it wasaVER My Jeep in the morning sun before the event; Y coldmorning. us somepoints. Crack,” wecompleted thechallenge intheallotted time,gaining followed meuponeoftheeasierlines. Though deniedby “The deemed tooicyandslick tobepossible.Jesse backed downand role. After acoupleattempts andnearevent-endingrolls,itwas ascent. spotters playahuge As youclimb,allcanseeissky; conquer. Sounds easyuntilyoufactorinthesteepangle ofthe a verydeepcrack thatrequiresyoutostraddletheminorder very difficultlinecalled “TheCrack.” Asthenameimplies,it’s vehicles hadtocompletetheirlinein15 minutes. but onceyoustarted oneyouwerecommitted toit.Iftherigsdidn’tfinish, zero pointswereawarded. Both the helicopter,” withpointsbeingawarded forthemoredifficult.Bothrigsdidn’thavetodosameline, rock-crawling event. There werefivedifferent linesrangingindifficultyfrom “easy”to “barelydoable” to “get into similarexercisesduringtheevent. points beingawarded fortheshortest time. We would run the prescribedpressure,weweredisqualified.It was timed, between 20and25psi.Ifourtirewas higherorlowerthan our taskwas tore-seatthebeadonatireandinflateit We hitthefirst checkpoint/challenge earlyintheday; directions andbegan tofeelmoreconfidentwithourselves. After carefulconsideration, wedecidedtosendJesse upa Another ofthemajorchallenges thatmorningwas atimed As thedayworeonwegained familiaritywiththe morning. too slipperythat proved justalittle Crack. (Left) Jesseon (Right) Goingupthe “easy” lineafter bailing on The rocks Crack. The The many teams proved problematicfor (Below) tight andtwistytrain. running vehiclethrougha required towingonenon (Left) Oneoftheevents
This challenge
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 narrow trail. end oftheroadforthem,andtheywereblocking the attached topart ofthemangledpumpkin.Itwas the housing was shattered andthedriveshaft was still the leadrigexplodedhisrearFord 9”axle. The entire All ofasuddentheystoppedandpeoplepiledout; behind anotherteam,twoniceearlymodelBroncos. We began ourthirdloopandquickly foundourselves there. The ideawas tobecompletelyself-sufficient. for allofusandtherewas apenaltyforreturning us. There was gas back atourcamp,butnotenough over aquarter tankandwedidn’thavesparegas with worrying was ourfuelsituation;bothJeeps werejust afternoon andwewerebarelyhalfway done. Also speed averageyouweretryingtomaintain. corresponding bucket, therebyscrewingupwhatever chipstop andputapoker withanumberonitinthe the roadbetweencheckpoints. We wererequiredto buckets onthemalongthesideof withnumbers certain distance),the Timber Tamers placedorange (hell, anybody canaverageacertain speedover a directions andGPScoordinates. To thingstough make speed mustbemaintainedwhilefollowingvague competition. would endupaffecting usthroughouttherestof up after few missteps andcutting thefirst ourlosses) both innavigation andjudgment(notsimplygiving Finallywefinished,butthiserrorguessing ourselves. wasted back-tracking valuablehours andsecond we couldn’treconcilewiththeroadwereon. We around 1:00pm. This was duetosomedirections (Right) Jesse creeping down thesame rocks, getting alittle tipppy. (Left) Climbingdown asteepandtechnical rockfacebefore gettingtooneofthe actualchallenges. After completingthisevent,itwas wellintothe The nexteventwas atimedrallywhereanaverage We offourdaytime completedthefirst “loops” for fawkingbuckets inthewoods!” succinctly, “I’m notspendingallfawkingnightlooking in ourdecision-makingandattitudes. Ianexpressedit sleep andtheday’s exertions werebecomingevident were beginningtoshowinourfoundation;lack of promptly gotlostgoingdownthewrongtrail.Cracks tore outofthegas station. strange looksaswedidaNASCAR-esque pitstopand race, thiswas theonlyway tostayinit. We gotsome remainingbeforetheendof another 16 hours town, Ellensburg. We decidedthatwithatleast the30orsomilesintonearest allowed todrive we weren’t never said but they to camp, to return allowed not being specific about were very organizers rules. The bend the delay and most ofour the to make we decided us intheface, lights staring It was nearlydarkaswemadeitback tothetrailand With low fuel just offtohispassengerside. but therewasahugedropoff He probablycouldhavemadeit cone) beforeIwinchedhimoff. undercarriage (andmanglinga Jesse showingoffhis had tofind. We were warned thatthelocationswere atotalofeightlatitudes/longitudesthatwe given and told “Good Luck!” Here’s how it worked: We were raced downtocamp. leg,weabandonedthethirdloop and have abroken in which was oneofourteammembers supposedto a couplemorechallenges, aidevent includingafirst competing intherestofevent. After completing vehicles weren’ttherebythen,youwouldnotbe night section;the Tamers wereveryclearthatifboth back inordertoqualifyforthe atcampby9:00pm remind usofourtimeconstraints. We had tobe Note theuniquehole-punchdangling. fiendishly hiddenflag. Ian resettingGPScoordinatesafterdiscoveringa Again, wewerehandedapacket ofGPScoordinates We arrived withtwominutestospare. Around 7:30pmthesunwas starting tosetand For moreinformation aboutthe Team Trophy Challenge, Timber Tamers, andPNWJeep, pleasevisit: http://www.teamtrophychallenge.com http://www.timbertamers.com http://www.pnwjeep.com performance. already comparingnotesonways toimprove our Nonetheless, theycameinasolid4 a generallack ofenthusiasmforthenightexercises. John MathewsexplodinganalloyHPD44shaft and PNWJeep teamhadtheirownproblems,including rough start wewouldn’t beonthepodium. The other gravy. As wellasalotofcoffee. We knewafter our award ceremony andahotbreakfastofbiscuits hundred miles. andseveral at 4:30amafter ofharddriving 23hours the finishline;weofficiallyfinishedcompetition all thebuckets wecouldandwearilymadeourway to usalert kept andawake.Finally,activity wehadfound to knowweweredoingsowell,andthephysical master list,makinggreatprogress.Itwas rewarding 6300’. We quickly bucket marked after bucket off our even covered inheavysnowatthehighestpointof were obscuredbehindtrees,downembankmentsand was…or was supposedtobe. Without fail,thebuckets heading andadistanceinfeetwherethenextbucket matching punch was worth points. in ascorecardwithcorresponding Each numbers. a string. After locatingone,wewouldpunch ashape (with aspecificshapeforeach bucket) danglingfrom bucket hadanumberontheoutsideandholepunch coordinate, wehadtolocateanorangebucket. Each to dosomehiking.OncewefoundtheinitialGPS not situatedrightontheroadsandthatwe’d have us morewas ourownfinishof6 getting theirofficial number signs. T on thePNWJeep teamsisexcitedfornextyearand exhausting andoften confoundingeffort, everybody a resoundingsuccessforallinvolved. Despitethe receipts addedupandsleeprecovered, theeventwas teams failedtofinish. highest overall nightsectionscore. A totalofseven After sleep wemadeourway afewhours tothe From theinitialbucket, acompass weweregiven After allthebuckets werefound,thepointstallied, eam 31aftercompletingtechinspectionand th , duemostlytoa
th
. What surprised
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 2008 JeepLiberty KK up the ante with the release of the next and generation this new Liberty; version sure has evolved! more extreme conditions. selling the With original well Liberty in over countries, 90 Jeep ®has decided to grew to include rock sliders, simple spacer kits lift to solid axle swaps for guys that intended to tackle side airbags. curtain Many cameto use the vehicle in various ways and over time, the aftermarket support would the be firstJeep ® to offer independent front suspension and rack and pinion steering, as well as popularvery Cherokee and time in XJ, ashort it apopular, became family all-around vehicle. new The design In 2002, Jeep ® introduced to marketIn 2002, the KJ the SUV mid-size original as Liberty areplacement for the Text byWIllMorgan ofJeepBrokers.com. PhotosbyWill Morgan andChryselrMediaServices. wheel drive that offers system an active that on-demand anticipates and directed towards the rear and the wheels) new Selec-Trac full-time four II (a the front driveline is disengaged from the transfer case and the power is systems: the Command-Trac, four part-time wheel (a drive system in which new model comes the option of “Jeep two Trail Rated” four-wheel-drive roadson dirt and increases the feel of control behind the wheel. this With exciting to experience these systems in action;it absorbs the washboards new Liberty, it impressive is very the change in comfort and ride. It is very systems. Having to had the actually opportunity spend some time in this and handling with the new independent front and five link rear suspension ages and experience. Their new platform boasts an improved ride on-road This new model has some great things to offer Jeep ®enthusiasts of all so many different environments, and for Jeep ®to bring Jeep ®owners have enjoyed their vehicles year-round in top experience has been one of the many reasons that outdoor experience of traveling in aJeep ®. open The the sun and the breeze on their skin, and enhance the allow the front and rear passengers to get the feel of roof is agreat idea to have as aroll back option that can industry leader. Slider” “Sky The canvas full-length Jeep’s presence as the impressive and confirm design features that are had some exciting new concerned, it too has and exterior design is camping getaway. encounter on aweekend obstacles that you may trees, rocks, or any other negotiate tight turns around may need to able be to to performwell in those areas where you width of 72.4,” this Jeep ®has the ability a wheel base of 106.1” and an overall and the “Limited Edition” models. With a standard feature on both the “Sport” a four-wheel brake anti-lock system as only, and the rear with is aCorporate 8.25 front axle comes in as the aDana 30 4WD in the “Sport” model as an option. The or available in the four-speed automatic “Sport” model and the “Limited Edition,” standard equipment in the manuala six-speed as purchased be can with engine, this JeepV-6 ® and tight turning radius. well as climbing abilities so the hill descent as test it on, and even more the trail that we had to to cross axle sections of situationsfrom off-camber obstacle after obstacle of, after it went through this Jeep ®was capable I was continuously amazed and impressed as to what help but wonder what they are in for uponapproach. get you through cross axle situations that one can’t down an impressive slope, or to feel the traction control “Hill Descent” control take over and guide the vehicle amazing to able be to sit behind the wheel and feel the and on the trail is where these systems really shine. It is prevents wheel slip the before pavement Off it occurs). As farAs as the interior Powered by the 3.7 liter (which is an(which item that once you have had on avehicle, list as well, with things like the remote system start that buyers have add-ons The to choose from are along vehicle for many of its upgrades and improvements. ideas and options that will get buyers interested in this a great way to follow with up the new original Liberty great introduction to the Jeep ®lineup. It has also been that impressed me, and in my opinion made this another Kudos for staying on the “cutting edge” these and trying for each vehicle, all while gaining alarger customer base. to introduce new models and find a different fanbase button. These are the reasons that continue Jeep ®can full rear, or any position in between with the push of a opened be can in avariety of positions from full forward, Slider” is four times as large as an average sunroof, and it this to market the SUV mid-size is agreat idea. “Sky The I could that Icould write pages about things that in the new Jeep ®Liberty accommodatecan avariety of needs. or the waterproof storage compartment on top of, and the 4” deep storage area you flip can over itemsand put your dirty interior floor. It has a reversible lid that you don’t want to put on your carpeted instances when you have items that hasfloor a greatdesign for those especially in the cargo area. load The There are many other examples of traffic updates,traffic personalized a music storage,hard-drive real-time System” that includes items like as the “Multimedia Infotainment technological bells and whistles such the interior would the be amazing consumers look can forward to in some of the features that other out there. SUV mid-sized in avehicle but not offered in any to the consumer that is desired new ideas, and offering something Continuing on with the design,
of storage compartments, is roomy and has plenty much anyone. interior The listening tastes of pretty channelssports to suit the music to comedy, and entertainments from with numerous audio get SIRIUS Satellite Radio consumers are able to of the available options, control. In addition to all voice and touch screen screen saver, as well as
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 • you will able be to tell if this Jeep ®is right for you. tohad the spend opportunity alittle time in the seat, takingworth the time to check out. Onceyou have no further than as it is the well new Jeep ®Liberty are looking to purchase your firstJeep ® vehicle, look the 6.5” flipdown thin-film-transistor color display. alternatives, navigation comes easy by monitoring view of the roads, as well as multiple route calculation manyWith birds features eye and such 3-D as the 2-D and another “How did Iever get by without it” item. also available in these Jeeps is another great tool, got navigational by The without it). systems that are hot spot in the summer, you’ll wonder how you ever whether you are in acold climate for the winter or a
In closing, if you are aveteran of the Jeeping world or
number ofyears.Will resides in Arizona. USA andChryslerLLCasa trail guideandstaff member fora and review company, andhe hasworkedwithJeepJamboree the co-ownerofJeepbrokers.com, anonlineJeep®classifieds experience buildingandworkingwithJeep®vehicles. Will is Will Morgan isaseasonedveteranwithover20years
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Tales of a -Size Jamboree
Text by Greg Machado of Jeep Tales.com Photos by Richard Tinnell
A vast overlook of only a small portion of Ink Ranch The answer to both of theses questions can be at a more inopportune time. The 22-page, 5-color found in the historic Texas Hill Country, just outside Jeep Jamboree Guide book for 2005 was about to the tiny riverfront town of Llano where off-highway go to press with a circulation of 50,000, and JJUSA enthusiasts from all over the United States gathered and Tony & Nancy Winkler (The South Texas Jeep for two weekends of “Wheeling Nirvana” in 2007. Jamboree Coordinators) were faced with the decision The place we gravitated to is 1,100 acres known to cancel the event all together, or roll the dice on a as the Inks Ranch. For a more precise location, the risky plan “B.” coordinates are: 30º32’53.10”N by 98º48’07.66”W, Plan “B” was to change the name to “Texas Spur and about 1,356 feet above sea level according to Jeep Jamboree” and announce in the JJUSA the Google Earth ™ website. For those of us who guide book, as well as on the Jeep Jamboree USA have been to the ranch, we simply call this location website, that it was going to “Roy’s House.” It’s a gorgeous be held somewhere in the San Ranch-Style home comprised Antonio area even though an of several buildings and alternate venue had not yet covered patios, backing up to been decided on. For the next a spectacular freshwater pond several weeks, Tony & Nancy’s and flanked by an enormous team of dedicated trail guides granite dome. From the hilltop, interviewed and surveyed the views looking down on a number of area ranches, this tiny slice of heaven make looking for a location that the discomfort of the 7-mile would not disappoint past or dusty dirt road ride into the future attendees. During the ranch fade away as simply the past decade, the YO Ranch had Google Earth ™ satellite photo necessary price of admission. developed a loyal following and of Inks Ranch The Inks Ranch (formerly the the task was to find something I’m often asked, “Why would you pay $265.00 per Moss Ranch), and the Inks that could compare in size, person, NOT PER JEEP, Per PERSON, to attend a Jeep Family name, have had a long and colorful account scope, trail variety and excitement. It was not an easy Jamboree USA® event when you can wheel at in more than one chapter of Texas History, extending task as finding a ranch with major acreage whose thousands of other venues and events around the back to the original Texas Land Grants of 1837. owners were willing to allow strangers to “wheel” on country for less money?” Thankfully, there are a few The land was given as partial repayment to family their private property was quite an undertaking. hundred thousand people, with combined memories members who fought for independence from Mexico I’m not sure of the “how” but I do know the “who.” from a number of successful Jeep Jamboree events during the Texas Revolution (A more detailed history going back 50 years, feel the same way that I do. Mr. Ray Karrick, one of the owners of Jeep Masters of the ranch can be heard by listening to the podcast in Austin, Texas, found the property we would soon Moreover, my own wife of over 16 years has considered with Roy Inks on the JeepTales.com website entitled be calling home base. He took Tony & Nancy Winkler institutionalizing me on a number of occasions for much “Inks Ranch History”). to the property, and they drove all over the ranch to the same reason. She asks, “Why would you pay In December of 2004, JJUSA decided to part devise a game plan for the trails. I remember being $30,000.00 plus for a new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon company from the former host venue to the South at what I think was the January 2005 San Antonio only to risk tearing it up on the rocks? Are you crazy?!” Texas Jeep Jamboree, the YO Ranch. The decision not Jeep Exclusive meeting where Tony brought in aerial to return to the YO Ranch could not have happened photos of the Inks Ranch. It was difficult to determine just how high or how much challenge the granite The domes are grouped together in two large domes would offer us as we viewed the flat photos. masses divided by a riverbed, which winds through The ranch description of only 1,100 acres also left the ranch. The riverbed is unusual because it is The official many of us wondering how this new venue could comprised of billions of pea-sized pink granite gravel Jeep Tales JK possibly compare to the old ranch. that are all offspring of the towering domes on the The San Antonio Jeep Exclusive would have less ranch. As you walk or drive across the riverbed, it’s than 6 weekends to scout, mark, clear and test all as if you were at the bottom of a giant aquarium with of the trails for the 2005 Texas Spur Jamboree. This the crunching sound caused by the course stone was not much time to complete such a mammoth surface, and a little water to lubricate the finish. On task. To make matters even more difficult, Mother my first outing to the ranch three years ago, I sank Nature threw us a curveball by raining every my previous vehicle, a 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, weekend in February. This made it difficult to to the axles in the river in seconds while trying to mark the trails because the pink Texas Granite is attempt a river crossing. The water was waist deep A custom steel console incredibly slick to drive or walk on when it is wet. and when I had to recover the tow strap from the fabricated by JAM’s The weather had forced the trail guides to walk add-a-trunk at the rear of the Jeep, I found out just Custom Consoles for large sections of the path because driving was just how cold river water can be in February. Aside from the Jeep Tales JK too hazardous. Up to the weekend of the event, the domes, the ranch is covered with several species no one had ever driven the full length of the most of native Oak and plenty good old-fashion Mesquite bushes, brought to Texas as a gift from herds of arduous trail on the ranch, which we affectionately new custom steel overhead console for my Jeep the Spanish Goats as they migrated from Mexico in the called “Moab.” week before that is used to hold my CB and a few LED 1920’s. Despite all of the twists and turns this event switches in a convenient location. He even added a few had endured throughout its development, it was Now that you have some idea of the lay of the land, I bright overhead lights so I can find stuff in my Jeep at the ticket sale results that stood testament to its can tell you of the seven named trails on the ranch. All night. Joseph is getting ready to start a small custom success. In 2005, the undisclosed location sold out but the most novice groups run their rigs on all of the fabrication business and needed a “Guinea Pig” Jeep in 49 days. As word of this event spread throughout trails. The guides determine the line each group will to build and test a console for the JK model Wrangler. the off-highway adventure community, Jeep owners use to increase or decrease the level of difficulty for a On Friday morning, Joseph called me and asked if we were becoming more and more interested in Roy Inks backyard. A fresh water pond flanked particular set of obstacles, allowing every driver to test could take on another passenger. He said the rider, attending this affair. In 2006, the Texas Spur Jeep by a bolder strewn granite dome. their Jeep and driving skills as close to the edge of the Richard Tinnell, was from JPFreek Adventure Magazine Jamboree sold out in one month and one day after envelope as they wish. and needed to hitch a ride so he could see what all the the tickets had gone on sale, shattering the old Family, who allows Jamboree attendees to visit their fuss was about. record by more than two weeks. A number of past magnificent ranch home each year. Roy Inks thinks The Trail Names are: I had visited with JPFreek by email earlier in the year attendees were shocked at how quickly the tickets had we are all “just a little crazy,” he says. There is a fine • Moab to try to get them into the spring event. Unfortunately, sold. In an effort to beat the trend, the Jeep owners line between passion and insanity, and most of us • Balancing Rock the event was so full that not even the press could get who did not want to be left behind for the 2007 Texas straddle that line a bit too closely. • Waterfall Creek Spur were eager to log on and buy tickets early; REAL The center stage of this magnificent production is the • Watch Mountain EARLY! Apparently, a lot of folks thought the same Inks Ranch itself. As you drive through the Texas Hill • Homestead thing because the 2007 spring event sold out in an Country on your way to the wheeling and camping • Hunter’s Hill th, astounding six days! By the morning of December 6 areas, you will be amazed by views of Texas Wild • Roy’s Revenge late registrants had to be put on a waiting list. There Flowers. They explode into a vibrant color pallet, were so many people who wanted to attend that ranging from a waving carpet of deep purple patches JJUSA began to consider a solution to the influx of set off by the Texas Bluebonnet, and contrasted Several of the trails have a few side diversions interest. Perhaps a second event? by hints of bright orange from Indian Paintbrush and obstacles you can run if you’re feeling overly This brings us to the 1st Fall Texas Spur Jeep and lightly punctuated with the soft pink of the courageous, though it requires a guide’s permission Jamboree, added to the 2007 Jamboree schedule as blossoming hill country Mountain Laurel. and supervision. Your guides will also make sure a late entry on the JJUSA website, approximately you have plenty of time to snap digital photos, and The Ranch has a dozen or so huge granite domes they use the C.B. radio to tell attendees about certain fourteen weeks before the event. So far there have that protrude from the ground like ancient sentinels been only four JJUSA events hosted at the Inks areas of the ranch. Kids seem to enjoy this part of the protecting the center of the ranch. On clear, cool trip as much as the wheeling. The Texas Spur Jeep Ranch, and now there are two more events planned nights (such as what we had during the Fall Texas for 2008. You might still be wondering why we pay Jamboree is truly a family-oriented event. There may Spur) the lack of ambient light and clean crisp air even be enough water in the creeks for children to so much money to attend this event, year after year. revealed a majestic light from millions of stars, It’s difficult to put a finger on one component, but in take a quick, cool dip or even hunt for ancient Indian and a falling meteorite show that would rival any arrowheads. my not so humble opinion it’s the fact that you get to firework display. The recent torrential rains made our work with a lot of people who genuinely care about fall outing as green and lush as the area was in the The official Jeeptales.com JK Rubicon made its the paying adventure seeking customer. spring, providing plenty of nourishment to the grass debut at the Fall Texas Spur, two days before I It all starts with Mark A. Smith, the founder of Jeep for the cattle that wander the ranch freely and always arrived. My buddy Joseph took my Rubicon and Jamboree USA and it works its way down through maintain the right of way. gear on Thursday and set up our campsite. I felt The 25° uphill climb is only the 1st of many the JJUSA staff, as well as at the local level with a like I owed him since he had just constructed a challenges on the “Moab” trail. hand-picked Trail Guide staff. Then there is the Inks The 15 foot climb up the “V” has claimed many license plates, bumpers, and axles, but also makes a hell of a photo
in the group had an opportunity to catch enough For the next 200 Lining up for “Moab’s” 2nd Around the next corner the drivers carefully cross “The Crack”, a fissure inside the bolders that is 30-40 inches wide. air in their Jeep to nab a photo worthy of framing. yards, there challenge. Every Jeep got to catch a Just as drivers caught their breath from what was were a few little air while spectators got plenty an unnerving maneuver for first timers, the massive twists and turns of photos. pitch caused by the off-camber climb moved into that eventually in! So the JPFreek staffers were in for a treat because Once we all cleared the initial entry slope on the a hard right turn, often a three-point-turn or more. lead to the next our first trail was going to be “Moab,” named for its Moab trail, spectators, shutterbugs and drivers This came in preparation to cross what we call “The off-camber similarities to the famous wheeling destinations in jumped back into their rides so we could start the Crack,” a fissure inside the massive boulders that climb into the Utah. When you approach the Moab trail, you face more difficult portions of the trail. Although a stock ranges from 30” to over 40” in width, depending “V.” The “V” is a a shear 25º granite face dome that runs for several Wrangler can navigate most of the twists and turns on the line you use to cross. Fortunately, there were 15’ climb where hundred yards until you reach the first left-hand turn. of the trail, a small lift kit and some larger tires, as spotters everywhere to provide not only driving you use your The approach is more difficult when it’s wet because well as more durable front and rear bumpers, come guidance but also extra off-center ballast in case you front passenger it’s hard to gain traction on the first 18 – 20 inch “first in handy. My JK is equipped with a 2.5” budget boost begin to tip into the tree or one of the other boulders tire to move step” in the soft dirt before the climb. Once you spin Tera Flex lift kit, and I’ve upgraded the tires back to that flank the passenger-side. through the first part of the obstacle. The higher you off the dirt clogs and/or mud and debris, it’s smooth the Goodyear MT/R 285’s. I like to air down to about Most of the groups were pretty happy with climb the right hand side of the “V,” the better look sailing because the pink granite surface offers as 12psi for added traction. What I’m most thankful for is themselves after they made it this far up the trail we all get at your under-carriage…and we are all much traction as a modern-day highway. I will tell the Stubby Front Shrockworks Bumper and Sliders. and the cliffs; all of which surround the next staging standing above you! The only problem with the “V” is you I have driven the first climb and I have walked The short bumper allowed my Jeep a much more area and offer excellent vantage points for group if you come down too hard, you are likely to kiss your it; it is much easier to drive. As we reached the top, aggressive approach angle for the more arduous off- photographs. For a group of 18-20 Jeeps, this part driver-side rear bumper corner goodbye. We’ve torn Richard and I walked most of Moab so he could snap camber climb that would come next. of the trail takes about 2 – 2.5 hours barring any off more than one set of license plate brackets from TJ’s and JK’s at this spot over the years. This is where as many photos as possible. I turned to ask him what Spotters and eager photographers positioned mechanical mishaps. By now, attendees who were you learn the Jeep colloquialism: “Trail Damage is he thought of the ranch so far. His answer was “This themselves along the rock squeeze into a small drop strangers at breakfast had become life long friends, as like a Tattoo but with a much better story.” place is awesome,” and we were only 40 minutes into just before the first off-camber climb. Most everyone if they had just had a full weekend at a teambuilding our day. exercise. Oct ober / november 2007 of watching thegroup descendwas agreat placeto Bymid-day,of thet-case andbrakes. thespectacle steps thattested ournervesaswell asthelowgear yardsofamaze andintricate of boulders, by 300 dramatic 45”depending onyourlinewas followed from arock ledge thatrangedfromaneasy20”toa tow straporwinch lineforaddedsecurity. orguidestolend a climb, therearealways drivers from thisshelf. Ifyou’re feelingalittle timidaboutthis and therearesomespectacularviewsofthe ranch professional pitcrew. Fortunately, thegroundislevel with thissort ofrepairyouthinkarewatching a point, mostlyonolderrigs. The guidesaresoquick out afewu-jointsandaxlesmorethanonceat this Jeep, thisiswhereitwillhappen. We haveswapped of photos. tons and friends, new tales, trail of plenty with Jamboree unforgetable and you’re sure to leave Inks County, the of day Ranchtwo the Hill make Texas ,TexasJeepSpur the of terrain and unique beautiful the in challenges of variety The From therewebegan ourdescent. A steepdrop-off If you’re goingtobreakafatigued part ofyour event andcompared ourthoughts collectively. Texas SpurJeep Jamboree, wealsodiscussedthe we chatted aboutthehistoryof theranch andthe 70 photos!” a greatplacetowheel. IthinkI’ve over alreadytaken Ranch hastooffer?” Richard responded, “Man, what yousomeideaofwhattheInks “I trustthisgives SOUVENIR SHOP. “ so, IthinkweshouldrenametheexitofMoab “THE you mayrubupagainstSo afewboulders. much exiting Moab.Sliderprotectioncomesinhandy as the ranch areofdrivers over thepastthreeyears Some ofthemostdramaticphotoswecollected from snack tonsofdigitalphotosfornon-drivers. andtake We hadthedaytoruntwoorthree other trails. As I turnedtoRichard atthebottom ofMoabandasked, Jeep Jamboree USA” style. Photos fromotherJJUSA eventsfromall over thecountryarelistedunder http://www.jeeptales.com Spur Jeep Jamboree, pleasevisit: atthe photosthatwerecollectedfrompastthreeyears toseesomeoftheover 20,000 If youwouldlike Texas midnight onDecember1 attendees, andIhaveyettomeetsomeonethatdidnotthinkthis tripwas worth everypenny! So come Over the last three years, IhavehadtheopportunityOver thelastthreeyears, tovisitwithhundreds of Texas SpurJeep Jamboree st , visittheJJUSAwebsiteandplanyourownoff-highway memories “Texas Spur
“Past Events” aswell.
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 Sunset atB rasalito Beach Pura VidaandAdventura in
Costa Rica Text andphotosbyKristenSchindler
“Si.” “Pay you?” my husband,Ray, asks. “Pay now.” instead ofcolones,thelocalcurrency. also interestingthathehadasked fordollars you’re pretty speeding.Itwas sureyou weren’t sobad,butstillhardtopayThat wasn’t when “You pay forty dollars.” country, outinthe middleofnowhere. much you shouldarguewithacopinforeign surehow ButIwasn’t What? Noweweren’t. “You go91,” hesays. kph. by us,inchesaway fromourcar, atover 100 vehicle. Meanwhile, carsandtruckswereflying while helooked themover andexaminedour We handedover ourpassportsandwaited I was surprisedhespoke suchgoodEnglish. “Give meyour passports.” highway. our rentalcarover tothesideoftwo-lane an 80kilometerperhourzone, butwepulled the sideofroad.We wereonlygoing70in The policeofficermotionedtouspull over to
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember We’d read in the guidebook that you pay traffic We were on our way to Monteverde, a town in Very few of the roads have signs stating what Later I read that tickets at a bank, so we mention this to him. He the mountains of Costa Rica, famous for its cloud the name or number of the road is, and since Monteverde actually tells us that if we want to choose this option, we forest nature preserves. Finally we were able to the road that we’re looking for may not look any prohibits the government must drive an hour and a half back in the direction leave the main highway and start making our way different from someone’s driveway, it can be a from paving the roads we had come from to get to the bank, plus pay a up into the mountains. It was absolutely beautiful. little difficult. Also, none of the villages have signs to the town in hopes of ten percent service charge. This would add three I don’t think I’ve ever seen land so green before in or anything stating which village it is. So, you can discouraging so many extra hours onto an already long day of driving. my life. We pass through a village where the only think, okay, we have to turn right after passing people from going there. “Just pay him,” I tell Ray. living thing we see is a horse standing outside through San Felipe, but then you pass through I don’t think their plan a little “soda,” which is what they call the small, five villages, none of which are on the map, and worked very well because With a big sigh, Ray pulls the money out of his local cafes. have no idea which one was San Felipe. both Monteverde and wallet and hands it to the officer. The officer takes Santa Elena, the little “I think that was a one horse town,” Ray jokes as We stop a few times along the way to ask people Monteverde Road the money, but is already looking down the road. town next to it, are both He motions to another rental car to pull over. He we pass through. walking along the road for directions. Everybody just points up the road, meaning “keep going.” I’d packed with tourists. We has clocked them at exactly 91 kph. The road gets worse and worse as we get higher see, upon arriving, that most tourists actually take and higher up into the mountains. We were also read in the guidebook that Costa Ricans are We continue on our way, very careful to obey very agreeable people and don’t like to give bad van taxis to and from Monteverde. Hmm, sounds the speed limit signs. The interesting part is that advised to get a four-wheel drive vehicle, and by like that sure would have been a lot easier. now we’re pretty glad we took that advice. news. Consequently, they won’t always tell you if there will be a sign when you come into the village you are headed in the wrong direction and often After accidentally driving through town, and then stating that the limit is 40 kph, but then there While Ray tell you that your destination is much closer than having to turn around on a very narrow road on is no sign as you leave the village stating that drives, I try it actually is. I was hoping this wasn’t the case the edge of the mountain, we finally find our hotel. you can go any faster, which leaves for a lot of to navigate. here. It’s a very cute place called Poco a Poco, which guesswork. Usually, I’m means “little by little.” They call it this because pretty good We are definitely out in the middle of nowhere, We also soon realize that going the speed limit and I’m beginning to wonder what, if anything, they believe that by their environmentally-friendly can actually be hazardous, as pretty much every at this task, practices, little by little they are saving the planet. but following will actually be in Monteverde. I asked Ray if we other vehicle on the road is traveling at least 20- should have brought some food with us, since Their green practices involve putting out recycling 30 kph over the limit. Huge semi-trucks pass us maps while bins, not using air conditioning, not washing driving in we’ll be there for three days. Ray reassures me on the two lane road, then pull back into their that it is quite a touristy place and there should sheets and towels every night (if you’re staying lane, nearly cutting us off, seconds away from Costa Rica more than one night), and using a special process poses a new be plenty of restaurants, and it turns out he was smashing into oncoming traffic. right. to heat the pool that is supposed to be much challenge. better for the environment.
The quaint and comfortable Poco a Poco Resort
Scenery along Monteverde Road Oct ober / november 2007 seemed very concerned withsafety. good quality harnessesandall of theguides included injuryanddeath. However, theyhad the waiver whichstatedthatthe inherentdangers about thesafety ofitall,especiallyaftersigning soaring throughtheair. Iwas alittlenervous the canopy, fifty feetofftheground,like abird It was anexhilarating experience,flyingthrough total distancecovered isover amileandhalf. connected by platformsway upinthetrees.The is asuccessionoffourteendifferentziplines, Selvatura. We tookthecanopy tour, which which isactuallyaprivately ownedparkcalled students, thisseemedtobeallnightlong. and becauseourhotelwas fullof highschool loud whenever peoplewalked onthestairs, just outsideourroomanditwas incredibly to sleepatourhotel.Thereweremetalstairs downside was thatitwas pretty muchimpossible the wholetwodays wewerethere.Theonlyother in thepoolandourbathingsuitsnever driedfor but thisisadifferentstory. We wentswimming Florida andIthoughtknewwhathumidity was, for touristsandschoolgroupstovisit. and uniqueecosystems,itisavery popularplace receive mostoftheprofits.Becausewildlife the galleriesdisplay theworkoflocalartistswho seems tobevery eco-conscious,andmany of fog andrain outside,especiallyatnight.Everyone room orinarestaurant feelsvery cozywiththe restaurants, andartgalleries.Sittinginyour often raining. Therearealotofneatshops, cloud forest,itisusuallycovered inclouds,and enjoyed itvery much. with riceandbeans.ThisiswhatRay orderedand food” andconsistsofeitherchicken, fish,orpork good. Itiscalledacasada,whichmeans“typical the localfood,thoughvery simple,isalways very hungry, matter. itdidn’t that itactuallyhadhamonit.Ohwell,Iwas so strange. Iliftedupthetopbunanddiscovered hamburger arrived, Ithoughtitlooked alittle how tomake anything American.Whenmy know despite theirbestefforts,theyreallydon’t is never toorderanything “American,” because However, onethingIcametolearninCostaRica Costa Ricaisactuallyapretty bigbeefproducer. hotel andIorderahamburger. I’dheardthat we gotoeatintherestaurant attachedtothe cloud forest,andtake acanopy tourthenextday. friendly andsetsusupwithreservations tovisita The womanworkingatthefrontdeskisvery The nextday wewenttothenaturepreserve, The onlydownsideisthehumidity. Igrewupin Monteverde isareallyneatplace.Beingin Even countonAmericanfood, thoughyou can’t We arestarvingby thetimewegetthere,so Ziplining in thejunglecanopy which isrightonthecoast.Theparkboastsanimmenseamountofwildlifeandpristine beaches. experiencing itinperson. never entirelycapturethemystique ofactually it. Itwas definitelysomethingwherepicturescould has atleasttendifferentkindsofplantsgrowingon myself juststaringatonespotforever. Every tree much growthonevery available surfacethatIfound plant life, which was absolutely amazing. There is so forest whichallowedustogetrightupclosethe A view of some scary some of Aview The popularity ofManuelAntoniospringsfromthefactthatitislocatedrightnexttoanationalpark We alsotookawalking tourthroughthecloud far above,safelyonabridge. Costa ican wildlife from wildlife Rican coming acrosstobackup. forcing thecarthatwas of usjustdecidedtogo, Finally, thecarinfront direction justkept coming. the traffic fromtheother waited andwaited, but at atime.We waited and direction oftraffic couldgo only onelane,so in atany second.Itwas like itwas readytocave a bridgethattrulylooked occurrence was crossing was notany closer. long rowsofsharpteeth,Iwas very thankfulI when theyopenedtheirmouthstoreveal their people werethrowingfooddowntothemand were lookingdownatthemfromabridge.Some stopped toseecrocodilesinariver. Thankfully, we receiving any speedingtickets. Ontheway, we to findour way therewithoutgettinglostor touristy town,buton thebeach.We managed end. Ournextstopwas ManuelAntonio, another The onlyeventful Our timeinMonteverde quicklycametoan Exploring therainforest onfoot,
up-close andpersonal.
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 (Bottom) PlayaEspadillaSur beauty ofManuelNationalPark. Ray andKristenenjoying the turtle trap, white-faced monkey, (Middle-Left toRight) Ancient National Park. (T food. Basically, itisacircleofrocksrightatthe by theindigenouspeople,tocatchseaturtlesfor ancient turtletrap, builthundredsofyears ago food. Anotherreallyneatsightattheparkisan because themonkeys willstealit,thinkingitis anything outwhenyou gointhewater though beautiful. You have tobecarefulnotleave crabs, andiguanas.The beacheswereabsolutely saw many types ofbirds,monkeys, sloths,coatis, people, therewas probablyananimalnearby. We obvious thatwherever there was acrowdof looking tosave afewbucks), butitwas pretty wildlife. We decidednottohireaguide(always the park.You arepretty muchguaranteed tospot it was missingandhewentbacktolookforit. happy tosay that itwas stilltherewhenIrealized over thirty minutesafterarrivingatourhotel.Iam suitcase onthesideofroadbehindourcarfor in ManuelAntoniowhenRay accidentallyleftmy hotel room.Thiswas puttothetestatourhotel and toalways lockthingsupinthesafeyour how importantitisnottoleave thingsinyour car I guessitnever hasachancetowarm up. plants andtrees,whichshieldeditfromthesun,so The poolwas surroundedwithajungleoftropical it may seem,itwas toocoldtoactuallyswimin. beach. Italsohadabeautifulpool,butcrazy as to thenationalparkandashortwalk fromthe hotel turnedouttobeagreatlittleplacerightnext through thestreetstomake ittoourhotel.Our crowded thatwecouldbarelysqueeze ourcar The highlightofManuelAntoniowas definitely We’d heardalotabouttheftinCostaRicaand When wegotthere,ManuelAntoniowas so op) KristenatManuel Antonio the speedlimitifyou have arentalcar. but that’s thefunoftraveling. Justbesuretogo There weredefinitelyafewunexpectedchallenges, beaches pristine,thesunbright,water warm. everything you see.Thepeoplearewonderful,the where thehandiworkofourCreatorisevidentin relaxation. CostaRicaisatrulybeautifulplace great vacation withadventure mixed withmuch and wehadtoheadbacktheairport.Itwas a Spanish andthatwas aboutallIcouldfigureout. much moreaboutitbecausethearticlewas in by Reagan inthe80’s. tellyou Ireallycouldn’t old militaryplanethatwas sentdowntoNicaragua airplane.” Therestaurant is actuallybuiltaroundan restaurant called“ElAvion,” whichmeans“the then theygetstuckwhenthetidegoesbackout. edge ofthewater; theturtlesfloatinwithtide, Our timeinCostaRicaquicklycametoanend Another highlightofManuelAntonioisa
Sunsset on Brasalito Beach
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 R begun planning for the challenge in early December 2006. Expeditions Team readily jumped to the occasion and had of Moab, Utah during ahot summer in July. States, and all the way to the scorching climates them across down through Canada, the United Red Rock Challenge in Moab, and it would take over and over again until it had been perfected. careful calculating and planning; atrip that was changed never forget. Atrip that took over six solid months of Kedian and Derek Greber embarked on atrip they would Hosted by the KJ Expeditionary Group,Hosted Expeditionary by the the KJ Overland enthusiasts KJ two The for departed the 2007 5:00 Text and Photos by Dion Kedian ed R on the morning of 2007. July 9th Dion ock C with packed. bags Still dark outside, Dion saw the a true test of their mechanical endurance. sleep and eat from these amazing machines in Jeep ®Liberties, and wouldSilver live, 2006 to prepare for atrip they would not soon forget. Over the next six months, the team worked tirelessly also known as Boss” “The USA, of Illinois, USA. Mississauga of Cole Ontario,Tennessee, Scott Canada; Milton Ontario, Derek Canada; Greber, aPolish ex-pat of Dion waited patiently for Derek to arrive in the Liberty Back in time to 2007. July 5am, 9th For this incredible journey, the team chose two teamThe consisted of: Dion Kedian, of aBritish Ex-pat h a
K llenge,
J
-
S
and prepared for the first leg of the journey. Dion inspected data, confirmed the their GPS route, the team. Red The Rock Challenge was ago! that he was ready to and go looked forward to meeting a confirmation email from Scott in Tennesseesaying and connected, and receivedthe Liberty, GPS-ready passenger seat anticipating the journey ahead. and placed them in the Liberty, and in hopped the ready, pull around the corner. Dion picked up his bags tell tale silhouette of aJeep ®Liberty, expedition- t As the sunAs broke, the duo arrived in Tobermory DerekAs drove out of the Greater Toronto area, Dion then checked the wireless laptop mounted in
y
l e the rain to replace and firmly secure the spare tire. proceeded to alogging trail where they worked in the road for them. Dion and Derek picked it up and around to find that motoristgood a pulled the tire off that aspare tire cameloose and cameoff. They turned They looked at the roof rack and noticed immediately few shades lighter while the guys pulled the rig over. bin and atruck ran over it!!” Derek’s face turned a nearly yelled stop! “We Ithink gotta we lost astorage a slight panic, looked at Derek with ahorrified look and slightly but too slow, and ran over the object. Dion, in the air behind them. truck transport The swerved truck, and suddenly saw ablack object flying through the side-view mirrorthe side-view at aquickly approaching transport everything seemed to going be smoothly. Dion looked in remain that way almost clear across the country. stopped and switched into pants and jackets and would passed by Elliot Lake. Being prepared though, the team quickly dropped to 14 degrees Cwith light rain as they degree35 Cweather in the Greater Toronto area, it had gotten quite cold. Coming from high humidity and this time was no exception. To their surprise, it where they turned south into the United States. took them clear across to Canada Lethbridge Alberta, reached the Trans-Canada Highway. This strip of asphalt impressive sight, or so it would seem to onlookers. storage solutions, and decals from front to rear. An withloaded aspare tire and avariety of weather proof tires, lights pointing in every direction, aroof rack with a2.5 inch off-highwayseen lift, aJeep ®Liberty photographs while others stared as they had never given waves from pedestrians, saw some people taking on Highwaynorth they As 6. exited the Ferry, they were continued immediately Manatoulin Island and at South Baymouth the journey ahead. at the sheer length of excited and awe struck go. team The is both kilometres to 8800 kilometres...another235 they have only travelled laptop and discovered on data thethe GPS Ferry, Derek inspected Manatoulin Island. the On to South Baymouth on Ferry Chi-Cheemaun embark the formidable Ontario and prepared to A quick check of gave the GPS the indication that Weather Ontario in Northern never seems quite right, After what seemed like the blink of an eye, the guys teamThe arrived
Georgian BayOntario. Watching thecoast. On theChi-heemaun.
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 lanket Lake. Lake Superior Provincial Park.Rabbit Blanket Lake.Lake Superior Provincial Ontario. Ontario to Manitoba, and agreed finally crossed theborder from that was well the worth stop. Bay, and an incredible memorial was an incredible view of Thunder top of the hill above the city, and it see the Terry Fox Memorial on the rain. Dion and Derek stopped to Thunder Bay Ontario, it was pouring Superior towards Thunder Bay. undulating roads of Lake northern aroundfurther north the weaving, a few looks, and the team ventured Provincial the Park, Jeep ®received data. Drivingthe out GPS of the Manitoba after abrief check with set agoal to arrive in Winnipeg an incredible sight to seen. be years away. Nonetheless, it was reality they were millions of light of stars seemed touchable, but in the least. Millions uponmillions viewThe was awe-inspiring to say the stars of Ontario aNorthern sky. night and enjoyed aquiet night under the they park, set upfor camp the Lake Superior Provincial Park. At road, and they were just reaching getting tired. Fifteen hours on the things to come? Only time would tell. geological ball flew through the air. went “into slow motion” as this huge time, describing how the moment was laughing and talking at the same by “Thatgiant boulder,” and Derek thought his head had been taken off was blurting out loud about how he was laughing in anervous way. Dion the windshield. damage? No Derek looked at Derek, and then looked at opened his eyes after the collision, with an astounding Dion BANG. and slamming into the windshield a snooker ball flying through the air thing he saw was arock the size of second Dion awoke the first and last Ontario, Dion fell asleep. split The in the pouring rain through Northern Come mid-afternoon, the team mid-afternoon, Come theWhen team made their way to Morning broke, and the guys It was getting late and the were two A little foreshadowing? Tales of Later that day, with Derek driving Relieved to back be “online,” the team ventured forward. Twothe GPS. hours went by and was the fixed. GPS they were confident theycould use the time to repair ofa bag wet hammers. They had to stop. a navigation system that was less useful than the laptop system. They were blind as abat with team suddenly communication lost GPS with clouds, it seemed certainly to alive be and vibrant. and with the skies perfect that featured hints of puffy it madeand the the sky horizon seem vast and huge, was appropriately named because the land was so flat “Land of the Living Skies.” guys The agreed that it as they drove through the province that claims it is the of central team The Canada. had some great weather to sparse and flat terrain as they entered the GreatPlains drastically and suddenly from low rolling hills and forests of green and white ripples and waves of light. known as Aurora Borealis. It was an amazing display caught aglimpse of the Lights, Northern otherwise day. Just before the team set up for the night, they for the night and press for Saskatchewan the next agreed that they would stop outside of Winnipeg themselves and the streets are always dirty. where they call home, where the people keep to friendly. agreed two The that from it is afar cry streetsThe were clean and the people were meat. Afterwards, they were back on the road. laughed as they ate the heavily salted and seasoned “Tirolska” meat from the food storage bin, and the guys where Derek broke out some of his famous canned they stopped in the Manitoba Welcome Centre even halfway through the trip. Laughing about this, that while they were far from home, they weren’t Checking theGPS.WinnipegManitoba. Proud of being a day and ahalf ahead of schedule, Driving through Regina Saskatchewan, the Entering Saskatchewan, the changed scenery After anineteen hour day on the road, the team Winnipeg camequickly. abeautiful What City. As the teamAs suddenly climbed the apeak, Liberty peaks, blue topaz crystal coloured lakes, and glaciers. done. Breathtaking vistas, high altitudes, snow-capped most memorable and fantastic drives they had ever and was eager to get into Glacier National Park. briefvery border crossing, the team entered Montana it seemed ready to hit the Continental Divide. After a was runningLiberty strong in the high altitude, and Rockies were visible and still snow The capped. of cans of the aforementioned famous “Tirolska.” park bench with the sunset while eating from acouple checks of the Jeep ®and equipment, and sat on a in Lethbridge that night and performed afew minor south along the Continental Divide, the team stayed to going south. Stoked with anticipation of travelling the pivot point where the team would from go west the beautiful province and then reached Lethbridge, but it was well the worth time as they drove through had become hillier and less flat. It took the entireday, Province and begannoticing of Alberta the landscape on their way to the border at Montana. the Jeep ®. Aquick check and GPS they were anticipation the team jumped out of and bed hit Driving through Glacier National Park was one of the Sunrise camequickly, and with excited nextThe day, the team entered the much anticipated A short driveA short later, the mountains of the famous
T ypical Saskatchewan scenery.
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 it all off, not alot of life or people were around. rocky,very new mountains, and and sand. dirt To top noticed the sudden environment change. Alittle warmer, tour of the U.S. Midwest. It was then they immediately enjoying drive that the was endurance-style anon stop Mode.” Jeep ®was The running smoothly, seemingly Thankfully though, none of the highways were closed. these and were concerned about highway closures. crews working to clear them. guys The had heard about Utah border where they saw avariety of forest fires and After afew late night fuel stops, the team crossed the looked over at Derek who was enjoying the night driving. ® rolling and the satellite radio pumping out music. He for Dion as he fell asleep in the passenger seat. teamThe pressed on, and this too became much drove the first leg and as night fell,Derek took over. way to Utah. Pushing through the mountains, Dion the guys decided to run “Endurance-style” all the heatThe had subsided…at least for the time being. turned up the heat on the fan controls, and kept moving. started to overheat. team The opened the windows and Day broke and the team was still in “Endurance Dion awoke to darkness, and the sounds of the Jeep After an incredible experience in the National Park, mountain scenery. Montana Glacier NationalPark Continental Divide or live in these conditions, asmall rabbit by. hopped theyAs sat dumbfounded at how anything could survive ever experienced these environmental extremes before. IncredibleC. heat, just astounding! Neither of them had heat to at be its highest, touching degrees around –58 55 was without air conditioning in the brutally rising heat. worked and the temperature settled though the team turned on the dreaded heat to let the engine off. cool It opened the windows, turned the off air conditioning, and immediately the Jeep ® beganto overheat. They and it was hotfull-blast pretty degrees at 45 C. with the air conditioning blowing They drove to Arches National Park somedecided to of them try out. as well as Arches National and Park, some backcountry trails quickly, very tour around the They desert. located half of the team, and they decided to daystwo before meeting the other was an impressive sight for sure! and it had Ontario license plates. It eyebrows with gear and decals, and wasloaded outfitted to the around town. Jeep ®Liberty The got alot of looks from people Rock Challenge was truly underway. were finally Moab,in and the Red orange colour. They had made it. They suddenly turned into adeep red and deep valley and the rock and ground noticed they were entering into a they would experience in the coming days. degrees and C, that wasn’t anywhere near what at degrees 20 Cand now found themselves at 35 temperature almost immediately. They left Canada “Welcome to sign, Moab” and noticed the rise in They toured the and park, around 2pm they noticed the Once in the they park, climbed the first hill and almost Dion and Derek were at for Moab Rolling into Moab, the team After leaving the rest stop, they They stopped at arest stop just after the Welcome toMoab Major overheating issue. MoabUtah. The infamous Delicate Arch. MoabUtah. Arches NationalPark Scenery.
Moab Utah.
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 they noticed asign warning of people having to to hike the Delicate Arch Trail. At the hiking trail again,desert they headed for Arches National Park to be, and they didn’t want to stranded be in the Jeep ®to ensure all was well. it all As seemed ``Delicate hiking Arch`` trail in Arches National Park. camp. Tomorrow they would walk the harrowing made their way out to their relief and headed for base let the Jeep ®and themselves off. cool They slowly shade on asmall sand dune under awall of rock, and guys and the limping Jeep ®. Luckily they found some as the heat was unrelenting and pounded down on the Canyon trail. Trying to find shelter was near impossible heat, they ran into overheating problems deep in Bull an easy backcountry trail. However, with the rising Sunrise had arrived and the guys tended to the Later in the day, the team drove to ``Bull Canyon,`` Scenic overlook.BullCanyonjeep Gooney BirdRock.MoabUtah. T rail. MoabUtah. status, and he knew it. needed He water. cool water The he pushed on. was He definitely reaching an emergency confused and occasionally forgetting where he was, but degreenearly Cheat, 60 Dion was finding himself feeling he beganfocusing on getting back to the Jeep ®. In the Dion beganfeeling the effects of heat exhaustion, and this creation of nature. They then decided to head back. Delicate Arch. There they took abreak to relax and admire and happily, they made it to the impressively large the hot air desert into their lungs. starved But eventually it even hotter. It was all uphill too, and they were gasping degrees Cand it reflected the off slick rock trail, making ensured they had plenty of water and headed off. heat exhaustion. Heeding this warning, the guys rescuedbe from this trail due to dehydration and The hikeThe back was more intense than the hike there. initialThe climb was hell. heat The was around 55 Fins N Things T rail. MoabUtah under the guys The inspected hood. it closely and noted ® overheated violently. Smoke and steam rose from in the after park. Shortly entering this trail, the Jeep for hiking anymore so they decided to hit adriving trail They both agreed that it was too hot and dangerous hat on. He, too, was feeling the effects of the heat. ®. Thankfully he made but it sure was close. tookHe advantage of this and charged for the Jeep cold water that he desperately needed was waiting. last chance to get himself into the Jeep ®where the sudden rush of adrenalin and he knew this was his high. Thatwarning at the trail head was no joke. sip, he found his core temperature rising dangerously surrounding air had heated it up in no time. every With in his hip flask was hotter than a fresh cup of tea as the Close behind, Derek slowly trudged up, shirt off, sun Just as he dragged his feet to the Jeep ®, he felt a
Fins N Climbing theslope.MoabUtah
Things
T
rail. Moab Utah where they saw wildlife and enjoyed the night cool driveThe was acool, relaxing trip into adeep canyon Rim Canyon for three days was the safest idea. remaining instead local of attempting the long White and amazed, the new half of the team agreed that problems Dion and Derek had encountered. Shocked were well received. They discussed the heat and the met at the Brewery Moab the next day where they Uncle, affectionately known as Boss.” “The They all would meet up with the other half of the team. couldn’t keep up with creating enough air. cool It was so hot in the area that the air conditioning unit was what had been causing the Jeep ® to overheat. the air conditioning clutch had burned out, and this That night the team headed for Long Valley Canyon. It is here that they met and Cole with his Scott They turned in for the night. Tomorrow they Fins N Things
T
rail. MoabUtah
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 dinosaur foot prints in the rock surface. It was an amazing vast expanses of slick rock and looked at million year old but as evening fell it cooled down. Here they drove over Klondike Bluffs trail. It started out hotter than anything, National Park. Later they all met up and headed out for the the Tennessee half of the team took a tour through Arches a personal challenge of great magnitude at this point. break at the famed Brewery. Moab This had truly been for town. It was along, hot day and they needed acool badly. They left via an emergency access road and headed heat was just too intense and was battering the team the team could no longer continue the trail ahead. The getting in and out of aJeep ®with no air conditioning. and guiding the Jeeps through the terrain, and repeatedly exhaustion while he was out in the slick rocks spotting again started to slowly get the familiar feelings of heat climbs and descents; it was afabulous trail. Dion once the heat of the day continued to rise steadily. They up loaded their and Liberties headed out as team headed for the famed Fins NThings trail. but it wouldn’t last long. Day break cameand the air. It was adrastic change from the previous day The nextThe day was spent working on the Jeep ®while After along, slow day on the trail, it was decided that At Fins NThings, they experienced alot of rock Moab Utah. Moab wildlife. Team Tennessee lost their 4x4 lever control; however, worry. Dion and Derek’s Jeep ®had aheat issue, and smoothly, up and down the beautiful peaks, without a about notgood baking away in the heat of the valley. rising the off red rock below. desert They briefly felt stood on ahigh overlook and could see the blazing heat lakes, wildlife, much cooler temperatures. team The team headed to off the peaks of the Mountains. Le Sal looked green, and they looked like a challenge. SO, the back in the night cool air and enjoyed the evening. expandingand mind- experience. After that, they drove This tour took the entire day. Jeeps The rolled along It was acompletely different trees, world; grass, Mountains Le Sal The beckoned to the team. They The immenseLandscape Arch. MoabUtah. Crossing the crack. KlondikeBluffs. Colorado bordercrossing. on the southern end and then and head cross north the territories. Great Crossing North where 2008 The the team will cross entirely Canada and the practice perfect run for the second, larger endurance challenge; ContinentAmerican It was inweeks; quite two endurance-style. the feat, an experience it was to see the entire North trip but it was one they would never forget. What endurance tour. They agreed that it was atough all knew the risks involved in such ahigh speed their families and their generous sponsors who not have been possible without of the support laughed and shook hands, knowing that it would no where to drive and nothing to do. team The didn’t know what to the do next day. There was to the team’s quest for endurance glory. ultimate price on their front bumper, en route further noticed how many insects paid the red dust was and affixed dirt to almost theyeverything Theyowned. noticed how much darker they were than everyone else, and how much straight through which was atrue testament of endurance. in Nebraska for 2hours. rest The of the time was spent driving eyes open. Alittle endurance training for him was definitely required. handled the wheel more frequently than Dion, who could barely keep his Illinois. Derek proved to adriving be machine during this journey as he Great Crossing North the from 2008 Halifax to Denali. see if it could done be in preparation for the next big journey: to test the limits of the Jeep ®and the team. point The was to http://www.kjexpgroup.co at: website Expeditions Overland the visit vehicles, expedition as and their use To Liberties KJ Jeep about more read They looked at each other and agreed they Late at night on of the July, 20th they arrived back home. They immediately Once in Michigan, they pushed on. They had only stopped once, They occasionally switched duties through Colorado, Nebraska, and they went.Off man endurance Atwo run,designed specifically m four challenges of the journey were: their fourth personal challenge. The and this leg had been designated as heat. They headed east for Colorado, also looked forward to getting out of the team, to sad leave this beautiful desert, and they didn’t return until late at night. few minutes. This was abeautiful trail, all problems were fixed on the trail in a two days.two Underway. inthe July. Desert Moab Completed. Travel the Continental Divide. Completed Cross in three Canada days. Completed. nextThe day was departure day. The Cross the United States in Endure the heat exhausting climates of BOETUZPFJHS ) 0 FMQ, 3 QFOBE) FDS FBUS FQ FTQPOJCMZ : PVS FBMUIZ 5 SBJMT
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o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember excursions, that required a few more things for creature comfort. So in the great American way, a progression commenced of increasingly larger travel trailers and the purchase of my first off-highway vehicle, a brand new, shiny (and pretty unique for those times), 1972 Chevy K-5 Blazer. The Blazer pulled the trailer to the mountains and then, after the trailer was unhooked, it took the family on some great trails and mountain roads and across a number of rapid, scary streams. By this time we were ALL hooked on the adventure lifestyle: enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, roaming the hills, and challenging ourselves with some pretty moderate rock climbing. Fast forward about a quarter century or more. I now find myself living in North Central Washington State. I accidentally ended up here after completing a career of aircraft maintenance in the Navy and another career as an Industrial Engineer with Boeing – helping to build 747’s. Never planned to be here as I am an uprooted Easterner, but will never go back now that I am out here in the “frontier”. It’s now 2007 and I am now 70 years old. The darn kids are getting older and older, and all of a sudden I am a great-grandpa. My darling wife of 42 years recently passed away from pulmonary fibrosis, and I am out here facing the task of morphing Me and my new ‘72 K5 Blazer in the Gold Country of into something so I can continue on with life. the Sierra Navada mountains of California 35 years Then IT happened. As I drove by the Jeep ® dealer, ago, when the off-highway adventure bug big me. my eye snapped onto this really strange vehicle with a very strange paint job. The first time by, I just passed IT and went home, but for some reason my mind dwelt central California. Nearby were the beautiful Sierra on that vehicle and the next day, I drove by IT again. Nevada Mountains, Yosemite, and the historical Gold Only this time I stopped to look in the windows and Country. They were only a couple of hours away, at the sticker. OK, it was a new Wrangler and IT was AnAn OldOldOld DogDog LearnsLearns SomeSomeSome NewNewNew TricksTricksTricks so backpacking is what we did. At that time, “we” painted this incredible love-it-or-hate-it light metallic Text by Rich Cronin meant me and my older son and some of our friends. green which I later learned was named (for some reason) Photos by Rich, Dan, and Amy Cronin Hauling all of our belongings in a backpack through Rescue Green. My first reaction was that it was a really the woods, eventually sleeping in a down bag on a strange color, but the Jeep ® had a 6-speed manual What in the heck would make a seventy year old great Maine woods. That’s where and when the beauty of foam pad in a little pup tent was real honest fun. transmission, and the color started to grow on me. A few days later, I actually went into the dealer and I went grandfather give up the comfort and amenities of his nature and the forest, and the fun of fishing and the Of course, that naturally progressed because if Mom, for a test ride with the great, no-pressure sales agent. thirty eight foot luxury motor home so he would end up incredible smell of a wood-burning fireplace, caused Dad and our four kids were to be included in these sleeping on a $12 air mattress in a $24 tent, held down the bug to bite. Hard. Unfortunately, that bug lay by big rocks on a field composed of crushed basalt and dormant for almost 20 years and it wasn’t until the sticker burr weeds? How about two things? The first ‘70’s, when my own family started to grow, that we is an almost life-long love of roaming the outdoors and, all were able to relive that love of the outdoors. probably most strange of all, his very first brand new Jeep It was in that era around 1971 or 1972 when the Wrangler. That’s what started this whole unusual saga. big “backpacking” rage began. I happened to be My love of the outdoors started when I was about midway through a Navy career at that time, and we 14 or 15 when our family took a real vacation into the were stationed at Moffett Field Naval Air Station in
(Top Left) It’s always 5:00 somewhere, even in the middle of nowhere. (Top Right) Stopping for a top of the hill snack after climbing over 5000’ from the river on the ay home. This is where I also discovered the complete disaster in my ice chest. Yuk! (Bottom Left) A sunny day high in the hills of Eastern Washington as the NWOS group heads towards the Columbia Gorge. (Bottom Right) Rich Cronin and his Rescue Green 07 JK. A proud, pleased and revitalized great-grandfather. Oct ober / november 2007 Jeep, we need to get it out on the trail and get it dirty.” said somethingson) like, “Well, Pop, since you have that love the trails, this brings me to the of crux the saga. love seeing him so happy with because it. we And both movie from the 1950’s. loves He his Defender, and I which looks like it just cameout of aStewart Granger isHe now the very, proud very owner of aDefender 90 gone through Discoveries, LR two and aRange Rover. has had, and completely rebuilt, an old Series ‘60’s LR, harmonyperfect despite our diverse tastes. son My his errant ways but it’s we are in OK, able to co-exist RoverLand family of vehicles. him Icannot from pry aback by the history and mystique of the venerable he has aslight aberration in that he is absolutely taken to join us on the California trails years ago. However, years ago,40 but my youngest son who was too little another one of my kids, not my backpacking son of off-highway adventuring, had become imbedded into love of themy outdoors decades-old and trails, and I bought IT; the salesman didn’t have to sell anything. a little haggle over and the Jeep was my mine. trade-in I was home one evening, and the phone rang. Dan (my Now what? Until now, Ihadn’t related to you that Yep,Sold! the easiest sale ever. we All had to was do road directlyinfrontofus. A rare sight,awholeherdofelk crossingthe the big cities on the coast are located. This area is the “wet side” of Mountain the Cascade Range where of theparticular part state is completely different from and as it works its way to theOcean.This Pacific south towards the Washington and Oregon borders west side of the majestic Columbia River as it heads and Colockum State Wildlife Areas, which border the through the Central Washington hills of the Quilomene “where” turned out to and atwo ahalf be day trip sure, no problem, when and where are we going?” see that I had absolutely no recourse but to say “OH, for “Yachts, docks and high seas,” you immediately can seas.” if you So substitute “Jeeps, garages, and trails” up to the they dock, were meant to out be on the high action with an old saying “Yachts weren’t built to tied be my son, and besides that Ihad always prodded him into “Oh brother,” Ithought to myself. Ican’t whine in front of little scratched up, Ihave to warn you about that” he said. gasp –aposer! No. Anything but that. “You may get it a challenge or thought be of by my flesh and blood asa– been thrown down and it was up to me to accept the the ground in alittle tent years, in 40 but the gauntlet had Oh, boy. Brand new, 1200 miles, and Ihadn’t slept on The “when”The turned out to inweeks, be two and the – deal with an overheated radiator caused by aleaky we had to make our first mechanical “adjustment” when it was awagon trail. amile About up the road, rocks to, well, just the rocks that happened to there be so quickly. From pavement to smooth gravel to little noticed how “funny” it is that aroad deteriorate can trail, heading from north Ellensburg. the Along way, I little stodgy but belies the real character of the group. was the Northwest Overland Society, which sounds a so group’s Ithought). The name official that joined us complete stranger, and Iwas the “old interloper” (or their kids, Lucia two and Cody. Everyone else was a other people Iknew were my son, his wife Amy, and Rovers, and the aforementioned Defender 90. by seasoned campers in their Rovers, 7Land Range subtle, nearly iridescent GREEN paint job, surrounded trip. here So Iwas, in my brand new Jeep ®with its very for the 8vehicles that were joining us to meet for the the trails feet are higher. located is about 5000 feet,River isthe at top about 800 of the hill where and the land dry quitevery high. Where the Columbia After adelightful lunch, the entourage set for off the “Oh boy, what have Igotten myself into?” only The Our venture started with acollection point in Ellensburg
with Army Road. Army Road took us over 5000 feetwith Road Road. took Army us over 5000 Parke Creek and Beacon Roads until we intersected taking stints short on such trails as Perkins, Caribou, Colockum Road through aseries of turns and twists, of gawkers watching each other. It was quite funny. the collection odd of vehicles that were there. Two sets then traipsed through ameadow and stopped to watch caravan and crossing the road from right to left. They and they accommodated us by circling in front of our they showed for off us. We stopped to take pictures herd of elk. them, There and must have been 25-30 approached the summit, we encountered an immense the sparse trees gave way to open high plains. we As After all, this was just adrive in the country. Sure. intuitive, so Ididn’t it do in all my senior stubbornness. wilderness and letting air out of the tires seemed counter out of airplane, aperfectly good etc. Heading to the this was kind of like parachuting, you know, jumping out of their tires in afrenzy –except for me. Ithought “airing down.” Everyone was out there letting the air a ceremony among off-highway adventurers called seal on one of the other vehicles. This halt prompted
From the summit, we temporarily from departed climbThe out of Ellensburg was absolutely beautiful as
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 being trashed. Live with it.” arude awakening! What up, your new paint is being destroyed. Your interior is “No whining, and ofthe dust it). dirt (clouds suck it paint removal aka tools; of Badge pin-striping, Courage; scrape. Ihad been warned about this. sagebrush The the old man to hold up the wagon train either. the pressure as well. After all, we didn’t want the Jeep ®, Ihad to make sure that Iheld up under please to good be me,” Ikept thinking. Besides in this terrain. “Oh, if there is an off-roadingGod, Rated Jeep ®would fall off, and it wouldn’t hack it that any minute now, all 4wheels on my new Trail tires earlier –tactical error). Ikept thinking to myself beat me to death (Remember, Ididn’t air-down my though. new The Jeep ®hanged in there though it miles of road. bad It sure was beautiful wilderness Columbia River, all in about 12 twisty, rocky, angled down from our high plains perch to the shores of the Bang, crash, bounce, boom, and whack, oh, yes us fell asleep and enjoyed the and peace quiet and life high-level cogitation. Thatwas until the whole pack of shaded creek and bed resorted to some reading and the “planners”, took their lawn chairs down to the tree- rock formations in the area, and the other group (mine), headed out to explore the incredibly interesting basalt “adventurers”The packed up their stuff and day-trip decided to split into completely two different sections. boats to cigarette speed boats, we saw them all. the boating crowd does their thing! From pontoon spit.sandy hours Ah, of entertainment watching how yardsabout 1000 away by this gorgeous inlet and about fuel consumption. we So all walked to the beach, decided not to back go up the hill due to concerns of natural protection and insulation (i.e. hair). from your cranium, especially if you are devoid wear sweatshirt ahoody –too much heat radiates the best way to keep warm with asleeping is bag to mattress was absolutely great, but Idid learn that sure learned aLOT from the grandkids. great What fun! par –it excellence.)” was all done. I Then badda-bing where my grandson camein handy –the rock collector this. Get some rocks inside to hold the tent down (that’s corners here, like this. awning Put the entryway up like Where’sPut theit rain-fly? over here; hook up the four bend the poles there, and hook up the other here. part them through these slots, hook up the bottoms here, me like adrill sergeant. “Here, put these together. Slip like, “Grandpa get out of the way.” She barked orders at granddaughter asked me if Ineeded help. came to rescue me from distress. MY darling My it’s all flexiblefiberglass rods now. Ah, but a damsel obvious that Iwas totally lost. more No tent poles, and my inflatable air mattress.All brand new. thereAnd Iwas with my pathetic tent little one-man tents. off-the-ground Incredible! portable fold-up the-rig celebrate, right?) and not one, not two, but three top-of- inverters for the blender (hey, have gotta aPi out tents, enclosures, potty canopies, portable kitchens, I witnessed the most amazing array of fold up and fold has happened in the “camping” industry over the years. unloading ceremony and setting-up began. Wow! ALOT we all decided on acampsite area and then the great rocks. After or three two discussions and false starts, water. Oh, and there were rocks, rocks, and more small stream approximately 3feet across with flowing Theresort. were chestnut and cottonwood trees and a showing signs of being an old abandoned farm of some Later in the day, it very, became hot very so the group nextThe day was all about exploring; however, we firstThe night of sleeping in my mini-tent on the air kiddo, show“What? OK, me your stuff.” It was almost In my feeble attempt to setup the tent, it was Mercifully, we were finally at ourdestination, a meadow ń a Colada toa Colada mostly ice water. Yes, Iheard it sloshing around all the way However, on the way up after days, two it had become sure, on the way down the hill the chest was full of ice. bottom of the hill, drain the water from the ice chest. Oh, uphill, end of the adventure, of my part journey. At the that’s when we turned the delay into asnack-fest. happen again, which slowed us down alittle bit, but with overheating problems had the same thing to from the depths to the heights. Our one vehicle a little snack and enjoy the successful emergence of the hill, and we decided to take abreak and have worried so much about were easy pretty to traverse. for the off-highway situation. places Ihad very The than it is to downhill, go the same thing holds true it’s much easier to up go in elevation on an icy road up those gullies turned out to Just as anon-issue. be transmission greatest My parts. fear about going back big rocks but rather drive over them with wheels, not and take the high side of the ditch, and not straddle higher clearance than Idid, so Ilearned to careful be Fortunately though, my Wrangler was ok. open with lube and oil gushing out everywhere. transfer case, or differential had smashed wide Iimaginedtwice. at that time that my transmission, from under the tires ensued, and I“bottomed out” hill, it not only looked aLONG way up to the top, it was. somehow.” say Ican that at the bottom of that mile-high to myself: “Well, just keep moving, get gotta out of here paint dangling from the razor-like branches. Ithought could just imagine giant globs of different colors of It was the accursed sagebrush again. scrape-fest I obstacle was adense thicket of cottonwood bushes. Immediately after getting on the move, the first only this time we faced an 11 mile uphill claw-fest. been blessed with the name “road” had to overcome, be of going down the hill, some of those gullies that had break camp, but break it we did, finally about 11am. reluctance in some folks –they sure didn’t want to tents that were on the ground. Icould see alot of burrs from our socks, and shake out the of dirt the all of our stuff, toss out the rocks, pull the sticker- drink began, and it quietly ended at about midnight. to evening on. cook An of fun, conversation, food and had to quite go away to find somedecent firewood cooks whipped up their favorite dishes after the gatherers for the big potluck dinner was ready to commence. The camp, and the “planners” awoke refreshed. prep The in general. Later on, the “adventurers” cameback to the Ah, yes.Ah, Ilearned one more gigantic lesson on the Over an hour later, we made it back up to the top Jeep is RoversMy not Land The lifted (yet). all had More crashing, banging, and propelling rocks inevitableThe time had come for me to face the fear nextThe morning, we all knew it was time to repack
his LandRover Defender 90. sheltered from thewindbetween my Jeep and little while) (Bottom) Myson’s family tent (formotorhome -hereisall Ineedtosurvive a to know each other. (Middle) Who needsahuge prepares for anevening offriendshipandgetting (Top) Part ofourcampsiteastheNWOS group
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 “Camping Kit” is ready in the garage for the next trip so let’s go! such as Ijust encountered with the Northwest Overland Society. My and with be the most wonderful gathering of family and new friends returned home. bad. very Whooooooffff…bad. like Iam back in the old days, and Iam loving every single moment of it. wax on before we left for the trip. In my poor, pathetic, addled mind Ifeel due to the clear coat on the paint, and Ihad put adouble layer of Zymol own. the By way, my paint job suffered no permanent scratches, probably it is And avehicle have theagain that (I 6speed). you proud be can to first licenseIt is good so to in feel the 1953! road and manipulate thegears real fun of driving, and it has happened to me again, even though Igot my excuse to “go to the store, to go thego post office, to….etc?” It was the Remember when you firstgot your driver’s license, ANY you would find in this world. Was Iready to again? go You betcha! time with my family that Iwould not have missed for anything views, company, good laughs, camaraderie, and real quality other half was going to finish the trip to Wenatchee goingby north. to split up, half of the group was going back south to Ellensburg and the few miles, we rejoined Colockum Road and it time became for the party paintedbe tones earth to blend in,” Ithought to myself. After another farm windmills that had been put up last year. “Those things ought to slammed the lid shut and decided to deal with it when Igot home. with ajug of drinking water so that it was consumable. After this, I out of this quagmire was the block of cheese, and Ihad to rinse it off any Pi of repulsive liquid with the rest of my food floating Thatin it. wasn’t earlier?) the worst, most disgusting, greasy, milky stinking cesspool sloshing around resulted in (remember me mentioning the blender salad, and lunchmeat, and ablock of cheese. Anyway, all that gigantic dozen eggs, alittle container of milk, afew bottles of salad dressings, believe what Ifound when it cametime to contribute to the snack-fest. up the hill; and yes, Ishould have checked for this; and yes, you cannot This learned old dog some new tricks, and Ican’t wait to again go course,Of Ihad to disinfect the ice chest once I thisAnd Wrangler, darnJK it has done something to me, something good. restThe of the trip home? More of nature beauty with great After taking afew pictures, we passed astand of brand new wind- I had some plastic containers full of butter and mayonnaise, ahalf break camp onthelastday. Dan and Amy Cronin,LuciaandCody, andGrandpaRich aswe ń a-Colada in there either,a-Colada folks. ONLY The thing Icould salvage WWW.OFFROADTRAiLTOOLS.COM (520)579-2079
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time for us Jeepers. Camp Jeep ® is a culmination of trail riding, outdoor activities, and just a plain all-out Jeep fest to satisfy anyone from novices to hard core Jeepers. This is an exclusive treat for all Jeep owners where you can hang out with fellow Jeepers and the Chrysler employees that help design and build our wonderful toys. Since 1995, Jeep ® has sponsored an annual family oriented fun
has been a great experience. This year, my son and I went together to do a little father-son bonding and just get away from the daily grind of our jobs. For 2007, Camp Jeep was held at the Oak Ridge Estates near Charlottesville in Virginia. This is the sixth time the event has come to Virginia, and there are many reasons this has I’ve attended four Camp Jeeps over the years, and each time it been a popular spot to hold Camp Jeep. Besides some of the wonderful scenery, the Oak Ridge Estates is one of the few places that can hold the close to 10,000 attendees and 2,000
Text and Photos by Ken Fidler 2007 Jeep Camp
Jeep-ware and showJeep-ware the off latest Jeep also open your wallet and spend money on of the vehicles abilities, off-road you can models, acourse that will give you ataste allows you to play with the latest Jeep adventure. Besides offering acourse that ‘playground’ while cheer on-lookers you on. own vehicle for abig splash in a special if you are real daring, you take can your to let out anew you try Jeep vehicle, or Jeep to build several obstacle courses rigs. area The is also big enough for core Jeepers with their heavily modified tothe novice challenging 4-wheeler hard- of trails off-road that range from teaching Jeep vehicles. area The also has an array
Camp Jeep isCamp not just about off-highway
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 Besides some of the obvious problems in marketing a of the issues in bringing this vehicle to production. engineer was open in letting me know about some over, we had anice conversation about the JT. The planners was there, and after the roundtable was Wrangler platform right Brute. next to4-door an AEV tent, was concept the pickup JT truck built the off Jeep, right outside the main entrance to the Engineer gave to about the me the JT. query opportunity At Camp Wrangler looks like aHummer, This and vice-a-versa. Abig discussionthe JK. then ensued on how much the what we like/don’t like about the current on style body future versions of the Grand Cherokee and Liberty. was with, but don’t surprised be if this makes it into switch. This was a“big thumbs down” in the group I of replacing the classic handle 4WD with an electronic Another tidbit is that Chrysler is toying with the idea we willing be to pay for the alternate engine choice?” Rather, it was more aquestion of “How much would “Should Jeep offer adiesel option on the Wrangler?” with respect of to portion the top. the sun-rider to the owner how to raise and lower the top, especially they are to trying find easieran way communicateto to giving be the product engineers some trouble as trailer hauling. new The Wrangler soft-top also appears control control system and to improve up-hill/down-hill it was if they were looking at some new directions. felt the Daimler arm had restricted them, but this time the engineers. In the past, it seemed the engineers Daimler and Chrysler, and Igot asense of relief from occurred after Jeep 2007 Camp the divorce between get an insight into future directions of the Jeep brand. and controversial, and the engineers know this. owners, the Wrangler roundtables are more outspoken Because Wrangler owners are the more Jeep colorful of vehicle,type but the Wrangler ones are the best. that build the beast. roundtables The are based on the to tell what we like and don’t like to the men and women risky, but in the long run, it’s agreat for us opportunity allowing of this interaction. type This is actually abit design and build the vehicles. Igive credit to Jeep for Jeep enthusiasts to talk directly with the engineers who more interesting Jeep vehicles than what is in the tent. concepts. Personally, Ifound the regular parking area had tent with some classic Jeep vehicles, as well as afew cousins. Jeep alsowith the brings other you a 2,000+ your expensive toy that sits in the Jeep parking lot I was fortunate in that one of the future product One of the questions asked at the roundtable was This year the main subject was not so much about, Hints at this year’s event are changes to the stability EngineeringThe roundtables are also agreat way to One importantfeature of Jeep is Camp the ability for fashions on your body, accessories or Mopar buy for variety in this area. In the past, you could out go for those that wanted out to scuba diving. try age, Iskipped these! There was also alarge tank the usual rock climb bike and BMX courses. At my other outdoor adventures. This year, there was willmaybe the JT become reality in afew years. Jeep in ironing out some of the details. knows, Who at previous Jeep’s, Camp and the campers helped was produced, several prototypes appeared(LJ) the light of day. Before Wrangler the Unlimited 2-door and find a way be to profitable before this vehicle sees sleeves, but the willJT have to battle the bean-counters and could restrict what size spare you could allow. concept, but that reduces the pick-up capacity, bed placing the spare along the side like the Gladiator them from using adrop down design. Isuggested locations. Putting the tire on the tail gate prevents the vehicle because of the fuel tank and muffler like the current spare The will JK. not fit underneath isof aswing the out space. design tail-gate The much spare tire sits inside the pickup and bed, uses up most to about do aspare tire and that darntailgate. small truck, the engineers are also faced with what In the past, Ithink Jeep offered Camp more Jeep alsoCamp provides opportunities to experience I’m sure the engineers have alot more ideas up their If you have ever looked at the photos of the JT, the band of crazies performed wild stunts on skate- entertained. Onceagain, Tony Hawk and his experience, although it was entertaining for the rest of us. trail. I’m sure these owners had less than an enjoyable a tow vehicle could come and remove them from the had to pulled be out, or even worse, abandoned until theOn more advanced rides, Isaw afew vehicles that of your Jeep, but don’t over estimate your abilities.” our trail guide said, “Don’t under estimate the capability going out on the trails would have been abig plus. As off-highway adventure, and alittle experience before that actually explained off-highway techniques. was an experienced Jeeper or Chrysler employee to as Jeep 101, assigned and to the co-pilot you run alittle differently. Originally these were referred Jeep ,they had similar test courses but they were mind aminor complaint. In the early days of Camp for us to test out brand new Jeeps. This brings to some of these challenges are no longer offered. costs down and dealing with safety concerns, sadly experience, we went white water rafting. In keeping or on go special walking trails. At myCampJeep first on kayak excursions, river lazy out tubing, ATVs, try You also can of spend your part day just being Many of the attendees at Jeep are Camp newbies to I mentioned earlier that Jeep set up special courses
priced excursions to theme parks. Ithink many folks are many, the family road trips are being replaced by over- so we could get the most out of the trip. for Sadly great memories of the family planning and organizing of us on atrip to visit of some the part country. Ihave IwasWhen young, each year my parents would take all it is the fun of being with your family on areal vacation. the other importantfactor in going to Jeep, aCamp and just to see some of the breathtaking views. Now this is enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery, and drove around a family for avacation. son and My Ialso in took part trails and entertainment provided at these events. you getnot your per person), money’s with worth the price of Jeep admission Camp is per (which vehicle, lawn chair if you want to comfortable. be For the low are These concerts concert. held outdoors, so bring a many of us never went back in the evening to see the wascamp closed late in the finalday due bad to weather, were the closing for act Jeep ,but because Camp the was not McGraw concert Tim on our agenda. B-52’s The them. Neither one of us is music acountry fan, so the but unfortunately my son and Idid not attend either of alive, these acrobats gave us agreat show. sit out in the bleachers with the sun baking us boards bikes. and BMX Even though we had to
Hopefully you realize that Jeep has Camp alot to offer This year there were not also concerts just two one,
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 hoping Jeep continues to offer Jeep to Camp us loyal owners and future enthusiasts of Jeep products. Jeeps. Ibet many of us have sold more Jeeps to new customers than the regular Jeep sales force. Here is Jeep is where we current Jeep owners to go learn about the latest products and tell our friends about new store,Chrysler-Jeep but most of them know nothing about break over angles or what lockers are. Camp great way for Jeep to educate its best sales people – which are us. Nothing against the salesmen at the In town, owner asmart of wash acar put up abig sign, “Got Trust Mud?” he did me; alot of business that week. got this red muck all over the engine, and in some cases this killed the engine or disabled some of the electronics. glue. It was awesome based to water see the all red-clay fly over, but a fewpaid for this thrill. A few unlucky ones the trail had adeep valley dug in, and they filled withit water.VirginiaThe clay,when it hit yourJeep, was more like but Ibalked and for reason. good We sat and watched afew times, and the tow rig kept quite busy. One side of plastic bombs from getting bent up while on the trails. You guess can what Ibought as soon as Igot back home. clunky ‘balloons’ on standard bumpers, and made even the stock bumpers more No look good. banging those stupid to help Jeep can Camp you convince your spouse to let you get those new goodies! Jeeps, she kept asking when Iwas going to get some of these upgrades for our Jeep .Going agreatWhat way to see if that item you saw in the latest Jeep mag is really your worth hard earned cash. to seeopportunity what new upgrades you for buy can your baby, and chat with someone that has them. your trail, you have to an check opportunity out your fellow campers’ rigs and talk about Jeeps. This is an All inAll all, whether you are new to your Jeep or an old hand, Jeep is Camp well your worth time. This is a I mentioned earlier the special ‘playground’ course to let your Jeep play in. son kept My prodding me to sign-up, I spotted afew Jeeps with the end that caps Jeep used on the last year of the TJ. These end replaced caps those yearLast Ihad my wife with me, and after seeing some of the stuff on cool all the other We would get in early and check-in and meet our trail leaders. While you wait to ‘launch’ and head out to
my surprise, he was always ready to with go abig grin on his face. from the sight. Ifeared Iwould dragging be my son out of but bed, to and our motel was aroundour over trail minutes 6:30am, line-up forty rides just (I’m amean guysometimes). This meant we needed to in be in working with everyone and making sure we all have agreat time. kind of mix of vehicles will on be the trail. trail The guides are excellent and visits everyone, and gets an idea of who is in the group and what small group of or 20 so other Jeepers. Your assigned trail guide comes life, and she was headed out on another trail with her friends. later, and she was hooked. She had one of the best times of her thing, and she asked the trail guides alot of questions. Iran into her had abrand She new was quite JK. nervous, but she did the right by going on one simple trail to get my feet wet (sometimes literally). is agreat opportunity. Iusually start taken your Jeep off-highway, this ‘scenic’ courses. If you have never will happen, even on the simpler guides. You never really know what back areas of trails with experienced were multiple excursions out into the Throughout the three days, there Jeep is the off-highway experience. and enjoying time with their families. missing out on seeing our country
My son isMy not amorning person, and Isigned us up for the 7am trail IlikeWhat is the trails are set up and organized so that you are in a This year on the scenic trail we had amiddle agedwoman who mainThe reason to to go Camp
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 love thatJeep.” it. You can’t getridof itnow. Keepit. You in Mexico.Plusyou’veput somuchworkinto went rockclimbingaround Arizona, kayaking to Yosemite andZion. And allthosetimeswe in itremember?CampedatJoshua Tree, went can’t getridofthatJeep. We honeymooned just hadtoremindme,“Awwww, Mark. You the trailer. kayaks couldfitontop,andmountainbikes and GlacierNationalParks. A pairofdouble on alandcruisetothe Tetons, Yellowstone, Chaser Adventure Trailer behinditandsetoff of adventurekidsandliveforweeks. Tug a southwest. We couldpackinawholelitter in theMexicandesertsandtrailsof modded JeepCommanderthatwaswellused I’d bethecoolestdadaroundwithasweetly an on-boardwatertankforshowering,too. also powera45-quartfreezer/fridge.Outfit connected toadualbatterysystemthatwould reservoir shocks,plentyofauxiliarylighting wheels, hiddenwinch,reartirecarrier, remote time: rocksliders,33”BFGsonasetof AEV tricking outanXKanddoingitrightthefirst while mowingthegrass. Yes, Icouldpictureit: should keepher. hundreds ofreasons,mostlynostalgic,whyI She wouldn’t likethat.She’dcomeupwith think ortalkaboutitwhiledrivingmyJeep. miles” to changethesnorkelfluidonceevery3000 For alasthurrahI’dhavetotellher, “Besure it sinceit’s redandconvertible. The horror. to senditoff withacollegegirl wholikes backseat in,giveitagoodwaxjob,andprepare stressful 24hours:sellthe TJ, cashout.Putthe I consideredthiscrazythoughtforalong, Text andphotosbyMarkD.Stephens With MyJeep So, IHadaTalk I sharedmythoughtswithwife,who “Maybe IcangetaCommander,” Ithought I settledintotheidea,though,butdidn’t dare When Brooketoldmeshewaspregnant,
Project TJ
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 for arack: TJs? That’s alottoconsider. So Ipennedmyabsoluteconditions there areatleast11 commercialroof racksavailableforJeep can bemysupportvehicleonanextendedbiketour.” new rack?I’vegotagreatideaforournextcamping trips. You straight.” the bikini,butI’vebeenwearingitforoverayear andahalf original andallscratched. What canyoudoforme?” my fenderflaresandwheels.Especiallythe They’re miles.” miles. And Ithinkyouowemealittlesomethingafterallthose like theJeepknewwhatwasgoingonwholetime. respect, love. you canget300,000milesoutofsomeonewhomdon’t karma, oneoughttotreatone’s carlikeabuddy;Idon’t think dive intoanewphaseofthe TJ project.Intheinterestofgood about myrevelation–no,inspirationtokeepheraround,and this totheJeep.Ihadhaveadiscussionwithher, letherknow so IsaunteredouttothegarageonaSundayafternoonexplain Hey man,whyfixwhatain’t broke? The TJ’s beengoodtome, with thisvehicle.It’s abouthearingthatinternalwakeupcall: for thewakeupcallreally, notforcomplimentingtheride. waved athim,andresponded,“Thanks,bro.”Iwasthankinghim was seriousandshakinghisthumbs-upwildly. laughing withjoy. “ThatJeeplooksinsane,bro!Sweetjob!”He screw onthegascapagain? driver’s windowwavinghishatatme. in thenextlaneoverandayoungmanpracticallyhangingout yelling atme. with myMP3playerpluggedintoears,Iheardsomeone beat mewitharustywinchcable. me ifIputitupforsale.Hangupsidedownbymytoesand very aware:mytwoJeep-owningbestfriendswouldhavekilled 4. 3. 2. 1. Thus launchedtheroofrackchallenge.Didyouknow that “A rack,huh?Sure,Mark,I’dlikethat. ButIwantagoodone.” “We’ll seeaboutthatone.Howarackupthere? Want a “Deal. Don’t youthinkIcoulduseanewtop,too?like “New paintsoundokay?” “Well, I’vegotsomethings fadingandlookingtattered.Like “Anything youwant,butI’monabudget.” “Mark,” Iheard,“youknow, 5yearsoldisn’t thatbad.95,000 As Isteppedintothegarage,wasovercomewithguilt–it The reasonformychangeofheartisnottheattentionIget He crackedmeup,andIhadnochoice.laughedaloud “Dude!” Heshoutedandbouncedhisheadupdown, I turnedtomyrightandspiedanairconditioningservicetruck “Hey!” Then, onthewaytoworkonemorning,airdrummingalong One thingshedidn’t mention, yetsomethingofwhichIwas Hinged supports foreasyragtopremoval/install 150 lbscapacity ormore,yetlightweight An attachedbasketnotnecessary, nordesired Compatible withthe ARB snorkelposition What didIdo,forget to at: at: JPFreek to adventures your Submit decalsand you t-shirts. are what waiting So for? rewardedwith some really JPFreek cool gear including inanupcoming issue, and your submissions will be knows,and/orwell photo(s) we may very use your story submit to share to photograph themJPFreek. to Who tell path,to and orwe a encourage anyone story with a beaten JP’Freeks’the off inspired are by lifestyles outdooradventure, you’ve right the place! come to you’re If engaging looking for content about Jeep and What’sYour Jeep smilesatmeeachmorningandasks,“Whenarewegoing?” Colorado Plateaufromhighdesertbetween Arizona andNewMexico.My of ridingalengththeMogollonRim,wallrockthatseparates bike carrier, I’mreadytotakeoff forsomeisolatedcycling.I’mthinking snowboards, orbikes. this wasaperfectrackfortheadventurerwhobringsalongkayaks,canoes, it’s lightweight,yetdurableconstructionandhingedrearsupports,Ithought Chrome.” Pardontheword‘chrome’ asit’s reallyafancy-lookinggray. For the SportsRackbyOlympic4x4inthiscooleco-colortheycall“Sierra Sports Rack(901),andtheCongoCagebyKargo Master. Iendedupwith [email protected] Fixed upwithanEezi-Awn rooftentanda Yakima SprocketRocket Only tworacksbatted1000withmyfourspecifications:theOlympic4x4 S tor y ? #AL ORVISTUA T W F Code f f or or o G C G C W 8 J W J M o G *UNGLE Cher r Cher r e a e e a e C Not FRAX n W s 0 oke oke t h J t t t t i h af o , a a a o n filated W t v e t E e p 0-745- t l h l e h h r e A o o n a o t C e o with e R n h g g o w g T d e $ e Chr o s o s l H T A H e a E a % Y R ysler b O t L n S r R n e s t 3
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o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 “ hot thoughit is ayear-round destination. and drive 8.5 miles to the Wire Pass Trailhead. Pass Wire miles tothe and drive 8.5 Valley Rock Turn House forthe Roadlooking turnoff. toward Kanab, miles back 4.5 Highway Drive 89. to and Leaveavehicle return area. and parking Campground Whitehouse miles tothe 2.25 road Follow this dirt Station. Paria BLM the River Contact Paria the River,crossing toward heading right, turn than ahalf-mile after less Highway Alittle 89. Trailhead on miles east –From drive Kanab 44 Equipment of Wire Pass and Buckskin and miles. back is 3.5 in Kanab, St. George or the Paria ContactStation. permit obtained either online or from the office BLM obtain one at the trailhead. Overnight trips require a Gulch. Apermit is required, but for day hikes, you can the Wire Pass Trailhead to the confluence of Buckskin route in aday, or partake in apeek and retreat from outHead for an overnight hike backpack, the complete the canyonbefore floor it againconstricts darkens.and snake, opening up here and there, letting sunlight bake to finish.The extreme narrowtwists passage like a world”, Buckskin miles from Gulch is start twenty-one canyoneering. Touted as the “longest slot canyon in the the relatively new and adrenaline pumping pursuit of and spectacular slot canyon that lures hikers into Zionnational-park.com Text and photos by Bo Beck &Tanya Milligan of suggested. is melting snow, it could beimpassable. A4WD vehicle is Best Season: Best Difficulty harness and descent device. bags, water purification or filtration50’ ofmethod, rope, extra socks, emergency supplies including gear, bivy dry Trail Access cold watervery might necessary. be how wet the season has been, wading and swimming in rope to negotiate. Depending on the time of year and canyon last, there was one obstacle that required 40’of -Walk Pass east, acrossWire the road, and follow Buckskin Gulch via Wire Pass to the Whitehouse Distance At aGlance Buckskin Gulch in Utah is an exceptionally long Buckskin GulchBuckskin Slot Canyon” – Worlds Longest : Strenuous.
: Complete route is 21 miles. confluence The : : Year-round but road the is if wet or there Water shoes, sun protective clothing, Early spring when Early it spring is not as
When theWhen authors hiked this 4 miles from the Middle Trail, alarge group of boulders make aformidable the current condition of the canyon, you may required be to wade or swim. Trailhead. Beyond this point there is amajor obstacle and, depending on Pass Trailhead if you not do plan on hiking through to the Whitehouse more drawings. This place isto agood turn around and return to the Wire etched into the darker stone. Around the corner, to the left are several vertically above the faded petroglyphs to see asingle human figuredeeply Walk 100’ downstream from the exit, and then look upstream and 100’ down canyon you should see weathered petroglyphs on the left wall. drawings etched on asmall panel. Return to the canyonwhere floor 50’ Trail. Walk up the steep, ramp distance sandy ashort to see sheep two Gulch, there known as the Middle is an escapeon the left side (north) 8 miles from of the the start hike, and abit over 6miles into Buckskin allowing for spectacular photography during the next 12 miles. Almost the slender crevice of the twisted wind and water-carved slot canyon, Wire Pass petroglyphs at the base of the large alcove on the right. confluencewith Buckskin Gulch (1.75 miles) youwill want to look for the the confining stoneopens once again, exposing above.the sky At the theSoon canyon constricts enough for hikers to barely slip through before open up again as travel continues toward the confluencewith Buckskin. “Wave.” At 1.3 miles, sandstone walls enclose dramatically, and then the wash. Continue east, ignoring the sign directing hikers toward the the “trail” to the register. beaten The path continues east, following Contact the for BLM weather and canyon conditions before attempting this route. If you are doing the through-hike, continue down canyon where roughly you –As enter Gulch Buckskin,Buckskin dramatic lighting haunts damages arising out of the use of this article. The user assumes all risk associated with the use of this article. this of use the with associated risk all assumes user The article. this of use the of out arising damages any for else anyone or toyou liable be publisher and authors the shall circumstances no under therefore, and, change author, Tanya Milligan. www.zionnational-park.com and Beck, Manager, Bo Outlet Outdoor and member Disclaimer team veteran Rescue and Search Park by Zion information canyoneering and trail coordinates, Photos, Credits: : Although we have tried to ensure that the content of this article is as accurate as possible, circumstances circumstances possible, as accurate as is article this of content the that to ensure we have tried : Although wash. If you are spending the night, this is where you will make camp. plain,the flood both on the left and right sides of the somewhatopen being there. Just before reaching the river you will see campsites above you refill can waterbottles; however,don’t count on the water always mile past the obstacle and dramatically. Be prepared for circumstances not a described. About have formed this canyon and the nature of the canyon change can quickly rope threaded be can as ahandline or rappel line. Remember that floods is a15’down-climb, where a the middle of the boulder pile steps” into carved the rock. In vertical20’ drop, and “moki obstacle. To the left side is a route in one day. This should only done be by those in excellent condition. finally disappear.sand Soft at the end of this route makes it difficult to hike this you fartherThe north travel, the wider the canyon walls become until they vehicle. Tall sandstone cliffs line the path, and atowering arch is deadahead. at which point it is 7miles to the Whitehouse Trailhead and your awaiting Exit Flash flooding is a realdanger very in thiscanyon. - The Paria -The River enters from the left. Oncethere, turn upstream (left)
, water usually seeps from the canyonwhere floor
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember FREEK SHOW Paul Erickson’s 1997 TJ Wrangler
2.5L 4 banger (and all that implies) Convenience/Interior/Electronics - Dana 30 Front with Lockright / Dana 35 Rear - Mirror relocation brackets with Yukon 35 shafts and ARB locker - Magellan Meridian Platinum GPS with RAM mount - 4.88 Gearing - Hand throttle - AX-5 Manual Transmission (5 speed) - Home made trunk (under the duster) - 33” TrXuS MT’s on Canyons and SpiderTrax Spacers - Mopar / Jeep Black / Tan Seat Covers - Omix fender flares (OEM style) - Added bumpstops on hood where it meets windshield - Home made quick disconnects for soft top hardware - Camaro rear view mirror with map lights - Bestop Safari / Jammer / Duster combination (Black) - Added second switch bezel for 6 Carling / - Bestop Soft top (Black) Contura switches and CB integration - Replaced radiator - Alpine HU with XM and iPod integration - Alpine / Kicker amplifier setup Suspension/Lift - from DPG Offroad - Edge Auto soundbar with Kicker 6x9 (polyfilled) - OME 2.5” HD lift (with Unlimited rear shocks) - MB Quart 5.25’s in dash - 3/4” spacers in front for leveling - Kicker 8” sub in Tuffy security console - 1.25” JKS BL - Cobra 75WXST CB with Firestik 4’ antenna on Jeeperman tire carrier - 1” JKS BMML - External speaker for CB - JKS Bar Pin Eliminators - Homebrew Fuse #4 bypass switch - JKS front Adjustable Track Bar - Various performance enhancing decals under the hood and on the side - JKS Quicker Disconnects for the front suspension
And the list is going to include (hopefully): Bumpers/Armor/Recovery - Jeeperman bumper - Roll cage, upgraded brakes, 33 Engineering - Front with brush guard/light bar bellyup, SYE, adjustable control arms - Rear (w/ tire carrier) - D-shackles front and rear - Warn 9.5ti Winch Originally, I purchased this Jeep from a Lt. Colonel at Edwards Airforce Base in 2003. It was meant for my 16 year - Toys by Troy Ultimate Rockers old daughter as a commuter car, and I had NO intention of driving it off-highway. I found it was missing a stock sway - Toys by Troy Steering Skid bar up front, and my daughter nearly tipped it over (the dealer ‘missed’ it during their pre-purchase inspection and - Toys by Troy side sliders/corner armor I didn’t know a thing about Jeeps at that point). Anyway, we eventually put her in a 2 door coupe and I decided to - Kilby Gas Tank Skid keep the TJ as a toy and winter driver for Southern California’s mountains in the winter (yes, it snows in SoCal). - Homebrew CO2 setup (10lb) At that point, I started learning about Jeeps and what they could do, and I became very focused on making - 48” Hi-lift Jack a decent daily driver and decent wheeler using parts and such that I could install myself (for the most part) as I have ZERO fab skills. Most of the work on it occurred after I moved from Cali to Alabama, and I think I succeeded Lighting in making it a decent road warrior that can easily hold its own off-highway in the mud of the southeast. - Added OEM fogs The combination of skids, armor, and lift has made this Jeep VERY stout and comfortable at the same time. I’ve even - IPF H4 lighting upgrade laid it over and despite a destroyed windshield frame and fender bend enhancement, it was still mechanically sound. - IPF 968 driving/fog lights Either way, it has been a BLAST to own, work on, and play with. I’ve learned more - 35W Backup/utility lights on back about vehicles working on this Jeep than I ever had previously! - LED taillights - Light’n Boltz lighting for license plate - Blacked out light rings (Krylon Fusion) Do you have a Jeep ® vehicle that is so cool that you’d like to share it with JPFreek readers? If so, send us your story and high resolution photos to: [email protected]
Who knows, you and your rig just might be in the “Freek Show” of a future issue of JPFreek Adventure Magazine! Oct ober / november 2007 enjoy playing hard on the trails while still using their vehicle as adaily driver. for the urban dweller. In essence, this is the product perfect for those who functionality allowingand on-road for easier vehicle and entry functional protection offer the best of both worlds: off-highway armament against any extreme terrain, jungle.” in urban the road encountered debris against protect also trail but damage describes the TJ Step Slider as being able to “not your from only body protect bar has been raised for quality, functionality, protection. and all-purpose Afterindustry since reviewing 2002. their latest creation, the TJ Step Slider, the pretenders. Rokmen Manufacturing has been aplayer in the Jeep armor an environment of concretedebris. and traffic Step Sliders’ functionality real-world proved true in while testing the sliders off-highway. In all, the TJ which later welded provedTIG end-caps, invaluable have welded TIG internal frame reinforcements, with less impurities. an bonus, added As the TJ Step Sliders the strength of hotTWICE roll steel and contains far of “cold roll steel,” here cold roll it is: steel is almost and bent cold roll 3/16” steel of the TJ Step Sliders. debris stood no chance against laser the CNC cut design proved superb as potholes, rebar, and road with protection. Speaking of protection, Rokmen’s helps eliminate this by integrating step functionality or family pets. “step” The on the TJ Step Sliders adventure in itself, especially with young passengers getting in and out of the vehicle sometimes can an be enter and exit. This is an importantfeature because the side panel that also makes the vehicle easier to step design provides an esthetically pleasing flow along the test in this concrete jungle. uniform, The simple appropriate that we put Rokmen’s TJ Step Sliders to paved streets of all the major U.S. cities, it was only away. Notoriously known as having some of the worst Buffalo Bayou and Galveston’s miles gulf coast 40 the United States. Bustling with over million two people, Houston is nestled between Our two-part test beganin the urban setting of Houston,Our two-part Texas; the 4 Offered in both abare metal and black powder coated version, Rokmen In the world of Jeep ®armor protection, there are players and there are For those who don’t understand the significance
Rokmen Rokmen This description only scratches the surface as these Step Sliders truly Protection isIndustryBest ProvesStepSlider four-legged friends,orevenyour significantother. of quality the passengers, young for easier exit and entry making by functional” world “real against Sliders Step chance TJ the makes no design step Rokmen’s stood Sliders. Step TJ Rokmen’s debris road and rebar, Potholes, Sliders. Step TJ Rokmen’s test to setting appropriate an be to proved jungle An urban setting that bustles with over two million people , Houston’s concrete
th
largest in city
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 Manufacturing products, contact Rokmen via telephone, email, or the web at: being aplayer in the Jeep armor protection market to atrue leader in the industry. rivals most every other Step Slider in this crowded market, Rokmen has jumped from fromapart its competitors. craftsmanship The is second to none, and at aprice that trails. Rokmen has established abenchmark for qualitythat truly sets this product yet simple design, the TJ Step Sliders work wonderfully in the and on big the city choice for the Jeep enthusiast. all-around clean, With smooth welds and afunctional water and mud that baked onto the of hood our Rubicon from the Texas heat. thethe only park. About thing the TJ Step Sliders didn’t protect us from was the stability. Full protection underbody made wheeling over rock and clay awalk in Once again, the welded TIG internal frame reinforcements provided unparalleled slammed into the TJ Step Sliders along the undercarriage and on the side panels. challenging, was no match for the TJ Step Sliders. compacted Thick, rock and clay of trails are nestled in thick pine trees andbushes, mulberry and the terrain, while off-highway adventure featuring hard mud, clay, and water crossings. acres 706 the proving perfect ground for Jeep enthusiasts who are looking for an atypical Located approximately miles of 85 north downtown Houston, General Sam’s is of ourpart test ensued at General Sam’s Park in Huntsville, Off-Road Texas. Website –www.ROKMEN.co Website –[email protected] Email –303-907-6303 Phone • For more information about Rokmen’s TJ Step Sliders and all Rokmen versatilityThe of Rokmen’s TJ Step Slider armor protection makes it the perfect After trudging across downtown Houston’s dilapidated street system, the second What makes ROKMEN products better? Step Sliders-Available for97-06’ TJ Wrangler ------Details instepslidersmake itbetterthanthecompetition: and pullthetrigger. TIG welding–requiresacraftsmanwhoisbothexperienced andskilledattheircraft,notjustaMIGmonkeywhocanpoint Unmatched design,attentiontodetail,fitandfinish, andoverallbuildquality Compatible withallknownbodyliftsandcompatible mosttubefenders Stainless SteelandGrade8Hardware–increasedcorrosionresistance Includes yellowzinccoatedbackingplatesforinsideofcab,2 Complete underbodycoverage–attachestobodyNOTmounts Two Internalformsupports persliderforextremestrength–alsoTIGwelded Ends ofsteparecappedandfullyTIGweldedsandedsmooth Constructed from3/16”steel–LaserCutandCNCbent Formed designprovidesausablestepandprotectsthesideofvehiclefromroadtraildebris o o o o the bodyand slider. manufacturers parts.Rokmen includesa3½”longstainlessbolttoclosethelarge gapcommonlyfoundbetween Mounting locationsonside ofvehicle–mountingholelocatedunder“Jeep”isnot includedwithmostother Fully TIGweldedendcapsand internalsupports Countersunk hardwareprovidessmoothsideandbottom, nothingtosnagontrailobstacles Yellow zincperforms40%betterthanother coatingsinsalttesting m m nd planeinternalreinforcementsalsoavailable.
some. then challenge…and the for up are Sliders Step TJ Rokmen’s debris, full road of types various or clay, rock, with it’s Whether protection. underbody provided stability unparalleled reinforcements internal frame welded TIG vengeance; the with however, the Sliders into Step slammed TJ clay and compacted rock thick, Sam’s General
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 of JPFreek Adventure Magazine’s first vehicle photoJeep’sessay featuring Cherokee. Grand offamily vehiclesCherokee, Grand is reflectedthehistory thethroughoutthe is of this and focus diesel forCRD engine 2008 the model year. Chrysler’s dedication offering to ahighly capable those of solidified its Jeep the cousin, the ®TJ, heritage Cherokee. theGrand of ® Jeep further push envelope the it made that a“Trail features with vehicle. Rated” Capabilities comparable to capable vehicles. full-size evolution The Cherokee 2005, continued in and Grand would WK the WJ the upgrades, astaple became gear ratio other and amenity of Chrysler’s to commitment Cherokee 1999. in alarger option engine Featuring 5.9L the with V8, well as increased an as Cherokee more was afar capable Ford the offering than ®Explorer released two years earlier. alarger,and its brother cabin than (the more interior luxurious Jeep ®Cherokee), Grand the model.ZJ Coupling Jeep ®off-highway legendary capabilities asmoother with highway ride The continual expansion continual The ofCherokee Grand the continued has introduction the with of a3.0 L Jeep ®later improved upon design its of original evolution the with ZJ the of WJ the Grand 1993,In Jeep ®releasededition Cherokee first the Grand the of family of vehicleswith its A Grand P Galaxy 88 CB w/Firestick Antenna w/Firestick CB 88 Galaxy w/CELIS 2 Hella Rally 4000’s 2 Hella Rally 4000’s Rack Roof Defender Mount Shovel &Ax/Rack Mount Jack/Rack Hi-Lift Mount Antenna CB 4xGuard Rails Rock 4xGuard Plate Skid FrontHC 4xGuard Plate Skid Rear4xGuard HC AT BFG 33” KO’s Rims Crush Racing American SSR’s with 4” lift SuperLift system Exhaust Magnaflow following the mods: vehicle, features rig and the off-highway example ofahighly capable an is amazing It GrandCherokee. WK Maine and his 2005 Larkspur, toBryan home is Colorado
erspective
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember
ZJ ZJ CB, Hi-Lift jack, tube doors, trimmed front fenders front trimmed doors, tube jack, CB, Hi-Lift TrXus 33x12.5-15, RC’s 15X8 3.75”BS bars track and adjustable shocks, tube Mono- RE JKS disconnects, 4.5”RE lift, SuperFlex Hitch III Class hooks, Rusty’s Kevin’slca’s), LP-1 sliders (Engine,Oil, Front T-Case,Skids Gas, features: vehicle .The in Kentucky on Mike “Sit Up Ward’s muscles Beg”its flexes‘n ZJ 1998 rocky terrain in the southern U.S. in terrain southern the rocky the Beam’sJerod conquers ZJ TeraflexTB TransGo Kit Shift Bar/Lights PreRunner ProComp Kit Performance Injection Fuel IIs on Outlaw 32” A/Ts BFG 5” Lift ProComp following the mods: features rig on 12 Mile .Aaron’s Road in Buelah,Colorado while arest takes ZJ 1995 Lockhart’s Aaron K&N and Flowmaster K&N 35” 315x75x16 MT/Rs Goodyear Kit Arm Long 6.5” Rockkrawler UT. Lake, Bear at WJ His 1999 features: marina the touse don’t need kits Arm Long William VanderToolen WJs that proves with WJ
ZJ killer mods including: killer mods some sports Grand Cherokee WJ 2000 Chatary’s James Hella 500 Off-Road Lights Off-Road Hella 500 Rack Safari Surco wheels steel Crawler Rock 31” Terrains All BFG shocks 7000 Hydro Skyjacker Boost 2” Budget WK The vehicle features a number of mods including: ofmods anumber features vehicle The Revenge trail Moab, near inWK. UT his highly modified on Hell’s the of4xGuard, takes President Livingston, Russ AFE cold air system cold AFE lights PIAA Magnaflow muffler grill guard 4xGuard by Prototype rails 4xGuard by Rock 4xGuard by plates skid Custom wheels Walker Evans Streetlock MT/Rs 34” Goodyear Suspension SuperLift 4-inch All factory skid plates skid factory All Intake Cold-Air FIPK K&N 3” cut-out with exhaust 40 Flowmaster Custom Sliderz LP1 Rock Kevin’s Off-Road Emu Stabilizer Kit Steering Man Old Dual Kevin’s Off-Road JKS Quicker-Disconnects JKS Adj. Trac Bar Lift 4.5” Rusty’s his WJ 1999 featuring: off shows Association, Cherokee Grand American Pillon, North ofthe Nick amember WJ
WJ Oct ober / november 2007 Climbing totheTop of the Tooth Text andPhotosbyJeff Haley El A weekendo DientePeak the alarm for 4:30am was not an easythe chore. alarm for 4:30am sleeping around bags midnight, and setting place for the tents. We finally climbed into our arrived at Navajo Lake and quickly found a our headlamps. After another hour we safely through the forest by the light of the moon and on, everyone as we wasalert very headed area along anearby creek. From that point fast photos, the bear ran down to awooded bear spray. Fortunately after we got several then Ireached into my pack and got out the the bear, Itold everyone to stop and stay still, didn’t exactly look like Yogi. Ifirst When saw meadow we spotted alarge, friend furry that were on our way to the lake when out in a trailhead atWe 8pm. threw on the packs and the Dunton Road and made our way to the We knew we were close. We finally reached featured on the Beer Coors cans in its full glory. first glimpseWilson at Peak that for years was we arrived in the Telluride area, we got our “Beer Barn” that claimed “Cheap Beer.” Once Montrose, laugh and agood at asign for the minutea 30 wait at afast food restaurant in our home in Springs Colorado that included ultimate face goal, the of North El Diente Peak. three peaks and was the fastest approach to our Navajo Lake. This approach allowed access to all into Navajo Basin and allowed abase at camp an alternate route that involved afour mile hike Pick Road approach to the peaks, we chose included steep snow, encounters with abear, 14ers. It was aweekend of adventure that just south of Telluride, Colorado, home to three the Miguel San range in the Juan San Mountains The weekendThe started with a6hour drive from This past June, three friends and Iheaded to
surrounding the standard Silver Peak. Due to some legal issues the area: Mt. Wilson and Wilson other foot 14,000 two peaks in to have asummit bid on the summiting El Diente, we hoped a rather narrow summit. After the steep faces that lead up to and it is properly named due to means Tooth” “The in Spanish, by the Dunton Road. El Diente Navajo Basin which is accessed facethe snow North route from to summit El Diente Peak via Our goal for the weekend was and some really powerful chili.
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember After a few good hours of sleep we awoke at 4:30, Basin and realized that just a quarter mile from us was a began to transition to rock once again. Just quickly prepared for the climb and were on the trail once large, recent avalanche path. The slope that ran upward as my friend and I were resting and beginning again by the light of the headlamps. We made quick was exactly like the slope we were climbing, and we to remove our crampons, we heard a terrible time out of the basin and reached the base of the North began to question the integrity of the snow underneath cracking and rumbling on the slope below. As face just as the sun arose around 6am. Gaining a great us. We decided to continue climbing snow along the we caught the view below us, we saw several view of the steep North face gave us excitement and side of a rock outcropping so that if the snow became basketball and TV size rocks letting loose and anticipation of the snow route ahead. We strapped on questionable, we could transition onto the rock. From bouncing along the route. We yelled “rock” the crampons, grabbed the axes, and tightened the straps there we continued our ascent and were making good to the other climbers and told them to get out as we transitioned from rock to snow. The beginning of time. The weather was beautiful and the snow was still of the way. Fortunately, they had traversed the climb was entirely snow and was very firm, allowing in great shape. There were a few places where we began over to a rock rib and were completely out of easy movement up the 45 to 50 degree slope. Now to sink slightly and had to pull our knees up out of the the way of the falling rock though they were that the sun was up, we could see the entire Navajo snow but we finally got to within 100 feet of the ridge and frightened as they watched the rocks roll by. Once we reached the ridge, our first objective was complete. We had climbed the North face of El Diente during the spring snow season. The next objective was to reach the summit which was another 500 feet of climbing snow and 5th class scrambling. At this point, we had grabbed some snacks and hydrated for the final push. Two of the other climbers decided to stay on the ridge and not actually summit due to fatigue and blisters created during the initial ascent of the face. After a few snow patches and some steep traverses, we finally reached the true summit. What a feeling of accomplishment and excitement as we stood on the highest rock we could find. Once we arrived back to the other climbers on the ridge, we knew we needed to pack up and get going on the ridge traverse. The first obstacle is a gendarme called the Organ Pipes. After reading some beta about the traverse, we knew we needed to drop to the south along the ridge and traverse around the rocks. We made it around and continued on a climbing traverse to try and gain the ridge proper once again. Unfortunately we encountered some very loose rock and had to begin down climbing to continue a traverse across the ridge. At this point, we had to stay high enough to avoid some cliff bands but not get too high into the loose rock. During this section everyone began to get very tired and the elevation was taking its toll. The whole day we were at or above 13,000 feet, and the sun was literally sucking the water from our bodies. After several breaks, we finally reached a bail out point along the ridge that consisted of down climbing steep snow to gain a rock rib that we could later down climb to a more gentle snow slope. This would allow a glissade all the way back to the basin. After sinking to our waists several times, we finally made it over to the rocks and began the descent on a mix of rock and snow. After several long glissades, we finally reached the valley floor and were back on the trail to the lake. At this point the sun was getting low in the sky and it was a beautiful sight looking up at the ridge we had just traversed. Once we returned to camp we unpacked our bags and set our sights on dinner. The evening’s meal was to be “Rootin’ Tootin’Chili” as prepared by my friend over the MSR stove. I have to say it was very good and just the right amount after a day of climbing. We had finished the day by sitting around telling jokes and talking about the awesome day we had above 13,000 feet. Due to blisters, fatigue and time constraints we decided to pack up and head out the next morning. We managed to stop in Telluride and throw back a few beers to finish up the great weekend. Climbing the “teeth” of El Diente was definitely a major accomplishment. With the combination of rock and snow, it was certainly not a trek for the light hearted but in the end, a weekend of friendship had culminated into a successful time in the San Juans, and it was another chapter to an exciting conquest of Colorado’s 54 14ers. October / november 2007 Freek Techniques looped ends (no hooks). The loads put The on astrap hooks). endslooped (no to risk damage to their own vehicle by pulling you out. of anchor good point, there is no upside for someone else held in place with an appropriate pin. Without some kind orinsert, simply strap alooped fed into the receiver and hitch utilized, be can either with ashackle ahook insert, are required to provide asolid anchor point. Areceiver Tow hooks properly mounted to the frame (front and rear) determine the quickest, simplest, and safest way. ways to get free. Your first order of business is to more and more frustrated with you. There are many or struggling in “Stuckville” while your spouse gets mean the difference between quickly moving again, options and coming up with the best answer can have to get unstuck. Thinking carefully about those need to assess what happened and what options you and abit of common sense. you When get stuck, you think your most importantrecovery tool is your brain Jack? While these are all items good to have, Ihonestly recovery tool is. Awinch? tow Agood strap? AHi-Lift favorite class modules: Getting unstuck. hands-on getting stuck was training and research for one of my such abroad range of customers. that All practice my Jeeping addiction into an interesting business with skills. did Little she think that someday Iwould turn realize was that Iwas just honing my vehicle recovery something so foolish again and again. she What didn’t must have married aspecial kind of idiot who would do Jeep ®intogood the mud and over the rocks? She “predicaments.” Why else would Idrive aperfectly rn ag Ofod fes cmrhnie riig ore erd oad nr lvl epr ta srse sft ad environmental and upgrades, and muchmore.Learnmoreabout offroaddrivingclassesat: safety vehicle techniques, extraction stresses terrain, different for skills that repair,driving and maintenance vehicle Jeepers preparation, trip covering level modules class with entry toward geared course training responsibility. comprehensive The classroom setting is the spectacular a Iron Range OHV park, 3 hours north offers of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Trail Offroad riding is integrated Range Iron Another must have item is atow strap with If you want to get recovered, you need to plan ahead. People often want to know what the most important wifeMy used to think Ienjoyed getting us into
Recovery Techniques for Traction Failure Situations, or simply, “Getting Unstuck”
Text and Photos by Mark Filonowich winch, and techniques for safer winching. cable. We’ll discuss the tools required to use the demands respect every time you unspool the unparalleled device when used properly, but that powerful extraction tool, the winch. It’s an strap will stretch quite abit before you see any progress. a tow strap in this application is frustrating, because the It used be can as awinch, but it’s painfully slow. Using lowering, the handle snap can up with surprising force. with care. raised, When it wobble can and fall; when buttire to the jack stack needs rocks), (or to handled be way toJeep amodified high lift enough to change a quite be can dangerous. For many of us, it is the only Jack is ahandy tool with many uses,Hi-Lift but honestly where you might employ The Jack. your shovel or Hi-Lift completed the task and is clearly back on safe ground. means the driver stops and waits until the bystander has should duck down out of the driver’s line of sight…it the strap. This does not mean ahelpful bystander vehicle comes free, you want to take care not to override the slack and provides steady pressure. the stuck As turning enough to assist. towing The vehicle takes up to move forward. Not wildly spinning the tires… just recommend the stuck vehicle “helps” by slowly trying but it requires acarefully coordinated set of steps. I you out. After afew such rescues, it seems routine, is to hook up the strap and use asecond vehicle to pull is no match for afast moving chunk of steel. killing bystanders. Awindshield seat frame) (or hook to become aprojectile of capable injuring or when pulling avehicle out could cause asteel Follow along in the next issue, and we’ll tackle Sometimes you are faced with self-recovery. This is Most of the time, your quickest and simplest solution MastHead decal www.jpfreek.com/gear $ Skull 5.00 $ 5.00 N
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o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 r l i Tra Trail o Trail o f t f f t h Summer e m m u S e h e Summ
Text and Photos by Dale Fincher
and climbs from which it was sired?
Preparing for this trip with my fellow comrades from the Rubicon Owners Forum, we converged seven Jeeps from the four points of the compass—Rubicons all but one, to a single spot on a cool, Friday August morning at Robb’s Valley Resort.
Is a Jeep ® Wrangler Rubicon truly broken in without returning to the dirt, boulders
Thusbeganplans Decemberlast taketoonthemighty Rubicon Trail California.in
With the tools and spare tires dispersed amongst us, we were ready for anything. e
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o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 Day 1 half way over the Postpile. afew On occasions, the slabs add an hour to our trip. Two hours later we were only suspension on every side yet hardly getting tipsy…ever. a buggy, Michael took his hard lines, maxing out his us were in -yet avehicle in command. Nimble like footprint was larger than the TJs the rest and LJs of a prototyped Nth Degree suspension. Jeep ® The when we watched Michael Wood, crawling with if youdone have ablyon 33s proper armor protection). the rest ofand 37s us on 35s (yes, the Rubicon be can shoes inches, at 33 but they took the hard lines with fineobstacles. Bill and RobinMoore sat on the smallest steeper lines and discovered this was the Postpile. the steep granite face to the left. We walked the the flat road on the right. But the tire tracks marked first real fork on the The road. trail sign hung closer to bars, and said aprayer for asafe journey. wagons, aired down, disconnected our sway assured me of the right course. We circled the plans at the last minute. we And were glad that we did. we changed recommendations Springs, for Wentworth planned to stage at LoonLake, but after several to on the nights spend trail. two Originally we had We were told the Wentworth Springs entrance would ofAll us got an JK early impression of the 4-door PostpileThe started with slabs, then boulders and trailThe was easy going at first until we met our Flanked by rotted buildings from the mining years Unlike run of the the typical Rubicon, we wanted performed verywell. Bill andRobin’s 33s with3inlift it lookeasy. Michael’s JKmade camber section,assistedwith Ai ROCK. My wife,Jonalyn,spottingmeupanoff-
Is this Wentworth Springs on the map? stop Hale Jon from pulling his white YJ clip, with CJ inches should40 avoid the obstacle. But that didn’t rocks –monster rocks. Iwas told that tires less than road ago. decades Now Sluice Little is nothing but It is hard to believe this used of to apaved part be Rubicon Express and lift 37” Toyo tires, had our back. every situation, we were glad his rig, with capable 5.5” Equipped with anew Engel fridge and gear to cover why jars you do two of have it (Ryan, jars two of jelly?) Ryan had four liters of it. some Need jelly? Ryan had with his preparedness. some Need lemonade? six hours to before go the Buck Island Lake. thebe longest of our three days. We still had and prepping for the afternoon. Day one would Little Sluice Then we cameuponthe famous Little This is when Ryan Donald started to impress us a shady spot, retelling stories of the morning to mark aclear line through the slabs. see painted markers, like the ones in Moab up and down the valley. like One day I’d to discouraging: trails of leaking oil, slicked times the obvious sign, though helpful, was walked ahead, looking for clues. Too many than 25 feet the off center of the trail. we So the ordinance that no vehicle should more be signs. We wanted to protect the land and honor made hard work of our trailblazing for lack of After the Postpile, we stopped for lunch in Thor catchingair. . full and fast as we descended ontoI Buck have where been the part the symphony crescendoed If our trip had asoundtrack,(yes, adam!). this would thousand more boulders, and then drove over adam even look at Sluice, Old we bypassed it, rolled over a walking over a thousand stray boulders. Too tired to it through Sluice that Little (give man adecal!). I perched and barked out aerial instructions. made Jon occasions such as this one. Ithrew it the off where cliff The restThe of the firstday crawled withby the Rubis Almost ayear ago, Ipurchased aspotter’s line for little help getting over the first hardboulder. tires less grab. Jon’s needed a Goodyear MT/Rs to rock crawling. It lubricates the rocks, giving the tell someone,Can me what to PLEASE, do?!” tires, and heard spurting Jon out, “I can’t see you! spotter hung onto his bumper, threw rocks under his he teetered on his driver side, nearly flopping, as his and then watchedgo-around the show. Jess, to hopped the ground with camera in hand. rolling to on 35s, the front of the line. His wife, The dustThe on the Rubicon adds anew challenge pushedJon his Jeep ®to the limit. one On occasion restThe of us wheeled the slabs of the Little Sluice. grandfatherly treeoverlooking (Left) A landmark: Uh oh,LittleSluice. large boulderswereallabout. we hadtostopandseewhatthese (T op) Oursentryinformation…. sland Lake sland This
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o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 Day 2 Little Sluice’s boulderfield. (Right) Jon’s 35saredinkyin little help. around anyonewhoneededa (Above) Ourgrouprallied shouting folks of all ages. They, like us, were having Jeeps, buggies,30 and trucks carried grinning and enjoying atrip in the opposite direction. Roughly way down, we encountered USA Disabled Sports challenge of the day was actually the parking. Half- the gully crisscrossed around boulders and trees. The major obstacle for Sluice the Big day: came of it but the gaping silence and mystery of the lake. offshore and threw some flies at the fish. Sadly, nothing Tiptoeing down to the lake, Iwaded to an exposed slab and he toldSoCal, tales from the great white north. Vancouver, to BC, run the trail with his friend from Thor lanterns to enjoy stories from the day. Steve flew in from permitted but we gathered around the stove cook and islands, and tree lined shores. fires Camp were not clear, cold waters by back-dropped rock outcroppings, by replacing his sticker hood with “Fordyce.” the forum, including Jim who branded his Rubicon nearby. Here we stumbled uponother guys from near the trail, we searched for camping spots Because of the new ruling for vehicles to remain were strewn everywhere. Big Sluice isn’t as as bad the name sounds, though By mid-morning, we caravanned mid-morning, By to our one nextThe morning Iinsisted on rising with the sun. Camping at Buck Island Lake was golden. Pristine vehiclesOff-highway .
Jon beginshisattempt. (Left) I’mperchedaboveLittleSluiceas
o n / ber o Oct vember 2007 vember Oct ober / november 2007 who enjoyed noise till the wee hours of the morning. place to camp, away from the drunken festivities of those corner for acampsite in the trees. This proved aquieter the swimming hole of Rubicon Springs, then around the all the spare fuses for Brian after that —yep, Ryan! remarked, “Oh yeah, no lockers!” guess And who had obstacle every difficult hadbeen conquered, Brianwryly for the lockers and blew that too. From then on, after problem of ablown fuse. they So robbed the horn fuse Tennessee to make the run, helped investigate the locker trouble. Brian’s friend, Drew, who flew out from trail, we waited and waved and cheered them on. the time of their lives! Shifting to the side of the By lunchtimeBy we unpacked our chairs on the slabs of Peppered throughout our trail ride was Brian Busch’s the biggestchallengeofsecondday. (Above) FindingparkingonBigSluicewas Cadillac Hill. (T op) Ryanon37 T oyos doingitrightup course, it was Ryan’s Ineed to (now get one of those!). campsite beside ours. We had to ask about of it. And great adventure ARB light hanging from the tree of the our Jeeps and nature all in the same trip. enjoy God’s country. Without arush, we enjoyed up believing in the brown local bear, Cinnamon! know when truth overlaps fiction. You may just end But when you talk to Kevin, beware; you never tales of off-highway adventurers on the Rubicon. summer, entertained us with card tricks and tall That night, preparing for my bed, wife and Iadmired a leisurelyThe of pace days 2and 3helped us Kevin, the manager for of the the property another we adieu. scattered Off to Washington, to Tahoe for City afarewell lunch and then bid one glacier blue and pieces of civilization. We caravanned We posed our Rubicons and our new friends round about. notbe nearly asas difficult expected. UpCadillacJKs. Hill we followed, finding it to got caught behind atrain of brand new stock Day 3 Then out on Tahoe we sprang, welcomed by the deep Observation Point finished our lastoff bits of digital film. After breaking the camp final morning, we to make memories on the Trail of the Summer. band of bothers and sisters landing in one place Tennessee,SoCal, Vancouver and Colorado. A (Above) Newfriendsfinishingagreattrail! For more information about the Rubicon Owners Forum, or to become amember, please visit: http://www.rubiconownersforum.co
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Lifestyles off the beaten path
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Lifestyles off the beaten path