LIFESTYLES OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Issue 1 Volume 5 April/May 2010

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Lifestyles off the beaten path

Crew & Contributors EditorialLifestyles off the beaten path

Editors NoteAdventure Fun Even in a Down Economy Over the past year or so, the tribulations of a down economy have impacted most everybody. Whether its been in the form of moderately watching how we spend our money for safety sake or for worse, as a necessity due to layoffs, etc, times have been tough which has brought about the following question for many of us: How can I still enjoy time with friends and family and do so on a budget? The answer to this question is overlanding and off-highway adventure. As the economy continues to play a significant role in many of the personal decisions that we make, overlanding and off-highway adventure continue to grow as an ever-popular way to get away from the daily stresses of our personal lives and enjoy time with friends and family without having to break the bank. For many people, going on a short weekend backcountry trip or a week-long or more - overlanding adventure is the perfect way to get away without planning an often times expensive trip to an exotic locale where money is no object. As Jeep vehicle and outdoor enthusiasts, what better way to enjoy your passion than to do so with your family in a fun way that allows for you to travel and enjoy the many treasures located here in the U.S. or wherever you read JPFreek Adventure Magazine? The opportunities for exploration are endless and in the end, the gratification of sharing this passion and visiting places in your vehicle that you havent been to before makes it a worthwhile endeavor. For me, its an endeavor I cant wait to share with my infant daughter who already owns her first Jeep vehicle. Hopefully my love for the splendor of our natural world will be one that she enjoys as well and as you read JPFreek Adventure Magazine, I hope that our passion for responsible overlanding and off-highway adventure is one that will inspire you to get out and enjoy the many opportunities that await you and your family.

Editor-in-Chief / Publisher Frank Ledwell Copy Editor Andrea Ledwell Advemture Editor Kraig Becker Jeep Jamboree Correspondent Greg Machado 7 Bar Grille Correspondent Mark DeNittis Climbing Correspondent Jeff Haley Contributing Writers Alan Ellis Mark Filonowich Mike Fissel Wil Kuhns Will Morgan Zak Patel Marco Santarsiere Mark D. Stephens

Photography & DesignCreative Director Richard Tinnell

Marketing & FinancialBusiness Development Ken DamicoContactJPFreek Adventure Publications, LLC P.O. Box 864 Houston, TX 77001 info@jpfreek.comJPFreek Adventure Magazine and the JPFreek name/ logo are property of JPFreek Adventure Publications, LLC (JPFreek) and are protected by copyright. Any use or reproduction in whole or in part without the express written permission of JPFreek is strictly prohibited. www.jpfreek.com JPFreek is not affiliated with Chrysler LLC or the Jeep brand and no such association is expressed or implied. JPFreek, JPFreek Adventure Magazine, JPFreek Adventure Publications, LLC and www.jpfreek.com are not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by, or in any way associated with Source Interlink Companies, Inc., Source Interlink Magazines LLC, Jp Magazine and its website www.jpmagazine.com, and no such association is expressed or implied. Copyright 2006 2010 JPFreek Adventure Publications, LLC All Rights Reserved. Published in U.S.A.

Frank Ledwell Editor & Publisher

DepartmentsFrom The Editor ................................... 4 News, Events, & Stuff ........................ 10 News from the Adventure World ...... 18 Freek Show: ...................................... 64American Overland Expeditions JK Wrangler

Overland Overviews .......................... 50 Freek Garage: .................................... 74Installing a Warn 9.5Ti Winch

Freek Techniques: ............................. 84More Common Trail Techniques

7 Bar Grille: ....................................... 80Hut Meals & Trail Snacks / Camp Burgers Dont Trash the Environment

Industry Insider: ............................... 40A Visit with Adventure Trailers Martyn Davies

Land Use & Access: .......................... 90

FeaturesThrough The Sands of Time: Ecospedition 2009 ............................. 24Overlanding adventure in Libyas Akakus Mountain Range Mountain Biking in Colorados Area 52

Cruising & Jeeping On the Mexican Riviera Part I .................................... 44Mike Fissel takes us on a Latin American adventure with Jeeps Members of ExPo travel backcountry through Californias Death Valley

Ride Free ............................................ 30 California Dreamin .......................... 36Off Road Passports Diane Zalman takes us on a Rubicon Jeep adventure

Dunes & Deserts................................ 68

A Winter of Fun ................................. 86

Skiing & Snowmobiling in South Dakota & Wyoming

Photo courtesy of Chrysler Media Services

JPFreek Adventure Magazine likes Jeep vehicles. We also like trees and responsible off-highway recreation. Thats why each issue of JPFreek Adventure Magazine will be 100% earth friendly with a reduced carbon footprint. Its the least we can do to show the off-highway community that Jeep recreation and protecting our planet in the digital age can work hand-in-hand.

Photo by Alexis Carvallo

JPFreek Adventure Magazine to Offer New Additions to Content Delivery FormatJPFreek Adventure Magazine recently announced its plans to offer a fully-compatible version of their highly successful digital edition publication on the new Apple iPad platform. This new delivery channel will allow consumers to read and share JPFreeks digital edition on a platform that will be extremely user-friendly and will continue to propel the publication at the forefront of technology. In addition to iPad-capability, the magazine will also be viewable on the ever popular iPhone platform. JPFreek Adventure Magazine is also planning to soon announce a completely new website that will be community-based with daily content updates and user functions not previously available anywhere within the Jeep community. JPFreek subscribers and new readers of JPFreek Adventure Magazine will soon be able to access dynamic editorial, photographic, and video content, special vendor deals, contest giveaways, and other exciting offerings through the JPFreek platform as well as JPFreek apparel and logo-branded merchandise. A release date is expected in the very near future and more information will be made available soon on the JPFreek website www.jpfreek.com.

APRIL/MAY 2010

COMING SOON

AllThingsJeep.com Hosts Third Annual WORLDWIDE Go Topless Day

JEEP ADVENTURERS SHOW THEIR LOVE BY GOING TOPLESS ON MAY 8, 2010

On May 8, 2010, Jeep adventurers all over the world plan to Go Topless as a celebration of Jeep love. The third annual worldwide Go Topless Day, hosted by AllThingsJeep.com, brings Jeep adventurers everywhere together to take part in local Jeep club events or just enjoy the day, sans top (we mean the Jeep top, of course!) in the great outdoors. Going topless will also raise awareness for a cause this year, as a portion of t-shirt sales for the event will go to local and national organizations whose missions are to proactively protect outdoor recreation access on public lands Jeep Clubs worldwide are joining in with picnics, trail runs, trail clean-ups and social events. Last year 45 Jeep clubs, including five international clubs, participated in the celebration. This year, AllthingsJeep. com is hoping to double that number as Jeep Clubs worldwide have already planned dozens of events. To find a local event in your area or host your own, you can view the list of Go Topless Day 2010 participating Jeep Clubs and Organizations here. In Lancaster, Massachusetts, AllThingsJeep.com will host the 3rd annual flagship event on May 8, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with RTI ramps, an off-road obstacle course, food, music and games for all. Go Topless Day brings people together for a day of pure fun. Its a great way to enjoy the day with friends and make new ones, says, Jean Wnuk, owner of All Things Jeep. In addition to the worldwide festivities, AllThingsJeep.com will host an online photo contest encouraging participants to submit their best go topless photo moments. The five winning photos will earn the photographer a gift certificate and merchandise from the AllThingsJeep.com store.

APRIL/MAY 2010

Utahs Crawlfest of the SouthwestRed rocks, rigs, and rim trailsBy Del Albright Photos by Stacie Albright

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January 29-31, 2010: Southwest Crawlfest by the Rockaholics Anonymous Club out of St. George, UT offered something for everyone, from SUV to bad-to-the-bone buggies. About 320 registered vehicles jumped in on this crawl, and spread out over 11 different trails mostly in the Sand Hollow State Park and some adjoining BLM land. Dedicated to land use and charity donations, as well as trail cleanups, this event ranks high on our list of must-do activities. According to organizer Steve Crabtree, Were up from about 200 rigs last year to over 300 this time, said Steve, and were seeing signs that we need to grow even larger next year. He added that they hope to offer another 5 or 6 trails for 2011 as well.

The activities began Friday morning with last minute signups, trail lineups and a drivers safety briefing. Participants were instructed to follow the rules and pack out all trash even that of less respectful folks. Stac and I did the Faultline Trail on day 1, and followed a long but fast-paced group of adventures out into the high desert. I was astounded at what we saw. This southwestern portion of Utah actually rivals Moab in some ways. According to vendor Eric Lichtbach from Olmpic4x4 Products, the scenery was incredible; the obstacles formidable; and the views in and out of the red rock domes were just plain breath-taking. On day 2 we did a couple trails, including portions of East Rim and Milts Mile, plus a couple stops to watch folks play on the

2nd Annual Overland Expo to be Held in Arizona on April 16 18Thousands of overlanding enthusiasts from all over the world will convene on southern Arizona April 16 - 18, 2010, for the second annual Overland Expo. Overland Expo is a three-day weekend designed to educate and inspire people to get out and explore their world. The weekend features more than 35 different classes, workshops, and roundtable programs for adventure motorcycle and four-wheel-drive; a large exhibitor exposition (65+ exhibitors); and evening inspirational programs. In 2010, the Expo is hosting the first annual Austin Vince Adventure Travel Film Festival. Austin is an energetic Brit who has, with his mates, ridden Suzuki DR350s around the world - twice (and was the inspiration for the famous Long Way Down and Around rides). Other VIPs include: Harold Stephens (set the world record round the world distance by Toyota Land Cruiser in 1967); Renegade Trail. We ended up back in town in time to staff our BlueRibbon booth and mix with the other vendors and participants. Steve Crabtree wrapped up the event by saying, Im extremely pleased with our event this year, and next year is going to be even bigger. We plan to showcase a lot of great vendors with more activities and fun stuff for everyone, along with adding more trails. Learn more and signup at www. southwestcrawlfest.com or contact Steve at steve@optimumgear.com, 435-217-4516. four Camel Trophy competitors and instructors, including Tom Collins, Bob Ives, and Duncan Barbour; Ted Simon (Jupiters Travels);

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Lois Pryce (Lois on the Loose); Ara Gugherian (Oasis of My Soul - one of the most popular moto blogs out there, with 1.4 million visitors and counting); and many others. Several major new overland products will be debuted at this years Overland Expo. To learn more about the upcoming Overland Expo, please visit their website at http://www.ovexpo.com

Jeep Brand Broadens Vehicle Lineup with Three New ModelsThe Jeep brand is broadening its vehicle lineup with the introduction of three new rugged, versatile and innovative vehicles that deliver classic Jeep design and capability. The new 2010 Jeep Liberty Renegade boasts a new premium, rugged appearance with standard classleading capability features, while the Jeep Wrangler lineup is expanded with unique limited-edition models Jeep Wrangler Islander and Jeep Wrangler Mountain that deliver high-impact visual appeal with outdoor fun-and-freedom themes. While clearly appealing to our core customers, these three new Jeep models will attract new customers to the Jeep dealer showroom, said Mike Manley, President and CEO Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. The new Liberty Renegade delivers renowned Jeep capability and an array of standard features in a stunning new rugged, premium design, while both Wrangler models expand the iconic anchor of the Jeep brand with unique, limited-edition versions that consumers have told us they want.

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The new Jeep Liberty Renegade and Jeep Wrangler Islander edition will be available in Jeep showrooms in the first quarter of 2010. The Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition will follow in the second quarter.

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Jeep Jamboree U.S.A. 2010 Trip ScheduleJeep Jamboree USA has announced their latest trip schedule for the 2010 JJUSA season. The schedule is packed with a number of repeat adventure weekends and a new Jamboree in the Badlands of Indiana. In addition, JJUSA is broadening some of its Jamboree packages to make it more affordable for individuals and families to attend. A special family pack has been added which includes a discount for a family of four, as well as a Trails-Only option that is focused on the trail portion of specific Jamborees and does not include meals, etc. Check out the 2010 schedule below and visit www.jeepjamboreeusa.com for more information.6th Texas Spur Spring Llano, Texas Mar 25-Mar 27 6th Tennessee Mountains Oak Ridge, Tennessee Apr 22-Apr 24 17th Cajun St. Francisville, Louisiana Apr 22-Apr 24 20th Arch Canyon San Juan County, Utah Apr 29-May 01 13th Land Between The Lakes Marshall County, Kentucky Apr 29-May 01 17th Pine Barrens Hammonton, New Jersey May 06-May 08 18th Big Bear Big Bear Lake, California May 13-May 15 22nd Palo Duro Amarillo, Texas May 13-May 15 2nd Cullman Alabama Cullman, Alabama May 27-May 29 19th Canyon de Chelly Chinle, Arizona Jun 03-Jun 05 1st Badlands (NEW!) Attica, Indiana Jun 10-Jun 12 18th Drummond Island Drummond Island, Michigan Jun 17-Jun 19 13th Penns Woods Bradford, Pennsylvania Jun 17-Jun 19 6th Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, West Virginia Jul 08-Jul 10 4th Killington Killington, Vermont Jul 15-Jul 17 15th Northwoods Mole Lake Crandon, Wisconsin Jul 15-Jul 17 14th Rubicon Trail The Rubicon Trail, California Aug 12-Aug 15 2nd Big Horn Mountains Dayton, Wyoming Aug 26-Aug 28 4th Texas Spur Fall Llano, Texas Sep 16-Sep 18 23rd Ouray Ouray, Colorado Sep 16-Sep 18 13th Catskill Mountains Monticello, New York Sep 23-Sep 25 18th Black Hills Deadwood, South Dakota Sep 23-Sep 25 21st Maine Mountains Bethel, Maine Sep 30-Oct 02 21st French Lick French Lick, Indiana Oct 07-Oct 09 4th Borrego Springs Borrego Springs, California Oct 14-Oct 16 17th Gateway to the Cumberlands Williamsburg, Kentucky Oct 21-Oct 23 12th Moab Moab, Utah Oct 21-Oct 23 21st Ouachita Hot Springs, Arkansas Oct 28-Oct 30

APRIL/MAY 2010

North Face Out In Theaters NowBased on a true story, North Face is the gripping adventure drama about the competition to climb the Eiger, the most legendary and dangerous rock face in the Alps. In 1936, as Nazi propaganda urges German Alpinists to conquer the unclimbed north face of the Swiss massif, two reluctant climbers, Toni Kurz (Benno Frmann) and Andi Hinterstoisser (Florian Lukas), begin their daring ascent and attempt to scale the infamous rock face, often called the Murder Wall. While preparing themselves at the foot of the North Face, Toni and Andi unexpectedly run into Luise (Johanna Wokalek), the early love of Toni. Now a journalist, she has come with her editor, Arau, a loyal Nazi, to report about the first ascent. Toni begins the climb of the North Face with Andi, closely followed by two Austrian daredevils, Willy Angerer (Simon Schwarz) and Edi Rainer (Georg Friedrich). Initially, both rope teams make good headway but when the climbers lose their advantage over the mountain, the survival race against time and the forces of nature begins. Additional information can be found at www.northfacethemovie.com

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Top Adventureavelers New Options For Adventure Trir next challenge received a Adventure travelers looking for the ir Bucket Lists recently. First it couple of new options to add to the ance trail would open in South was announced that a new long dist for 745 miles and require 48 Africa, which could eventually stretch ia has opened up a previously days to hike. Not to be outdone, Ind ch will offer mountaineers restricted section of the Himalaya, whi kers new trails to explore. mover 100 new peaks to bag and trekpot.com /2009/12/new-long(http://theadventureblog.blogs distance-trek-to-open-in.html) pot.com /2010/01/new-trekking(http://theadventureblog.blogs ) climbing-options-in-india.html

German Woman Completes Solo Paddle Around Australia45-year old Freya Hoffmeister completed an epic, long distance kayaking expedition that saw her circumnavigate the entire continent of Australia. The journey took 332 days to complete, a new record, and covered more than 9400 miles in the process. Freya is just the second person to accomplish this feat(http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/ freya-hoffmeister-completes-paddle.html)

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Antarctic Explorers Make First Unassisted TraverseAmerican Ryan Waters and Norweg ian Cecilie Skog became the first team to make an unassisted and uns upported traverse of Antarctica, skiing 1117 miles over 70 days, beginn ing at Berkner Island and finishing on the Ross Sea Shelf. They earned the unassisted moniker by travelin g completely under their own power, and the unsupported tag for making the journey without receiving a resu pply along the way.(http://theadventureblog.blogs pot.com /2010/01/antarctica-20 09ryan-and-cecilie-are.html)

covered In The Lost Civilization Dis Amazon

nerally seen ion of the Amazon is ge The continued deforestat a startling it has recently revealed as a very bad thing, but ancient known, and widespread discovery, a previously un has jungle. Satellite imagery on that flourished in the civilizati d out over 155 n made structures sprea found more than 200 ma ains a mystery for now. miles. Who built them rem/01/lostlog.blogspot.com /2010 (http://theadventureb amazon.html) civ ilizat ion-found-in-

Celebrity Climbers Summit KilimanjaroIn early January, musician Kenna led a team of celebrity climbers to the summit of the tallest peak in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro. The group included rapper Lupe Fiasco, actors Jessica Biel and Emilie Hirsch, adventure photographer Jimmy Chin, amongst others. The climb was organized to raise awareness of the growing global clean drinking water crisis that many developing countries are facing today.(http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/summiton-summit-they-did-it.html)

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To follow all the excitement currently going on throughout the world in the adventure realm, please visit the latest addition to the JPFreek Adventure Magazine team by visiting The Adventure Blog at:http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/

By Mike Fissel

A Modern Day War Wagon!

What do the words War Wagon bring to your mind? For John Wayne fans it will no doubt be the 1967 movie by the same name. When I snapped this spy picture (I have always wanted to say that) of this military JK Rubicon Unlimited, the first thing that came to my mind was, The War Wagon! The longer wheelbase model with a turret looking thing on top is just like the longer wheelbase model with the round turret in the John Wayne movie. Notice the hinge at the rear. A very cool Rubicon model for sure and not alone in the world as there are at least two of these, lets call them twins, running around Cochise County in Arizona. These modern day war wagons were spotted near Fort Huachuca in Southern Arizona. Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command. It is also the headquarters for Army Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) and the Joint Interoperability Test Command and the Electronic Proving Ground. Its adjacent airfield, Libby Field, is one of the designated landing locations for the space shuttle. Fort Huachuca was declared a national landmark in 1976 and the site of the original 1800s fort is still there and fairly well preserved. Now that we have some of the wheres out of the way, one can only imagine what this modern day War Wagons purpose is and what futuristic technology lies within. Imaginations can wander considering some of the other sights that one can see on any given day driving on SR 90 along the forts eastern border. From huge balloons that hover during the day that reportedly contain lots of hi-tech surveillance goodies, to satellite communications equipment draped with camo netting and Predator Drones that take off and land at Libby Field, the War Wagon is just another sound and sight that show freedom is job one at Ft Huachuca.

APRIL/MAY 2010

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APRIL/MAY 2010

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The ough Thr ime: of T nds Sation 2009 Ecospedide Backer By Hendrik errit Seys Photos by G

In the Spring of 2009, we decided to organize an expedition in true Go Anywhere, Do Anything Jeep-style, intending to demonstrate how this adagio still holds in our modern society and to show that there are still places on this earth where you need a true 4x4 to get to. Special care is taken to do this with a lot of respect for nature and local people, and the Ecospedition 2009 reflected this.

The goal of the expedition was the Akakus mountain range in Libya, a country of which we mostly know rather dark stories of its political leaders and is only slowly coming out of its international isolation. Our reconmissions, however, had shown us that the Libyans are very hospitable and that the landscapes are breathtaking.

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The expedition was organized by Gerrit Seys, President of Jeepclub Belgium, who is an experienced chief-instructor of the Jeep Academy school and an experienced world traveler. It was composed of ten Jeep Wranglers, two Unimog 4x4 trucks, and one organization MAN expedition truck. Six JKs were manned with Jeep Academy instructors and were driven overland to Sheba, Libya for a plane-group of winners of a Chrysler sales incentive and contest called Jeep Eco Challenge.

On 30/10/2009 the Group took the ferry in Genova, Italy after a 1.100 kilometer drive from Belgium. Unfortunately, the ferry had a twenty hour delay because of bad weather so it was off to a hotel and a real Italian pizza. On Sunday, we boarded the ship and after a calm crossing, we reached Tunis, Tunisia, where we easily crossed the checks at the border patrol. A quick lunch and a diesel fill-up, and it was off to Gabes in the south. The next day brought us closer to Libya, through Ben Guerdane and Ras el Jir. The more we reached the south, the more the skies got

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dark and by the time we reached Ben Guerdane, the From here on, we followed an oil pipe line running streets and border crossings were flooded by heavy next to the track until it disappeared and went rains. We decided to organize a camp on the beach underground in the sand-seabut not without of Zuara. making a victim: a MAN tire was punctured by a The next day, on our route to Nalut, we stopped to piece of scrap metal from the installation, and the 120 kilogram tire needed to be replaced in the visit a few Gorfas. These are ancient fortified food desert. storage compounds of the Touareg, which were guarded by the elder warriors of the group while the younger ones herded the flocks in the region. The next stop was Ghadames, the former capital of the Touareg people. The city is fully enclosed within its protective walls and consists of four separate familial tribes which are separated from each other by sundown by means of four big gates that are closed in the city. The whole city is also equipped with a very ingenious canal-based irrigation system. These remarkable features, its location, and its history made Ghadames a Unesco World Heritage site. Leaving Ghadames, we headed to cross the Uwbari sand sea towards Sheba. More than 800 kilometers of desert tracks awaited us without a single refueling point. The chosen route runs parallel with the sand sea, offering ever changing views of desert dunes and giving us a mix of sandy and more rocky driving tracks. In the evening, we built a camp in a magnificent oued to reach the edge of the plateau we had been driving on since Nalut. The views on the great dunes were breathtaking! Just in time to replenish our water, food, and fuel supplies, we reached civilization again the next day to pick up the plane group who had just arrived. Well, at least five people from the group arrived as the Tripoli Sheba flight was overbooked and the rest of the crew would have to arrive the next day maybe. Inch Allah, so is said to us. Luckily, on Sunday morning, everyone arrived safe and sound, and we were welcomed by Mohammed and his team who would guide us through the Akakus mountain range. Mohammed would be our very experienced desert guide, and he brought a crew of Touareg cooks from Niger. These wizards succeeded in creating superb meals every day with just a minimal amount of supplies in the middle of the desert. Most of us still think back with great joy to the big flat breads, freshly baked in ashes and desert sand. Then it was off to the Murzuck Sand Sea towards the Algerian-Nigerian border, leading us through the Wadi Barjuj and the Wadi Matkandush which boasts some of the oldest and most preserved rock carvings from prehistoric times. Recent heavy rains, the first in ten years, have flooded the area and make drawings of crocodile, rhino, and giraffe a bit more plausible but in the old days, this Wadi must have been lush and green with a real river in the savannah before it became a desert. We followed the Wadi Matkandush, which is so muddy that the trucks needed to take a large bypass to get to the camp in the Murzuck dunes in order not to get completely stuck in the mud. That evening, with the Murzuck dunes in our views, we enjoyed a meal around the campfire with great views of the sky full

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of stars: This is it! This is why we drove that whole distance! After a superb sunrise and an invigorating breakfast, we left the Murzuck Sand Sea and headed southward, crossing the Wadi Matkandush in order to reach the access gate to the Akakus. We aired out tires down, repeated the safety rules, took a deep breath, and went for a series of up and down games in the dunes which separated us from the Akakus. Thanks to Mohammed our guide, we easily found this well hidden entrance to Akakus. With only a few minor issues due to bad steering, all Wranglers and trucks made it. The scenery was breathtaking: dark pillars of rock seem to have been planted in sand. The Ouan Kasa valley served us as a new camping site where the sun drew a spectacular light game on the rocks next to us. The next two days were simply breathtaking while we drove across the bottom of the valley, visiting a lot of the rock paintings in this area. It is easy to understand why this region, with the highest concentration of rock paintings, is actively

protected by the local authorities and has been promoted to Unesco World Heritage item. The ultimate reward was the group pictures we took under the Arch, a spectacular phenomenon created by millions of years of erosion by wind and sand. That evening, we even camped near the Elephant Arch which is a bit smaller, but in which one can find the head, legs, and trunk of an elephant. Our next waypoint took us south and although the passage to Ghat is open, the track would take us through Algerian no-mans-land and our guides found this too risky so we took an eastbound route towards Serdeles, which we reached the next day. However, it is only after 860 kilometers that we reached the first signs of civilization and a petrol pump. Too bad it had only petrol, so our CRD Wranglers were left in the cold and as the petrol burning TJs wanted to fill up, the station ran out of lead-free fuel. This created a bit of an anxiety so we had two options: send one of the trucks back to Ghat to get fuel (400 km. detour), or take the

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the truck drivers and passengers became quad and Jeep drivers and passengers that day. Amidst an enormous sea of sand are about ten volcanic lakes surrounded by a patch of palm trees. The weather was warm and the water very salty, so we all had a great rest floating in the lakes. This was an experience never to forget, but it book both man and machine to get there. Luckily, the Wranglers did a great job! Unfortunately, this highlight also marked the end of the trip for our group of plane passengers who would return for Sheba Airport the next day. The Overland team decided to take an additional detour towards the Oum El Ma lakes, which are situated to the east. We also visited the ancient Roman site of Sabratha , one of the best preserved Roman sites along the Roman coastal road from Carthago in Tunesia to Cairo in Egypt. After a last fill-up in Zuara (0.08 euro for 1 liter of diesel and 0.1 euro for petrol) we prepared to cross the border. Thanks to the excellent help and preparation of all our paperwork by Mansour of the AANIA agency, this went very smoothly. A last stop in Sousse, and we were off to take the ferry in Tunis back to Genova and Brussels. The Jeep Ecospedition was driven with ten Wranglers (six JK Unlimited CRD Rubicon auto plus two JK Unlimited CRD 6-speed manual and two Wranglers TJs). All cars were stock with only

gamble and use the last petrol we had to get North towards Tekerkiba, hoping to find petrol in Uwbari or Garama. We decided to choose the second option but unfortunately the Uwbari pump was empty so we drove in extreme ECO-mode to Tekerkiba. By sundown we had reached Tekerkiba but alas, no petrol here either. We then decided to stop and set up a camp and as the MAN truck was low on fuel too, the Unimog was sent out with all our jerry cans in the booth to go and find fuel. Finally, after one hour, the reassuring phone call came in: Weve got fuel! The MAN truck took off towards the pump at At Tanhama and after 1080 total kilometers of track, we found our much needed diesel. With a giant sigh of relief, we filled everything up and after transferring 3000 liters of fuel, we went back to Tekerkiba. A night of rest, a shower, and a fill up were all we needed the next day to take off for the Mandara lakes. However, the only passage we had to get through a gallery of dunes was only 10 meters wide. We had no problems with the Jeeps but the trucks found it impossible, even with the lowest possible tire pressures, to conquer the soft sand. There was just no way we could get them through so we had to abort this section for our trucks, who returned to the camping site. As staying behind at the camping site is not an option because of the beauty of the Mandara lakes,

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additional protection with MOPAR skid plates. We had prepared all cars to have similar tires and wheels for easy assistance, and every Jeep was equipped with camping gear for the crew, personal luggage, four Jerry cans of diesel, and one Jerry can of water. The MAN TGM expedition truck carried the following spare parts: four shock absorbers, a steering stabilizer, all filters, water hoses, turbo hoses, fuses, sensors, and all fluids. Apart from all the usual tools and tire repair kits, we also took a Star scanner to help detect any problems. The only issue we encountered was a burned fuse of fuel injection pump on a Rubicon Wrangler, and two start malfunctions because of fuses that came loose driving on the washboard tracks. We had two flat tires which we repaired easily, and one ripped tire that was lost. In all, the total distance of 8.000 kilometers with ten Jeeps did very well, and the Wrangler really deserves its place in the Overland Vehicle Hall of Fame. Finally, a big bravo to the Jeepclub.be team that took everyone through the desert, and who guided our guests with no previous desert experience through this difficult expedition. The expedition was a myriad of spectacle and beauty, and we cant wait to visit this historical and challenging terrain once again someday.

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RIDE FREEBy Ben Nance

The dictionary uses an interesting phrase to define freeriding:The original concept of freeriding was that there was no set course, goals, or rules to abide by.

This simple phrase can encompass the entire season of rides that took place in a location that has been dubbed Area 52. Not a place that one would happen across, a strange sequence of events led to our discovery of this off-road gem. Between local oil exploration and my work in wilderness rescue, I happened across the landscape and knew it was a special place. The nearby plains suddenly sink into a large series of sandstone swells and valleys. Sage brush gives way to sandy estuaries, cliff bands, and unearthly rock formations. Knife-edge ridges separate valley walls that give way to impossibly steep sandstone slopes that average thirty to fifty degrees. I can only imagine that a waterless sea would look much the same. Hazard and I stood atop the ridge pointing out features, adjusting helmets, and straddling our mountain bikes. These forty-five

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pound beasts were built for the sole purpose of riding what was previously not able to be ridden. We were in search of a route down the sandstone slopes to the valley floor, located one thousand feet below. All we needed was the lone offshoot that snuck through the cliffs and impossibly-steep slopes. We knew our line was hiding somewhere amongst these rocks; we could hear it taunting us for months. The valley bottom is a series of sandy washes that are accessible only through a network of unmarked oil exploration roads. Our hopes were that we could get a better view of possible routes from the valley floor. Armed with enough gear to support a small army, we loaded the Jeep and headed into the sand. The diesel chugged up and down sandy washes without a complaint. Sometimes it would almost seem as though the Jeep was as curious as we were anticipating what lie around that next corner. However, once we hit a dead end the Jeep would seemingly become discouraged, turn around, and promptly bury itself in the sand. The Liberty has turned out to be quite the companion in the backcountry despite an occasional tantrum.

Winter trips into the lower valley often yield firmer sand and easier travel. Without fail, the best lines are found in the winter when they cannot be ridden.

Each warm spell mandates a return visit with our two-wheeled friends. This system of roads that we explore is a once-graded two-track that the Department of Transportation must be blissfully ignorant of. It travels down a valley wall and lands abruptly in a maze of sandy

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washes. Each branching valley has a narrow passage of sand that erupts into purple, gray, and brown rocks that form the valley walls. Some of these valleys are home to small oil wells and their endless thumping and hissing. Interestingly enough, according to tight-lipped archeologists, one of these valley walls is home to an ancient carved staircase that descends to a cliff band hundreds of feet above the valley floor. It was once the end of a ceremonial forty mile overland hike made by prehistoric inhabitants. They would carry large clay pots along an ancient road that ended atop the staircase. The pots would then be thrown over the cliff for reasons we still dont know. One day I would love to find this site, but archeologists are quite the secretive bunch. The riding in the area was far from fruitless; Hazard and I have discovered many smaller lines that permeate the upper half of the valley. Obstacles such as the Notch, Sand Chute, and the Ski Jump simply do not exist outside of this place. I sat atop The Notch, squeezed the brake levers, adjusted goggles, and took the mandatory deep breaths. Ten feet in front of me sat a cliff that seemingly dropped into nothing. Brakes were unlocked, feet touched pedals, and the bike rolled down the fall line. After a brief second I unweighted the front wheel and dropped eight feet through the air into a forty degree chute of sand. Sand sprayed across my goggles as I landed and brakes became useless for anything other than injury. Speeding ahead was a sandstone channel roughly forty-eight inches wide enclosed by forty foot stone walls. This channel turned twice and narrowed drastically; a crash here is something that is not considered an option. I turned left around the first, right around the second, and felt both pedals scrape the rock through the narrow exit. I finally got to breathe a sigh of relief and was sure to stop

before riding off the eighty foot cliff that blocks further progress. The next twenty minutes were filled with my pulse thumping in my head as I pushed, carried, and heaved the bike back up the steep sand. The nature of the area dictated that entire days were committed to a handful of attempts at these lines. A punishing hike up the hill with desert heat, forty-five pound bikes, mandatory body armor, and loose sandstone was rewarded with a ten second free fall.

After six tiring hours, we had amassed five runs, three crashes, and two endless grins. It was time to call it a day and fire up the grill. As the sun set on the distant western horizon, the valley glistened in an array of purples and oranges. With legs sore and stomachs full, we loaded the bikes onto the Jeep and listened to the tires hiss through the sand. Before airing up the tires and returning to civilized roads (dreaded pavement), we reflected on a day of genuine modern rarity: truly riding free.

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California DreaminBy Diane ZalmanThe Jeepers Credo; if youre into Jeeps youve heard it, and most likely witnessed it on the trail No Man Left Behind. I know this code of ethics is alive and well here in Arizona and on my recent trip to The Rubicon Trail, I discovered that the brotherhood of Jeepers is international. excitement as granite and a roaring waterfall on the mountainside emerged. George noticed our front OX cable pinched between the spring and knuckle on our drive from Phoenix. He borrowed a crowbar but it wouldnt budge. I said, Lets disconnect the sway-bar, drive up a rock so the spring dangles, and get it out. Okay, smarty, show me the rock, he said. So we circled Georgetown looking for one and guess what we found? A ballpark surrounded by them to prevent parking on the grass. My plan had worked! We checked into the Hilltop Motel and hung out alone until our first member, Sam, eventually arrived. While we grilled some hamburgers, a 4x4 club from Canada entered. They drove Jeeps, a Suzuki Sidekick, and a Nissan X-terra. We saw them several times during our trek with one encounter which epitomized the Jeepers Credo and why I mention The Herd of Turtles here. This was George and my second time leading The Rubicon, this time with our club OffroadPassport. com. From Phoenix we towed to Tahoe, left our tow-rig, and drove Number 7, our TJ, to Georgetown. The scenery along I-50 sparked our The next morning George was outside drinking coffee. A shaft of sunlight through the pine trees illuminated one of Number 7s control-arm mounts like a flashlight beam, compelling him to take a look. It was cracked! I wouldve never noticed, like

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it was a message from God! he later exclaimed. Crossing the Rubicon with cracked anything is risky, so we sought a welder and stumbled upon one next-door to the motel. The repair was inexpensive and within 45 minutes, we were on the road. We left Georgetown to meet Jack and Alice at Stumpy Meadows Lake, and headed east. We all hooked up and within the hour arrived at the trailhead to Wentworth Springs, the traditional route (some books and trip-reports describe the trailhead as The Gatekeeper at Loon Lake). We ate lunch at Wentworth Springs Campground before tackling the Post Pile, which was over-crowded. Wed caught-up to our Canadian friends who were repairing a valve-stem, and some rigs from Sacramento were waiting up top so we by-passed the mess. The Post Pile adjoins The Granite Bowl where we split off toward Loon Lake. We crossed the granite following the trail marked by reflectors which adhered to rock; difficult to locate occasionally but generally not too obscure. We then came upon the Gatekeeper, aptly named due to challenging boulders. We ran it backwards and arrived at our Loon Lake Campground groupsite late in the afternoon. When our rig-count was at eight, we reserved it and although we were down to three vehicles, the campsite rocked. Lots of space and we had the bathroom and water-spigot to ourselves. We took super quick dips in the ice-cold lake before dinner. One advantage of entering through Wentworth and camping at Loon is you re-cross the Gatekeeper to get back on the trail, so I got to drive it for my first time Tuesday morning while George spotted our guys. My practicing paid off as I didnt get stuck once. George drove from Ellis Creek to the Little Sluice, but then he had to spot again. So I drove the next section solo, and really impressed myself. I picked good lines and muscled through challenging obstacles alone. Poor George couldnt get a break! Though no longer needed for spotting, he walked

ahead, navigating on the slabs that by-pass True Sluice. There are no reflectors so route-finding became confusing, and he wanted to ensure we took negotiable lines. So George basically walked from the True Sluice to Buck Island Lake. A couple we met on the trail recommended a campsite at Buck Island next to the spillway. Along the way, another party passed us and we got nervous theyd take the camp spot but we then saw them at The Mechanics Area, a well-known campsite further up the way. We were lucky nobody had claimed the sought-after spot, maybe because theres only space for a few rigs, but it was perfect the pristine lake was mere steps away! The Canadians were at Buck when we arrived. We stopped to give them the overalls theyd lost that we found alongside the trail when Tom asked if we had a spare pitman-arm. Apparently his had broken.

As a matter of fact we do, said George. Give us a minute to unpack and come over. They arrived bearing gifts with a beer in each hand. Two of their guys were in Reno, on their way back to Rubicon Springs with a new pitman-arm, so we loaned ours to Tom with plans to meet there the next afternoon.

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The next days excitement began as soon as we left Buck. Less than three miles to Rubicon Springs, its the longest three miles youll ever travel! The roughest portion of the trail includes

The Big Sluice, where the boulders are the size of Jeeps and for which there is no by-pass. We left Buck at 9am and arrived at Rubicon Springs at 2pm. As we maneuvered through, we heard over the CB radio that someone had found a fresh U-Joint cap so we checked our rigs. As it turned out, the announcement was from the Canadians whod reached The Big Sluice right behind us, and the owner of the broken U-Joint was our Jack. He didnt have a spare, and Georges spares wouldnt fit Jeep-Rubicon axles. Amazingly, the Canadians had a spare U-Joint and a mechanic. But as he worked on Jacks Jeep, he discovered the U-Joint cap had reamed-out of the hole of the stubby-shaft ear. To merely replace it guaranteed repeated failure. Uh-oh, were stuck here, I thought. Then the mechanic said, Ive got a spare axle-shaft Ill sell for $250 INSTALLED. A smoking deal which Jack happily accepted.

Thirty minutes later we were rolling. I was elated and in awe: strongly evident on The Rubicon, and apparently an international brotherhood, The Jeepers Credo lives! On down The Big Sluice, we got to Rubicon Springs at mid-afternoon and located the Canadians by the river. The guys were back from Reno but the new pitman-arm didnt work. Reluctant to be spare-less, we knew the worst was behind us and coupled with gratitude, we sold the new pitman arm. We camped next to the river with Sam, Jack, and Alice under trees on sand, and George and I nearby on granite. It was an awesome campsite! The river was warm, and we went for a long swim. On Thursday we left for Tahoe. We photographed Syds Grave at the bottom of Cadillac Hill (a Jeepers Jamboree pioneer honored there). The proximity of the graveyard to the renowned obstacle increased our mounting anxiety. Its steep, rocky, tippy, wet, slippery, narrow, and on a cliff; all your favorites in one. We reached Observation Point, overlooking the forest we had traversed which was our reward. I was grateful to be standing here rather than at the bottom of the Big Sluice, thanks to the Jeepers Credo: No Man Left Behind.

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Industry Interviews

Interview with

Martyn DaviesJPF: How did Adventure Trailers come to be, and what separates a company like AT from its peers in the off-highway and overland market?

AT: Martyn: In 2001 Id just returned to the USA after living in South Africa and I had this hairbrained idea that off-road trailers might sell well over here. There was a guy Id been e-mailing here in the States who had some similar thoughts, he turned out to be Mario. The company formed based on our enthusiasm and lack of business skills J When we formed the company, Overlanding was in its infancy here in the USA. We basically had to create the market we were selling to. We started out selling products that were made overseas, and then started to manufacture here in the USA. When you produce close to home you have the ability to control quality control and materials, as well as quickly modify designs. We are very proud of what we make, and the fact its made in the USA.

JPF: Last year, the downturn in the economy affected just about everybody and many companies didnt survive the contracting spending habits of consumers.How has the diversification of products offered by AT (i.e. Tear Drop trailer, AT drawers, etc) helped the company weather the storm, and how have these new products helped solidify ATs market share as a compliment to its core product line?

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AT: Martyn: For the past five years AT has never had a trailer unsold by the time it reaches the production line. Our main attention was focused on production. We had new design ideas but no time to develop and prototype them. With the slow down in the economy we suddenly had an abundance of time. We did what few other companies in a recession do: we developed new product. From December to April we came out with the AT Teardrop Trailer, Composite Drawer Systems, the AT FlipPac, and an aluminum can holder. We worked with a local company to develop the Max Coupler, and

JPF: How does the new JK Topper expanded our line to include items like military compare, in terms of benefit and cost, to grade foldable solar panels, Front Runner roof a traditional roof rack & roof top tent racks, and National Luna electrical products. The setup? expansion and diversification continues with our Vehicle Conversions. Our customers can AT: Martyn: A good roof rack and roof top tent now find way more than just trailers on our would cost you in the region of $3000.00. The JK website, and we can now furnish everything you Topper is going to be in the $4400.00 range. need to Overland, including working on vehicles. We are more of a one-stop shop now. The roof top tent rack set up sits apart from the vehicle as an accessory. The JK Topper is a fully From a business viewpoint we have managed integrated unit. to even out some of the huge cash flow swings we had when we focused on trailers. Cash flow Access to the topper will be from inside the really is king for smaller businesses. vehicle, as opposed to a roof top tent where access is via an external ladder. The area in the JPF: One of the new products AT has rear of the JK can be custom fitted with storage recently announced is the JK Topper, fittings either by our Vehicle Conversion a camper-style top that incorporates Department, or the DIY enthusiast. a retractable tent system on the JK Wrangler. Youll be able to stand upright in the back of How does this system work, and how do you the JK, with the tent extending from the rear foresee it impacting the ever-growing overland door all the way forward to the front bumper. market? Thats something like a 12-foot long tent. AT: Martyn: The JK Topper is a direct A tent and roof rack is going to sit at least 18 replacement for the factory hard top. It attaches inches above the roofline of the vehicle and to the JK using factory hardware, uses the cause increased drag resulting in lower mpg. factory rear glass and wiper, and has a single With the topper the roofline is only increased by window at the back on the passenger side. 6 inches. The lid rotates open out over the hood as it rotates a tent the full length of the vehicle deploys. There is a bed built into the topper and you sleep above the hood area. Its very slick, quick to deploy, and folds away in a minute. The finished top is only six inches higher than that of the stock top. Its a fully integrated unit.

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The quality of the canvas being used for the JK Topper is on par with the material used to make Eezi Awn tents. Well be using an Australian made canvas thats breathable, highly water resistant, and will compress into a small space. The canvas meets California fire resistant standards.

JPF: Overall, how do you see the overland and off-highway market progressing over the next few years, and how do you foresee AT positioning itself in meeting those demands?

AT: Martyn: The Overland market has been growing steadily. People seem to be moving from the rock crawling side to the expeditions The topper is going to look like a slightly side. Families are spending time together higher stock factory roof when folded away. camping in more remote places, far from the Essentially, a stealth overland vehicle. RVs and generators, and the love of the outdoors is being passed on to new generations JPF: Are there any plans to consider a Topper, or comparable-type product, for which is wonderful.other Jeep vehicle platforms such as the TJ and/or LJ?

AT: Martyn: Once we get production squared away for the JK well start looking at other models.JPF: For those who are interested in the JK Topper and other AT products, whats the best way to contact AT?

Our aim is to help people enjoy the outdoors, to understand the equipment they are buying, and to purchase quality product that lasts a lifetime. We are developing our website into an information source for the finest outdoor equipment available in North America. We will also be reviving our blog to help people enjoy their time in the outdoors, providing tasty recipes for meals, tips on packing a fridge, packing a vehicle, how to entertain the kids, and fun camping projects. At the same time we want everyone to be safe and to respect the land they are using. AT is certified by Overland Training, and we encourage people to learn how to use their equipment and vehicles safely, and to embrace the principles of Tread Lightly. FormoreinformationaboutAdventure Trailers and its full line of overlanding products, you can mail them at the following address or visit them online at the weblink below: Adventure Trailers 3035 N. Tarra Avenue, Unit 3 Prescott, Arizona 86301 www.adventuretrailers.com 877-661-8097

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AT: Martyn: We have a toll free phone number, 877-661-8097. We update the message every day and encourage people to leave us a message if no one answers the phone. Both Mario and I work in the office and the shop, building trailers, doing R&D, prototyping, so sometimes its hard to get to the phone. We also spend a lot of time out in the field product testing and cell phone coverage is thin in some of the places we go. E mail is always a great way to get hold of us. Send an email to info@ adventuretrailers.com and well get back to you as soon as we can.

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Cruising and Jeeping on the Mexican Riviera Part 1By Mike Fissel & Carol Simpson

What does cruising, as in taking a cruise on a cruise ship, and Jeeping have in common? Ordinarily nothing; however, members of Jeep Expeditions were looking to combine their love for Jeeps and adventure with a fun vacation aboard a cruise ship.How often does your wife, girlfriend, and/or family come with you while Jeeping? For some of us it doesnt happen very much. But what if you could combine a romantic cruise vacation with the Jeeping you love and the shopping she loves? Now you are thinking what we were thinking.

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For our cruise we chose Carnival Cruise Lines seven-day Mexican Riviera trip aboard the Carnival Splendor. This cruise took us to the port cities of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. It also gave us the opportunity to Jeep the forested foot hills of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Baja desert in two ports with touring/shopping in the third. And to keep your lady happy, there was still time for shopping on the two Jeeping days! On the first day, our group of ten met at the Port of Los Angeles where we checked in and boarded our ship. Once aboard, we were treated to a tasty buffet with lots of choices, some we recognized and some a bit exotic. As the afternoon turned to evening, we participated in a number of fun events including a formal dinner and a late night showing of Star Trek. Days two and three were fun days at sea. Carnival gives you their daily hand bill the night before which details all the activities for the following day. There were more things to do than you have time for and events that appeal to just about everyone. Bingo, dance lessons, mini golf, scrap booking class, deck games, scavenger hunts, music trivia, art show/auction, kids games/activities and more. The casino is hopping with slot, poker, and blackjack tournaments. In addition, there was jazz, calypso, guitar, pop, and Latin music live in the numerous bars and public areas. Around 3pm on day three, while sailing near the southern tip of the Baja peninsula, we were treated to several whale and dolphin sightings near the ship. This in itself was a pretty exhilarating experience to see such phenomenal creatures up close in their habitat. Day four had us in Puerto Vallarta from 7am until 10pm. This was our 1st Jeeping day. We selected the Carnival Jeep Safari Shore

Excursion and at 8:15 that morning, we met Jose and Juan from Explore & Discover, our tour operator. After a few minutes to explain our trip and a few rules, we jumped into out Jeep TJ Wranglers and off to our 5 hour trip. Our caravan proceeded through town, past the Corona factory and other names we were familiar with back home. We continued on tough the town of Ixtapa and then past the huge regional prison. We then made the turn to take us to the foothills of the Sierra Madre. At the beginning of the dirt road, we stopped and were given bandanas so we didnt have to breathe dust. The road wound through the tropical forest, past ranches, small farms, and even a large greenhouse operation. I should note that out of the forty people on this trip, I think only ten people in our group had ever been in Jeeps because the first water crossing was quite a hit with the group.

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About two hours into our trip we came to the village of Santa Cruz De Quelitan. A small church, a large public park, and a small convenience store of sorts were central parts of the town. This was the first stop of our trip. As the line of Jeeps came to a stop, children and towns folk greeted us. Standing in the public area, we could see Puerto Vallarta off in the distance below. Jose explained to us that like most small villages, the people were pretty much self-sufficient and pointed out the gardens that people had in their back yards. Banana trees, mangos, corn, beans, peppers, and other vegetables were just some of the things they typically grow there. Our group made the day of the convenience store owner as most everyone bought water, soda, snacks and for those not driving, a few cervezas. With the rest break over, we had a few more water crossings which were a hit with our tour group and we found our way to a more primitive dirt road. At a spot where there was some pretty good erosion that most of the Jeeps drove around, one of our veteran Jeepers wanted to show the two passengers in his Jeep

what a stock TJ could do. What he didnt know is that the transfer case linkage had been disconnected on our tour Jeeps and became momentarily hung up. We later asked Jose why that was and he told us that 95% of the people on these tours have never been in a Jeep before and they didnt want someone tearing out a transfer case because they had no experience. A few miles later, we were back on pavement and heading to our next stop, The Dona Engracias Hacienda Tequila Factory. Our stop at the tequila factory started out with a bottle of water for everyone and then a history lesson about tequila. We learned that true tequila is made only from the Blue Agave plant and it takes ten years for a plant to be ready for harvest. We were told that the tequila with the worm in the bottle is Mescal and is made from the Green Agave plant. Inside the factory, which has been around for generations, we saw all of the equipment that was used in the past 100 or so years to make tequila there and side by side, the modern equipment that has replaced it. With the explanation of how it is made, we moved to another room with chairs were we were invited to sit. The group got to sample six different types of tequila including three tequila liquors; almond, peach and coffee. Afterwards the group was given the opportunity to make purchases at factory prices, and many took advantage of the offer which was 50% or more less that U.S. retail we were told.

With our tasting done, we were treated to a snack lunch: two tacos of our choice (beef, pork, chicken and muchaca), beans, lettuce, and salsas. The tortillas were handmade and some of the best I have tasted. There was also an opportunity for a few minutes of shopping and then back onto the road to our final stop at the beach. The beach stop was at a private beach with a nice little cantina there. There was a vendor there that had a banana boat and also offered parasailing. The waves were pretty impressive but many of the group decided to get their feet wet and six members of the group decided to do the banana boat. I watched as the banana boat was capsized when it first took off. Fortunately for them, the second attempt was a success. The people who went down to the beach seemed to be having a good time but several of them did literally get knocked down by the waves and current. An hour later we were all asked to return to our Jeeps for the trip back to the ship. With our tour over near the docks, some group members went back to the ship while others shopped at the Mercado next to the docks for jewelry, hats, t-shirts, and even cheap prescription drugs. Once back on the ship, a few members of the group had a late lunch while others went back to their cabins for a shower and nap before dinner.

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At dinner our wait staff invited us to the midnight Mexican buffet and party topside but we decided to retire early so we could be ready for our next day in Mazatlan.In the June/July issue of JPFreek Adventure Magazine, our story will continue with our stops in the port city of Mazatlan that will take you through our tour of the city and its endless shopping opportunities, as well as our final port of call and the much anticipated Baja Jeep Safari in Cabo San Lucas.

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Are you tired of the same old music services that promise genre diversity but wind up forcing you to listen to ad after ad after ad, only after listening to a few songs that arent even specific to what you like to listen to? Those days are now over! JPFreek Adventure Magazine is proud to announce a new age in music delivery with the creation of JPFreek Radio through Slacker. com, an internet-based music service that is so unique that even PC Magazine calls it the most exciting thing in digital music to happen in a long time.

Slacker Personal Radio uses high-tech, intelligent algorithms to truly personalize music delivery the way you want to hear it. Heavy metal your cup of tea? Or do you prefer scooting your boots to classic country? Whatever your musical tastes are, Slacker Personal Radio can deliver them to you with minimal ads and a truly unique and amazing music experienceall for free and delivered the way you want! And if you want to listen to your tunes while in the backcountry or hiking in the Rocky Mountains, you can now do this with Slackers new portable player. Check out JPFreek Radio on Slacker.com or create your own music station, and say hello to the next generation in music delivery.

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Book Review: 101 Jeep Performance ProjectsWhen one hears the word performance, they usually think of drive train modifications, typically the engine. Dont let the title of this book fool you like it did me. Sure, it has a few engine related projects like converting your old carbureted Jeep to fuel injection, installing headers, upgrading exhaust systems, installing a super charger, and even putting a hemi engine in your Wrangler; however, it contains so much more. From lift kit selection, axle upgrades, electrical upgrades, body armor, stereo systems, CB radios, and so much more, 101 Jeep Performance Projects is a Jeep enthusiasts dream. There are 250 pages that describe the what, how, way, and cost of 101 of the most likely projects the average Jeep owner would or should consider doing. While most of the projects in the book could pertain to all Wrangler models and could even be adapted to other Jeep models, the author has used a new JK Wrangler and has described the installation of a number of personally chosen products for his Jeep. The fundamentals of installation on other Jeeps and the reason for these projects are essentially the same. It plants the seed and gives the reader the ideas. The sections are easy enough to understand, even for a novice, and there are plenty of full color photos for each project. Projects that range from simple maintenance to the addition of a supercharger. There are many projects that a beginner can easily accomplish, and a few that might require a better than average mechanical knowledge. Hate that steering wheel that just isnt straight but dont want to pay $50 to have it fixed? There is a chapter for you. Need to install a high output alternator to run all those lights and electronics? How about trailer wiring, an auxiliary electrical switch, maybe a quick disconnect fire extinguisher? Yep, there are chapters for you in this book. Want some advice on trail recovery equipment, installing a CB antenna, or a trailhead checklist? This book pretty much covers it all and is the perfect companion to the Jeep Owners Bible. Check out 101 Jeep Performance Projects and many more Jeep related books at www. motorbooks.com.

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VholdR Contour HD Helmet CameraThe Contour HD is a compact unit that comes with a helmet mount and a mount for goggles. There is also a mount that can be purchased if you want to attach the Contour HD to your car, plane, motorcycle, racecar, or boat. It is designed to record high definition videos and the company has a complete, online community where you can upload, edit, and share them with the world. We had several winter trips planned so it seemed like the perfect time to put it to the test and see what it could do and handle. Since the camcorder can be mounted in so many different ways and in so many places, we had the chance to try it out while skiing, sledding, and even out snowmobiling. At the end of each day we were able to sit down and watch the days fun, and we were continually impressed with how well the video quality was. The sound quality of the recordings is great too which made it fun to be able to truly capture the moment and have the ability to see and hear everything! The Contour HD is a fun little camcorder that is extremely versatile and will fit into any adventure you may have planned and want to record. Theres no doubt youll have fun preserving the experience to share or revisit down the road. Pleasevisithttp://www.vholdr.com/contourhd/ helmetcam for more information about the Countour HD and all of VholdRs product line

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Hobie Mirage Adventure Island Kayak

When Hobie arranged for us to test and review their Mirage Adventure Island kayak, the gloves came off and the JPFreek staff was ready to challenge each other to see who would be the lucky person to set it a sail. For those not familiar with the Hobie brand, Hobie began as a surfboard manufacturer in the early 1950s. Over the years, Hobie has established itself as a premier company in the watersports realm and eventually engaged its product line into the growing sport of kayaking. The Hobie Mirage Adventure Island is one of those unique products that is extremely versatile. Not only is the Adventure Island a kayak, its also a cat-sail. Kayaking with the Adventure Island is no problem as its 16 length makes it ideal for calmer waters though very capable in more sketchy situations. Plus, with its optional pedaling system you can either paddle your way through the waters or use your legs by pedaling with relative ease. Using the Adventure Island as a cat-sail is cake as you merely attach the two color-coordinated Amas to their corresponding arms, attach the 152 two-piece mast into its corresponding insert, and sail away! Full setup time for the cat-sail option is a mere 5-10 minutes and away you go. And, taking the Adventure Island apart once youve finished for the day is just as easy. Of course, catsailing with the Adventure Island is so much fun that once youre set a sail, you wont want to go back to land. In addition to the Adventure Islands versatility, the quality is evident from its highly durable plastic mold to its maneuverability and stable platform. Despite its relatively heavy weight (remember, this baby is 16 long), it is rugged enough for a short trip to the local waterhole or longer adventures into the backcountry.

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Due to its size and weight, youll need two people to mount and remove the Adventure Island from your vehicle and Hobie has recently announced its plans to offer a tandem version of the Adventure Island so now having two people to mount and remove it from your vehicle makes it worthwhile for the partner you would have otherwise left behind. The Hobie Adventure Island is available in two colors: Golden Papaya (which is similar to mustard yellow) and Red Hibiscus. While its pricey at $3,399 MSRP, the value of being able to enjoy two forms of watersport adventure and share this new-found excitement with friends and family makes it worthwhile. Plus, where else can you get a catsail and kayak at this price? Either way, youll be the envy of all other watersport adventurers when you hit the open water in the Hobie Mirage Adventure Island. FormoreinformationabouttheHobieMirage Adventure Island, please visit www.hobiecat.com

APRIL/MAY 2010

Mountainsmith Travel Trunk Duffel BagsThe Travel Trunk duffel bag by Mountainsmith is an exceptionally versatile bag, perfect for weekend excursions or month-long expeditions. Designed to be efficient in detail and also maximize functionality, the Travel Trunk duffel bag is offered in varying sizes from medium to extra-extra large. For the off-highway adventurer, the size options are perfect because varying sizes can be used for varying needs while in the backcountry. For the weekend warrior, the medium bag is a perfect companion with a volume of 2,900 cubic inches. For the expeditioneer, the XXL bag is so big that you can almost fit your entire basecamp into one bag it has a volume of 11,000 cubic inches! Another intriguing aspect to the Travel Trunk series is its composition. Mountainsmith markets the Travel Trunk series as being made from Redura, a post-consumable material created from recycled plastic bottles that is tough as nails. Durability is always a plus but when its also environmentallyresponsible, the end result is a high quality product that will meet the needs of any type of exploration. Did we mention that a strapless system is also available as an option to turn the Travel Trunk into a backpack? Mountainsmiths Travel Trunk duffel bags are exceptional and at a price point that wont break the bank prices range from $50 - $90 depending on size the bags sell themselves. FormoreinformationaboutMountainsmithproducts,pleasevisitwww.mountainsmith.com

APRIL/MAY 2010

Wenger Commando Patagonia Expedition Race WatchDurability is key when looking for a watch that can handle the rigors of overland travel and outdoor recreation. So when Wenger announced the release of the Commando watch sporting the namesake of one of the most challenging expedition races in the world of which Wenger is the headlining sponsor we knew this watch must be tough. Boy was that an understatement. Wengers Commando Patagonia Expedition Race watch was designed with a number of elements in mind. Featuring a stainless steel case thats bulletproof, this watch means business when out in the backcountry in your Jeep or trekking the slopes during an adventure race. Rubber black straps, a luminescent face including hour & minute hands, a polished case featuring the official logo of the Wenger Patagonia Expedition Race (featured in our summer 2009 issue), and renowned Swiss quartz movement make this the ultimate watch for all your adventures.

Rola NV2Hitch MountIf youre looking for a versatile, fuss-free, compact and comparably light rack that will keep its paws off your bikes paint, then the Rola NV2hitch mount bike rack is for you! The NV2 carries up to two bikes and fits all road and mountain bike styles and sizes by using rubber-coated adjustable cradles to securely hold the wheels instead of the frame. The lightweight aluminum support arms pivot upright to a thin profile of 3 1/2 width for storage when not in use; pivot into a V-shape for bike transportation; and, pivot parallel to the ground for trunk access. Foam pads protect your bike from touching metal during transport, and built-in security loops provide piece of mind to keep your bikes with your car when you are away. A locking hitch pin and security cable are not included but should be purchased with this type of system. Its equipped to fit both a 2 and 1 1/2 receiver without the need for a separate converter which is a big plus. I found myself reaching for the NV2 rather than my much heavier and more expensive Saris CycleOn rack (MSRP: $379.99) because of the speed of installation/removal, weight, and ease of storage in the garage. The rack is sturdy, but I tend to use a strap from the frame to the support arm to prevent any type of inconsequential bike sway. I recommend this product to those looking to capitalize on the features of a much more expensive rack at a much less expensive price. www.rolaproducts.com

Priced at $425, the Commando Patagonia watch may seem expensive but in a market crowded with options that provide function and aesthetics, this watch is well worth its price tag and then some. It looks good and in addition to all the features listed above, it can even measure speed over a known distance via its clever tachymeter. Did we mention the WPER Commando is plenty durable? No doubt its the perfect gift idea for the Jeep and adventure enthusiast in your family. Check out the Commando Patagonia Expedition Race watch or any of Wengers products at www.wengerna.com

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TREK NOW GPS Trails and Tracks SoftwareBeing the Jeep Freeks that we all are, spending time in the great outdoors is what we do in our spare time. For some, that time could be something as short as a Saturday outing to a weekend, a week, two weeks or more. No matter how you spend your time Jeeping, one of the tools that is a must have is a GPS unit and the software to make it work. The problem with most all software is that not all of the trails are shown. Some of the trails arent listed at all and then some just stop. So what do you follow, where do you turn, where is the trail? Enter Trek Now. Since receiving my discs a few weeks ago, I have checked it out on a number of trails. Trek Now is well developed and will work with just about any GPS device that can use saved tracks. From .gpx files to Garmin .gdp files to Lowrance, Magellan, and others, there are tracks for 160+ trails most of them with starts available from either end of the trail (which technically makes that well over 300 options). The discs also contain maps of the trails in JPG format that you can print and take with you. Installation of Trek Now on your computer is fast and simple. You can transfer tracks, routes, and waypoints to your GPS software and upload them to your GPS unit. Once loaded to your GPS, you can route to the trail and follow the trail precisely with the track points provided by the Trek Now program. So you ask, How accurate is it? I found it to be very accurate on the few trails that I have tried it out on so far. One of my favorite features is being able to open up every trail in a region. With this you can make for a nice long day or a leisurely weekend and even make your own custom travel itinerary.

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You can purchase discs specific to the region you plan to travel to and for me, my next try of this software will be with the California and Utah discs on several extended trips. From what I have seen so far, I wont be disappointed! www.treknow.com

Lowa Jannu Mid Trekking BootsLowas Jannu Mid Trekking boots are all about providing flexibility and durability in a simple yet functional design. The Jannu Mid handles light to medium loads while hiking and trekking with a solid Vibram Trailtek outsole and split leather/Cordura upper. The boot is a great option for those looking for a breathable, lightweight hiking boot that provides crucial ankle support for short and extended day hikes. The footbed is surprisingly balanced with arch support correctly placed negating the need for replacement insoles as so many other boots often times require. We like these boots for most 3-season conditions though if you require a waterproof version, we would probably recommend the Khumbu Mid GTX boot as a very comparable option. In short, Lowas Jannu Mid Trekking boot offers a great platform at a competitive price. Plus, they are handcrafted in Italy which solidifies their capability and their craftsmanship for years to come.

Lowa Tibet PRO GTX Backpacking BootsHaving a rugged, durable, and moderately stiff form of footwear while Jeeping and in the backcountry is key and with Lowas Tibet Pro GTX boot, you get the best of both worlds and then some. Handcrafted in Germany, the Lowa Tibet Pro GTX boot is really the perfect boot for extended excursions where comfort and functionality are key. The Tibet Pro GTX was developed with a nubuk leather upper, Vibram Masai outsole, and Gore-Tex lining which adds the important element of waterproofing to your foot. All of this makes for a boot that is an excellent choice when your Jeep has hit the end of the trail and its time to start trekking with your backpack by foot. In addition, the Lowa Tibet Pro GTX was designed for excursions that require a heavy payload on your back with loads up to 50lbs or more. The beauty here is that it functions with a high level of heel and ankle stability in this use, in any conditions wet or dry, but also works wonderfully while traversing your Jeep vehicle through treacherous, rocky terrains where youre required to exit your vehicle and scout for navigable lines. The boots are sturdy, extremely well built, and will last you forever. In our mind, this is the last boot youll ever need for just about any major endeavor in any condition. While they may be too much boot for light hiking, they really tackle the terrain with ease when its all about getting from point A to point happiness. FormoreinformationaboutLowaBoots,pleasevisit www.lowaboots.com

4xGuard Leads the Way for WK Grand Cherokee Owners

APRIL/MAY 2010

The Jeep WK Grand Cherokee is often times overlooked when Jeep enthusiasts look for capability and functionality off-highway. The fact of the matter is that the WK Grand Cherokee is a highly capable vehicle and one that we are currently doing a unique build on. For those who currently own a WK Grand Cherokee, some of the finest aftermarket parts available are manufactured by 4xGuard, a Colorado-based company that specializes in the WK platform. From trail armor that includes skid plates and rock rails to front bumpers and other equipment, 4xGuard places quality and functionality at the top of their priority list and as such, has created a number of products that will make any WK Grand Cherokee a truly Trail Rated Jeep vehicle.

Front, Belly, & Rear Guards: Crafted from heavy-duty, 7-gauge steel, 4xGuards skid plates for front, belly, and rear are practically indestructible. We endured several rounds of testing of these components in varying terrain settings that included travel through granite domes and rock fields, to loose scree and thick, hard mud. The front, belly, and rear guards provided phenomenal protection in key areas including cooling hoses, exhaust system components, and front/rear approach angles. Installation was a breeze for the front and belly guards as they are bolt-on items with minimal adjustments to the stock arrangement. The rear guard requires some minor drilling at the mounting points but again, the process simple and straightforward. Overall, the high quality and intelligent design of 4xGuards skid plates make them a must-have for every proud WK Grand Cherokee owner out there. Side Guards: 4xGuards side guards were designed to provide much needed protection to the driver and passenger body sections of the WK Grand Cherokee. In addition, their design increases ground clearance by about 1, which is critical when traversing boulder fields where clearance is always a concern. The side guards are again crafted from heavyduty steel, this time a 10-gauge version with internal stiffeners strategically welded in key areas within the rails. Not only does this make the side guards the best option in protecting the driver and passenger body of the vehicle, their body-hugging fitment makes them very aesthetically pleasing. These same guards were used on the Mopar Skunkworks Grand Canyon WK featured at the 2009 Easter Jeep Safari.

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Matrix Brush Guard System: Now this is a cool system! The Matrix Brush Guard system is unique in that it is installed as a compliment to the OE bumper on the WK Grand Cherokee, negating the need to replace the entire front bumper. The Matrix Brush Guard system includes several options that allow for the fitment of a Grill Hoop Kit, tabs for fog light installation, (8 fog light points available without the Grill Hoop Kit or 4 fog light points available when the GHK is installed), a Brush Rail Kit, and/or a Receiver Kit which can be used for installing a portable winch. All accessory items are easy bolt-on accessories and are made from heavy-duty steel tubing that nicely compliments the skid plates and side guards. We particularly like the more aggressive look this setup has given our project vehicle and the added protection to the front fascia makes it a tremendous asset when youre off-highway. Weight is not a significant concern given the protection added which is a point to note since replacement of the entire front bumper can be far more expensive and certainly much heavier. Conclusion: If youve been considering the purchase of a WK Grand Cherokee or if you currently own one, 4xGuards lineup of products and accessories for your WK is tops in the market. High quality, functionality, price-point, and Americanmade craftsmanship set the benchmark for the WK Grand Cherokee owner. Not only will 4xGuards product lineup turn heads once installed, they can provide all the protection youll need while enjoying your next off-highway adventure. For more information about 4xGuard, please visit www.4xguard.com

APRIL/MAY 2010

Expedicion de las Americas DVDIn 1978, Mark A. Smith, founder of Jeep Jamboree USA and member of the Off-Road Hall of Fame, led a team of fellow adventurers and expeditioneers on a 20,000 mile, 120-day long journey that commenced at the bottom of South America and travelled to Alaska. Along the way, the team crossed the infamous Darian Gap and their odyssey was chronicled in this magnificent DVD which journals their excursion along the way. Packed with plenty of adventure and entertaining yet poignant dialogue from the team, this DVD is a sure bet to get you excited about taking on your next grand adventure and who knows, maybe follow in the same footsteps that Mr. Smith and his team chronicled over 30 years ago. FormoreinformationabouttheExpediciondelasAmericasortoordera copy of the DVD, please Jeep Jamboree USA at (530) 333-4777 ext. 12

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702-583-7919

Pro Gear Titanium U-joint Retention DeviceMany of you have heard the sound that happens when you get into a tight spot with the wheels bound up. You try to ease on the throttle, feeling the drivetrain straining to free you from the situation you are in. Next thing you hear is that metallic snapping sound and the clunk, clunk, clunk of the driveshaft banging around under your rig. You jump out to survey the damage and find the u-joint straps have failed and your driveshaft lying on the rocks. Well, this happened to one man, one too many times, and he decided to do something about it. Mark Lintner, owner of Pro Gear in San Diego, California, wanted a better solution to the breakage prone u-joint straps that are common in almost every Jeep out there. Mark, having been in the axle and gear business for 30+ years, has seen his fair share of these failures. From failures of the retaining bolts to actually having the yoke break, these have been too common a problem for him to sit idly by. A solution needed to be found. After many failed attempts to find a suitable solution, Mark, with a background in mechanical engineering, designed the Titanium U-joint Retention Device, affectionately known as the TURD. Using a well engineered u-joint cap with aerospace hardware, Mark and his crew went through extensive destructive testing to see if they could get it to fail. Installation couldnt be easier, taking about 15 minutes to remove the old straps and install these. Once installed, you will now be ready to tackle that rock garden or mud hole without fear that your u-joint will come flying out of the yoke. These are an exclusive product of Pro Gear and retail for $59.99 per pair (one yoke). If you tell Mark you read about them in JPFreek Adventure Magazine, each set will cost you $55. Contact Mark at Pro Gear at 858-571-1158 for the last set of u-joint retention devices you will ever need.

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AMERICAN OVERLAND EXPEDITIONS LAS AMERICAS EXPEDITION JK WRANGLER

THE AMERICAN OVERLAND EXPEDITIONS JK WRANGLER was built andcreated by a team of professional explorers, with more than 15 years of experience, who share a common passion for overland travel to remote corners of the globe, seeking new adventures and challenges to broaden our horizons. The American Overland Expeditions team plans to navigate this remarkable Jeep JK Wrangler later this year on an expedition dubbed Expedicion Las Americas and will be the subject of an adventure lifestyle television production with travels throughout North, South, and Central America.

Power Train: 3.8L Gas AEV Pro Cal Module AEV JK Snorkel 4-Speed Automatic Transmission 4.1 Rock Trac Rubicon NV241 Transfer Case JE-Reel Driveshaft Front Axle: Dana 44, Rubicon Lockers Superior Axle & Gear, 4.88 gears Rear Axle: Dana 44, Rubicon Lockers Superior Axle & Gear, 4.88 gears

Suspension Wheels & Tires: Nth Degree by AEV 4.5 Inches Lift High Steering System Nth Degree 17x8.5 Beadlocks, Wheels By AEV BFG Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 35x12.5 R17

Armor:

AEV MILSPEC Front Bumper Winch Plate Swing Away Rear Bumper by AEV Engine Skid Plate by KILBY Transfer Case Skid Plate by Kilby Kilby JK EVAP Canister Relocation KIT Rock Rails by Hanson Off Road ARB Diff Covers Off Road Evolution C2 Evo Gussets

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Fire Extinguishers Power Flare First Aid Kit Winch Cable Damper Spot Personal Satellite Tracker GPS Flash Lights

Safety:

Lighting & Electrical: IPF XS 900 lights LED Light In-Cab LED Head Lights Truck Lite Garmin 376 GPS Black Diamond Head Light LED CB Radio UHF/VHF Radio 60 Watts Power Film Solar panel Satellite phone

Dual Batteries Optima Red and Yellow Top National Luna Intelligent Split Charge 4x4 sPod 6-Switch System and Source Control Box

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Recovery Equipment & Gear: Winch Warn 9.5 TI Viking Off Road Synthetic Winch Line - 100 ft x 3/8 Two 50ft extension lines Warn Medium-Duty Accessory Bag Two 30,000lb Tow Straps D shackles Pull Pall Land Anchor Max -Trax ARB Tire Repair kit Shovel & Axe Hi-LIFT X-treme 48

Overlanding Gear ARB Fridge/ Freezer Adventure Lights

Eezi-Awn Roof Top Tent Front Runner Roof Rack

20 Gallons Additional Gas Tank by Gen -Right Big Agnes Sleeping Bags MSR Stove Cook Partner Stove Zodi Hotman Extreme Shower Outback Shower enclosure Portable toilet - To learn more about American Overland Expeditions or to follow their Expedicion Las Americ