Backroad Explorations of the Pacific Northwest
Vehicle Dependent Overland Touring, Backroad Explorations and Outdoor Adventures
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- Difflock - New Digital Magazine Launched
I just came across a new release of a digital magazine from the folks at Difflock. The downloadable first edition is available HERE. The magazine is produced in the UK and gives us an European perspective on our sport. Of course, there is plenty of information on Land Rovers. Beyond that, there is great overland travel articles from areas in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. True overlanding indeed. Check it out.
Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:16:21 +0000 - How Not to Seat a Tire Bead on the Trail
Here’s a great short video from the Expedition Americas on how NOT to seat a tire bead out on the trail. Enjoy.
Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:47:44 +0000 - It’s Been Over a Month
How time flies. It’s been over a month since my last outing. Between the holidays, a lot of hours at work and studying up on photography, I have not made the time for even a short day trip. Sure I made a road trip and visited relatives over the holiday, but only ended up laying around and watch bowl games. I need to get out very soon.
Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:08:37 +0000 - Happy Holidays
I wish everybody happy holidays and a safe, healthy and prosperous new year.
Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:51:34 +0000 - Vehicle Collisions While Off-Road - How Do You Handle It?
Lets say that you are out on an off-road adventure with a group of other people and the vehicle in front (or back) slides into you and causes damage to your vehicle. What is the right thing to do? Should the person who slides into you pay for the damage? Should you take the responsibility because you should have recognized the situation and waited for the other vehicle to clear the obstacle? Do you call it even and move on?
What are your thoughts? Join the discussion on the forum at Accident Protocol.
Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:00:01 +0000 - Using the Time of Day as an Directional Aid
You’ve seen it on all the TV survival shows, people using their watch to find the points on a compass. Usually, its only a brief explanation and it’s always left me wondering (I can be a little slow sometimes). In case you’re like me, I found a good explanation on how this works on the Survival Topics site. From the article, it details the differences between the Northern and Southern hemisphere, as well as techniques to do the same even if you only know the time of say (ie; you only have a digital watch). This is excellent knowledge to have when your GPS batteries go dead and you realized that you left your compass elsewhere.
You can read the article at Using Time as a Compass.
Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:00:17 +0000 - Definitions of Overland, Exploration, Explore, Adventure and Expedition
Everybody has their own definition of these words. This is what the Merrian-Webster dictionary defines the meaning of these words that are used throughout this site.
Overland: by, on, or across land
Exploration: the act or an instance of exploring
Explore: to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery
Adventure: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks; the encountering of risks; an exciting or remarkable experience
Expedition: journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose; the group of persons making such a journey
What is your definition of these terms?
Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:00:44 +0000 - JPFreek 2008 Gear Guide Issue Now Available for Download
The 2008 JPFreek Gear Guide issue has just been released and is available for download at www.jpfreek.com
In this issue, in addition to the 2008 Gear Guide that has reviews on jeep stuff, recovery gear, camping gear, outdoor clothing, etc., there are some great adventure travel articles including Planning Your Menu, Planning Your Shelter, Trail Winching Techniques and much more. It’s a excellent read even if you don’t drive a Jeep.
Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:00:28 +0000 - What is Overland Travel?
There is a new discussion started on the forum about the definition of “overland travel” and “exploration” This subject should provide for some good dialogue.
Join in or read the discussion at What is Overland Travel?
Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:27:21 +0000 - New Public-Conduct Rules for Department Lands Managed by WDFW
PORT ANGELES/December 10, 2007 – At a public meeting here Friday, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a package of new rules for public conduct on lands managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and deferred action on others.
The proposed rules, developed by WDFW after an extensive public-input process, addressed dumping, camping, commercial use, fire-building, firearm use and other activities on WDFW wildlife areas and water-access sites around the state. The rules will go into effect by Jan. 31, 2008.
The nine-member commission, which sets policy for WDFW, deferred action on three rules dealing with livestock grazing, resource removal and vehicle use. The commission requested initiation of a new rule-making process to further revise those rules and gather additional public input.
In the interim, the current state regulations pertaining to livestock grazing, resource removal and vehicle use on department lands remain in effect.
The complete public-conduct rule package is available on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wac232/.
Read more at http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=dec1007a
Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:00:36 +0000 - How to Make a Survival Heater for Your Car
Many people make the mistake of traveling through winter conditions without proper preparations. How will you survive if your car is caught in a blizzard and there is nowhere else to go? Sitting there and freezing to death is not an option because here is what you do…
Read more at How to Make a Survival Heater for Your Car
Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:00:03 +0000 - Christmas Tree Run - 12.08.07
Even though we never found that perfect Christmas tree, we had a great time with some great people under beautiful blue skies on this year’s Christmas Tree run to the Cle Elum, Washington area.
We all met for breakfast at the Cottage Cafe in Cle Elum. Already seated upon our arrival were Jerry (aka soggymountain) and Evelyn from Yakima, Brian (aka Photog) and Cindy from Gig Harbor, Valerie and her mother Ellen from Bothell and Kent, and friends of Ellen’s (whom I did not get their names). Of course I can’t forget to mention my wife Martha, daughter Korinne and our dog Tareva.
After breakfast, we headed out of town to the Roslyn Cyclery in Roslyn to purchase our tree permits. We were the only family on the hunt for a Christmas tree, everybody was out for the fun of it. After getting the permit, we headed out of town, past Ronald towards Salmon la Sac.
The first stop was an older clear area directly across the road from the Cooper Lake road. After surveying the area for Christmas trees, we only found ones that Charlie Brown would be proud of. Of course there were some nice ones far in the distance on top of the hill, but we weren’t feeling that adventurous. By this time Jerry and Evelyn had to head out due to a previous commitment. After looking at a few trees and taking some photos, we headed up river to continue the hunt for Christmas trees. In less than a quarter mile from the Cooper Lake road, the road ended at the Salmon la Sac snow park. By this time we figured that if you wanted a Christmas tree in this area, your best best is via snowmobile or to hike in.
By now, Valerie and Ellen headed out to visit their friends in Cle Elum. Down to two vehicles (us in the Land Cruiser and Brian and Cindy in their 4Runner), we decided to drive up the Teanaway Road on the other side of Cle Elum to see if our luck for finding a tree would change.
The Teanaway Road follows the Teanaway River valley, passing through farm land, and today, it was all covered in snow. Looking up the valley, we had some nice views of snow covered Mt. Stuart and surrounding peaks. The pavement ends at about 13 miles from the highway and road is closed to wheeled vehicles at this point.
At the roads end, we got out to stretch our legs, chat and take some more photos. We could hear people doing a little target practice in the distance. Shortly after our arrival, a couple from Ellensburg came hiking down the snow covered road, each with a Christmas tree. They told us that they had to hike a ways in to get the trees. By this time, we decided would be resorting to Christmas Tree Plan B (put up the artificial tree or obtain one locally).
By this time it was after three in the afternoon and we were all getting hungary. We decided that we would drive back to Roslyn to have dinner. On the way back down the Teanaway Road, Brian called on the CB radio and said he had a problem. Upon checking, he had run over a t-handle reamer for a tire plug kit that penetrated and stuck into his right rear tire. Luckily, he had his handy ARB Tire Plug kit and made quick repair to the tire without having to remove his tire. I’ve plugged tires before, but always with glue in addition to the plug. The plugs in the ARB kit do not require any adhesive to make the repair. And as we found out, it works great in sub-freezing temperatures (approximately the mid 20’s). I need to get myself one of those kits.
Once back on the road and after airing up in Cle Elum, we made our way to the Roslyn Cafe for dinner. After eating and talking, it was about 6:30 before we said our good byes and headed home over Snoqualmie Pass.
Even through we went away without a Christmas Tree (consider it a $5 donation to the Wenatchee National Forest), we had the opportunity to share the day with some great people.
As far as Christmas tree hunting in the Cle Elum district of the Wenatchee National Forest, your only options are to hike, ski, snowshoe in or travel via snowmobile because all the forest service roads are closed to wheeled vehicles once the snow depth is adequate. For the next Christmas Tree run, my suggestion is have it on the west side of the Cascades.
You can view all the photos from this trip at Christmas Tree Run 2007 Photos.
Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:00:36 +0000 - Columbus Launches “Ranger” - Advanced Off-Road Navigation System
LAS VEGAS, Nov 14, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ — Columbus Geographic Systems (GIS) Ltd. (”Columbus”) (OTC Pink Sheets: CGSE) today unveiled Ranger - its latest off-road navigation application. This is a robust navigation system aimed at the fast-growing market for recreational, off-road and outdoor enthusiasts - whether off-road driver, skier, hiker, mountain biker, or camper. Ranger is a cutting-edge navigation software providing location-based, Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping, navigation, and information solutions for the off-road environment. Ranger works on a range of devices including Car PC, PDA, and Personal Navigation Devices (PND). Columbus will offer Ranger for cellular phones by the first quarter of 2008.
Ranger also adds an important safely factor to off-road travelers. This easy to use and affordable navigation tool reduces the chances of getting lost and gives the exact geographic location to direct rescue services in the event of an emergency.Columbus developed this advanced navigation application from mapping and navigation technology originally designed for military use, and converted to civilian applications. Ranger uses unique technology to handle raster-based maps which are more complex than vector-based maps used in urban areas.
“There is increasing market awareness of the advantages of navigation and GPS tools, particularly for vehicle navigation systems,” stated Tsvika Freidman, CEO of Columbus. “While existing location-based applications have focused on urban and street navigation, Ranger clearly provides the off-road enthusiast with an effective tool to enjoy the benefits of GPS navigation.”
About Columbus
Columbus Geographic Systems (GIS) Ltd. is a rising player in the field of geographic information systems (GIS) and navigation applications. The company brings advanced software capabilities to a wide range of users and devices, previously only accessible to trained professionals on dedicated devices. Its main products include:
- Highly-effective off-road, outdoor GPS navigation tools, working on a full range of devices including Car PC, PDA, and Personal Navigation Devices (PND), with options for 3D imaging.
- Innovative, affordable GIS tools easily used in a range of applications, including businesses, agriculture, surveys, and government agencies.
- Aerial GIS applications for military and civilian aircraft operating in complex or threatening environments.
SOURCE Columbus Geographic Systems (GIS) Ltd.
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:00:15 +0000 - Do You Get Enough Time Away From Work?
I just finished reading a short article in the online edition of the National Geographic Adventure Magazine titled The Vanishing Vacation: Why You Need a Break and it got me thinking of some of the people I see all around me on a daily basis.
I see people who almost never take time away from work. At the most, they may only take an extended weekend. I don’t get it. What is behind this obsession to work so much and not take some time away?
In the United States, unlike in most developed countries around the world, vacation time is not guaranteed in most jobs. If it is made available, it’s rather limited or there are pressures in workplace that make you believe that you can’t take the time away from work. This is not healthy.
Some interesting points were brought out in the article:- An annual holiday can cut the risk of heart attack in men by 30 percent and in women by 50 percent.
- Only 14 percent of Americans will take a vacation of two weeks or more this year.
- Studies show that vacations are as important as watching your cholesterol or getting exercise.
- Vacations boost energy reserves so that you need less effort to get work done when you return
And best of all for me…
“Vacations help us see through the time-is-money hoax that keeps life on hold by placing all value and self-worth on production, on dollars-per-minute of output, and none on the input—living.”
I feel fortunate that I’m one of the 14%. I may not have the fancy home or the new car(s) in the driveway, but I do have what many others don’t is TIME. Time to spend with my family and friends. Time to play or go on adventures.
Isn’t that life is about - one big adventure.
Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:00:39 +0000 - Broken Axle Tool for your Tool Kit
Most of you with a c-clip rear axle knows what happens if you ever break a rear axle shaft. If you don’t know, just remember that most likely you’ll be leaving your vehicle near the location you broke your rear axle. Now there is a tool that may help you limp off the trail and to a more accessible location. Its called the Broken Axle Tool (very fitting name indeed) and it’s available on the web from Off Road Trail Tools for $109.95.
I’ve never physically laid eyes on the tool or read a review on its use, but if the idea works as well as it sounds, this would be a great addition to your recovery gear. Now if I only had a full floating rear axle in my Land Cruiser.
Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:00:58 +0000
