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An Off-Road Volcanic Perception

Overland, Off-Road, Off-roading, over land, overland adventure, off-road adventure, vehicle supported adventure, Jeep JKU, eXPEDITION,

A Volcanic Perception: Off-Roading and Overlanding has taught me that perspective is a powerful thing.  The more I off-road explore, the wider my understanding of topography becomes.  I am continuously humbled by the wide variety of terrains at our disposal.  Yes, I know, that sounds very philosophical, but I can’t explain it any other way. This occurred to me when I traveled from California to Arizona to check another state off of my “Overland the Lower 48” bucket list.

I’ve been to Arizona before (not off-roading), mainly around the Phoenix area, and  was expecting this run to be among the red rock, wind carved, landscape. I was making my way to Cinder Hills OHV Recreational Area in the Coconino National Forest, which is farther north and closer to the red rock water carved landscape of the Grand Canyon. So, my thought was that the topography was going to be similar.  I was way wrong.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,

As I left the California desert in late September and crossed into Arizona via interstate 40, the terrain was as I expected. But after I passed through Havasu heading toward Flagstaff, my first thought was, “This looks like Oregon.”.  The landscape was becoming more mountainous and green as I climbed to higher elevations. Lots of tall, trees and grasses covered the hillsides. There was water on the ground from a rainstorm that had come through a few hours ahead of me and the temperature was dropping quickly.  I love cooler weather, and was getting excited because on this vehicle supported adventure trip, I was expecting to have was changing rapidly into something completely unexpected.

I made it to our group’s meet and greet campsite at the Cinders Volcanic OHV Recreation Area in Flagstaff Arizona. I had been invited to attend by a fellow 4wheeler Diane Zalman from the 4wheel club, Off Road Passport. I parked and set up camp, met some of the others, then wandered into the woods to explore. I was happily lost for over an hour, taking in all the newness of this unexpected Arizona topography.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
A walk in the woods-Cinder Hills OHV Recreational Area, AZ

No red dirt roads here, only a black one. I found a comfy spot and sat in the woods soaking it all up, literally. Yep the ground was warm, so I decided to lay down.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Just soaking it up.

Why would I do that? Well, have you ever sat on exposed Volcanic lava rock? I haven’t.  It was nice and warm, so I laid down to take it all in. Let me tell you, the experience was amazing. As I lay there, it occurred to me that I was laying on pieces of geologic activity and they were everywhere. Simply put, the lava rock  I was laying on was once part of the large well of magma inside of the earth. It reminded me that I was just a very small speck on the face of this planet.  A shift in perception….a “volcanic” shift, if you will.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Black volcanic rock

I had never experienced this kind of terrain. It amazed me that trees, plants and flowers were thriving in it. The lava was burnt black, porous and uncompacted. It was hard to walk in, like sand, and then I thought…”How am I going to drive in this?”  Thankfully, I was with a group that had been doing this run for years, so I was in good hands.

The next morning, our group headed out. Feeling apprehension about driving over this type of terrain,  I decided to play it safe and air down my tires to 8psi.  Anytime I run on sand, I get good floatation  (stock BF Goodrich KM’s) at about 8psi, and with the ground being warm, I knew my tires would fluctuate between 8-10psi. I also placed me and Jake (my 2015 JKU) in the middle of the pack  in case I needed some assistance with recovery. I was probably overthinking everything, as usual.  Anyway, we hit the trail. Here I was, 4wheeling in Arizona, state number 4 on my bucket list!

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Cinder OHV Trail Head

We were slowly making our way up into the higher hills. The trail was easy as we navigated around the Arizona pines and past the tall grasses.  As we got higher up, the trees and grass became sparser and the terrain began to change. The burnt black lava rock was also becoming reddish- brown in color, again messing with my perceptions of what lava rock was supposed to look like…

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
A change in terra from black to reddish-brown volcanic rock

We reached the top of one of these reddish-brown and black, porous, rock-filled, peaks and stopped. I wanted to get a good look around. I stepped out onto the ground and my foot instantly sunk in. The lava rock looks firm until you walk on it, then you realize that it’s just like sand. I could tell by looking at the Jeep behind me that our tracks had gotten deeper than they were before. But then when I looked up, I immediately lost interested in the depth of the volcanic rock under my feet.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
The higher up the trail, the better the view.

The view was stunning. I could not believe I was in Arizona.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
On our way to the top of the volcano- Cinders AZ

The higher we got, the more vast and colorful our view became. As we reached the crest of the uphill course, we came to a plateau that crested along a large half-moon shaped ridgeline. This was the highest vantage point we had hit yet.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Cresting the ridge of the volcano’s cone.

We followed the ridgeline down and slowly around. That’s when I realized we were driving along the top of a volcanic cone.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Crestline ridge on the volcanic cone.

Now let’s think about that for just a second. A volcano. In Arizona. So here we are again back to my perception… which has just changed.  All that NatGeo I watched on Volcanos in Hawaii….. and now black was not the only color volcanic rock came in.  I understood that we were in a volcanic area, so I had expected to see some lava rock. What I didn’t expect, was that I would be driving on a volcanic mountain! One that had spewed lava across the land hundreds of years ago. While driving along its  crested ridgeline, I  looked down at all the colors. A shift in perception.  Lava doesn’t only come in black, but in “Arizona red”, brown and orange.  Stunning.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Looking into the volcano.

The half-moon crested ridgeline wrapped around and down and I could see the middle of the volcano. We took our time descending the thin shelf to the bottom, then parked for lunch.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Lunch with “Volcano-side” seating.

Mom – “So Lisa, what did you do this weekend?”
Me – “Oh not much, just had lunch inside a Volcano in Arizona, how about you?”
This is what I was thinking when I took a picture of our group that stopped to have lunch. How else would I explain it?

It was cool out, very arid and I could feel the elevation ringing between my ears. This happens to me on every trip, so I always drink a lot of water, even if I think it’s cool out and I won’t need to. We quickly wrapped up lunch and in teams of 2 and 3, made our way in to the bottom on the volcano. This was not easy. You’re headed straight down a steep grade in a 4-5 thousand pound, weighed down vehicle with gravity helping you along. If you go too slow, the volcanic ground you’re driving on piles up quickly in front of your front tires making the heavy back end of your vehicle want to swing around the front. I had to power up, which goes against my natural instinct to brake  when descending a steep grade. Slowing down on this terrain would make things much worse. I stopped at the bottom, inside the cone of the volcano, and got out. What a Site! I was sitting in a once active volcano and so was my jeep, Jake!  Who knew?  Again, there went my perception.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
Descending into the volcano.

We played around for about an hour, then continued driving over, through, around and down the volcano. I was told that off in the distance there was an area called The Painted Desert. This made sense to me, because from where we were sitting, it literally looked like someone had painted the view.

OVERLAND, Overlanding, over land, Off-road, offroad, our-roading, exploring, overland adventure, volcanic adventure, volcanic, overland expedition, Jeep,
The best view on the planet.

So, this trip had a volcanic impact on my perception about what a trip to a volcano would be like. Everytime I have headed out on one of these adventures, I have come back humbled and wowed having gotten to experience something I never could have fathomed. I would recommend this trip to anyone who needs a “volcanic shift” in their perception.

Author and photos:  Lisa VanRijnsoever

For more Overland and Off-Road Vehicle Supported Adventure trips, CHECK HERE

Goose-Gear: Solid Storage Solutions for the Overlander

Goose Gear, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,

Goose: The nickname owner Brian Fulton calls his daughter.  Goose- Gear: Premium quality modular storage and drawer systems designed for overlanders.  Qualifications?- Custom cabinetry and drawer design experience spanning three generations.  Solid.  Just like their product. We know because we have them in both TAP rigs and we’re heavy on our gear.

Goose Gear, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,
Our Goose Gear drawer holds all of our cooking and cleaning supplies. It takes a beating and has held up beautifully.

Goose-Gear’s roots began in 1952 in Huntington Beach, California. It was born of  Pazzulla Plastics, a three-generation, family owned business with over 60 years of experience in the laminate manufacturing industry. From there, it evolved (with partner Matt Hebel)  into a custom cabinetry business  called Liquid Amber, and from there….Goose-Gear was born.

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Goose Gear drawer system with a Tembo Tusk fridge slide.

Brian Fulton states, “We have taken the knowledge acquired over three generations and applied it to crafting cabinets specifically designed for off-road trucks, SUVs and campers of all kinds. Made on state-of-the-art CNC machinery, Goose-Gear cabinets are capable of meeting the needs of the most exacting local or world-traveling, off-road adventurists.”

Goose Gear partners Matt Hebel and Brian Fulton working together on an install.
Goose Gear partners Matt Hebel and Brian Fulton working together on an install.

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The skeleton.

The Adventure Portal met owner Brian Fulton and his family a while back while at an American Adventurist Mountain Rendezvous. We had heard about the finely crafted drawer systems that Brian and his partner Matt built, but had yet to get a close look at them. At these gatherings, people like to cruise around checking out everyone’s camp kit. The rigs, trailers, tents and everything else… “glamping”. The organizer of the event, Dave Bennett, had his rig open (as we all did) and was displaying a mouth dropping set-up consisting of a stealthy, clean, functional drawer system.  Using Goose-Gear’s modular approach, he had them craft  a kitchen, bathroom and general storage areas in the back of his Tacoma.  We were impressed.

Goose Gear, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,
One of Goose Gear’s first installs

Goose Gear, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,

american_adventurist_tap_goose_gear_1
All drawer configurations are modular and can be custom designed.

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They will construct dividers for you or add your own organizers like the ones from TrekPak.

american_adventurist_tacoma_goose_gear_system
Goose Gear manufactures high quality drawer systems.

I spoke to Co-owner/founder of Goose-Gear Brian Felton about how the company came about and this is what he had to say:

A few years ago I bought a 4th generation Toyota 4runner, because I wanted to start taking my daughter camping.  We started going out and had a blast.  With time, I began getting to know other overlander/campers, checking out their gear and rigs.  We joined the American Adventurist community, started going to their events and met the founder, Dave Bennett.  Dave and I started talking and he said that he needed a storage drawer system for the back of his Tacoma. Dave sent me photos of the system he wanted. The photos were from manufacturers in Europe and Australia. He couldn’t find anyone who was making drawer systems of the quality he wanted in the United States.

My partner and I built a drawer system using a CAD 3-D computer design, and a CNC machine, then laminated the drawers.  This was not a stretch for us considering our company produces top quality in home or office cabinetry. I wanted the product that we created for Dave to be top of the line. Matt and I thought it was a great idea for the back of our rigs as well!  We gave it a shot and created a really solid drawer system.  Today Goose-Gear is a premium manufacturer of custom storage solutions for the overland adventurist. “You can quote me on that!”

Goose Gear, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,
A drawer system used in Deborah Njam and Julia Pickslay’s Rebelle Rally rig.

Goose Gear, overland, over land, off-road, off-roading, vehicle supported adventure,

Recently Goose gear has partnered up with Tembo Tusk and is designing a full modular kitchen complete with a fridge slide, propane oven or utensil drawer and their custom drawers. These drawers can be configured according to need and come in a variety of colors. More on that to come and we’ll also be taking a look at a fully Goose Gear built out JKU.

Check out Goose – Gear  and TAP into Adventure!

Photos courtesy of Brian Fulton and TAP

SEMA 2016 Quick Recap-The Candy Store

IMG 9310
IMG 9310

SEMA 2016– It’s like going into a candy store. There are rigs that are so far out cool it’s mind blowing and then you have the new gear; the toys that you are sure you cannot possibly live without. TAP cruised the show for a couple of days and tried to soak it all in.  Here is a mix of information on a few new products and some very cool rigs. Read on and start making your Christmas/ Hanukkah list and TAP into Adventure!

Warn Medium and Heavy Duty Recovery  Kit Bags

epic-recovery-kit-action-001

MEDIUM  DUTY or HEAVY DUTY  EPIC RECOVERY KIT:

For winch capacities of up to 12,000 or 18,000lbs.
• Two forged 3/4” Epic Shackles with E-coat/powder cost finish (for 18,000 lb. winches and under)
• Epic Tree Trunk Protector, including forged end loops with E-coat/powder cost finish (2” x 8’; rated to 14,400 lbs.)
• Epic Snatch Block with E-coat/powder coat finish (for winch capacities of up to 12,000 lbs.)
• Premium Recovery Strap 2” x 30’; rated to 14,400 lbs.or 30,000lbs. or 3″x30′; rated to 21,600lbs
• Winching Gloves with Kevlar reinforcement and synthetic leather
• Backpack carrying case is made from ballistic material with modular interior. Doubles as a line damper and has recovery technique illustrations.

WARN Ascent bumper- Ford F-150  Clean, tough, functional and angled for maximum clearance. They come ready to fit WARN mid-frame winches.

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WARN updated winches- features include a new convertible control pack that allows for upright or low-profile mounting configurations; a sealed and totally waterproof Albright® contactor that lets you off-road with confidence in wet and muddy environments; a one-piece tie plate that replaces multiple tie bars for increased strength; and a best-in-class cone brake that holds the full-rated load. They are now available  not only with steel rope, but with Spydura Pro synthetic rope. This rope’s heat-treated construction provides maximum tensile strength and the temperature resistant sleeve on the first layer provides maximum heat protection.

 

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VR 8-S: 8,000 lbs. capacity, 90’ of 3/8” synthetic rope
VR 10-S: 10,000 lbs. capacity, 90’ of 3/8” synthetic rope
VR 12-S: 12,000 lbs. capacity 90’ of 3/8” synthetic rope
VR 8: 8,000 lbs. capacity, 94’ of 5/16” steel rope
VR 10: 10,000 lbs. capacity, 80’ of 3/8” steel rope
VR 12: 12,000 lbs. capacity, 80’ of 3/8” steel rope

Hi-Lift Roll Cage Mount for the Jeep Wrangler JK or other Wrangler models with top removed– Available in the Spring of 2017, this easy access jack mount allows you to mount your Hi-Lift horizontally on the inside rear roll cage, providing easy access and secure interior storage.  No drilling is required for installation as it mounts directly on the the factory roll rage tubing.  It is made of 6061-T6 structural and anodized aluminum for strength, durability and a clean look.

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Sema tap 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rugged Ridge Fast Track Accessory Mount for 2007-2016 JK- This is  adjustable modular LED bar mount is built with integrated channels which allow for any light configuration that you wish.  They also provide you the ability to reconfigure trail mirrors, camera and accessory mounts based on your  needs.

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Bestop: Trektop NX Glide Soft Top for the 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler. The Trektop consists of a new folding frame design that lets it function like a convertible top. The top folds behind the rear seat, providing an open air ride. The booth was filming volunteers to come up and take the NX Glide off.  Their average time ranged from 20 seconds to a minute.  A big selling point here is ease of conversion. The “topless” format has a protective screen for the roof if desired for sun protection.

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ARB all-weather fridge freezer: Is constructed of stainless steel with anondized aluminum latches, heavy duty cast stainless steel hinges, tamper-proof bolts for permanent mounting, a security pin code protected electronic locking system, the provision for a padlock for added security, a weather protected control panel, Backlit LED display with dimming function, a recessed back for power cable storage, reversible cabinet basket with removable divider rubberized mounting feet, wireless display compatible, Secop BK35F compressor, Built in 3 stage battery protection, a drain plug, LED rear facing cabinet light with auto on/off and a full-length cooling zone with dual height compartments.

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Take a look at some of the eye candy at the show…

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TAP into Adventure!

Tips For Cold Weather Camping

At this time of year, thoughts often turn to escaping to sunny, sandy beaches. Some folks, however, enjoy romping in the snow. They brave the elements, and camp out in the wild. One benefit is that you can have the park or wildlife area practically to yourself.

Just as you need to account for the extreme heat of summer, so should you plan for the challenges of camping in snow and cold.

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for camping in the snow and cold.

Start by checking the forecast and if a bad storm is predicted, stay home.  As in any type of weather, never camp alone, and always tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

snow_camping_tap_3

In terms of gear and clothing, prepare for the worst so you’re not taken by surprise. The most important factor is to stay warm and dry. Frostbite and hypothermia aren’t just annoyances. They can be killers.

  • Clothing that incorporates Gore-Tex (or similar fabric) is very useful. You need to wick out as much sweat as possible. Damp clothing can chill you quickly, and bring on hypothermia.
  • Outer coats should have a nylon shell to break the wind. Thinsulate is a great insulating material for coats and gloves.
  • Layer your clothing during the day. Make sure there’s some give, though. If you feel constricted, the fabric will be packed so tightly that it’ll lose some insulating ability.
  • Having extra clothing also ensures that you can change into dry stuff at the end of the day. Look for sturdy boots. Sorel is a good brand, but there are others. You’ll want rubber soles with good traction. Leather uppers are nice, but treat with a sealant.
  • Never sleep in clothes you’ve been working or playing in. They will be damp with perspiration, which means you’ll be uncomfortable all night. Set aside dry clothing for sleeping. That includes socks, heavy pajamas (or sweat shirt and sweat pants) and a warm hat.

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I recommend a 4-season tent. The walls on these are solid material to block wind and shed snow. I prefer those with a full fly over the tent as well. They  make for a better desert tent too. The fly creates shade and the combination of 2 walls keeps blowing sand out. Look for a model that has a vestibule. That’s where you’ll store your outerwear and boots. A vestibule, provides a transition area to reduce the snow you track into the main tent. It provides more room for sleeping, and your bedding and dry clothing won’t get wet. Prior to setting up, pack down the snow for a firm base. Create a berm around the sides for wind break, and remember to face the front door away from the wind.

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A good sleeping bag is a must. If you can’t find one rated to the proper temperature, take along two. You can stuff one inside the other. Understand that manufacturers take liberty with the temperature ratings on their products. Assume your boots, sleeping bag, and clothing won’t really keep you comfortable at the manufactures rated temperature. That’s why you pack heavy clothing, and even feet and hand warmers.

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Use a foam mattress or blankets as insulation under your sleeping bag. Thermarest mattresses work but the $20 / $30 6 inch type air mattresses don’t provide much insulation, because the air inside circulates too much. Dead air space is a great insulator but it has to be dead (i.e. not circulate).

Tent heaters are nice, however be careful. Today’s models are small and easy to use. The Little Buddy by Mr Heater, for example, uses the standard 1 lb. propane cylinder. The manufacturer claims it can heat up to 100 square feet. Note: some heaters have altitude restrictions (do not function over a certain altitude). Also, don’t leave the heater running all night. Even though it has an oxygen sensor and a very sensitive tip-over switch, I wouldn’t want to take the risk of fire or carbon dioxide poisoning. Run the heater before you snuggle into your tent, then again when you wake up.

If you are on a hunting trip, store guns and outerwear outside but away from snow (in the vestibule or your vehicle). A gun warming up will generate condensation if brought inside. Any snow on your outer clothing won’t melt if left in the cold, so you’re not likely to get damp (at least from that).

Store all gear including shovels, axes etc. in your vehicle. They could get buried in the snow.
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 Cooking, as you can imagine, presents its own challenges.

  • To prevent (or minimize) freezing, keep fresh food  in a cooler. You may want to stash the cooler in your vehicle overnight.
  • Use wooden or plastic utensils as much as possible. Metal objects get blasted cold in the winter.
  • Propane is fine for most winter applications, but it is sluggish in severe cold. If you anticipate those temps, pack a stove that runs on white gas.

Vehicle health and safety

  • This is a good time to recheck the vitals. Inspect your tires. Rotate and replace as needed. Test the battery and windshield wipers; replace if necessary.
  • Check your antifreeze: Is it still at full strength? Are you low on windshield washer fluid?
  • Make sure you have a survival kit and tire chains (if applicable).
  • Pack a snow shovel and ice pick.
  • Orange spray paint comes in handy for marking the snow in the event of an emergency.
  • Remember to include a fire-starter kit. Fill a baggie with matches and cotton balls coated with Vaseline.

Communication

  • Keep your cell phone charged up.
  • Before you leave, identify the frequencies of the ham radio repeaters in the area you are visiting.
  • Make a habit of listing to the NOAA weather broadcasts each day.
  • If you’ll be in a really remote area, consider a Sat phone, a DeLorme inReach or other “off the grid” communication device.

Mother Nature puts on a grand performance during the winter season. For those hardy enough, camping can be very enjoyable and rewarding. As with any other four wheeling experience, preparation is the key to safe enjoyment.

Author: Tom Severin.  Tom Severin is an International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association© certified professional 4WD Trainer and a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). He is an instructor for the United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and the California Association of 4WD Clubs.  Tom is the owner of Badlands off-Road Adventures.  Badlands Off-Road Adventures offers 4WD training and 4WD guided tours specializing in Four Wheel Drive vehicles. The company has trained hundreds of students, including the Orange County (CA) Sheriff’s Department, the Gas Company, the National Park Service, and the US Marine Corps.

Photos: Jeff and Melissa Sikes: Owners-Rugged Overland Outfitters.
IG: ruggedoverland
FB: Rugged Overland Outfitters
TAP

Blue Ridge Expedition Trailers

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We’re always on the lookout for off-road trailers to add to the TAP Buyers Guide. It’s important to keep it up to date and as comprehensive as possible. Recently we added Blue Ridge Expedition Trailers and got on the phone with the owners Mike Mulligan and Bryan Howell to ask them to tell us about their company, located in Lewisville NC. Here’s what we learned.
We are a company that helps you make memories….not excuses.
Blue Ridge Expedition Trailers builds expedition style teardrop camping trailers. Our belief is that while you may not always take the road less traveled, you should have a camper that can make the journey when you decide to do so.

We started Blue Ridge Expedition Trailers in the spring of 2016, recognizing that while there were many companies building teardrop campers, there were very few true expedition teardrop manufacturers on the east coast. We saw that there was a need, so we opened our business in a strategically central part of the east coast, Lewisville NC.

This BRX1 with a Tepui RTT and front storage box provides enough room for mom, dad, the kids and your dog.

We exclusively build the BRX1. The BRX1 features the Timbren axel-less suspension, the max-coupler hitch connector, a welded steel frame, 18” wheels, oversize tires and up to a whopping 20” of ground clearance. We offer a wide variety of options. All of our trailers are custom made to fit your needs and your budget.

The galley can hold a refrigerator or cooler and stove. It’s got full storage cabinetry, a food prep counter, LED lighting and a sink.

A closer look at the cabin.

Warm shower anyone?

For all of you adventurers, overlanders, 4×4 owners, hunters, fishermen, families and anyone that wants to be able to get away on their own terms, our expedition grade features coupled with a queen-size memory foam mattress, all LED lighting and options for AC & heat, water and a hot shower, solar power and refrigeration, will make being there as much fun as getting there. Oh, and our expedition camping teardrop trailers are actually affordable!!
Contact Information-
• Info@brxtrailers.com
• www.brxtrailers.com
• www.facebook.com/brxtrailers
• Instagram: brx_trailers
• (336)383-1001
You can find more info in our Off Road Trailer Buyers Guide.

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Searching for a Nevada Ghost Town

Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,

The search for a Nevada Ghost Town: Something that fuels my need to get lost out on offroad trails in my Jeep is curiosity. As I have gotten older, I find that my curiosity in visiting the past, adds context to and makes me more fully appreciate the present. I got a dose of this recently when I went on an overlanding excursion with a great group of friends from Badlands Off-Road Adventure, in search of ghost towns in Nevada.

Now when I say a ghost town, I don’t mean “Boo” Halloween ghosts. I mean places in American History that have stood the test of time and are still standing today. Our overland adventure starts in Bishop, CA where our group of 13 rigs and 18 friends meets up for our usual driver’s meeting to discuss map routes, trip plans, safety precautions, etc.

Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Driver’s meeting Bishop, CA

Our trip guide, Tom Severin, is always very thorough with the plans, this is something I have learned to appreciate and model in my vehicle supported adventure trip preparation. We discuss the route, driving by the principles of  “Tread Lightly!”, emergency “what ifs”, and more.  Then we hit the road.

Pigeon Springs Stamp Mill, NV, Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Pigeon Springs Stamp Mill, NV

We made our way via paved road out of CA and about 60 miles into Nevada, pulled off pavement, and hit the dirt to air down in Palmetto. Thankfully the weather was nice, not the typical scorching, hot weather I would expect in the middle of September. As I was packing up my tire deflators, I took a look around and off in the distance, I saw a piece of history looking right back at me.

Palmetto, NV, Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Palmetto, NV

Just past the state of Nevada Palmetto marker was a quiet little rock structure just resting in the middle of nowhere. This was the entrance into the  past that  me and my fellow overlanders were looking for. We started down the dirt trail, and came upon the Pigeon Spring Stamp Mill. This Mill was in operation from 1890-1907.

Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,

Pigeon Springs Stamp Mill, NV, Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Pigeon Springs Stamp Mill, NV

As we explored, taking in the past, I wondered how people lived their day to day lives back in the 1900’s  in this desolate, dusty and dirty place. What was mining life like in Pigeon Springs?

Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,

We continued on our quest, trailing deep back into the low lying mountains of the Nevada desert. The trails were very passable, making it easy for our group, but we didn’t press on quickly. We took our time, taking in the most amazing views.

Palmetto Wash, NV Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Palmetto Wash, NV

We made our way through old, dry, river beds, where I could see that the elements have carved out a story spanning centuries. The only view for miles was desert, mountains, cactus, and ……..wait, what’s that?

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In the distance, I could see we were nearing another abandoned cluster of structures. Another piece of mining history left standing.

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State Line Mine, NV
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State Line Mine, NV
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Going Down! State Line Mine, NV

But this one was special because yes, it’s old, but not exactly abandoned. There was one shimmy shack on site that was still used and even had an outhouse.

Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Shimmy shack at the State Line Mine, NV

We hung around for a while inspecting it all. The front door was unlocked allowing us a peek inside. There were letters left from past visitors, and even a guest book that I happily signed, marking my visit.

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Letters left by visitors
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Guest book

We had more miles to cover, so we continued on, tucking ourselves deeper into the landscape.

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And the farther you go, the more interesting it gets.

Gold Point, NV Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Gold Point, NV

Our next stop was to an active Ghost Town. Yep active, meaning people still live there. Gold Point Nevada, population 27. We were way out in the sticks, but thankfully this buzzing population had wifi. The first 3G network we had had since we left Bishop CA.  As we parked and got out of our rigs, I had to laugh because everyone’s phones were pinging and buzzing with emails and texts that had finally made it through.  The strangeness of this juxtaposition did not escape me.

The town of Gold Point NV. Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
The town of Gold Point NV.
Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Old gas station in  Gold Point
Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Town Saloon Gold Point, NV

We really took our time on this stop. So much to see in this tiny town with no one but us in site. Apparently, word of our arrival spread through town quickly, as locals started showing up to greet and welcome us. They let us walk around and investigate all the original ghost town mining homes and cabins. They opened the local museum just for us and even offered to open the town saloon so we could enjoy a cold one. Unfortunately, we still had more miles to cover before dark, and were running out of time, so no beers for us this trip.

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The Long Road out-Gold Point NV

So, I have friends in Texas that always tell me that Texas is so flat, you can watch your dog run away from home for days…..well they have roads like that in Nevada as well. We said good bye to our new friends in Gold Point and continued on down the long road.

One of the 27 residents of Gold Point, NV Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
One of the 27 residents of Gold Point, NV
The longer road out, Gold point, NV Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
The longer road out, Gold Point, NV

The only thing moving faster than we were on this trip was the weather. One hour clear blue skies, then a few clouds, then total cloud coverage. That’s one thing you always have to take into consideration out here. Rapidly changing weather can mess up your trip if you’re not prepared.

Esmeralds County, NV Ghost Towns, Nevada ghost towns, overlanding, over land, overland, offroad, off-road, off-road adventure, offroad trails, overlanding adventure, overland adventure, expeditions, vehicle supported adventure,
Esmeralda County, NV

It was getting considerably cold very fast as the sun began to set and looked like a storm was brewing. Thankfully camp was not too much farther…… We had had an epic day of Ghost Town exploration.

TAP Field Writer: Lisa Van Rijnsoever

Photos: Lisa Van Rijnsoever

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