LIFESTYLES OFF THE BEATEN PATH

WINTER 2009 Issue 4 Volume 4

CROSS COUNTRY JEEP ADVENTURE WINTER CAMPING 101 TRAILS OF GERONIMO FULL-SIZE JEEP PHOTO TRIBUTE WINTER HYDRATION TIPS OVERLAND PRODUCT OVERVIEWS INDUSTRY INTEVIEW WITH TLC ICON 4X4

Lifestyles off the beaten path

SUSPENSIONS BODY PROTECTION LOW RANGE GEARING HD AXLES

Crew & Contributors EditorialLifestyles off the beaten path

From the EditorIts wintertime and its cold outside. Makes sense, I mean were into the month of December and thats how it should be. However, if you live in or have ever been to the Texas gulf coast, specifically Houston, the kind of cold Im talking about is truly a nice surprise for young and for old. As I sit down and write this note to you, Im sipping on a cup of Big Horn Mountain Man Cocoa and watching through my window as the snow trickles down from above. Yep, snow. Thats what makes this winter so different from winters past in the Bayou City and in many ways, is analogous of how unpredictably exciting the year of 2009 has been for us. Through a very rough economy to announcements of new partnerships, JPFreek Adventure Magazine has seen a lot in 2009. Not to mention the birth of my daughter, Abigail, which has proven to be the grandest enjoyment for me as a father. As for fatherhood, someone once told me the following and its irony goes along with the season: There are three stages of a mans life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesnt believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus. Sharing my first Christmas with my baby daughter has certainly put a new perspective on life in general, and one that Im excited to embrace even as the snow continues to fall. As we get ready to close out the year, I hope that each of you relishes the little things in your life that make this time of year so special. From our families to yours, we wish you all a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to sharing many adventures with you throughout 2010.Happy Holidays!

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 Frank LedwellContactJPFreek 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 2009 JPFreek Adventure Publications, LLC All Rights Reserved. Published in U.S.A.

Frank Ledwell Editor-in-Chief

WWW.TERAFLEX.BIZ 801-288-2585

FOR THE DEALER NEAREST YOU CALL OR CLICK:

FeaturesTrails of Geronimo .......................... 24

DepartmentsFrom The Editor ................................ 3 News, Events, & Stuff ..................... 10 News From the Adventure World .. 22 Freek Show: .................................... 52Pelle Kleins Grand Wagoneer

Mike Fissel and Jeep Expeditions recreate a journey by the Apache warrior How to prepare for your next winter camping adventure

Dirt Roads & a Hole in the Rock .... 80Jeep adventure from Arizona to Utah

Out Cold .......................................... 36

Staying Hydrated this Winter ...... 1067 Bar Grille correspondent Ashly Quibodeaux explains the importance of winter hydration

Product News.................................. 86 Overland Overviews ....................... 96 Freek Garage: ................................ 114Replacing A Broken U-Joint Common Trail Techniques

A Whirlwind Cross-Country Adventure ....................................... 42Cross-country dreams come true for two Jeep Jamboree adventurers A photo pictorial courtesy of our friends at UKClimbing.com International Full-Size Jeep Association members show-off their full-sized Jeeps

Maine Mountain Adventure......... 10820th Anniversary Jeep Jamboree in the Maine Mountains A collection of top photos from Jeep Jamboree Participants New York is the setting for a classic Jamboree adventure

Freek Techniques:......................... 118 Land Use & Access: ...................... 116 7 Bar Grille: ................................... 130Proper Nutrition in the Winter Months

Jeep Jamboree Photo Album ........ 120

Industry Insider:............................. 56TLC ICON 4x4s Jonathan Ward

World of Wonder ............................ 62

Expedition Discussions: ............... 126Recommended Equipment For Your Next Overland Adventure

3 Things All Jeep Enthusiasts Should Do

Legends of the Catskills ............... 128

Full-Sized Jeepin............................ 74

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 Mark D Stephens

Wanna know how I got here?

Rompalicious 4x4 Jeep Gear & AccessoriesSome of the most beautiful & relaxing places are only accessible with a capable rig and the right gear. Trust us to have the best customer service and the best prices to help you get outfitted. Rompy trails to you and yours!-- Ken Damico President

R MPALICIOUS

JPFreek & Rompalicious 4x4 Announce New Jeep Parts Functionality Within JPFreek Adventure MagazineHave you ever read an article in a print magazine that featured a cool photo of a Jeep vehicle, or editorial on a unique product that really caught your eye, only to forget about it once you put the magazine down because you couldnt order the product right then and there? Well, our friends at Rompalicious 4x4 www.rompalicious.com - have solved this problem for you by creating one of the most unique purchasing experiences ever made available in a magazine, whether print or digital. The way it works is this: anytime you see a gold photo frame or gold highlighted text on a page within JPFreek Adventure Magazine, that means there is a photo or keyword within an article with a Flash-generated hover box featuring details related to a product, and a link to where the product can be purchased from the Rompalicious website. Like a front bumper you read about in the magazine? Chances are youll see a corresponding hover box with details on how to purchase the product directly, all while staying on the same page youre on when you place your order. Open the magazine, read an article or view a photo, click its corresponding hover box, go to Rompalicious.com, and order your product. Thats all there is to it!

(888)221-6574 - www.rompalicious.com

Look for these golden Rompalicious photo frames throughout th e magazine to find out how to purchase the item s featured in that phot o!

So how did this sponsorship evolve? Well, both JPFreek & Rompalicious 4x4 share a passion for Jeep vehicle adventure and with our focus on environmentally-friendly and responsible overland travel and outdoor recreation, plus our focus of delivery in a digital format, it just made sense. Look for the golden Rompalicious photo frames and text in this issue and future issues of JPFreek Adventure Magazine. As new issues of JPFreek are released, well be working to enhance the functionality of this experience to make it even easier for you to enjoy all the engaging content we feature. After all, the publishing realm continues to evolve and as North Americas first and only fully digital Jeep adventure publication, JPFreek is romping the way in the evolution of your reading experience.

Happy adventures!

SEMA 2010With the economy having taken its toll on the industry throughout 2009, it was nice to see that many of the top brands in the Jeep and vehicle market were in attendance at the annual SEMA show this year which has always historically been known as a big candy store for the specialty parts market. SEMA is the annual Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show is so big that it takes up every inch of space in the massive convention center complex and spills out onto acres of outdoor asphalt and concrete. It is so much more than just an off-road show and offers everyone with automotive interests more than just a taste. From highly customized vehicles, hot rods, rice racers, SUVs, Jeeps, Rhino type vehicles, dirt bikes and more, the show seems to go on and on. For us Jeep Freeks, all the big names were there and many more names you have never heard of. Starting on the east end in the electronics section, we stopped for our first scheduled interview with Craig Swanson of Blackline GPS. Blackline has just introduced their new GPS/Cellular vehicle tracking devices. With two models to choose from, they can fill the needs of most any vehicle owner. You can read all about them at www.blacklinegps.com. From there we walked around for 1.5 days and saw a ton of cool stuff, from tricked out rigs to customized hot rods to the generally obscene when it comes to vehicles. The SEMA directory was the size of a small town phone book to give you an example of how many exhibitors were there. If you have never been to a SEMA show and can go, you really need to make the trip, at least once in your life. For now, we hope this photo montage will help fill your need for all things SEMA!

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Bruce Graham, our newest contributributing editor, brought back hundreds of images that you can view on our flickr page by clicking here

As TLC is a small company with a strict focus on quality, they are currently focused on building a Beta batch of ten Dogs, all built by hand. This will allow them to fine-tune the design before they enter full production, or introduce the Engineered Component Vehicle program (we dislike the stigma of kit cars so we will avoid that term!) This first batch will start with them recycling vintage Willys, so they will maintain the original title and registration. TLCs future production orders will fall under Specialty Construction Vehicle titling process. This first Beta Batch will be serial sequence tagged, with special trim, extensive options and unique details. They will be built with an emissions package (2009 GM HHR application service reference based) that does not adversely affect performance, while providing stellar reliability, exceptionally low emissions, and high MPG ratings. Once production officially begins of The Dog (1st Quarter of 2010), we anticipate a starting price point around $50,000 for their turnkey vehicles. If you are familiar with their existing production FJ ICON vehicle line, they have set the standard for reviving classic American craftsmanship and industrial design quality in detail. Average ICON FJ sale is $130,000. The primary goal of The Dog was to offer a less expensive (relatively) vehicle with the same high level of engineering and construction quality, with a pure focus on simplicity, utility, and longevity. TLC will soon begin selling the vehicle in kit form through established distribution channels in the 44 and outdoor lifestyle markets. The various ICON CJ3B kits will likely range in cost from $15,000$27,000. Other development efforts in the works include a four-wheel drive pure electric version with in-wheel hub motors and a variable crawl ratio for optimum off-road performance. For more information about TLC and ICON vehicles, please visit www.tlcicon.com.

In Memoriam Norman WnukNorman Wnuk, owner of All Things Jeep, recently passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack, shortly after having dinner with his family. The following is a quote from the Allthingsjeep.com Facebook site: The founder & owner of All Things Jeep passed away Friday night, completely unexpected. He was 44. Norman lived his life fully and passionately. He had dreams and determination and every dream he had, he set out to achieve. One of his biggest dreams was to build a successful Jeep business and he accomplished that dream. If he had known he was going to die so early, I dont think he would have changed anything he did. All Things Jeep will go on because of all of you, and as a tribute to Norman. Norman was one of the longest standing members of NE4Wi, and was very influential in the foundation of the Northeast Association of 4WD Clubs, Inc. He had a passion for wheeling, and he was extremely devoted to his beautiful wife Jean and their two daughters.

ICON 4X4 Announces Release of New Willys CJ3B VehicleIt is written, What is past is prologue. With that in mind, TLC Inc. has announced their new ICON project, the ICON CJ3B. Its nickname has become The Dog, i.e. best friend! Just as current ICON FJ models trace their heritage to the vintage Land Cruiser, The ICON Dog is inspired by the Willys CJ3B. Immediately following WWII, the civilian flat fender Willys was quickly covering terrain around the world. The ICON CJ3B will maintain the fundamental design ethics of simplicity, value, and utility infused in the original. Consistent with the ICON tradition, they have designed their own state of the art chassis, based on 2x4 mandrel bent steel rails featuring coil over suspension. The drive train is a highly efficient variable valve timing GM Ecotec 2.4 fuel-injected four cylinder motor, producing over 200HP and an estimated 28MPG. Power is delivered through an Aisin- Warner AX15 five-speed transmission and NP231 transfer case to modified production Jeep Rubicon axles with four-wheel disc brakes and locking differentials. Variable ratio power steering is standard, as are 31 tires with optional 33 tires for more aggressive uses. The ICON CJ3B is all business and utility with a significantly reduced wheelbase and vehicle weight (when compared to other ICON Models). The focus is on pure utility and agility with all of the quality you have come to expect in an ICON. With all systems built to the highest standards, The Dog is bound to find its way into the hearts and homes of clients around the world who are looking for a simple, bespoke, rugged utility vehicle.

v ie w s In d u s t r y In t e r

WINTER 2009

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WINTER 2009

JPFreek to Commence Publication of The Voice for United Four Wheel Drive AssociationsJPFreek Adventure Magazine recently announced a partnership with United Four Wheel Drive Associations to produce and publish The Voice, the official magazine of United Four Wheel Drive Associations, as an engaging quarterly digital publication focused on off-highway and outdoor recreation as well as responsible land use. The new partnership is a first for both organizations and will allow United Four Wheel Drive Associations to broaden its distribution scope by digitizing their previous hardcopy edition of The Voice. In addition, the partnership will expand the subscription base for JPFreek Adventure Magazine to an additional 10,000+ subscribers as part of the current membership package for United Four Wheel Drive Associations. JPFreek Adventure Magazine founders Frank Ledwell and Richard Tinnell will assume the roles of Editorin-Chief & Creative Director, respectively, for The Voice. Wayne Groom, President of United Four Wheel Drive Associations, said of the partnership, We are excited about the opportunity of this partnership as it will allow us to continue to enhance the quality and distribution of our primary communication with the off- highway enthusiast, allowing us to reach out beyond our current membership. Frank Ledwell, Editor & Publisher of JPFreek Adventure Magazine, said of the partnership, Partnering with United Four Wheel Drive Associations in creating The Voice is exciting for JPFreek and our entire staff. Our passion for Jeep and outdoor adventure has been a huge part of JPFreek Adventure Magazines success, and our value set of promoting responsible off-highway and outdoor adventure recreation compliments our goals in establishing The Voice as a highly credible and engaging publication. The partnership will work to bring the entire off-highway community together by broadening the scope and importance of engaging off-highway enthusiasts to become involved in various land access issues. This partnership is effective immediately with the new issue of The Voice slated for release by January 15, 2010.

Jeep Jamboree USA Announces 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 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

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

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CalRocs ShowdownThe 2009 Season FinaleBy Stacie Albright, Land Use & Recreation Advocate, BlueRibbon Coalition Cool temps, blue skies full of puffy clouds, and gnarly boulders with intimidating and towering ledges. Throw in some big tires and horsepower with lots of metal mashing, and you can imagine the actionpacked scene at the CalRocs year-end finale at Donner. Donner Ski Ranch is located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, and is the ideal spot for a privately held rock competition. As the heat down in the valleys raged into the triple digits, spectators made their way up the hill and were treated to mild temperatures, a fun loving crowd, and the camaraderie that four wheelers share. The pro 36-40 buggy class was a close race to call between Brian Whitford and Team Mello. Jeff Mello and spotter Andy Dounda won the final at Donner, but Brian Whitford and Mikey Morton took the overall championship for the season. Nobody could touch us but if either of us made a tiny mistake, we would lose to the other guy. Brian had the points championship wrapped up but we had our work cut out for us if we wanted to pull second out of a hat, Mello added. The great thing about competing with a fellow teammate (Jeff Mello) is you dont mind second place, cause the team still got the win... of course if there was a wall I could have crashed him into, he would have been in it, Whitford joked. The camaraderie and team spirit really shows. Congratulations to Brian and Mikey, and of course all of the other competitors who made it out to the eventful CalRoc season. - For more information on the upcoming CalRocs events, head over to their website and check back often at www.calrocs.com Stacie Albright is the owner of Off Road & Outdoors focuses on the outdoors including event promotions, photography, and outdoor writing. www.offroadandoutdoors.blogspot.com She is also a land use and recreation advocate for the BlueRibbon Coalition, a non-profit land use organization that champions responsible use of our public lands in order to keep them open for the public instead of from the public. www.sharetrails.org

In Memoriam Jerard Lukachinsky A True Jeep FreekJerard Lukachinsky of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania will forever be remembered by those who are so fortunate to have known and loved him. He was a free-spirit with a heart of gold, and quite the character as well. Always smiling and always making others smile was something he was very good at and among many other unique and outstanding traits of his, it can easily be said that one of our most cherished memories of him will be his love and dedication for all things dealing with Jeeps. He had a great talent in life and was more than happy to share it with others which he did daily. Many of Jerards happiest moments were in the woods and on the trails. But above all, the life in his years far exceeded the years in his life. Keep Jeepin in heaven, Wardy!

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WINTER 2009

Great American Jeep Rally Brings the Northeast TogetherBy Joe Bonofiglio What better way to spend a gloomy, wet New England day? At least thats what I thought and so did about 500 other Jeep owners who attended the 8th Annual Great American Jeep Rally in Somers, CT. Held at the Four Town Fairgrounds, this years Rally was sure to have a little something for just about everyone. As usual, the most popular event was entering (as well as watching other participants as they made their way through) the man-made Rock Garden challenge. Three different courses were offered to match each participants ability as well as that of their Jeep. Trophies were awarded to the best of the best in the Off-Road, Street, Beater, Antique and Military categories. As if there werent enough winning going on with the above competitions, an impressive raffle was also in play all day with some pretty nice prizes including a new set of tires! Vendor booths were a plenty, encomGuest appearance by Ian passing local Jeep Clubs, parts vendors, our Johnson of Spike TVs Extreme 4X4 amazing local vendor All Things Jeep, Tread Lightly! and of course a food booth to satisfy the attendees hunger pains. To spice things up even more, organizers this year were able to obtain a special guest appearance from Ian Johnson of Spike TVs show Extreme 4X4. Ian not only spent the whole day signing autographs and talking with fellow Jeepers, but he was also around the next day to offer one lucky winner a day of wheeling with him in NH. All in all, a great day was had by those who attended, and the best part was that it was all done for a good cause. Beneficiaries of this years rally included the Northeast Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, Educational Resources for Children, Inc. and The Ellington Fire Department. Trophies were awarded in many categories including the Antique class. For more info on next years rally, visit www. jeeprally.org.

Because the shirt youre wearing is ugly.

The Rock Garden challenged Jeepers of all abilities.

WINTER 2009

Introducing the JPFreek Apparel LineNow available through Allthingsjeep.comAvailable in long and short sleeve, mens and womens sizes in a variety of colors

All Things Jeep Announces Top Holiday Gift IdeasJeep lovers are easy to please when it comes to gift giving. Simply buy Jeep related merchandise and everyone is happy! When seeking out the perfect gift, look no further than www. AllThingsJeep.com, the Internets largest retailer of Jeep merchandise. Offering Jeepbrand clothing, blankets, jewelry, video games, tire covers, doggie gifts, tents and more, All Things Jeep has something for everyone. Never again will the phrase be muttered but he/she already everything! because when it comes to Jeep merchandise, there are always new arrivals in the All Things Jeep store. Top highlights for the 2009 Holiday season include: 1. In anticipation of the third annual Worldwide Go Topless Day hosted by AllThingsJeep.com, on May 8, 2010, all Go Topless Day Merchandise is now available. From hats to t-shirts, decals to license plate covers, Jeep owners everywhere can support this holiday in advance. And from now until December 25, All Things Jeep will donate a dollar from every Go Topless Day t-shirt to Tread Lightly, the official charity behind the event. $7-10 2. For a businessperson that works as hard as they play in their Jeep, Jeep Business Card Holders offer a professional gift with a playful edge. Jeeping is the reason we work in the first place, right? $23.99 3. Jeep Key Holders are perfect for any homes entrance way as a safe haven for keeping keys in one place and they look cool hanging on this rustic art piece too. $14.99 4. Who doesnt need a new calendar every year? Jeep Calendars offer many styles for home or office to keep schedules in line and to count down the days of winter until the tops of the Jeep come down once again. $11.99-12.99 5. Jeep Sweatshirts are for cozy winter days inside by the fire and cool nights cruising with Jeep tops down. A sweatshirt is a versatile and comfortable gift for everyone. $25.99-39.99 6. Custom Jeep Husky Liners keep the floor clean because mud is for the exterior! While a badge of honor on the outside, most of us can agree it has no place on the inside! $69.99-89.99 7. A Jeep is not complete without a stylish Jeep Tire Cover to combine style with functionality. Jeep owners love making a statement, why not do it for all the road to see? $59.99-69.99 8. For the avid Jeep enthusiast who cant quite afford another Jeep, Jeep Diecast Model Collectibles allow them to collect all their favorite Jeeps in a more affordable fashion (plus they dont require another spot in the garage!) Offering models from several die-cast manufacturers, these models are an economical way to build your Jeep collection. For the kid in all of us! $17.99-34.99 9. Jeep owners know Life is good, but why not share that mentality with every automobile on the road with a Life is good License Plate Frame. Across the bottom of the frame it says, Do what you like. Like what you do. Jeep owners couldnt agree more. $20 10. The crme de le crme for Jeep geeks, the Crawler King Rockcrawler with a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon body performs like a champ and is strong enough to get over just about any obstacle, making an ideal first-time RC vehicle for any Jeep lover. $279.99

Forget TPS reports. Here are 15 other ways to spend the day.

WINTER 2009

Just be sure to look like youre working.DOWNLOAD OUR PAST ISSUES NOW!

Top AdventureCyclist Completes Round The World Riderpe peddled A British cyclist named James Bowtho and ending in his bike around the world, beginning k just 175 days, London. The 18,000-mile journey too es per day, passing with Bowthorpe averaging 103 mil monsoons, through 18 countries, and dealing with (http://theadvenbandits, and illness along the way.brit tureblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/ new.html)

Paraplegic Summits

Kilimanjaro

Stories for the Fourth Quarter of the Year:

mell made history by beco legic athlete Chris Wadd Parap lest mmit Kilimanjaro, the tal ing the first person to su de e use of his legs. Chris ma tain in Africa, without th moun ecially 0-foot peak by using a sp the journey up the 19,34 ling ddled with his hands, rol designed cart that he pe ng the , boulders, and snow alo over volcanic rock scree log. a. (http://theadventureb way to the Roof of Afric/ch blogspot.com/2009/09Photos by Mat t Stoner

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Skiing ManasluLocated in Nepal, Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world, topping out at 26,758 feet. While it has been climbed a number of times over the years, it has never been successfully skied. That is until mountain guide Guy Willet made the first fully documented descent of the mountain, skiing from the summit all the way back to base camp. That run might be classified as a black diamond I think. (http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/conquering-manaslu-on-skis.html)

17-Year Old Brit Becomes Youngest To Circumnavigate The GlobeIn August, Mike Perham became the youngest person to successfully sail solo around the world by arriving back in the U.K. nine months after he started. The 17-year old made the journey aboard a 50-foot racing yacht, covering more than 28,000 miles, and battling equipment failure, rough seas, and incredibly bad weather in the process. (http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/mike-perham-completessolo.html)

Explorers Discover Lost World in Papua New GuineaA team of scientists discovered a self -contained ecosystem in the volcanic crater of Mt. Bosavi, loca ted in a remote region of Papua New Guinea. After spending five weeks exploring the region, they discovered dozens of new species, including a giant rat that is believed to be the larg est in the world, a tree-climbing marsupial, and a frog with fangs. Stories like this prove that there is still a plenty of unt amed places on the planet, just waiting for us to explore them. (http://theadven-world-discovered-inPhoto court esy of BBC

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tureblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/ lost

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/

TRAILS OFA Jeep ExpeditionBy Mike Fissel When you hear the word Geronimo, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? For some it might be the memory of childhood fun with running and jumping into the pool in the classic cannonball position and yelling Geronimo. But, if you are a history buff and a fan of classic westerns then no doubt your first thought will be of the Apache War Chief, Geronimo. Geronimo, whose real name was Goyathlay, was born in 1829 near what is now Clifton, Arizona. At the age of 17, he was admitted into the Council of Warriors and soon after married and had three children. A peaceful Apache, Geronimo became a fierce and respected adversary of both the U.S. and Mexican governments after the massacre of his family by Mexican troops while on a trading mission with old Mexico villagers. From that day on, Geronimo (Spanish for Jerome, the name given to him by Mexican soldiers for reasons unknown) hated all Mexicans. Over the next 20 years, as the white man continued to invade the Apache homelands, Geronimo waged war in both Mexico and the U.S. in the Arizona and New Mexico territories. By the early 1870s, General George Crook managed to establish a fragile peace and Geronimo and his followers joined his fellow Apache in their traditional homeland.

GERONIMO

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Geronimo - Photo courtesy of nps.gov

Geronimo - Photo courtesy of nps.gov

(Above) Downtown bisbee today and early 1900s too (Below) No one could escape the mud flying up from your own tires

Bisbee Arizona has changed little in 100 years

A few years later in 1876, the U.S. Government uprooted the Apaches and moved them to what is described as Hells Half Acre, the San Carlos Indian Reservation. Starving, homesick, and left with few options, Geronimo led hundreds of Apaches into Mexico where for ten years they sporadically raided white settlements across the border. In 1882, General George Crook was given the task of bringing Geronimo and his followers back on the reservation. Two years later, Geronimo and his band of Apaches surrendered and went back to the reservation. However, with rumors of trials and executions for acts they had done, Geronimo again left the reservation with about 30 warriors and 100 other Apache to the mountains of Mexico. Nearly one quarter of the U.S. Army, about 5000 soldiers, took part in a campaign to bring Geronimo and his followers back to the reservation. One year later in Sonora, Mexico, Geronimo, who was exhausted, starving, and heavily outnumbered, surrendered once again. As the troops escorted the rag tag band of Apache back to Fort Bowie, Geronimo and some of his warriors who feared they would be executed once back at Fort Bowie, bolted before they crossed the border into Arizona. Geronimos band of renegades numbered less than 30 and it took 1000 soldiers and six months to capture Geronimo and his band, whose final surrender took place in Skeleton Canyon, Arizona. Geronimo and his followers were promised they would not be tried and would not face execution but before they could go back to Arizona, they would have to spend time in Florida. Eight years later, Geronimo was moved from Florida to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Over the next few years, Geronimo was quite the attraction at fairs where he sold souvenirs and pictures of himself. Geronimo was never to see his Arizona homeland and he died in 1909 of Pneumonia at 89 years of age. He is buried at the Apache cemetery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In February of 2009, the descendents of Geronimo filed a lawsuit in Federal Court seeking to free Geronimo, his remains, funerary objects and spirit from 100 years of imprisonment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the Yale University campus at New Haven, Connecticut and wherever else they may be found. His spirit is wandering until a proper Apache burial is performed, Harlyn

Geronimo said. The only way to put this into closure is to release the remains, his spirit, so that he can be taken back to his homeland in the Gila Mountains, at the head of the Gila River, Geronimo said. So now that you know the rest of the story, it is my pleasure to lead you on a trip through time with Jeep Expeditions on The Trails of Geronimo. In 2008, Mike Bethel let a group of 25 Jeeps on what we called The Trails of Cochise. Filled with adventure and history of the Apache warrior of the same name, Jeep Expedition members wanted more. Being a native of southern Arizona and a history buff himself, Mike was more than willing to plan a similar trip for 2008, this time following the trails of Geronimo. Our journey started on a Friday morning in October. This years group of 28 Jeepers met in Phoenix and began their travel through time. The road took us through Tucson, Benson, and many historic towns in-between. After a few stops, we arrived in the famous mining town of Bisbee, Arizona. Bisbee is a quiet town with a nostalgic look and lots of charm. If it werent for all the cars, one could easily believe that they were standing in the same Bisbee of the late 1800s. Little seems to have changed other than paved streets and modern conveniences. With some time to spare before we hit our Friday night base camp, we did a Jeep caravan from one end of town to the other. With steering wheel in one hand and my camera in the other, I quickly filled up a memory card. There are certainly lots to do and see in Bisbee but that was for another trip in November and the group heads to the Double Adobe Campground to set up camp and relax for the rest of the day. Unlike most of our trips that take place in Arizona, the forecast was for a 40% chance of rain. Now a 40% chance of rain in Phoenix is usually laughed at but in SE Arizona, a 40% forecast should not be taken lightly. As things would have it, I woke up in the wee hours of the morning to the sound of a steady rain hitting my tent. So did others. By 6am, the rain had become an off again, on again drizzle. We tried to quickly pack up during the dry spell. For this trip I installed a roof rack on the TJ to carry lighter items such as sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, air mattress, and tent on the roof, most of it protected by Storm Duffels. More on that later.

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We protected this topless jeep from rain and mud with a makeshift top

As we prepared to leave for the trailhead near Douglas, I found that my new Optima were dead and Steve found out that his alternator was fried in his CJ. A jump got us both started and Steve and two other members headed to the parts store in Douglas for an alternator. By now it was steadily raining again. While it was different for us, desert dwellers have a kind of fondness for rain. Steve and company got the new alternator and installed it at the parts store. The rest of us topped of our tanks with fuel, as the next stop would be over 200 miles down the trail. Jim, with an advance group of five Jeeps, started down the trail as a scouting party. Rain in the desert sometimes brings on flash flooding and we did not want to get caught up in that. With tanks topped off, last minute supplies purchased, and Steves Jeep fixed, we all met up at the trailhead. We called to the advance group on our Ham radios, which were 10 miles ahead of us, for a situation report (or a sit rep). The trail was wet with some mud and no flooding issues had been noticed. The long line of Jeeps hit the trail. The one thing that strikes you at the beginning of the trail and throughout the trail is the signs that warn you of Illegal activity, smugglers, etc are present in this area. After all, the first twelve miles or so of the trail are at most one mile from the border and at least 100 or so yards. It wasnt too long before we saw the border fence that is supposed to discourage people from entering the U.S. illegally. It reminded me of the pictures of the fortifications at Omaha Beach on D-Day during World War II. They might stop tanks and heavy equipment, but I would bet my dog could easily jump over them, and the average person would be over with a step or two, up and over and then a step or two down. We passed the entrances to many ranches along the way. The most famous, the Slaughter Ranch, is now a museum. The name has nothing to do with a massacre but was named after an early settler, John Slaughter, who owned and ranched the land in the 1800s. Just past the Slaughter Ranch we came upon the San Bernadino National Wildlife Reserve, a 2,300-acre ranch acquired by the government in the 1980s to protect the water resources and provide habitat for endangered native fishes.

As the trail turned away from the border, I noticed that my Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs were throwing up chunks of mud as big as hackie sacks. Soon after, my side windows and mirrors were so covered with mud as to completely block my vision. I went to roll down the window and the stick-on sunshades at the top of the door were full of mud, an inch or two thick along the whole top of the door. Thick, sticky clay-type mud. The call on the radio was requesting we pull over to clean windows and mirrors. One of our diehard members, Moondust as we affectionately call him, was driving his YJ with a mesh safari top and hard doors. The one thing we noticed was the mesh top kind of acted like a sausage grinder for the mud chunks. His interior and gear was covered with raisin sized pieces of mud, along with both he and his fiance who was making her first trip with us, along with Hercules their little lap, uh, Jeep dog. As always, members came to another fellow Jeepers rescue and we hooked up a small tarp over the top and down the sides of the Jeep with bungee cords to protect them and their gear from any further mud/rain. It didnt matter much how many times we stopped to clean our windows, the mud kept flinging the whole way into New Mexico. A very fun experience for those who like mud and a very stressful experience for the clean freaks who even admitted they were having fun too. One of the disappointments of this trip was our inability to visit Skeleton Canyon where Geronimo finally surrendered in 1886. The trail has been closed due to illegal immigration and smugglers. Funny how an area that was called the old smugglers trail in the 1800s is still being used extensively for illegal activities. Perhaps some time in the future we can revisit the Geronimo Trail and actually get to explore Skeleton Canon. Getting on down the trail just before noon, we came across a huge Border Patrol encampment. It was at an old ranch where they were using the home and buildings in addition to several RVs and a large military tent that looked to have cooking gear in it. There were horse trailers, stables, and horses for mounted patrols. The funny thing is with this presence we saw only two Border Patrol vehicles so far in Arizona and up until a few miles later at the AZ/NM border, we would see no more.

Monument for Morman Battalion Trail

Signs like this one at mile marker 63 are everywhere

Most of the group in front of the Morman Battalion monument

One of several wet repair stops on the fuel pump wiring harness

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WINTER 2009Coming down the switchbacks at 7000 feet Camp at Chiricahua National Monument

Group 1 at massai point

The group stopped at the 6 tall stone obelisk that marked the border of Arizona and New Mexico. The rain was light by now and even stopped from time to time. It was a great picture-taking opportunity and a chance to stretch some tired legs. It might be important to note that the Geronimo Trail ends here and changes to another name in New Mexico. The good thing is that it was still all dirt and gravel and still far from civilization. As we made our way up the hill from the border obelisk, we found another historic landmark: a huge sign/monument in honor of the Armys Mormon Battalion that made its way through the area in the mid1800s. They passed this on their way from Sante Fe to Tucson en route to California. The sign tells of their presence in the area. In doing some research about the Mormon Battalion, I found that somewhere between here and Tucson the Battalion was attacked by a herd of wild cattle. During the ensuing battle, a number of bulls were killed and at least two soldiers were wounded. The Mormon Battalion is remembered for the longest infantry march in U.S. history, or so they say. After wrapping up our picture-taking opportunities at the monument, we moved deeper into New Mexico and further into the rain. It wasnt too long that a call over the radio advised us that Bamses TJ broke down and the engine was not getting any fuel. We have seen this a number of times where the connector at the rear of the Jeep on the drivers side comes loose or detached from the fuel tank side and it just shuts you down. Curly, our resident master mechanic, went back to help out. What we found out was that is wasnt as simple as the loose connector. The wiring harness had been rubbed and nearly broken by parts of his lift kit. Could it be a design flaw? Curly, laying on a tarp with rain coming down, spliced the broken and worn wires with butt connectors and the TJ was running again. Shortly thereafter we found an area with trees overhanging the road, and we stopped for lunch using the trees for shelter. Even so, it was a tough job trying to keep dry. When lunch was over, we hit the trail again, heading towards the first pavement we had seen all day, some 20 or so miles ahead of us. As we came up out of a canyon, the landscape went from rocky and rough to rolling meadows. The area was beautiful with more cattle ranches along the way.

Spires, pillars and balancing rocks galore

Another radio call, and Bamses TJ had just stopped running again. A dry tarp was laid down under the rainy skies and a couple of the guys started working on the harness again. The lift kit was not being kind to the harness or the repair but they got it running again with some TLC. More reinforcing of the harness was going to take some more engineering when he got home but it was good enough, we thought, for him to finish the trip. While this current round of repairs was being done, we sent our scouting party of five Jeeps ahead to meet up with Michael who was coming in from the back way to recon our planned camping spot for the night. As our plan called for us to meet him at 3pm and we were now behind schedule, we felt it important to make sure we were there at 3pm to give him our situation and to make contingency plans for the night if necessary. We hit the trail again and we finally made it to pavement and out of the mud, at least for the time being. We joined our recon group and Michael at the Desert Museum in Rodeo, New Mexico. Michael told us that he had been up the mountain at 8600 and the campground was a mud hole. With the current weather as it was, it could possibly ice up or snow and the group decided we needed another plan. All of the local campgrounds were full so the museum offered their grounds to us to camp for the night. Camping in a parking lot? Now that wasnt expedition travel so we opted for another choice. We could head to the Chiricahua National Monument where we were scheduled to be on Sunday and if the campground was not full, we could stay there for the night. If there was not enough room there, part of the group could head towards Fort Bowie and camp in an area that we found on our earlier exploration trip to the area. The only thing to decide was whether to go the long way, more than 100 miles but all on pavement, or go over the mountain that is a dirt road and about 60% shorter. The mountain route would take us well above the cloud lines, which looked to be around 3500 to 4000. We would be traveling to about 7000. We left the museum and started our trek towards the mountain road. At Portal, Arizona, the road turned to dirt and mud and we started climbing the mountain towards Paradise, Arizona. While the town is named Paradise, it is far from it. My best description is that it is a combination of Dog Patch and Hooterville. Very few

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Cavalry patrol leaving Fort Bowie for looking for Geronimo - Photo courtesy of nps.gov nice homes, some shacks, trailers, etc. Moondust has always wanted to retire there for the solitude and remoteness but as soon as his fianc saw it, the decision was made and it was no way! The trail to that point wasnt too bad with little mud. Just when we thought life was good, the mud hit the fan. At about the start of our drive in the clouds, we saw below that the trail had gotten very muddy. The swerve marks of the Jeeps that preceded us were very apparent. Then my Jeeps rear slid off the trail and I was going up the hill very slowly at an angle, flinging huge clumps of mud into the side of the mountain behind me. Duh, pull the transfer case lever and put it into 4WD. Now I had mud slinging off a front tire too. But wait, what am I thinking? Flip the switches and engage your ARBs. Okay, now I have mud slinging from four tires. I am sure that to the Jeeps behind me it looked like a manure spreader on steroids in turbo mode. After a few seconds of that, I decided to let off the gas and put it in 4-low. That did the trick as the lower gears, with the help of the lockers, easily pulled me out of the mud and back onto the trail. From that point on I kept it in 4-low with my rear locker engaged until we were just about off the mountain. The further we traveled up the mountain, the more it was like driving in a twilight zone. The cloud mists were like an eerie fog on the trail and in the forests. As we hit the point at around 7000, where we would have normally kept going up to Rustlers Camp, we took the right fork down the other side of the mountain. By now we were about 20 miles from the Chiricahua camp and the news came over the Ham radio from the advance group that there was enough room for all of us there. A relief to me and everyone else. As we descended the mountain trail, the mud became less and we passed many camps set up in the forest with their people under tarps and such to keep dry. The rain continued for a few minutes more but had stopped before we hit the pavement again. We got to the campground before 6pm. Unfortunately, our group was pretty much split up due to the layout of the campground and other campers that were already there. The good news was this was a nice campground with clean rest rooms. I pulled the tent from the top of the Jeep, and while it was wet, it would dry quickly. Three minutes later, the tent was set up and the rain fly on (it is a First Up tent that I recently purchased and goes up in under a minute and sleeps 6 -8). As I pulled off the Storm Duffels and handed them to Carol to set up the beds in the tent, she gave me the bad news. Weatherproof they were not and our sleeping bags and pillows were wet. Our blankets were in a protective plastic bag so they remained dry. Well, we made the best of it by blowing up the air mattress with my on-board air compressor and put the sleeping bags over the campfire we had made to try to dry them. They didnt dry all that great but they were mesquite smoked. The sky looked like it was trying to clear and by now a bright full moon was showing itself. After dinner our members were milling around and discussing the plans for tomorrow. Bamse was heading home, not wanting to take the chance of another break down on the dirt roads we were going to be on Sunday. For his safety and to make sure that he would get home okay, three other members volunteered to escort him back. The rest of us would head to Fort Bowie. The sky was looking better and we were hoping the 40% chance of rain for Sunday was not going to happen. By now it was 4am and I woke up to a steady rain on the tent. I thought to myself, Crap, its going to be another wet day and went back to sleep. When I woke up again around 6am, there was nothing but the sound of birds outside. As I ventured forth, there was blue in the sky, and it looked like it would be a great day! At 9am, the main group staged at the Chiricahua National Monument Visitors Center for the assault on the summit. As the line of Jeeps began the eight mile trip to the top, just about everyone stopped or slowed down at one time or another to take a picture or two. I have practiced for many years on how to keep one hand on the wheel, one eye on the road, and the other hand and eye on the camera. The views on this drive were stunning, the geology very unique, and everywhere you turned was a Kodak Moment. Around every turn were more spires and more balanced rocks, a virtual wonderland. As we neared the top the view over the valley to the east, the shadows of layers of mountains in the distance became the focus of everyones camera. The road ends at Massai Point where we stopped for nearly an hour. For those who like to walk, there was plenty of time for the adventure of walking down The ruins are massive compared to a TJ Modern cavalry coming thru Fort Bowie

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amongst the alien looking landscape of pillars and rocks that seemed to defy gravity. For those that wanted to stay up top, there was more than enough time to take pictures in every direction. From the top, our trip leader pointed out across the valley to the west at the Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains. That was part of our trip in 2008 as part of the Cochise Expedition, another trip rich in history and centered on the Apache Chief of the same name. With our exploration stop at Massai Point at an end, we began our descent to the valley and our journey to Fort Bowie. As we drove down the mountain, we were greeted by the head of Cochise, a rock formation that bears a resemblance to the Apache Chief looking up at the sky. Along the way, more picture taking opportunities of the different perspectives of what we missed behind us on the way up. It was just a few more miles of pavement after we left the Chiricahuas to the dusty dirt road to Fort Bowie. What was most amazing on our drive there was the almost immediate change in the landscape. We went from aspens and tall pines in the Chiricahuas to grassy meadows to desert, in just 20 or so miles. The turn to Fort Bowie was well marked and again the dust from the trail was marking our progress in no uncertain terms. The trail gets a bit confusing because you pass signs saying you have entered Fort Bowie and then you pass a sign saying leaving Fort Bowie. In reality, you have not gotten to Fort Bowie yet.. And then you arrive at an oasis in the desert, covered picnic tables, concrete out houses, and the trail to Fort Bowie. This is where we stopped for lunch. To the uninformed, the impression is that if you want to see Fort Bowie, you need to take the 1.5 mile walk down the trailand then back. After lunch, that is exactly what several of our group did with one exception. They would not have to walk back because some of our shotgun riders would take their Jeeps to the less traveled and less know back entrance. As some of our friends made their way down the trail to a fort that was not visible from the trailhead, the rest of us made our way in Jeeps. Several dusty miles later we arrived at the ranger station and parking lot. I think the ranger standing there was a little shocked to see more Jeeps than they had parking spaces for, but we found room to park everyone and started the short 100

yard trek to the visitors center and the site of the fort. The vision of a cavalry fort from the 1800s to me was in part due to my love of westerns, you know the wooden walls with guard towers at all four corners. Well in my seven years in the southwest U.S., I have never seen such a fort. In fact, I have not seen any fort with log cabin buildings or log walls. Fort Bowie is no exception. The layout of the fort was pretty much apparent from the deck of the visitors center. There were no complete buildings left but there were plenty of stone and adobe walls plus lots of foundations to look at. All of this spread over a score of acres. You could see the remnants of the first Fort Bowie in the distance off to the right. The overall view gave me one of those moments where in the movie Patton, George C. Scott, standing on a hillside, told his aide about a battle from ancient Rome and then said and I was there. For a moment, I felt drawn back 130+ years and imagined the fort as it was in its glory days. For a moment, I was there too. The ranger and the park service volunteer kept us busy and interested, showing us pictures, telling us stories, and going above and beyond for us. The interpretive part of this stop by the staff was excellent. By now the hiking group started rolling in and telling us about the old cemetery and other sites that the rest of us missed. Our group continued exploring the ruins and the small museum at the visitors center. In all, we spent over two hours at our Fort Bowie experience. As we regrouped it was apparent that everyone thoroughly enjoyed this stop. Most of the group would be heading back to the Phoenix area once we hit I-10 after 20 more miles of dusty road. The rest would be heading for another night of camping at Hot Wells Dunes recreation area. It was on the trail again, back to civilization. Forty minutes later, with pavement under foot and I-10 in front of us, the radios came alive with phrases like Great trip, Cant wait until the next one, Have a safe trip home and more. Friends parting, going together and at the same time, going their separate ways into the sunset. A great ending to another great Jeep Expedition.

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Out ColdNow That Summer Is Over, Its Time To Go CampingBy Jeff HaleySome may think the term winter camping is an oxymoron, but if you appreciate the beauty of winter and have the appropriate gear, camping might be the best way to lose the crowds and celebrate the snowy months.

Packing the essentialsThe first deciding factor for spending a night out in the cold should be whether or not you have the appropriate gear. The cold literally adds a whole new element to your typical camping trip and to ensure you enjoy your experience, you need to have a few essential items.

ClothingIn order to keep warm its important to carefully analyze your clothing options for braving the cold. Layering your clothing is the only way to remain comfortable while outside during the winter, especially if you are backpacking in to your campsite. Wearing various layers of clothing allows you to easily adjust your body temperature while you are outside in the cold. For example, while you are hiking or setting up camp you will probably be producing more heat and need less clothing than while you are sitting around camp and eating dinner. First, your layering should include a base layer of synthetic underwear or long johns that insulates but allows perspiration to wick away from your skin if you start to get too warm. Secondly, you need a middle insulating layer of fleece or light wool to keep you warm but can easily be removed such as a vest or jacket. Thirdly, you will need an outer layer consisting of a water and wind proof jacket that is commonly referred to as a shell. The layering technique applies to your upper body as well as your legs to ensure that you have total comfort. Most outdoor retail stores have a vast assortment of clothing that is state-of-the-art for maintaining comfort and adaptability. Many products, such as pants and jackets, have zippers in strategic locations to be unzipped and allow heat to escape from under your arms or along your upper thigh. Also, many outdoor clothing companies use

Most people are familiar with the idea of camping: a tent, sleeping bag, some food, and a campfire. However, if you add winter to the word camping, you may get a puzzled expression. The reality is that winter can be an excellent time to be outdoors and enjoy an overnight adventure in the cold and the snow. With the appropriate gear and a few helpful tips, winter camping can be the perfect opportunity to keep up with Old Man Winter. This article provides a brief view into the important considerations for successful winter camping. In addition, one should research other articles or attend a presentation or seminar on winter camping that may be provided at a local outdoor retail store.

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synthetic materials that keep out the elements but allow heat to escape so that you dont sweat too much. In addition to jackets and pants, its important to consider your hands, feet, and head in terms of gloves, socks, and winter hats. Your extremities will be the first things to get cold so its important to keep them warm. Based on your activities and the weather you will need to have either gloves or mittens with cords that can be wrapped around your arm. Gloves allow full use of your fingers while mittens provide the most warmth. Most gloves and mittens have a drawstring that can be attached to your forearm so that the wind doesnt carry them away, and they can hang by your side if you take them off for a moment. Socks are important in keeping your feet warm by providing insulation but also allowing moisture to wick away from your skin. Most people use a synthetic wool material that dries quickly but provides warmth. In terms of hats, most people know that 50% percent of your body heat escapes through your head. Therefore, it is important to keep your head covered to retain heat but not get too hot. Typically, a person can regulate their body temperature just by simply taking on and off a hat. For maximum comfort most people wear a thin synthetic stocking cap that can be pulled down over the ears. Once again, this retains heat but allows moisture to escape if you start sweating. Hats are typically just for keeping you warm as most winter jackets have hoods that can be pulled to keep snow out. In addition to the various clothing mentioned, it is also important to consider other winter items such as gaiters, balaclavas, goggles, or sunglasses. Gaiters are worn around the base of the legs and attach to the bottom of your shoes to keep snow out when you are walking. Balaclavas fit over your head and extend to the base of the neck with an opening around your face to provide maximum coverage of your head and neck. Goggles and sunglasses are important to shield your eyes from sun glare off the snow and also cold wind blowing into your eyes. With any eye protection it is important to have optimum UV protection based on the bright glare of the snow.

a warm spell or live in a mild winter climate. The critical aspects of the four-season tent are the abilities to withstand snow loads, wind, and allow condensation to escape. During the winter its not uncommon to wake up to fresh snow on your tent or potentially experience harsh winter winds. You need a tent that is going to stand up to the test and keep you protected in your shelter. Secondly, a major comfort factor during the winter is not having ice build up within the tent. When you breathe your breath is full of moisture and forms condensation on your sleeping bag, walls of tent, or other items inside the tent. A distinguishing characteristic of a four-season tent allows enough ventilation within the tent to reduce condensation while keeping the wind out. Similar to clothing, many outdoor retail stores will sell four-season tents that can be reasonably priced.

rating and the fill material. You want a temperature rating that corresponds with the temperatures you anticipate camping in. I typically use a zero degree bag that has synthetic fill material. Synthetic fill material dries quickly if it gets wet and maintains warmth, and weighs much less than down for example.

FIRE HOSE - 1 WILD BOAR - 0How tough are our Fire Hose 5-pocket Jeans? Well, a guy down in Texas thinks they saved his life from a wild boar attack.

Technique and other considerationsOnce you have the basic gear that will allow you a successful winter camping experience, it is important to read about techniques that ensure safety and comfort in the winter landscape. For example, it is very important to keep dry, warm, and get plenty of fluids. Once you are in camp there are a lot of lessons to be learned about keeping your water from freezing, melting snow to provide water, and drying your boots at night. One learns a lot from each experience and adds to the fun and excitement of the winter camping experience. As stated previously, this article gives a brief explanation of the essential clothing and gear but one needs to research articles and other information regarding safe travel in snow, using camp stoves, and proper nutrition during winter activities. So now it is up to you: Are you ready to be left out in the cold? Have fun!

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Sleeping BagsOnce you have your shelter, you will need a good sleeping bag. When you start shopping for sleeping bags you will quickly realize that there are many options for selecting a perfect bag. There are many differences in bags ranging from materials, temperature rating, gender specificity, left-handed versus right handed, and so on. The most important aspects for winter camping are the temperature

ShelterQuality tents are typically rated as three season or four season depending on their construction and ability to withstand the elements. For winter camping it is essential to have a true four-season tent, unless you are camping during

Fire Hose 5-pocket Jeans $44.50 #86125 Weve got lots more Fire Hose workwear too, plus the Longtail T Solution to Plumbers Butt.

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Baby got Back.The new JPFreek Tire Cover by SparesAttire is available now. Simple. Bold. Stylin Buy it now at sparesattire.comAre 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.

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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.

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A Whirlwind Cross-Country AdventureBy Will Morgan

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Have you ever flipped through old wheeling magazines, day dreaming and thinking of how cool it would be to have the opportunity to just hit the open road for a couple months? I know I have so when the opportunity came along for me to do just that, as a Jeep Jamboree U.S.A. sponsored event, I relished the opportunity to do so. In the end, a co-worker and I got the chance to travel around the country, wheeling and taking in some of Americas National Parks and hidden treasures. Jeep Jamboree U.S.A. holds over 30 Jamboree events each year around the country and this fall, my co-worker Shawn Gulling and I had the opportunity to attend and work at seven of these events, all while driving a 2009, four-door JK Rubicon. For those of you not familiar with Jeep Jamboree U.S.A., Ill give you a quick bio: the company was started by the legendary Mark A. Smith (Off-Road Hall of Famer) and has been organizing trail rides for the past 23 years. Mark started it all back in 1953 while meeting with friends every year to do the Rubicon Trail, not knowing at the time the fan following or history-making events that were to come.

WINTER 2009

We began our trip on Labor Day in Georgetown, California (headquarters of JJUSA) headed for Llano, Texas for the Texas Spur Jamboree. Before departing on our journey, we decided to take in as many sights and see as many National Parks across the country as our route and schedule would permit. After only a couple hundred miles into the trip, we were at our first park: Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately, sections of the park were on fire and closed so we had to route ourselves around and thus were limited as to how much of Yosemites beauty we were able to enjoy. A few hours later, we entered Death Valley National Park, appropriately named since it was still 106 degrees when we arrived at 5pm on a September evening. We then continued on to Texas to kick-off our Jamboree tour with the Texas Spur. The Texas Spur consists of climbing huge granite rocks that are scattered across the Texas Plains through winding trees and across what are normally dry creek and riverbeds. The trails are tough enough for carnage, and the climbs are steep enough that you can lose sight of the trail, trail guides, and everything but the sky when attempting trails like Little Moab.

WINTER 2009

WINTER 2009

After the Texas Spur, we headed back towards Colorado for the next event, stopping along the way to see the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The park has an incredible amount of sand, created over time from the wind and erosion of the touring mountains surrounding it. We had to fight the urge to dump the air out of the tires, engage the lockers, and scurry past the park guards to see just how far we could get through the dunes in our Jeep. From there, the next stop on our journey was Mesa Verde National Park, an incredible place with many reconditioned and original Indian ruins and dwellings that you can actually walk to and see up close. We saw all of this en route to Ouray, Colorado where the wheeling takes you through some of the prettiest mountains that Colorado has to offer. The San Juan mountain range is an incredible sight to behold, especially when you are at over 13,000 ft. and crossing passes like Imogene Pass, then dropping down into the resort town of Telluride.

The next leg of the journey was our longest stretch of road, taking us across the country to Monticello, New York for the Catskills Jeep Jamboree. We rolled into Monticello and the first thing that came to mind was that they had to have some pretty awesome wheeling because it certainly wasnt the town or the setting that keeps people coming back. Ask the local coordinator and hell be the first to tell you about the gangs, shootings, robberies, and big city stories that you would expect to be coming out of the city and not a rural New York town. After getting the chance to get out and spend a day on the trail with the coordinator, guides, and participants we enjoyed ourselves while taking on some of the water crossings, off camber climbs that twisted and turned through the trees towards a few small rock gardens and then into a large channel of mud and muck colorfully named The Love Canal. With 18 vehicles in the group and no takers on being the first to tackle it, we decided to take on the challenge and put our JK to the test. The Rubicon quickly became submerged in the stagnant mud hole and began pushing mud as if the front end of the Jeep was outfitted with a snowplow. A few attempts forward and

WINTER 2009

WINTER 2009

back and we made good progress until the engine died from not getting enough air due to a plugged exhaust pipe. A little bit of winching was needed to get us onto dry ground so we could get the Jeep running again and back on the trail. We finished the day on the trails and headed back for dinner and the evenings festivities. On the way from New York to Maine we made our way up through some of the famous coastal cities like New York City, Newport, Rhode Island, and several little harbor towns. We also made our way through Acadia National Park, a hidden treasure in its own right. Almost everyone has seen pictures of New England in the fall, and Maine just happened to be the next stop

on our tour for the 20th annual Maine Mountains Jamboree. We happened to be lucky enough to catch the colors changing at their peak and their beauty was indescribable.

WINTER 2009

Bethel, Maine is the epitome of New England from what we got to see. The small town is incredibly hospitable and they all look forward to the Jeeps and participants coming to town, even holding a parade on Saturday morning. Despite all of the rain during the event this year, the citizens were there for the parade, waving at the Jeepers. One of the special treats for the participants this year was that Mark and Irene Smith showed up for the event and were available for the people to meet them and get some autographs.

few other small items that were placed there by some of the folks traveling the trail. The story goes that during the pioneer days, when people were crossing the area, there was a small child that was bitten by a spider and subsequently died from the bite. The name was given to the trail and while I have no proof or know of anyone who can verify the story, it makes for a good trail story for the participants. Hells Revenge was the trail we had picked for Saturday. Hells Revenge is not the toughest trail out there but it does have some good challenging ledges as well as some great scenery for those that really want to test the boundaries of their vehicles, as well as their driving capabilities. You can hit some of the very tough obstacles like Hells Gate, Tip Over Challenge, or any of the Hot Tubs that can test the very best drivers with the most modified rigs. Those that want even more of a challenge can take on the Escalator, which is a climb with minimal margin of error. Its highly suggested to have a spotter if you want to try and get up the climb. Moab was the last Jeep Jamboree on our trip, as well as the 2009 season, so after the event we headed to Arches National Park, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and one of my favorite national parks on the tripZion. All of the parks were worth visiting but I could spend a week or two just hiking in and around Zion, taking in the serenity of natures creation. We then forged on and with one more night of camping planned before our arrival back in Georgetown, we stayed in the Kodachrome State Park in Utah. Our last day on the road took us to one more stop on our route, which was Mono Lake, located on the Nevada/ California border. Mono lake is ten times saltier than the ocean, and the salt creates spires called Tufa Towers. After leaving Mono, we headed over the mountains into the Sierra Nevadas, through Lake Tahoe, and finally back to Georgetown where it all began. This trip was an incredible adventure and will stay with me in mind and conversation for the rest of my days. Given the chance, I would do it all over again and I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to do so as well. There is so much cultural and environmental diversity in the U.S., from the landscape to the people to the wheeling and outdoor adventures. I only wish for all of you that read this that you have an opportunity to experience an adventure like we were able to. If you do, itll be a whirlwind of memories that will last a lifetime.

Better Maps. Bigger Display. Simpler to Use.

After Maine it was off to Indiana for the 20th annual French Lick event. By this time we had a reputation and people knew that by the time we showed up there was sure to be rain since all of the previous events had been plagued by rain. True to our reputation we brought flash flooding to Indiana for the weekend, throwing a complete kink in the plan the local coordinator and guides had set for the participants and their weekend. With all of the running water on the trails and mud, there were several bent tie rods, broken axles, body damage, and missing fender flares by lunchtime on the first day. By Sunday morning, the sun was out once again and we were on our way to Williamsburg, Kentucky. The sixth stop on our round the country, whirlwind tour was much like the others in the previous month and a half on this triprainy! At this point we were pretty confident that we could either start a pool to make us some gas money or just bet people at the event that we could and would predict the weather, even if it went against what the local forecasters had predicted.

This trail left a few vehicles with body damage, torn sidewalls, and a few other mechanical issues; however, no one was left behind. The folks on The Commando Trail were delayed by the conditions and didnt get off the trail and back for dinner until almost 9pm but they were luckier than the folks on Cliff Hanger. These poor Jeepers thought they were just going out for a day of wheeling until they were on their way back after lunch, only to find that their only way out had literally been washed away. Cliff Hanger is a trail that you go halfway and stop for lunch and the only way out is back the way you came in. The mud holes became so deep from the continued rain that sink holes developed and at one point, they actually had to cut down trees to fill the void and build a crossing to get the folks out. After several other guides gave up the chance to eat dinner and headed out to assist in the rescue, burning up three winches in the process, the last Jeep was off the trail and headed back to town around 3am. When the weekend was done, the participants went away happy and had some great stories to tell their friends back home. Last and final stop was Moab, Utah. Now I could fill several pages of things to see and do in Moab and for those that have never been wheeling in Moab, it should be right at the top of your bucket list with the Rubicon Trail. We went out on Poison Spider on Friday, which is one of Moabs more popular trails with some challenging obstacles, great views, and a trail that has a story behind it. Part of the way through the trail, there is a trailside monument that has toys, trinkets, and a

WINTER 2009

WINTER 2009

On Friday morning, we decided to run The Worser Trail. That wasnt a grammatical error as they really did name it that. It was named after those scouting the trail were told by the landowner that the further you go, the worser it gets so the name stuck. The trail was muddy and had some great rock obstacles, cross axle challenges, and ravines that had to be negotiated to get to climbs with boulders, roots, and mud to add to the challenge and keep things exciting and interesting.

1989 JEEP JEEP GRAND WAGONEERFALL 2009

Pelle Kleins 1989 Jeep Grand WagoneerThe winter 2009 issue of JPFreek is a tribute to the full-size Jeep and after we received a number of truly remarkable photos of various full-size Jeep vehicles, including submissions from our friends at International Full-Size Jeep Association (www.ifsja.org) as well as other friends within the Jeep community, we knew we had found a rig worthy of being featured in this issues Freek Show: Pelle Kleins 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

FALL 2009

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer was produced from 1984 1991, and was an extension of the Jeep Wagoneer which was the first true luxury 4x4 vehicle. The Jeep Wagoneers production spanned nearly three decades 28 years total with several mechanical improvements that included power steering and automatic transmission, both of which were seldom heard of in 4x4 vehicles when the vehicle first made its appearance. Pelles rig, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, looks just as good now as it did when it came off the production line. Of course, its been updated with a few mechanical and cosmetic refinements which are listed below: AMC 360 V8 (ATK replacement engine) NP229 (OE replacement, installed at T&J Performance, Orange, California) Dana 44 front & rear Deaver springs (Deaver Suspension, Santa Ana, California) Bilstein shocks 7-inch lift (Custom by Jeeps R Us, Laguna Beach, California) 36x12.5-15 Super Swampers 15x7 Kaiser steel wheels and hubcaps J2000 Gladiator front clip and 3-piece bumpers (J&W Jeeps, Antelope, California) Free rusted J2000 bench seat frame from Alaska Custom upholstery, door panels, and headliner (BJs Upholstery, Costa Mesa, California)

We have been called the #1 Jeep Exclusive Club of our type in the US. It has been said that Jeep Expeditions encompasses the idea of overlanding and the pure enjoyment between man and machine. Come Live the Adventure with us at www.jeepexpeditions.org. Proud supporter of JPFreek Adventure Magazine, JEs ofcial publication!

FALL 2009

FALL 2009

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Industry Interviewsvariants, from EV to turbo diesels. The old nickname for the design, when they were new, was dogface, or The Dog. That nickname stuck. What sets the ICON CJ3B apart from the originals is everything but the appearance. While the originals are fun within their limitations, many elements of the design are quite archaic. One can fit a V8, modify the suspension, change the steering etc. but in the end, a fresh CAD-designed, integrated platform is the answer for those looking for a more contemporary drive experience. We provide modern performance, reliability, 24.5 of wheel travel, coil over shock suspension system, a frame that is six times more rigid than the original, sway bar, four-wheel power disc brakes, variable valve timing 4-cylinder, electric lockers, variable ratio power steering, and the like. versatility and value, as evident in the great number of PTO drive accessories that were available. We are already working on a hydraulic PTO with front and rear hook ups, and we will be looking into various agricultural and light industrial attachments from snow plows to tillers. I think that will be an interesting element to revive, as it is all gone from the modern market. Even the Rhino-sized vehicles from John Deere and others do not support any of the PTO attachments.

TLC Icon founder, JonathanJPFreek: TLC has been around now for well over a decade and until recently was focused specifically on the Toyota market. Tell us how TLC started, and what makes TLC so unique to the off-highway market.TLC: My wife, Jamie and I, initially started TLC with a focus on sales, service, restoration, and parts specifically for all vintage Toyota Land Cruisers. Over the years we found more and more clients who asked for the vintage aesthetic, yet with more contemporary performance. SO, we still do stock restorations, yet the trend went towards modern fuel injected V8s and turbo diesels with improved steering, suspension, seating etc

Ward

We like to think ICON is unique in that it still captures the spirit of the original designs, yet is based in Solid Works and is all CAD-designed, resulting in a very strong, long lasting, and highly capable vehicle. Our goal is to revive the classic American industrial design quality and attention to detail, long ago abandoned by the automotive industry at large. Revisiting classic designs from our collective past that make us all smile, in a modern context.

JPFreek: How long was the CJ3B in the development phase and how do you most see this vehicle being used within the off-highway market?TLC: We had the idea in January. We pressed go on the effort in May. In November, we had the first vehicle done and tested. It was a tight timeline for such an effort: six-day weeks, long nights, and a dedicated crew. I managed the project with a five man dedicated team of engineers and designers. We realized it 90% in the computer before the first weld bead was laid down. We have started selling them already. So far, we have seen a wide range of clients for The Dog, from militaria collectors overseas, to people looking for something to strap down on a research vessel for land provision runs, mountain cabins, island homes, ranch uses etc. Some are FJ ICON owners, yet most are new to our brand. We are finding that just as the FJ designs are close to some peoples hearts, there are a lot of CJ fans as well. We are happy to meet them! I have been reading a biography of Henry Ford (Wheels of The World), and we have almost forgotten that one of the main secrets of the success for the Model T was the basic utility value it had. People used them to run well pumps, or remove the rear wheel and run a small factory conveyor belt drive system. You name it. The early Willys CJs had the same sort of

In 2000, Toyota hired us to design and build three vehicles that were the beginning of the FJ Cruiser development. Toyota voted and chose their favorite of the three, which was then sent to CALTY, their SoCal design studio. They then contemporized the design into what we know now to be the FJ Cruiser today, yet TLC: When we set out to create our new ICON model, left us yearning to realize the design as per our prototypes. So we approached Toyota for their blessing we debated many different classic vehicles. In the end, in 2004, and explained the idea behind ICON. Toyota was we felt that the Willys Overland brand had such a clear message: versatility, utility, and simplicity. That sort of gracious and supportive, so we went for it. message is missing from the big brands today, and is a We debuted the first ICON FJ40 at the SEMA show on good fit for ICON. The compact size of the early CJs Toyotas display in 2005, and launched the new brand in provides extra utility (in that they can fit down ATV January 2006. We eventually developed into three body trails+), and the design is well known worldwide. styles available in three Design Packages, with a host of We specifically chose the CJ3B because it has such a available options. We have built and delivered over fifty long face and so much design character. It is also FJ ICON to date. helpful for us to have the high hood line, in that it allows us all sorts of interesting potential drive train

JPFreek: Buzz has been brewing ever since the ICON brand recently announced development of a new vehicle to its product lineup called The Dog, a vehicle based on the Jeep CJ3B. What was the focus in adding a Jeep-based product to the ICON portfolio, and what will be some key features of this vehicle that make it unlike any other CJ3B?

JPFreek: When do you foresee full production of the CJ3B being available?TLC: We are a small company but thus far, we have been able to build enough trucks for the people who have wanted them. Our price point for our FJ models is quite high ($100-170,000), mostly due to the serious list of equipment and content, plus untold hundreds of hours to craft each one by hand. With the new CJ, we have designed it to be a simpler build, and to utilize more off-the-shelf products from well-distributed brands, as opposed to the FJs which run a lot of private label hand crafted components which in many cases are overkill. So for now, that has realized