Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures

Just released is the 2nd anniversary issue of the JPFreek Adventure Magazine. Content in this issue includes:

• 2008 CRD Jeep Grand Cherokee 4×4 Limited Test Review
• 7 Bar Grille Camp Cooking Video Series
• Arctic Excursion in a Jeep JK Wrangler
• On the Trail with Sedona Jeep School
• Splendor of America’s Hidden Treasures
• Lizardskin Ceramic Insulation Install
• and more

This issue also features integrated video footage.

Visit www.jpfreek.com

While you’re out exploring the web on your virtual adventure, make a stop by Dan Hilton’s site at 4WD Traveller.com. Dan (who is actually based out of Victoria, British Columbia) has put together a great international flavored 4×4 adventure travel site. You’ll find a nice selection of 4×4 related adventure articles, reviews, videos and more

Dan has built quite a resume, including 4×4 travels to Russia, Mexico, Japan as well as the United States and Canada. Again, check it out the site at 4WD Traveller.com

And Dan, you need to come down and join on us on one the this year’s trips. And let us know when you have any trips planned.

Steve

I’m a little late in getting this posted. The latest ARB 4×4 Action Newsletter is available for viewing (pdf document).

Within is feature articles on new Jeep JK Wrangler rear bumper system, a sweet new portable air compressor, 10 Essentials of Outback Travel and of course, things for vehicles we can’t get in the United States.

Download HERE

The 2008 JPFreek Gear Guide issue has just been released and is available for download at www.jpfreek.com

In this issue, in addition to the 2008 Gear Guide that has reviews on jeep stuff, recovery gear, camping gear, outdoor clothing, etc., there are some great adventure travel articles including Planning Your Menu, Planning Your Shelter, Trail Winching Techniques and much more. It’s a excellent read even if you don’t drive a Jeep.

There is a new discussion started on the forum about the definition of “overland travel” and “exploration” This subject should provide for some good dialogue.

Join in or read the discussion at What is Overland Travel?

Many people make the mistake of traveling through winter conditions without proper preparations. How will you survive if your car is caught in a blizzard and there is nowhere else to go? Sitting there and freezing to death is not an option because here is what you do…

Read more at How to Make a Survival Heater for Your Car

It amazes me on how many vehicle based expeditions that occur on a regular basis. And with today’s technology, its so simple to share adventures with readers around the world, no matter your location.

I was just turned on to another in-progress two-year vehicle dependent expedition that began in Australia and is currently in Asia, and will travel through Europe, South America, North America to Alaska before finishing up in New York City next year.

In their own words:

“The World by Road is a group of individuals embarking on an around the world expedition dedicated to promoting awareness of the diversity of people and cultures of the world. Through adventure, education, and interaction with aid organizations, The World by Road challenges the traditional beliefs of our global community via the road less traveled”

You can follow along on their website at at The World By Road.

Donations to help support the expedition can be made at http://www.theworldbyroad.com/help_out.php

Each time I venture to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in the South Cascades of Washington state, I am simply amazed at the beauty of the country. In this region, not only are you are surrounded by four major peaks of the Cascade Mountains (Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood), there is an extensive variety of terrain ranging from deep valleys and canyons to exposed buttes and cliffs, alpine meadows to old growth forests, and of course, the Mt. St. Helens blast zone. I could easily spend days or even weeks just exploring the region.

With that in mind, I decided to host a Backroad Drivers Northwest tour in the area just south of Randle, Washington. This region is an area which I am fairly familiar with having spent a lot of time hunting, camping and exploring with my father while growing up. The tour would follow one of my favorite routes in the area, Forest Road 77 from the Burley Mountain Lookout along the ridge past Pinto Rock and Mosquito Meadows. From Mosquito Meadows, we would would take FS 99 to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint at Mt. St. Helens and follow FS 26 back to Randle.
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Have you ever wanted to know where the best areas to view Pacific Northwest Fall Foliage in real time?

The Weather Channel provides a state by state map show the locations where the fall colors are at their peak and it’s updated on a regular basis.

To view the most current information, visit the Weather Channel.

Anybody who ventures away from well-maintained forest roads will eventually be faced with the decision to attempt a water crossing or not.

Before you go out for your next overland adventure, you should learn a little about your vehicle, its capabilities and some modifications that will help you in case you are faced with a water crossing.

Once you’re about to make the water crossing, you’ll need to do some planning to increase your chances of a successful water crossing.

Then after you successfully made your water crossing, there are some maintenance items that need to be dealt with.

All these topics are discussed in a great article titled Water Crossing How To over at Offroad-Adventure-Travel.com.

This information will help you safely make water crossings without major damage to your vehicle.

You can read more off-road adventure travel tips at http://www.offroad-adventure-travel.com/tech.html.