I've just returned from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Except for Skyjacker's new "Sky King" line of coilovers, Allied Wheel Company's (AWC) new line of beadlock wheels and a whole slew of new products from Tera Manufacturing (including an aluminum Dana 60 housing), there wasn't much new to see this year.
The interesting part of the show was running into four-wheeling friends and talking about our hobby/sport. All of them expressed a desire to go back to our four wheeling roots, like we used to before so many events started happening, splitting everyone up as they attended the ones that were interesting or near to them. The four wheeling we're talking about is exploring new trails and areas as well as challenging ourselves on trails we've known for years, but may have been overlooked in the clamor over the extreme rock crawling events. What many want to reclaim is the fun and friendship that happens when small groups of friends get together for this kind of four wheeling.
Please don't misunderstand me - events are still fun to go to, also. Randy, our advertising manager, just returned from the Sierra Trek (see Sierra Trek 2001) with glowing reports of how well the event was run and how much fun everyone had. Moab's Easter Jeep Safari will always be a great get together and events such as All-For-Fun, TDS, Montrose and Las Cruces have become the standard that all others must be judged by.
It's just that small group four-wheeling is great fun, too. When you roll out of your sleeping bag on a crisp, clear morning, take a look around at the beautiful scenery and know that you'll soon be exploring the area with a few friends and there's no pressure, time constraints, or rules, it's hard to | suppress a big grin of pleasure. For most of us old guys, it's the way four-wheeling was and the reason we learned to love it. As soon as my new truck project is done, I plan on going back to the Dale Mining District east of 29 Palms, California and Chiriaco Summit, the old stomping grounds of the Fast Camels, the club that I belonged to many years ago. When I go back, it will be with a few friends in their vehicles, just as it was in the old days. Our 4x4s are more capable, but that makes it more fun, too. Just imagine that old, washed-out, boulder-filled trail that you never thought anyone could tackle in the old days. Now, with our new equipment and new mindset, those old "impossible" roads can be new challenges for us.
The last night I was at SEMA, a group of us were discussing putting together some four wheeling trips. Some of the group talked about making these trips a competition, with different ways of scoring, etc. Jimmy Nylund looked at them and asked, "Why can't we just go four-wheeling and forget the competition?" Right on, Jimmy! Why NOT go four-wheeling with our friends and forget the organized competition. Note the italics - I'm the first to admit that there'll always be competition, even among friends, as we try to show each other up on obstacles. That's part of four-wheeling and another reason it's so much fun.
Anyway, four wheeling doesn't have to be organized competitions or events. Get out into the backcountry with a friend, or two, or three and have a great time four wheeling with no pressure. I know that all of us here are planning on getting back to our four wheeling roots and will be doing the same thing. Maybe we'll see you out there.
Long live backcountry exploring and the freedom it allows us to feel! |
