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25 OCTOBER 2014: Checking out the Fall color while on the trail at Rausch Creek. Getting more familiar with the park layout and trail system, and learning the specific obstacles and terrain types for each trail takes time, but makes for a fun weekend…
12 OCTOBER 2014: The atmosphere was fun and friendly at the Northeast Overland Rally and Workshop and after spending the day enjoying a few different trails, everyone gathered around a wonderful bonfire. We also got treated to some great Camel Trophy stories from Mike Hussey, 1993 winner of the legendary event, who gave the group some insight into his experiences on the Camel Trophy team…
11 OCTOBER 2014: The fall foliage was in full color on the woodland trails we navigated during the three day Northeast Overland Rally and Workshop in Rockingham Vermont. The event was a great combination of independent trail navigation exercises, driving and recovery training, information sharing, and just plain outdoor fun…
10 OCTOBER 2014: We joined a big group of overlanders setting up camp here at the Northeast Overland Rally and Workshop in Rockingham Vermont. The event started yesterday, and some folks were coming back in off the trails, while those of us who just arrived got settled in…
5 OCTOBER 2014: Overland Expo East wrapped up today with a final full schedule of activities. A last visit to the Camel Trophy skills area today, a discussion of overlanding experiences in the Middle East and North Africa on the regional panel, and a final session of “Staying Organized on the Road,” in which US Nomads shared techniques for organization during a long journey, reviewed essential gear for different scenarios, and discussed safety versus convenience trade-offs…
4 OCTOBER 2014: The eclectic overlanding community was brought together for Day Two of Overland Expo East in a fun and friendly setting where people could exchange information and experiences, while learning about new tools and techniques related to on- and off-road travel. Today US Nomads presented three classes, including a very popular session on “Route Planning and Preparation” which showed attendees how to develop detail and precise plans for complex overlanding trips that can be adapted to changing circumstances on the ground…
3 OCTOBER 2014: Participants and organizers gathered today at the Taylor Ranch near Ashville, NC for the three-day Overland Expo East, the first time the premier overlanding event was being held on the east coast. As part of the instruction team, US Nomads discussed overlanding experiences in Europe on the regional panel, then shared some of our experiences in “Storytelling: Crafting a Narrative,” teaching attendees the basics of pre-production planning prior to the start of a trip, techniques and tactics for creating relevant content while on location, and strategies for editing material into a tight final package…
THIS MONTH:
USnomads will be at Overland Expo East, in Ashville, NC, October 3-5, teaching a series of classes as part of the event’s “Overland Experience” program. Overland Expo is the world’s most unique event for do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts, with hundreds of session-hours of classes for 4-wheel-drive and adventure motorcycling, inspirational programs, the Overland Film Festival, roundtable discussions, demonstrations, food, and a large expo featuring over 150 vendors of adventure travel equipment, camping gear, bikes, vehicles, and services.
USnomads will participating in the Northeast Overland Rally & Workshop, in Rockingham, VT, October 9-12. The NEORW is an unstructured workshop experience with a series of driving and recovery clinics as well as navigation challenges on trails around the region.
COMING UP SOON:
USnomads will be back in Paris, France in November.
SUPPORTING FRIENDS OF HARALD
USnomads is proud to support the Friends of Harald initiative to help rebuild a community in La Paz, Mexico that was recently destroyed by hurricane Odile. Harald Pietschmann, a well-known and highly respected 4wd instructor and guide, lives in La Paz, near the finish line of the Baja 1000. Though much of his own property was destroyed by the storm, he reached out to help his neighbors. The community has the strength and spirit to rebuild, they just lack the resources. Friends of Harald is working to raise $5,000 to help them buy supplies before the end of November. Please join us in supporting their effort. Make a donation or purchase raffle tickets here and follow their Facebook page for updates. (Note that the fundraiser is coordinated by Barlow Adventures but all funds raised go directly to Friends of Harald for the community rebuilding project and are not used for administrative or other purposes.)
ABOUT OVERLANDING
The term “overlanding” refers to independent adventure travel with the journey, rather than the destination, being the goal. It can include many methods of transport, from off-road vehicles to camel treks to bikes to campers. Typically, it also involves camping, remote or difficult to reach locations, international borders or extended lengths of time. (See more detailed description from Overland Journal.)
TEAM 171 PRESENTATION
USnomads, c’est l’histoire d’une amitié de plus de 20 ans, qui s’est construite à travers le temps, les cultures, les expériences de la vie et des voyages. Seule l’union de deux caractères forts et respectueux l’un de l’autre explique que nous soyons arrivées à nos fins dans chacun de nos défis.
Ceci est notre première participation au Rallye des gazelles et nous ne sommes pas des professionels, mais JoMarie a une certaine expérience de l’Afrique et des situations d’urgence. D’autre part, elle s’est totalement investie dans la préparation de cette course et Isabelle s’est récemment mise à la navigation.
Le Rallye des gazelles dans le désert marocain sera le théâtre d’une nouvelle épreuve pour nous : une Jeep, une boussole, une carte et tout le pouvoir de notre volonté d’y parvenir fera le reste.
Ce défi sportif s’inscrit dans un projet humain plus large, celui de traverser le désert du Sahara d’Ouest en Est dans l’espoir d’accompagner les équipes d’ONG dans leurs micro-projets d’aide aux peuplades nomades locales. JoMarie en produira un film documentaire qui donnera à mieux connaitre les hommes de cette partie du monde.
L’équipe 171 prendra fièrement son envol le 15 mars 2014 avec toutes les autres participantes ! Et que les meilleures gagnent !
Mais quelle valeur et quelle portée aurait cette leçon de vie, si nous n’étions pas soutenues par l’amour de nos proches, de nos amis et de tous ceux qui nous entourent. Merci !
SUPPORTING MOTHERS
Team USnomads is proud to support the work of MothersToMothers, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that recognizes the ability of mothers to change their destiny. MothersToMothers, founded by Pamela Parlapiano, partners with local women to create community supported day care and learning centers that change lives. Their model project in Amacho Wato Kebele, Ethiopia, has shown how with just a little help, the mothers in the community can improve the lives of a whole village. Please join us in supporting their efforts to take this successful model to more villages: Donate to MothersToMothers here. (Note that all donations go 100% directly to MothersToMothers).
CURRENT WEATHER
Nesconset | Fletcher | Rockingham
MORE NOTES FROM THE ROAD:
September – Moab and more
August – Topless For Tatas
July – Summer Fun
June – Bantam Jeep Festival
May – Overland Expo, Rausch Creek
April – Back Home
The Gazelle Rally Recap
Archive
ON BECOMING A GAZELLE
The first installment in a series of reflections detailing our personal experiences during the 24th edition of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles — our journey to the starting line in Morocco… [read]
MORE INFO:
About Team 171 US Nomads
Team Training
Practical Matters
In Our Words
Team News
Contact Us
FEATURE
In March 2014, Team 171 USnomads successfully completed the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morocco. Checkout the rally highlights in this day-by-day recap which includes descriptions of each leg of the race, daily reports from the field, the team’s tracks, video coverage of the event and more… [read]
FEATURE
Five days solo scouting unfamiliar trails in the Ocala National Forest to learn about the challenges of route selection and terrain assessment… [read]
FEATURE
Exploring new trails and unfamiliar routes often requires using paper maps, digital mapping tools and GPS units. When working back and forth between them, there are a few key details that are important to understand for accurate navigation… [read]
FEATURE
A trip down the iconic Jeep trail builds confidence, boosts endurance and leaves a lasting impression. The four day there-and-back journey would be the ultimate Jeep challenge… [read]
