NOTES FROM THE ROAD


< more recent | 15-31 October 2015 | older >



Moab: A Journey Into the Maze…


The beginning of a six-day roadtrip, all on dirt…


27 OCTOBER 2015: Left Moab for a six-day loop into one of the most remote parts of the United States, in an area of the Canyonlands national park known as “The Maze.” Just getting there would be an adventure…[ Read the full report: INTO THE MAZE ]



Moab: Day Trip to Chicken Corners…


Enjoying the day on a scenic Moab trail…


25 OCTOBER 2015: Back in a Barlow Adventures Jeep today for a relaxing day out just enjoying the quintessential red rock landscape of Chicken Corners, a long beautiful trail ride that follows the Colorado River from the heights above…



Moab: Confronting New Challenges…


Picking lines on tougher obstacles Behind The Rocks…


24 OCTOBER 2015: Working on terrain assessment and picking lines on a more challenging trail, Behind The Rocks. Things got more intense as Bill Burke took it up a notch in difficulty. Required lots of concentration and coordination driving the manual Land Rover Defender on this complex terrain…



Moab: Unexpected Mud in the Desert…


Learning how to overcome obstacles with Bill Burke…


23 OCTOBER 2015: First day of intensive training with Bill Burke brought some unexpected opportunities to work on recovery, due to monsoon rains the previous night. Some creative thinking was needed to get out of the quicksand in this desert wash.


PREVIOUS NOTES FROM THE ROAD >


THIS MONTH:

Going back to Moab, where it all began in 2007 with our first solo Jeep adventure on red rock. Visiting favorite trails and exploring some new challenges in navigation and expedition planning off the beaten track…


Intensive training on the Moab-area trails in scouting, terrain assessment, advanced driving and recovery techniques with master trainer Bill Burke.


COMING UP SOON:

Next steps for North Africa, route planning, scouting and more desert prep. Also beginning to look into acquisition of a diesel Jeep to start the project build…


Getting some solid trail time in at Rausch Creek, in the mountains of Pennsylvania’s coal country.


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 !


CURRENT WEATHER


Nesconset | Bellow Falls | Moab



MORE NOTES FROM THE ROAD:
1-14 October – Vermont
September – Paris
August – Topless For Tatas
July – Rubicon Trail
June – Bantam Jeep Fest, PA roadtrip
May – Overland Expo, AZ roadtrip
April – Paris, Rausch Creek
March – Uwharrie
February – Back Home
January – Mauritania
15-31 December – Roadtrip
1-14 December – Southwest deserts
November – Paris and planning
October – Overland Expo and Workshops
September – Moab and more
The Gazelle Rally Recap
Archive


SPECIAL REPORT

SCOUTING THE SAHARA IN MAURITANIA: WAYPOINT NOUAKCHOTT

The first in a series of reports from our scouting trip in Mauritania takes and indepth look at the capital city of Nouakchott, and its fishing port… [read]


MORE INFO:
About Team 171 US Nomads
Team Training
Practical Matters
In Our Words
Team News
Contact Us


SPECIAL REPORT

ON BECOMING A GAZELLE: THE DESERT’S FIRST CHALLENGE

The second installment in a series of personal reflections on our experience in the Rallye Aiche des Gazelles–Putting our skills to the test in Morocco on the first day out in the desert, known as the “Prologue,” there are a few surprises… [read]

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