NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES
4RUNNER SNORKEL Finding that the first cut is the hardest.
THE BLACK FOREST
Encountering the weird in the wild
CAN'T GET OVER THE X A love letter to an old flame, the Nissan Xterra
ROGUE OVERLAND // MOLEISUREXVENTURES // MICHIGAN OVERLAND
07
THE GEAR BUNKER
03
CAMP COOKING
42
VEHICLE PROFILE
70
THE BLACK FOREST
Weird and wonderful in the wild
12
16
CAN'T GET OVER THE X
NEW RUNNERS, IGNORE THIS
The Nissan Xterra earns a place in the overlander's hearts
Elwood Toast has some things you might want to forget
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32
MAKING THE CUT
DEATH VALLEY DARKNESS
Learning courage and putting a 4Runner under the knife
Delia & Enoch against the darkness in the desert
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54
TRIP REPORT- MICHIGAN
TAILS OF THE TRAIL
embedded videos directly
Michigan Overlanders put on the miles in the U.P.
Man's best Overland Friend
on the page. There are
58
60
BUSINESS PROFILE
RAFT GUIDE LIFE
Beadlockers in Wisconsin
Lovin life on the river
INTERACTIVE CONTENT Or, how to read this magazine! Clicking on the video play icons allow you to watch the
also live links that will briefly highlight when you turn the page to indicate the linked content and you can click on underscored text and the ads too- thanks for reading and sharing! Cindy
Northology Adventures Magazine has made all efforts to make sure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher or editor. All content is published in a good faith. Northology Adventures does not guarantee or accept liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by this magazine or errors in the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers.All rights reserved and nothing can be partially or in whole be reprinted or reproduced without a written consent. By using links in this magazine, you acknowledge that and agree that Northology cannot be held responsible and shall not be liable for content of other websites and advertisements.
Bill Hoffman's dog, Sadie, watches Ben walk the shore of Lake Superior
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THE BLACK FOREST ASA LEE MEADOWS
This past Father’s Day, I took the boys, George and Theodore, to the Huron Shores district of the Huron Manistee National Forest (HMNF) to scout out potential dispersed campsites. It was also a really nice day out and I just wanted to hit some trails. I had Gaia GPS loaded on my phone, and was able to follow along on the screen in the Jeep via Car Play. I wanted to find a route from the southern portion up to the Lumberman’s Monument. Back in mid-April I scouted out some reservable sites with just Theodore for some one on one time. We looked around the north side of the Au Sable river on the Cooke Dam and Foote Dam ponds. I found some really nice spots along the Foote Dam pond and apparently, they are very popular as they seem to be reserved heavily until September. But they are too easily accessible and I think would not provide the solitude I’m looking for. The first 4 digit forest service roads I took were near Sand Lake, and that area seemed a little too marshy, so I headed north up Vaughn road, then east on 4518, to grid 27 in Gaia GPS. I had seen an offshoot of the trail that was a loop. I found what looked like one used campsite. The rest of the loop was overgrown and there had been some downed trees that someone had pulled out of the way, but it was still a tight fit and I got the first pinstripes on the new jeep. But I think the protective layer of dust from the trails made them look worse than they really were.
I don’t have the exact grid where I first noticed
I had no idea how much of the forest was affected,
something strange, but on one of the trails I noticed
but as I made my way toward the Lumberman’s
all the trees were suddenly burnt. Black pine trees,
Monument, I was shocked at the scarring left behind
with reddish-orange needles on their tops. It was
by the flames. It was a teachable moment. I could
columns and rows of darkness, with sunlight
explain the damage that can be caused by fires to
piercing through. It felt like a scene from the Lord of
my boys. I’m not sure how much they comprehend
the Rings. Then I remembered that the week after
at their age, but I hope they will remember it the
my previous scouting trip with Theodore, there had
next time we have a campfire and we talk about
been a prescribed burn that got out of control.
what kind of destruction could happen by fire.
I spoke with Ben Wiese at the Forest Service a day
Glacial outwash plain caused the sandy soil in the
after my trip to learn a little bit about what happened.
area; When the glaciers receded, the sediment was
It was named the Brittle fire. 5,781 acres were
the result of the massive weight of the ice grinding
affected. That’s only a little over 1% of the HMNF’s
the rock surface. Ben said that when it rains, the
538,756 acres, so we were really lucky compared to
water drains quickly through the sandy soil, in some
wildfires that happen in the western US. No loss of
places hundreds of feet deep, leading to dry
life or property resulted from the fire. Ben stated that
conditions. Also, the area is home to jack pine trees,
the conditions for a good prescribed burn are also the
essential for the nesting habitat of the Kirtland’s
same conditions that can lead to wildfires.
warbler, which has been delisted from the
Endangered Species list. Ironically, dense young jack pine is required for the bird’s habitat, which historically had been created by wildfires. The pine needles from those trees burn very easily. I had also noticed that some of the burned trees were still green at the top, although the trunk was black and their midsection needles were all dead and orange. He said that if a certain proportion of the tree is still green at the top, there’s a good chance the tree will survive. Ben said that oak trees will most likely benefit from the dead pines. He said something to the effect of “In a hundred years, you’ll have these big oak trees, and then they’ll have pine trees growing up under them. It’s a cycle.” After he said that, my mind shot to the first thing I noticed when I turned north onto Chambers road as I was coming out of the worst of it and I decided to take a few photos. Instantly, despite all the char and blackened trees, a spot of color flashed out. It was this red and green sapling sprouting up next to a burned up pinecone. I think no matter what devastation happens in nature, life is resilient and will find a way.
When you just can't get over the X Scores of off-road and overland enthusiasts keep the fires burning for the budget-friendly, surprisingly capable Nissan Xterra. Read the love stories.
Jordan Schutt @DistractedConstantly Being a Nissan Enthusiast often means being relegated to an afterthought, lack of aftermarket support and attention. What Nissan offered with the Xterra is a fantastic value proposition. The interior is spartan, the drivetrain is reliable, the chassis is stout, and it can be optioned up to an Offroad or PRO 4X model which includes an electric locker. Also, its relatively short wheelbase keeps it nimble while off road and in tight surroundings. I have had my 2008 Xterra S for 9 years now, beginning fully stock, and really helping me to learn more about wrenching on my own vehicles and putting them to use. It has carried us on countless guy trips to Rally America races around northern Michigan, it has taken my wife and I on adventures from the Rocky Mountains to Overland Expo East and to KOAR. It has never let us down after 110,000 miles of hard use. Cheap to purchase, cheap to maintain, and plenty capable. We have loved our time with the Bruce the Xterra, it has taken us on every adventure we have been on without complaint and taught us how to approach future vehicle builds and prep.
Written by Nick and Ariana Savatgy, photos by Nick Savatgy of @RogueOverland Being a Datsun guy one would expect that a Nissan vehicle was an obvious choice to build an adventure vehicle, but that’s not how this story starts. When in college Vicki (wife to Nick and mother to Ariana) was looking for a Toyota 4Runner, but price drew her attention to the Nissan Xterra. With similar specs and lower pricing she started her search, eventually purchasing a bone stock, one owner, 2001 Nissan Xterra with 28,000 miles on it.
We named her Anconeus. Over the last 16 years Anconeus has been our steed for adventure in forms ranging from stock to mildly modified with a three inch lift and 32 x 11.5 in tires, until finally reaching her current form with the solid axle swap. So why do we still have the Xterra after 200,000+ miles of adventure, building a family, and all the other things that life throws at you over 16 years? Let me not only tell you but also include the input of my seven year old daughter, Ariana, who has been adventuring her whole life.
VERSATILIY: Whether mountain biking, camping, off roading, or heading to baseball practice the Xterra is able to fit the whole family with all their gear. Although, depending on the trip sometimes all the gear just barely fits! We have found that we can easily run a Cascadia Vehicle Tents roof top tent, strap a Shiftpod ground tent to the roof rack, or drop the rear seats to sleep inside depending on our needs. OFF ROAD CAPABILITY: We have run everything from fire road overland trips to wheeling the iconic Rubicon Trail with the Xterra. With a decent amount of driving skill the Nissan Xterra is a very capable vehicle. Throw in a few modification based on your needs and the Xterra can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go!
RELIABILITY: With the current vehicles rolling of the manufacturers line being overrun by sensors and electronics, the Nissan Xterra offers a simpler platform to use as an adventure vehicle. We have been on the trail more than a half dozen times when a vehicle had problems associated the electronics and sensors. When you plan to be off the grid or just heading out to visit a national park, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) to decrease the likelihood of having issues. COOL/UNIQUE VEHICLE In a market infested with jeeps it is
nice to have something different; we still enjoy wheeling with out jeep friends ;). You cannot go wrong with the awesome yellow color! Anconeus has been built with love and has evolved over time as needed, she is one of a kind. Why a Nissan Xterra for adventure…… because Anconeus is part of our family.
You can see a walk around video of Anconeus on the Rogue Overland Youtube channel. Check out Rogue Overland on Youtube, @RogueOverland on Instagram, and at www.RogueOverland.com
Seth @bigsky_xterra I love the Xterra. I've always been a Blue Oval fan and wanted a Bronco. At the time I was shopping for a new SUV, the Xterra hit all the marks and was the next best thing to a Bronco in my book. Over the years I've added two different suspensions (now Titan-Swapped) and looking to upgrade again in the next few years. In addition to the suspension, I wanted more power. I started with what everyone usually does and that was the IMS (intake Manifold Spacer) and Cold Air Intake (CAI) From there, I added Doug Thorley headers and a custom catback exhaust with Magnaflow muffler and tip and to round it out, an UpRev tune. In 2016 I decided that I was going to keep this thing forever and in 2019 I took it to Driven Desire for a heart transplant, better known as a VK swap. I am more of an explorer that likes to go down dirt and gravel roads than over huge obstacles but I will go over the rocks to get to where I want to go. I do plan on keeping it til I die so it's a continuous work-in-progress.
Bryan Blinn The reasons for choosing the Nissan Xterra for my overlanding rig come down to a few simple things: 1) The Pro-4x model is already very well equipped off the showroom floor with beefier suspension, skid plates and a rear diff locker. Just turn the key and you're capable of heading off road. 2) Nissans are very reliable and parts/service is always readily available. The aftermarket upgrades that are available, although less than Jeep and Toyota, are still plentiful. 3) The 2nd hand market for Nissan is less expensive than that of Jeep and Toyota.
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Enoch Leisure @MoLeisureXventures When I was younger, I had a Nissan 720 hardbody which I took off-roading through the red river sand dunes in the panhandle of Texas. Ever since then, I was hooked on the Nissan brand. I previously owned a 2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4x. I did a 5400 mile road trip in it and really saw the capabilities of the vehicle. So when it came time to choose a vehicle for our full-time overlanding trip, it was a nobrainer. The main reason I chose Yogi was because it's a standard. Most people would opt for an automatic but I feel more connected to the vehicle when driving a standard. With little to no modifications, Xterra's are extremely capable off-roading or overlanding. Modifications are also very inexpensive compared to other brands. Xterra's are also super reliable. Yogi has over 200k miles and along with regular maintenance, I've only had to change the clutch and crankshaft sensor. Overall, when you think off-roading or overlanding, one wouldn't think of Xterra, but continue following our adventure and let us prove you wrong. :)
Adam Gorder So, this is my 2006 Nissan Xterra SE, lovingly named the Trash Panda (there's a story that we won't get into). I bought it in 2019 off of Facebook Marketplace with a known radiator/transmission issue for incredibly cheap, and set about building it into a selfcontained mobile camper that I could take nearly anywhere on a very strict budget. I've done the usual "overlander" things, like a lift and a winch, solar panel and a fridge, as well as removing the rear seats and building a storage/sleeping platform in the back. I have since taken it on multiple cross country trips from Minnesota out to Moab, UT and it has done absolutely everything I've ever asked of it. I can pack up and go anywhere I want to, setup camp nearly anywhere I want to (legally), and sleep very comfortably in the back. Then, when it's time to move on, I just pack up and head to the next location. I wanted a relatively inexpensive platform to build on, and got exactly what I needed. Special shoutout to Chad Kulig and crew from Alldogs Offroad CoOp for my suspension needs, Nicky Flores at Church Of Speed for the support, and Josh Walker from 1620 Workwear for the most rugged workwear in the world.
Jason Fletcher @allthingsoverlanding Anyone that knows me know that I've always been a Nissan fan. I feel that for the money, they are some of the most underrated vehicles for the money. So, when I was looking for a budget friendly, capable, 4WD vehicle that was big enough for myself and my family of 4, the Xterra was a perfect option. Compared to many Toyotas, it was a fraction of the price and still very reliable.
I've driven it for 45K miles over the last 4 years and overlanded in Wisconsin, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, and more and it's always been super reliable. I have no doubt that it will continue to run for a number of years still and it has been a lot of fun to build into my perfect overlanding rig!
Ben Wicklund @xterraallroader The vehicle is just so fun to drive. The simplistic nature of it's design gives it tremendous character. The absence of electronic drivers aids, a notchy 300zx manual gear box, a raspy unrefined engine, a 4wd lever on the floor. You feel like you are driving the vehicle not riding the vehicle. It's handling is truck like yet it leans, rolls and dips in the corners like the old dangerous SUV's magazines used to warn people about. The Xterra has many things that were lost in more soft boring modern era vehicle designs. Its small size allows you to squeeze and bounce down tight trails with ease then turn around on a dime. The old style 4wd system features a floor lever and locking hubs. It's simple and robust like the Xterra slogan once said “Everything you need and nothing you don't.” It has minimal equipment so it keeps the maintenance minimal. The Xterra is just an absolute mule, I can head into the woods with all my hobbies in tow because of it's well designed roof rack and utility based design. The Xterra houses a large interior volume that is well suited for a single person to sleep out of for a week or carry substantial gear. It's a vehicle, it's a cozy cabin in the woods, it's a garage for my bikes and kayaks. It's just an all in one simplistic no frills SUV that gets the job done without complaints.
MEANDERING
RUN
ELWOOD TOAST @CoffeeToastRunner
But Elwood, don’t I need experts to teach me the way towards running bliss? How will I know what to eat? How much do I run? What cool, groovy shoeof-the-month do I buy so that I look cool and… groovy? First, I’m no expert but I have been running
So you want to begin a running routine. That's a
for a while now which means I also started from
great idea. Before sending in that running
scratch (a couple of times). So I’ll impart some
magazine subscription let’s talk about what you
thoughts for you to ponder. This is not about what I
should ignore in order to help your running.
think but what I know you should ignore until later.
#1 RUNNING MAGAZINES
Ignore them for now. Sure, there is good information in some but the truth of the matter is that beginners tend to get bogged down in the gear recommendations, shoe reviews, ads and pretty scenic pictures.
It can be overwhelming. You don’t need that now. The end result is you've spent a lot of money on gear and toys that you may never use or don't know how to use. Better to wait, learn about the gear from other local sources and, only buy what you need. So wait on this one until later.
#2 TECH RUNNING SHOES
Ignore the latest and greatest. There is no magic bullet. Running, especially at the outset, will be uncomfortable and hard. No pretty shoe will fix that. Only running will.
Find your local running specialist store. Many of these retailers can identify your foot type, your gait, heel strike and so forth. This allows them to identify the right running shoe for you and your needs, which may be a mid-line shoe. So wait on the shiny new toy from some online seller you don't know and develop a relationship with your local running store. You'll probably learn a lot more from them than from #1 above.
#3 DON’T BEGIN BY RUNNING
Of course you want to run but start out by walking. Not at walking your dog speed but at an arm extending uptempo pace. Work your way up to doing a couple miles. If this is comfortable then begin to work in a slow
jog during your walks. Jog at an easy pace and when you begin to feel tired or winded resume your walking. Walk every day. Every day. Add that run within your walk every day and you’ll find that soon you’ll begin to run just a little bit further each week. Your body will gradually adapt to the additional training and you'll begin to experience more stamina and strength. So, don't just run until later, after you've built up your body to withstand the additional rigors of training.
#4 DON’T BUY AN EXPENSIVE TREADMILL
Don’t buy an expensive treadmill until later. Treadmills are killers. I can't think of a worse way to begin. They are boring and you’ll soon lose any enthusiasm you may have had. Get outside even in poor weather. Being outdoors teaches your body and your mind to adapt to your surroundings,
something that becomes very important as you begin this journey. Ignore the treadmill until later and only buy one if you absolutely must.
#5 DON'T JOIN A GYM
Until later. Gyms are for weight lifters. Gyms have treadmills (read #4 again). While some weight lifting certainly can be beneficial you don’t need to join an expensive gym in order to improve overall strength. A
strong upper body helps when running hills by keeping your legs from doing all of the work, push ups at home do a world of good and it costs you nothing. Wait until later, if ever. (Lean into those hills, smoothly pump your arms, hands relaxed, shorten your stride. I've just given you free uphill running coaching advice).
#6 DON’T RUN A MARATHON
Until later. Much later. If you are just beginning, running a marathon is NOT on your radar. A marathon can be a goal, sure, but you need a year to learn your body, reach a certain level of endurance and strength and
confidence. You need to build this basic training base in order to continue to improve without injury. Learn how to enjoy running for the sake of your health and fitness first. Forget about that 26.2 window sticker (until later).
#7 DON’T BUY FANCY TECH
Running does not have to be an expensive endeavor but it easily can be. You don’t need that Apple Watch, GPS, a water pack larger than you are or any other expensive tech in order to begin running. Invest in a good pair
of proper footwear, running socks, shorts, t-shirt and tights. That's all. Your specialty running retailer can make suggestions that best fit your needs.
But Elwood! If I don’t buy pretty running shoes and I don’t subscribe to a running magazine, if I don’t begin by actual running or buy an expensive treadmill or go to the gym or plan for a marathon or buy an Apple Watch just how do I begin running?? Will I be a runner if I don’t do those things? Good question. The minute you step outside and take that first step, you are a runner. Now get out there and congratulations for starting your new running life.
MAKING THE CUT by Cait Schutt nr u r n u f _ t s e w id m @ ARB SAFARI SNORKEL INSTALLATION ON A 2020 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRD OFF-ROAD PREMIUM.
A snorkel was part of our build plan from day 1. They help draw in cleaner air in dusty environments as well as the classic use for water crossings. There are several options available but the ARB Safari was an easy choice because, in our opinion, it's hard to beat. After checking off some big ticket build items, such as roof rack, suspension, wheels and tires, the snorkel was our next box to check off. We got it in hand quickly but I was nervous about installation - specifically cutting the huge hole in the fender. My husband, Jordan, and his friend installed the snorkel on his 2008 Nissan Xterra and I about threw up when they started drilling holes. It turned out completely fine so in his mind this was no problem. But this was Frida, MY baby, MY rig that I've only had for about a year and a half! I was terrified that we were going to screw something up! After weighing our options, getting a few installation quotes, watching some YouTube videos, and reading the installation instructions over and over, I finally decided "Yes, we can do this ourselves."
I taped off everything in the general vicinity while Jordan removed the TRD intake that we had previously installed. The snorkel came with a template to mark off where the cuts and holes should be. We made our marks and checked and rechecked placement. Once the fender liner was out of the way there was nothing left to do but cut. Oh Holy Crap! Here goes nothin'!
I was terrified that we were going to screw something up! I decided to make the big cut myself - I trust Jordan to do it, I just tend to be more meticulous about things, so I wanted to be the one to do it. I felt like my stomach was going to exit my body one direction or the other but I gave myself a little pep talk and got to it. I used a Dremel with a cut-off wheel to slowly but surely cut around the oval I had traced from the template. It took me about 30 minutes, lots of sparks, and 2 cut-off wheel heads and I had a big frickin' hole cut in the side of my truck. While I was doing that, Jordan sealed up the drain holes in the lower intake box using silicone. Then he used a step bit to drill the other holes. Once all the holes were drilled we held up the snorkel for a test fit - Right on!
We got it bolted on and connected it to the intake, got the fender liner back in place, and were good to go! Looked Awesome! Took it for a spin around the block and the new growly sound is so good! Installation process was nerve-wracking for me but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! Our vehicles keep teaching me that with some research, proper tools, and a little confidence, you can do the majority of your build projects yourself!
ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE
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Keweenaw Tip Recreation Area - Call to Action Help expand the Keweenaw Tip Recreation Area, now and for generations to come!
Through the first few months of 2021, many hundreds of KORC members, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and conservationists sent in Nomination Forms to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Hundreds more letters were sent to our elected officials. It was an incredible response and got the State's attention. Our elected officials know how important the incredible landscape of the Keweenaw is for our local economy and quality of life. Unfortunately the State passed on the first opportunity and now over 32,000 acres are under threat, recently listed for sale by AFM Real Estate. The map shows our original goal in expanding the Keweenaw Tip Recreation Area, and the updated map shows what land we stand to lose.
Become a member of the Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition today to join this effort.
Protecting the Keweenaw's vast landscapes. For everyone. Forever.
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by Delia Mo photos: Enoch Leisure
As you drive west on route 178, you will go over Jubilee Pass and see Death Valley National Park. The valley opens up to a wide expanse of desert surrounded by snow capped mountains. This unique landscape combines a mixture of white salt beds, tan sand dunes and even green meadows, on the opposite side of the mountain ranges. Death Valley National Park is one of the nine National Parks in California. It is home to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. It is also one of the hottest and driest places on Earth which makes it dangerous depending on the time of year you are visiting. Temperatures in the park can vary from extremes of 120 degrees in the summertime to 3 degrees in the wintertime. Despite the extreme temperatures, Death Valley is home to an amazing ecosystem filled with desert, mountains, wildflowers and wildlife.
There are a lot of great things to see in Death Valley, great hikes, points of interest and amazing landscapes. But there are also a lot of dirt roads that are perfect for off-roaders and overlanders. Death Valley is 5,270 square miles straddling California and Nevada. Stemming from the main road are many “canyon” roads that can lead you to some hidden treasures around the park. These roads are often marked “Not maintained” or “Road conditions require experienced fourwheel drivers.” These warnings are marked for good reason. If you decide to go on any of these roads please be sure that you are confident in your vehicle and your driving ability. Speaking from personal experience. Enoch and I decided to take our then stock Nissan Xterra through Mengal Pass at dusk. It was not a very well thought out plan and we do not advise anyone to do the same.
We had arrived at Death Valley National Park a couple of days earlier, explored the major sites and did a couple of hikes. We drove and stopped at everything on the main road, so we decided to explore more on the outskirts of the park. We chose to drive to Ballarat ghost town, east of the park. I did not pay attention to the warnings on the map and was not prepared for what was going to happen. We started driving on Warm Springs Canyon road towards the abandoned warm springs mining camp. The warm springs mining camp still had buildings standing and an empty pool from when the camp was in use. Afterwards we decided to continue driving on Butte Valley road towards The road was just dirt and gravel thus far and so I didn’t pay attention to the map where the road goes through Mengel Pass on Golar Canyon road.
Mengel Pass was named after Carl Mengel, a miner that had lost his limbs on the job but still continued to work until his death. His grave site is marked by stacked rocks at the top of the pass. Along the road there is a Geologist’s Cabin where you can stop to take a break or camp for the night. When we arrived, there were already 2 people set up to camp there. We told them about our plans to go through Mengel Pass that night and they were shocked. They were planning to go through Mengel Pass to Ballarat too but once the sun started going down they decided to wait until the morning. They told us about another cabin that we would be able to stay at, hinting that we should hold off crossing the pass until the morning as well. We did not heed their warning and continued on our way. As we continued down the canyon road, we watched the sun set behind the Panamint Range. It was dark by the time we arrived at Mengel Pass. Mengel Pass is a moderate to difficult rated (6/10 on onXoffroad) off-road trail that we should not have been doing in a stock vehicle. Especially not at night and by ourselves. The pass contains rocky terrain and deep ruts and high clearance vehicles are recommended as to not scrape the underbody. We approached our first large boulder and realized we had made a big mistake. Unfortunately, there was no room to turn around so we had to get over the humps in the road to get back to level ground. There were two sections of Mengel Pass which required some technical driving and in our case, luck. We were able to navigate over the first obstacle with just a few bumps and scrapes. The second obstacle took out both of our sidesteps, as one was already knocked
loose from the first obstacle. The sidestep brackets got caught in between a rock and we had to jump the car to launch us out of the crack and we dropped down on the second set of side steps. In hindsight, now we had a reason to get rock sliders. After we successfully crossed over the pass, the rest of the road, to our relief, was back to dirt and gravel.
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We arrived in Ballarat ghost town in the dark, contemplating camping there for the night. We were approached by a man that claimed to own part of the ghost town. He offered us moonshine and a place to camp but we were already sketched out by the day's events that we just wanted to be somewhere alone that night. When the man realized that we had just gone over Mengel Pass that night, by ourselves, in the stock Nissan Xterra, he was pleasantly surprised that we had survived without any serious issues and exclaimed that Enoch had “balls of steel.” After that interaction, we just wanted to find a quiet place to set up and pass out. We decided to drive back into the park and find an empty area on the northside of the park to camp. Another reason why Death Valley is great for overlanders: you are allowed to set up camp on any dirt road in the park as long as you are at least 1 mile away from a main or paved road. Other rules apply as well, like you must be 1 mile away from mining structures and 100 feet away from water sources. You are allowed to camp up 30 days in a year within the park. If you do decide to be off-grid for that length please be prepared for your stay. The summers are brutal and can be deadly. The best time of the year to visit Death Valley is in October to mid May.
Since Death Valley is super dry and remote, make sure to bring enough water for your stay. But regardless of where you go, always remember to bring emergency equipment, proper clothing for any type of weather, food and make sure somebody knows where you will be in case of an emergency. Take my story on Mengel Pass as a precaution to what could happen in Death Valley National Park when you’re not prepared. Please do better than we did.
ADVENTURES IN CAMP COOKING Oh wow, this camp recipe feature was a hit when it debuted last issue. We would love feedback (get it) on these recipes- if you prepare something you found in the magazine, tag us in the tasty pics! Email your favorite camp recipe to us at info.northologyadventures@gmail.com
SHEPHERDS PIE Cindy Pope @rockrivercindy I love one-pot meals while camping. This is a one-pot meal if you bring already-prepared mashed potatoes since they will heat up nicely in the Kovea Mini, dutch oven or covered pan. I don't, so I end up making instant mashed potatoes (cheap and easy) and have two cooking dishes to clean. Well worth it tho!
Shepherds Pie 1 lb ground beef 1/2 packet beef gravy mix 1-2 cups of frozen vegetables 2 cups mashed potatoes (I use instant) 1/2 cup shredded cheese Brown the ground beef and drain fat. Add the gravy mix, 1/2 c water, veggies and simmer for 5-10 min til water reduces and gravy thickens. Spoon prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the beef & veg mixture (I make the potatoes with my rocket stove while the beef mixture is simmering.) Top the mashed potatoes with the shredded cheese and cover to melt the cheese before serving.
1 cup all purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt 1 stick of butter soft 1 cup milk 1 cup sugar – you can use less sugar, this cake is pretty sweet 1 to 1 1/2 cups your choice of berries. Preheat the oven to 375F Mix together the dry ingredients, mix in butter butter and add milk last Save hand full of berries to sprinkle on the top. Folding in the rest of the berries Line the Dutch oven with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the parchment paper and sprinkle on saved berries top Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes. The cake is done when a knife comes out clean. *For the whipped cream topping I use ready whip or a pint of heavy cream, pour in a bowl add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, add powered sugar in until desired sweetness is reached. Whip that cream with your choice of mixing device. I recommend a Milwaukee drill with a whisk taped to the chuck. Whip until stiff.
DUTCH OVEN CAKE Jack Flood @flatbedtacoma
Biscuits & gravy Breakfast sausage 2 TBSP flour 1-2 cups milk Salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste Biscuits Brown 1/2 to 1 lb breakfast sausage in a skillet and remove from pan leaving grease for the gravy. Add 2 to 4 TBSP all purpose flour to the pan and stir with a whisk or fork. Cook for 1-2 min but do not allow it to "Brown." Gradually whisk in 1 to 2 cups of milk, or more as needed while constantly stirring until you get the consistency you prefer. Add back in the sausage. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Pour over biscuits. You can make home made or use the store bought kind in the tube. We prefer to bake them in our Omni Oven, or our Coleman Camp Oven.
BISCUITS & GRAVY Jill Carr @1941_adventures
1 tube crescent rolls or crescent dough sheet 1⁄4 cup sugar (you can also do sugar packets if they are easier to camp with) 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup powdered sugar 2 tbsp milk or water 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) Special Equipment - Metal baking rack like this or similar. - Aluminum baking pan Instructions 1. Heat Flat Top to Medium-Low Heat, place baking rack on one side. 2. Unroll your crescent rolls onto a cookie sheet or cutting board (or whatever surface you use for camp cooking), press together the seams to make one sheet of dough 3. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon and sugar all over the surface. 4. Starting with the long end of the dough, begin rolling the dough up using both hands and trying to keep it as even and tight as possible so the sugar doesn’t fall out. 5. Then start cutting, using a sharp knife, into 1inch rolls. I usually start by cutting the main log in half, then cut each of those pieces in half, then half again until you have 8 pieces. 6. Heat butter or ghee on your flat top and place cinnamon rolls spiral side down. Once they are golden brown (1-2 minutes depending on the temperature of your flat top), flip and brown the other side. 7. When both spiral sides are browned, remove to the baking rack and place an aluminum baking pan over the top to make a make-shift oven. Cook until they are no longer squishy, and no dough is raw inside (7-12 minutes depending on flat top temperature) 8. While the rolls are baking, start making the icing. We travel with the powdered sugar in a ziploc and then just add the water or milk right to it and smush it around until it is smooth. Then you can snip the corner off the bottom and use that to be fancy and frost your finished cinnamon rolls. If you don’t want to be that fancy, you can mix it in a bowl and dunk the finished cinnamon rolls in while eating.
FLAT TOP CINNAMON ROLLS Natalie Martin @natmartinmartin
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Ben taking in the Au Train River views
A Michigan Overland trip across the U.P.
When planning a Michigan Overland trip to pack in as much of the upper peninsula as possible, you know your'e in for for some serious seat time. Get ready for some laughs, fantastic views, bumpy backroads and some friendship around the campfire.
Jacqueline's car camping setup on the Au Train River
St. Ignace Munising Au Train Marquette L'Anse Houghton Gay Copper Harbor Eagle Harbor
The trip from the Mackinac Bridge and back
Ontanogan
was over 800 miles. Many came from
Lake of the Clouds
downstate Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois,
Baraga
adding huge numbers to the odometer. Totally
Republic
worth the price of admission!
The group camped one night at High Rock Bay ,and did their good deed for the weekend- emptying the trash bins provided by the Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition.
Above: the crew in Marquette Left: Chad helping Bruce with the awning on his Bill and Bruce pitching in to keep High Rock Bay clean
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Jim, Bill and Dave enjoying the sunset
We had to cover a lot of ground on Saturday to get to Lake of the Clouds then to the shores of the Michigamme
Above: lunch at the ore dock with Dave & Bruce
River. It was a hot day to end the trip, thanks for your hospitality at UP
Left: Jim enjoying a Jean Kay's pasty at the kitchen in his Patriot Camper.
Jeeping camp, Mark.
Below: Lake of the Clouds
In the end, the convoy put on a lot of miles, but the goal of the trip was to see certain things, special places, legendary views, and stuff our faces with sweet treats from the Jam Pot. It was about the destinations for sure but it really did make for one hell of a journey. Thanks to everyone who came along, that was one hell of a ride. -Cindy
P.S., it's all Jackie's fault.
WELDING, AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SANDBLASTING, PAINTING
TRAILS END CAMPGROUND RUSTIC CABINS & CAMPING 14203 M26 Copper Harbor, MI
OVERLAND MAN'S BEST FRIEND
TAILS OF THE TRAIL Since the first wolf creeped up to ancient man's campfire, we have been adventuring with canis lupus familiaris Here are a few shots of our favorite camp dogs.
Above: Daisy, 6 year old pit mix -Cait & Jordan Schutt
Opposite page: Bruna, Red Heeler -August Rich
Left: Granite & Trax -Ryan & Kristi Thomasson
Right: Bella, Black Lab -Jason Fletcher
Below: Rilley, German Short-haired Pointer -Mitch Rundle
Above left: Sadie, husky -Bill Hoffman
Above right: Daisy, beagle/ terrier mix & Libby, lab mix -Chad Pope
Right: Lexi, Jack Russel terrier & Riley, Great Dane mix -Todd Mowrer
BUSINESS PROFILE
Business Name: Beadlockers Founded: January 1, 2021 Owner: Clayton Schmeling 1621 S Wisconsin Drive Howards Grove, Wisconsin Website: www.beadlockers.com Phone: (920) 828-0129 Email: info@beadlockers.com
Beadlockers is an overland outfitter and off-road accessory shop located in Southeast Wisconsin. We offer products for anything off-road as well as professional grade expedition equipment from around the world. Beadlockers offers installation services for most off-road components. Our schedule for 2021 is booking fast and includes the Ozaukee County Fair, FlatFest at Madison International Speedway, K.O.A.R in Copper Harbor, MI and a brewing partnering with Tigerton OHV Park to offer a Beadlockers kiosk where people can purchase equipment at Tigerton for their onsite vehicle inspections.
I don't see the off-road/ overland community slowing down at all, if anything it is steam rolling most industries that offer the ability for people to get out and adventure on your own. When our family is not doing Beadlockers stuff, we are out enjoying nature ourselves or meeting up with friends and family in the overland community.
"I don't see the offroad/ overland community slowing down at all, if anything it is steam rolling most industries that offer the ability for people to get out and adventure on your own." -Clayton Schmeling
"...it’s the love of whitewater that ties it all together. " -Jason The Northology Adventures team spent an afternoon with the Maxbilt crew whitewater rafting at True North Outpost in Norway, Michigan. Joe Christensen guided our boat and Jason Pientka paddled safety in his kayak. You may remember Jason from the April issue where we previewed his fastest solo paddle attempt of the Wisconsin River. Here we catch up with Jason and learn the ins & outs of raft guide life, his river family and the mighty Menominee River.
Above: Joe at the helm Above right: Jason riffs the paddle guitar Right: Jason surfing the waves
Name: Jason Pientka (aka the green machine) and I have been paddle-a-holic for a dozen years Age: I'm 42 years young going on 17 Hometown: Spawned (born and raised) from Stevens Point Guides for: True North Outpost Did you always want to be a raft guide? I didn’t know I wanted to be a raft guide until 6 years ago when I trained on the Menonimee for a spring. As soon as I climbed in the back of the boat, I knew this was for me, but I had to finish raising my daughter before I could do it full time. I had been paddling class IV whitewater in a kayak when I saw something on facebook that put a bug in my ear. I realized that I could get paid to play in whitewater. What other duties do you have to do besides guiding rafts? As river manager in prior years, the duties were endless from van, raft, and gear maintenance to guide scheduling, etc., but since I’ve stepped back from that to leave weekends open for kayaking, my duties now include enjoying life and guiding Monday through Friday. As a guide, I get there early to prepare gear for the customers, load rafts based on group size, talk and suit up customers with well fitting gear and ensuring they’re in appropriate attire, safety speech in the van and on the river, and SHOW THEM THE BEST RIVER EXPERIENCE OF THEIR LIFE! Humor is a big part of it. Playing safety for the rest of the river crew when needed is an essential role for me, especially while the trainees are still green. Sometimes I ride along with trips in my kayak, sometimes I’m in the raft, and sometimes I’m holding a rope bag on shore, depending on the situation. I do the guide training in the spring too.
What's a day in the life like? Tell me about your work schedule PFFT, I wish I knew! I normally eat my breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one meal after my trip, and chase it down with a few drinks. Where do you live? “In a van DOWN BY THE RIVER” No just kidding. I live in a tent. In the woods. Down by the river. With a couch, big screen TV, recliner, solar panels, mini fridges…When I need loving and a shower, I stay with my loving adorable sexy paddler girlfriend Megan (who just might be transcribing this as I speak.) What is special about the Menominee? It’s a steady eddy river—I can always go rafting and kayaking. That’s a special thing in whitewater—it’s rare because usually it’s a game of being at the river at the right place at the right time at the right level. But on the Menominee, it is able to be paddled 99% of rafting season. It’s also the biggest commercially rafted river in the upper Midwest. Are you ever scared? Absolutely!!! There’s many situations in which I’m scared for my fellow paddlers and customers. Less often I’m scared for myself, but it is in being scared that you learn to take caution. Does the paddling by the customers actually help at all? Everything from solo paddling with 10 people to customers acting like the Olympic team helping me down the river...it’s all in a day’s work. It’s great when people can help power the boat, but I can certainly take a full boat down the river as the only competent paddler. I take pride in that. When you have better paddlers, you can take better lines and have the best hits into the biggest waves.
Do some people just suck at paddling? YES…..>sigh<…you have one hour to teach your army. Do the best you can. What makes a fun trip for you? For me in particular, I want people who come to have fun with me, who embrace the situation whether they’re scared or not. For the customers, BIG WATER = bigger fun. Having large groups of rafts interacting is always a more enjoyable experience. Some find it rewarding to have a single raft floating quietly down the river, but most people seem to enjoy river shenanigans like flipping rafts and throwing people out into the flat water. Do people get mad or happy when they fall out of the boat? Both. I don’t think most people are MAD, I think they’re scared. They may express that as anger sometimes, but it clearly comes from fear. Mostly, after a swim, people take it in stride and get a thrill out of telling and retelling the story, and sharing the videos and pictures. Of course, from time to time, there’s always a few bloody horror stories that I’d be happy to share sometime (wink.) I’d like to add that the river community is a huge part of this “job.” It’s less a “job” than a lifestyle, and it’s the river folk that make it so. The other guides are like family, and the trainees are like my children. Even when we talk shit about each other (lol), it’s the love of whitewater that ties it all together.
Joe says "paddle hard, paddle hard!"
A little excitement in Jason's boat
"...after a swim, people take it in stride and get a thrill out of telling and retelling the story, and sharing the videos and pictures." -Jason
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calendar submit your event at info.northologyadventures@gmail.com
JULY
7/10 Wanderlost/Northology Explorer/Overlander Meet-Up Meet-Up, Loves Park, IL 7/15-18- Crawl 4 the Cure Gilbert, MN 7/17 Performance Off-Road Open House / 4x4 Show or Shine Waukesha, WI 7/25 New Holland Overland Holly Oaks Day Trip / Meetup 7/25 Sunday Adventurers Meetup, Roscoe, IL
AUGUST
8/7 Subaru FL4T Fest, Madison, WI 8/7 Toyota Take-Over Silver Lake, Michigan
T
NOTHOLOGY ADVENTURES
Why did you choose this vehicle? Originally was looking for a capable SUV in a tight price range. Had been playing with a 2007 Nissan Sentra SER and this Xterra looked like a good stable mate. It has taken us far in our adventures from High Rock Bay to Infinity Downs Virginia out to Telluride and many places in between. What outdoor activities or hobbies do you have? Camping, Cycling, Kayaking, Hunting What is the next thing on the build list? Continued maintenance and maybe new tires. Where was your latest adventure? More American Rally Association races? Arizona? What drives you to adventure? How do you get there? We want to see and share all the rigs that get us out in nature! If you would like to have your vehicle profile included, email us at info.northologyadventures@gmail.com. Published submissions will receive a sticker swag thank you gift and be entered in our Rig of the Year contest in December.
Name: Jordan and Caitlin Schutt Hometown: Findlay, Ohio Vehicle: 2008 Nissan Xterra S DrivetrainEngine: AFE dry flow filter, Airlfow snorkel Transmission: Stock Transfer Case: Stock Front Axle: Stock Rear Axle: ARB Differential Breather Suspension/wheels/tiresSprings & Such: Old Man Emu HD suspension Tires & Wheels: 6x4.5 to 6x5.5 1.5” wheel adapters, 16x7 +39 offset Nismo TE37X wheels, 285/75/16 Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires Steering: OE Lighting: Totron 40” combo light bar, Diode Dynamics SAE fogs in amber, Diode Dynamics combo SS2 ditch lights in amber. Other Stuff: ARB front bumper, Maxterra jerry can rear bumper, White Knuckle sliders, Shrockworks differential cover, Rocky Mountain X front recovery points, Gobi Ranger Rack and ladder. The extrasARB RTT, ARB 2m Awning, ARB single piston on board air, ARB essentials recovery kit, ARB air up kit, ARB 47qt fridge, Warn VR10s Gen II winch, Maxtrax MKII x4 on a Bomber Products Trax Lock, Garmin Overlander, Cobra 75, Baofeng UV5R(s), too many Ram Mounts.
PHOTO BY Cindy Pope