Square Peg Expeditions

Tonight was answering an email from someone in the expo community I highly respect and growing friendship I cherish. I won’t let on who that was, if they chose they can post up on either the Facebook page or here on the blog.

An excellent point was made on fitting into the crowd. In Seth Godin’s work in “Tribes”. Seth contends that it is natural and in fact, people are desperate to believe in the elusive ‘something’ whether it’s religion, human rights, trail access, or in our case, adventure of places new and unique. unfortunately, there is a despair when the group is going nowhere, yet still committed to believing in the “one thing”. This is where it is essential for leadership in the Tribes equation.

There has been an exciting movement in the Overlanding Tribe, mainly with the Overland Expo event and the Expedition Portal forums. This has been a place for like-minded adventurers and expedition participants to meet and share ideas. But as many Tribes grow, there begins to be certain cliques that evolve. I have already noticed that in the forums there has been a minor divergence of “elitist” who have grown impatient with the weekend adventure postings, the “Jeepers”, rock-crawlers, and those mainly focused on just equipment enhancements.

This is an easy crowd to quickly feel like an outcast. Most of us have day jobs, work towards the few weeks a year we can get away from the boss, pull off an amazing adventure traversing a few states on dirt, maybe a smattering of weekend adventures, and all on a budget. Some of us get lucky and wind up doing a gear review or perhaps a sponsor. When compared to the guy who traverses Antarctica in a rig, the team that explores 5 continents in a year, or makes a pilgrimage to the Mayan ruins, well our feats can feel a bit small. On top of that, going to an annual rendezvous each year to learn about our discipline and not being accepted as equals can leave one a bit jaded.

Truth is for me, while it is a great commitment to unplug and travel the world, I have found it is even a greater commitment to stay plugged in. To be a father and committed husband. While I dream about going to great destinations, my destiny is to be there when my little girl needs a Daddy when she wakes from a bad dream.

I refuse to be labeled as an adventurer because of a $300 camp chair, $100 cooking pot, or $75 shirt. While we still use high-end gear where it makes sense, and will endorse high-end gear when it is something we honestly use, we will not allow product to define us. It’s not the vehicle, the rack, or even the places you go to explore. It is the spirit of adventure and exploration you choose to embrace.

I love the life I have and thankful for a company that financial supports my expeditions in exchange for my trade. I love being on the road with my family, but last night hanging out on a couch doing story time with my family was awesome.

We explore our backyards and backroads….we spend weekends not weeks on end. We traversed Idaho on dirt and probably had the same feeling as those who explored Africa by Land Rover.
In place of high-end sponsors, We have steady jobs that support our adventures, and in most cases understanding employers.
While the expo world has a standard for keeping food cool, we store our pantry in a Coleman we bought on sale, not a fridge from ARB unless we give up a few pleasures or get a great tax return.
Though an Africa to Asia tour may be not be on the horizon, just as many memories are made in finding a dirt road route to Arco a familiar place on a map.

There will be a day when many of us will do a third-world trip for an extended period of time. Some of us will get to spend several months traversing a new country. A few will have the opportunity to be professional transients. It is not those trips that make us explorers, for the adventures we live now will have already made us as that long before we step off.

No we don’t fit the mold…we are Square Peg Expeditions…we support our adventures through hard work and sacrifice…and we are about to ream out the round-hole world….

Our adventures define us…not the adventure cliques, clothes, or having the recognized brand…

From Don’t Tread On Me… to Tread Lightly

 

Very Cool– we have just become an OFFICIAL PARTNER of  Tread Lightly!

 

These are principles I grew up on before leaving only foot (or tire) prints was the cool thing– and my family was much more involved in preserving the outdoors long before granola types and tree fornicators came along. My Grandpa Turner was a huge protector of the environment and would throttle anyone who threw down a candy wrapper or beer bottle. He also used the woods for camping, fishing, and hunting. He hiked trails, chased game, and drove his pick-up…and he fought to protect the woods and deserts of Arizona from both types of extremist…goons and granolas.

 

So it is with pride we not only announce our new status as a PARTNER with Tread Lighly- but publish in our blog the official ethics of the outdoors here…

 

TIPS TO MINIMIZE A JEEP’S IMPACT

• Stay on routes designated for four wheeling. 
• Cross streams only at designated fording points, or where the road crosses the stream.
• Cross large rocks and other obstacles slowly, at an angle, one wheel at a time.
• Avoid muddy trails.  Leave them for another day when they’re dry.  If you do come across mud on the trail, go easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause rutting.  Don’t leave the trail to avoid muddy spots, this can widen the trail and damage trailside plant-life.
• Straddle ruts, gullies and washouts even if they are wider than your vehicle.
• Don’t turn around on narrow roads, steep terrain, or unstable ground. Backup until you find a safe place to turn around.
• Travel straight up or down hills. Don’t traverse the face of a hill; you may slip sideways or roll your vehicle.
• Stop frequently and reconnoiter ahead on foot.
• Ride in the middle of trails to minimize widening them. Avoid side-slipping and wheel spin, which can lead to erosion.
• To help with traction, balance your load and lower tire pressure to where you see a bulge (typically not less the than 20 pounds).
• Know where the differential or lowest point on the vehicle is.
• Choose the appropriate winch for your vehicle size.
• Attach towing cable, tree strap or chain as low as possible to the object being winched. Let the winch do the work; never drive the winch.
• Protect the soundscape by avoiding unnecessary noise created by your vehicle. 
• Leave gates as you find them. Respect private land.
• Yield the right-of-way to those passing you or traveling uphill. Yield to mountain bikers, hikers, and horses.
• Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife.
• Always avoid sensitive habitats: wetlands, meadows, and tundra.
• Following a ride, wash your vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.
• Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated “Wilderness.”
• Pack out what you pack in.  Carry a trash bag in your vehicle and pick up litter left by others.

 WHEN CAMPING

• Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents.
• Camp a least 200 feet from water, trails and other campsites.
• Minimize use of fire.  For cooking, try using a camp stove.

Soon you will find more tips and tricks to reducing impact and keeping access for all of us. There is also more tips are available at http://www.treadlightly.org

BEFORE YOU GO

• Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements. If you cross private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s).
• Get a map.
• Make a realistic plan and stick to it.  Always tell someone where you are going and your expected return time.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Make sure your vehicle is mechanically up to task. Be prepared with tools, supplies and spares for trailside repairs.
• Travel with a group of two or more vehicles, as riding solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation.