Northology Adventures April 2023

EPIC AURORA

Captures by readers and a tounge-incheek guide to seeing & shooting them

A GRAND ADVENTURE

An off-season trip may be the greatest overland adventure yet

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES

CLOSE TO HOME

An acronym of dubious character is a whole lot of Wisconsin fun,

APRIL 2023

ISSUE 4

VOLUME 4

SHOTS BY @1941 ADVENTURES

RESPONSIBLE NOT BORING

Trustus,,we’vebeendoingitfor30years!

For over 30 years, Tread Lightly! has been promoting responsible recreation through trail clean ups, restoration projects and education, keeping our public lands healthy, accessible and open for all to enjoy.

Whether you are an individual, a club or a business, you can join the Tread Lightly! movement. Do it today!

For more information on the impact we’re having and to join us on this journey, drive on over to www.treadlightly.org.

A MONTHLY REVIEW OF PRODUCTS TESTED IN THE

BY DAVID ZEMLA

SOFTOPPER TRUCK BED COVER

Bed covers have become something of a polarizing accessory, often existing somewhere between grandpa truck and plumber necessity in the eyes of truck enthusiasts. Even the name has some conflict around it Is it a shell? A topper? A bed cover? A camper? That may actually depend on where you are in the country, for the sake of this discussion, let’s stick with topper.

Covering up and keeping dry all the junk that can be stored in a truck bed is no small task and can cost four figures in a heartbeat It can also create a serious inconvenience when your cargo is larger than the topper. Take it off? That’s a multi person job and then where do you put it? This conundrum is where the soft sided toppers really shine

Originally brought to market by Bestop and later perfected by Softopper (ironically, Softopper was purchased by Bestop in 2019) the soft sided and retractable cover checks a whole lot of overlander boxes The two ply sailcloth does an excellent job of keeping cargo dry in rain and snow and the vinyl windows happily tolerate freezing temps, sand, rocks and the occasional car wash

FIELD

Install is a relatively simple layout of rails clamped to the factory bed and a retractable aluminum frame wrapped in three parts of heavy sailcloth. The front and rear panels zip to the main cover with double pull zippers (accessible inside and out) Both front and rear are fastened to the body with large strips of velcro Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the velcro attachment in the rear, but it ends up being very effective and as you may anticipate, fairly easy to use

Retracting the topper involves opening the rear panel and pulling a pin out of each of the support beams The entire assembly folds forward and is held in place with a supplied strap. A tidy little arrangement for the times when a topper is not necessary The sides and rear panel can also be rolled up and secured for easy access

Lightweight, under a grand, a breeze to install and easy to use We’ll give the Softopper a 8/10 on the the Northology Torture Tested scale Losing a point for having to put velcro on painted surfaces and for not really following the lines of the cab (it’s narrower ) Versions are available for a fair number of truck models and they even come in black, gray and tan GIVING BACK to

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adventure Spring into

Tips for an Epic Camping Season!

by ANTONIO APONTE

Spring is a great time for camping, with milder weather and fewer crowds than the summer months Here are some tips for camping during the spring:

Check the weather: Spring weather can be unpredictable, so make sure to check the forecast before you go and pack accordingly Be prepared for rain and colder temperatures, especially at night Choose your campsite carefully: Look for campsites with good drainage to avoid flooding, and avoid low-lying areas or spots near rivers that may be prone to flooding during spring rains

Bring appropriate gear: Pack warm clothing, waterproof jackets, and sturdy shoes or boots to keep your feet dry Bring a tent with good ventilation to prevent condensation buildup, and make sure your sleeping bag is rated for the expected temperatures

Be prepared for bugs: Spring is also the time when insects start to come out, so bring insect repellent and a bug net if necessary.

Watch out for wildlife: Spring is mating season for many animals, so be aware of your surroundings and avoid disturbing wildlife Keep food stored properly to prevent attracting bears or other animals

Plan for shorter days: In the spring, the days are shorter than in the summer, so plan your activities accordingly and make sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp for after-dark activities

Check out the Yota Trails website and sign up for their newsletter to receive notifications on upcoming blog posts.

Leave no trace: Always practice Leave No Trace principles when camping, and be especially careful during the spring when trails and campsites may be more fragile due to the wet conditions.

By following these tips, you can have a safe and enjoyable camping experience during the spring months

...avoid low-lying areas or spots near rivers that may be prone to flooding during spring rains.

THE GRAND ADVENTURE

BY UP JEEPING

Following the north rim of the grand canyon in March might be one of the greatest overland adventures I've done to date. No tour buses full of people, no pave-

ment, no pre-packaged adventure, only miles and miles of dirt roads. I really wasn't prepared for the amount of miles required to get anywhere though. It seemed as though everything was at least 50 miles away, including fuel. With the JK only having a comfortable range of 200 miles off road, it made for some challenging route planning. If I were to do it again I'd bring at least an extra 10 gallons of fuel. In the Grand Canyon-Parashant national monument alone there are roughly 6000 miles of unpaved roads through a million acres of different landscapes. There is a seemingly infinite combination of roads for route planning or just winging it. I spent a majority of my time in the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, mainly because dispersed camping was allowed throughout the area. Once in the national park camping required reservations and permits which made it more difficult to have an unplanned adventure. One thing to really watch out for in the late winter to early spring months is the weather, you can go from sunny and warm to blizzard and impassable muddy roads.

My trip started with fueling up in St. George, UT and heading South just over 70 miles to Whitmore Canyon. Along the way there are several opportunities to stop and check out different historical attractions. I stopped at the restored Mount Trumbull schoolhouse, which was used from 1922 to 1966 as a school, church, dance hall, and town hall. It was a very interesting first stop and worth checking out, it was filled with pictures and history about the area. From here out the roads got progressively worse, or better? I took this opportunity to drop down my tire pressure for the rest of the week, I like to drop down to around 15psi. I continued South past Bar 10 Ranch and Whitmore “international airport” down to my first camping spot at Whitmore Canyon. I’d guess this particular spot is one of the more popular overlanding spots as it was pretty much the only place I camped with other people around. So be prepared for company even in the off season. The road to Whitmore Canyon descends 1,500 feet over 7 miles across an ancient lava flow to the viewpoint and camping area.

From here out the roads got progressively worse, or better?

Heading out of the canyon the next morning involved a few miles of backtracking to get back up to the Bar 10 Ranch where I turned off on a small road heading North-East into the Mount Logan Wilderness area. The road gets progressively rougher and turns into a not very well traveled mountain pass for ORV’s and side by sides. But it’s still on

the map and it’s still legal ! The road gains almost 5000 feet of elevation from my campsite at Whitmore Canyon to roughly 7000 feet at its highest point, 4 low and rear locker was needed more than once as I climbed the pass between Petty Knoll (7520ft) and Slide Mountain (7572ft). The destination for today was the Nampaweap Petroglyph trailhead for a short hike.

Left, Whitmore Canyon

Below, Heading out of the desert into the mountains.

The road gains almost 5000 feet of elevation from my campsite at Whitmore Canyon to roughly 7000 feet at its highest point, 4 low and rear locker was needed more than once as I climbed the pass

Near the highest part of the pass, suddenly I'm back in Michigan!

Getting to the petroglyph site requires a short 1.5 mile round trip hike through an ancient canyon of Basalt lava flows. It’s believed this canyon was an important route from the Grand Canyon to the abundant resources located in the higher elevations around Mt. Trumbull. The petroglyphs are estimated to be between 1,500 and 10,000 years old. It's one of the largest sites in the area with hundreds of symbols carved into the rocks. After leaving this area I realized I needed to get some fuel as soon as possible, and according to my maps the closest fuel was 50 miles North on Hwy 389. I definitely cut it too close for comfort getting to this fuel stop, you really need to be prepared here for some long distances without fuel stops.

Heading down the East side of the pass towards Nampaweap

My next destination was Kanab Point, 50 miles south into the Grand Canyon National park. This area felt like it didn’t receive much traffic besides ranchers and grazing livestock. The roads were small 2 tracks, with very old looking road signs every so often. But once again the drive was totally worth it! I made it out to Kanab Point pretty late in the afternoon and had the whole place to myself. One thing to note is while dispersed camping is technically allowed in the national park, you need to apply for permits ahead of time, unlike the Grand Canyon-Parashant national monument. So with darkness closing in and no camping permits, and no cell phone service, and no one around, I decided to rest for a few hours and get some sleep. I definitely was not camping, just waiting until the sun came up to continue on.

My next destination was Kanab Point, 50 miles south into the Grand Canyon National park. This area felt like it didn’t receive much traffic besides ranchers and grazing livestock. The roads were small 2 tracks, with very old looking road signs every so often. But once again the drive was totally worth it! I made it out to Kanab Point pretty late in the afternoon and had the whole place to myself. One thing to note is while dispersed camping is technically allowed in the national park, you need to apply for permits ahead of time, unlike the Grand Canyon-Parashant national monument. So with darkness closing in and no camping permits, and no cell phone service, and no one around, I decided to rest for a few hours and get some sleep. I definitely was not camping, just waiting until the sun came up to continue on.

I felt a million miles away from everyone here

The next morning I started heading back towards the West on a maze of trails through many miles of pastures before finally coming out on the main road to Toroweap point. This area is the main visitor area for the North side of the national park. Even in March there was still a staffed ranger station to check in and out. I showed my national park pass, got some information on road conditions and where to go. There is a rustic campground with toilets, Tuweep campground, but according to the park ranger I would have had to make a reservation online in advance to use the campground… Seriously? I’m here and it's completely empty! Also with a campground so close there was no dispersed camping allowed. I decided not to test this out as the park rangers do sweeps of the area, I ran into one of them as i was heading out.

Toroweap point

After Leaving Toroweap I noticed the sky looked a little ominous. I had planned to head back to higher elevations out of the national park and camp somewhere near Mt. Trumbull. The further I drove the worse the weather became. And here is the thing to remember about this whole area, this is also pointed out in bold red type on the NPS guides and online, After snow or heavy rain all roads in this area are impassible until dry. As soon as this ground gets wet it turns into the slickest, stickiest mud I've ever seen, it's like driving on greased up ball bearings on a sheet of ice. Your only option at this point is to find a place to camp and hope the temps drop enough to freeze up the roads so you can drive out in the early morning. So with that I found a nice spot to wait out the storm through the night, and hopefully make it back to the Mt Trumbull schoolhouse in the morning and eventually back to St. George.

The next morning road conditions did not improve! The mud was relentless and stuck to everything, it made for a very slow go of things. The road from Tuweep back to Mt. Trumbull school house is a mountain pass and turns into a shelf road with a few steep sections and several switchbacks, it was a fairly stressful slightly uncontrolled slide down most of the way. It felt like I had several hundred pounds of mud on the Jeep at the end of the day. I didn’t make it back to St. George until late in the afternoon so I found a little chunk of BLM land with a few other campers to spend the night just outside of town. The next day all that mud dried into cement… Let me tell you, I dropped $20 at a car wash and just destroyed that wash bay!

So would I do it again? Yes, no questions asked. I think March is a great time of year to visit the area as long as you stay on top of the road and weather conditions as they

can change drastically in a very short amount of time. These roads will put a stock SUV or truck to the test, even the main roads. The closer you get to the Grand Canyon the more rugged the roads become with sharp rocks, wash outs, steep climbs, and descents. It’s still pretty easy to do an unplanned adventure in the national monument, I literally just looked at my map and thought to myself “that looks interesting”. If you want to camp in the actual national park you’ll need to plan ahead and make reservations or get permits. Also watch you fuel, the distances you need to cover are vast and fuel is 50 to 70 miles away at any given point. Lastly, be prepared for anything! There is no cell service out here and in the off season the chances are pretty slim that you will run across anyone to help you out so you could be stranded for a while! Don’t let not having a plan stop you from an amazing adventure. You can’t fail at having an adventure unless you don’t go!

“You don't even know where I'm going."

"I don't care. I'd like to go anywhere.”

― John Steinbeck

how to adventure together ...and stay married

By Cindy Pope

So, you and your better half are planning an overlanding adventure, eh? Or maybe just a mild weekend in the boonies? That's great news! You're about to embark on a journey that will test your relationship in ways you never thought possible But don't worry, I'm here to give you some tips on how to keep the love alive while roughing it in the great outdoors

Before we begin, a little background and tip of the hat to this article's inspiration Many years ago, a class on paddling with your spouse was offered by Whitewater Specialty, an outfitter in northern Wisconsin near the wild and scenic Wolf River. It was listed in their annual course schedule as "How to Paddle Whitewater Tandem and Stay Married" It is a well-known fact that paddling a canoe with your spouse is a sure-fire way to test one ' s relationship. I mean, you have to actually communicate and work together before a paddle takes even one stroke in the water. Add the element of danger, and the possibility that one or both of you will end up out of the boat (most likely in a rapid with words like"bane," or "mistake" or "demise" in its name) and you may as well have already called the attorney.

Make a packing list together.

Before you head off into the sunset, make sure you and your spouse are on the same page when it comes to packing. Sit down together and make a list so you don't end up with a truck bed full of stuff you don't need, or worse yet, forget the keys to the scooter that you so carefully rigged in the back of your truck or loaded on the bike carrier of your teardrop trailer.

Agree on a budget.

Money is a touchy subject for some couples, but it's important to set a budget before you are in line at the Jam Pot having an arguement in front of strangers about 12 pint jars of $18 thimbleberry jam Make sure you ' re both comfortable with how much you ' re gonna blow and stick to it

Divide responsibilities.

Manage expectations of the work load Divide up the chores so you ' re both pulling your weight Lean to each other's strengths Don't assign cooking duties to the one who can't boil water, and make sure you ' re not giving the GPS duties to the one who can't tell left from right

Communicate

This is especially important when you ' re stuck in a tiny truck cab for days on end. Make sure you ' re expressing your needs and wants, and listening to your partner's or else you might end up sleeping in the truck. Also, if your spouse is spotting you on a trail, make sure you have your language down and understood before you need it. "Your Other Left" is not a direction.

Take breaks.

You love each other, but sometimes you just need some space. Take breaks from each other when necessary. Maybe go for a hike, walk the dogs or just stare at a tree for a while. Rearrange the pantry or "clean" your toolbox. Trust me, absence makes the heart grow fonder (or at least tolerable )

Keep a sense of humor.

Things are gonna go wrong, that's just a fact But don't let the unexpected ruin your mood When your dinner is burned to a crisp, laugh it off! Who needs a working stove when you ' ve got fire and a can of beans? (Note: that can of beans can ignite a firestorm later in the tent, tread lightly )

Embrace the adventure.

Take risks, try new things, and enjoy the journey with your spouse Not everything will go right, but that is okay You might run out of gas You might have to take an emergency dump alongside the highway during a tornado. You might end up lost, but at least you'll be lost together.

In summary, keeping your marriage strong while adventuring requires teamwork, communication, and a whole lot of laughs. Chad and I never did take that class on tandem whitewater paddling. We did take three whitewater trips together in the almost 25 years we have been married, and survived each one. Although I am pretty sure that on each one, he was wishing for some alone time. That he would have enjoyed right after drowning me.

"Its not an andventure until something goes wrong"

-Yvon Choinard

The Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail

"An Unfortunate Acronym"

by Tim Matuszak

From Wyalusing State Park all the way to basically the northern most point in Wisconsin near the city of Cornucopia; the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail did not disappoint. The trail was put together piece by piece from citizen(s) who wanted to explore WI in a more rustic and scenic way Originally meant to be explored on a motorcycle, new overland routes have been developed to explore in a 4x4 truck/suv.

The route lead us through the driftless area of NE Iowa/ SW Wisconsin where we encountered various hilly roads, some of which were somewhat difficult to trek. In fact one portion of the trail lead us deep into the hills off-road where we encountered a “road closed” portion; deciding against our better judgement we went through it anyway and came out alive

After spending the night at the beautiful Wyalusing State Park, our adventure continued on to lead us through Amish country with many miles of unpaved and horseshit covered roads. The isolated rolling hills of Amish country was an enjoyable ride.

Furthering on northward the trail became narrower, the trees more coniferous, and the unpaved roads more like forest service/ATV trails. We stayed one night in the Black River State Forest at Pegeon Campground having but one other neighbor in the area. However the next night was so secluded we would have nothing but the stars and wildlife for company. In the Middle of the ChequamegonNicolet national forest was Stockfarm bridge campground where we would enjoy our dinner and night sans human civilization. The next stretches of the trail were quite sandy and lead us to our most technical and difficult path. Pictures and videos do not do it justice but it was pretty steep, very bumpy, and if either one of us were to make a mistake and slip to the right we would have been in a 2-3 foot deep crevice. The Land Rover Defender and 4Runner took it like champs This was the most fun off roading I’ve experienced in the truck thus far.

Almost to the top of Wisconsin we decided to make lunch in the very cute and nice town of Bayfield at Dalrymple Park and campground. Little did we know we’d be coming back to stay for our last night as we all decided the campgrounds further north were unsuitable for our boujee needs lol.

The ride home was about 5 hours obviously taking highways It’s crazy to think we made this trip last 4-5 days taking all back roads/atv trails/forest service pathways, enjoying the scenery, and making memories when you can easily skip it by taking the highway. The advantage to taking a 4x4 truck/suv is that you can explore these trails unlike towing an RV/trailer To me the experience is what it’s all about and towing a home just to find an area to park 10ft away from people just doesn’t do it for me, people suck lol

Before we set off I somewhat had ideas of who would play what role I didn’t mind meal prepping and being the cook/chef as I enjoy it. I had my trusty Coleman propane stove and cast iron skillet to cook everything from fajitas and stirfrys to brats and burgers. It was all delicious if I don’t say so myself.

Navigator and already a veteran of the trans wi adventure trail Spencer Faikel in his #landroverdefender lead the way and I couldn’t have been more thankful. He used the #gaiagps app and shared the file with me making me feel more comfortable as well seeing where we are going. It’s always comforting being with someone who has been on the route before and now that I have done it, I would love to be a guide for anyone else who wants to do the trail in the future.

Bartender and all around great travel buddy James Brown kept the adventure alive and full of spirit. He helped with watching the dogs and kept a watchful eye of any potential predator threats.

The #4runner did great and had zero issues along the way. I was a bit nervous something would rattle off but everything was tight and secure and nothing came loose. This was a good trial run for future treks out west. The entire trek clocked about 1200 miles and averaging 18.8mpg. Considering how much stuff I had in/on the vehicle isn’t that bad. With the roof top tent I was expecting the wind noise to become annoying but inside the 4Runner cabin it really isn’t that

white rim trail

by Steve Truax

The White Rim Trail is a 100-mile-long trail in Canyonlands National Park, Utah To traverse it requires high clearance vehicles and must also have low range

During the GoneMoab event in 2022 it was mentioned that very few permits were being used for the White Rim Trail in the winter months. After various discussions, it was established that several people were interested in a winter White Rim Trail run.

Dan and I kept in touch about this and other potential trips we would like to take. Sometime in early October, after Dan had done some significant research on the White Rim Trail, it was determined that we would need to act sooner than later to make sure that we could lock in our desired camp sites. I contacted several people whom I felt might be interested in going on this d nture Cody replied that he wanted to join us As no lse committed to go, and with and with onlands requirements that a group has a maximum ee vehicles, our group was defined Dates were set e 5, 6, & 7th of December Dan proceeded with g in the camp sites and securing permits Trip ing kicked into high gear

nal plan was that I would meet Dan in Kansas at State Park and we would travel together from that Cody would meet us at the Canyonlands visitor r as he lived only a half day away.

items needed to be purchased for the trip and secure food, drink, etc. I bought chains that would 35” BFG’s and lots of hand warmers. I also had to o put on a few miles on the new gear set in the differential to make sure everything was good to fore the trip. There is no service station on the trail .

December 2nd, I was traveling to meet Dan in Scott City, KS, when he called me to tell me he was in a black put because of the 50+ mph winds and dust We agreed it was probably not a good idea to camp that night He found a hotel vacancy with a couple rooms where we stayed to wait out the wind

December 3rd, the wind died down by morning and we could proceed on our way We stopped at Dan’s favorite restaurant, “Kip’s”. We asked a waitress if she knew of any nearby dispersed camping spots. She knew of a spot so after some great fish tacos we headed to our next camp site. It was already dark by the time we got there (thanks to the time of year!). We really were not sure what we were getting into. We found what we thought was a nice spot, setup and called it a day. It wasn’t late, but cold enough that a sleeping bag sounded good. During the night I heard a few vehicles and a weird sound which continued all night The next morning, I looked out to see a beautiful view After getting out of my roof top tent and looking around some, I saw the source of the weird noises during the night An electric power line directly above our trucks Temps had been in the 20’s at night and 30’s during the day

December 4th, we made or way to our next camp site just out of Canyonlands National Park. The Camp was called “Cowboy Campground”. We got there early enough to setup camp and have a look around while stretching our legs. Got some cool pics.

We really were not sure what we were getting into. We found what we thought was a nice spot, setup and called it a day.

December 5th, we met Cody at the visitor center in Canyonlands as planned We said our hello’s and finalized permits and fees Off we went to finally get on the trail The beginning of the trail is Shafer trail The road snakes its way down to the valley floor with a lot of switch backs Our first camp was Gooseberry-B at about mile 30 We had plenty of time to take in the winter views and explore offchute trails and camps We had rain, snow, and sunshine throughout the day Temps now in the 30’s at night and 40’s to 50’s during the day December 6th, our second trail camp was Candlestick. We had snow throughout the night. Because we didn’t have as many miles to go to our next camp, we got to sleep in a little and take some time before hitting the trail. More beautiful scenery. All of us kept saying how this time of year was so different than during prime 4x4 months

December 6th, our second trail camp was Candlestick. We had snow throughout the night. Because we didn’t have as many miles to go to our next camp, we got to sleep in a little and take some time before hitting the trail. More beautiful scenery. All of us kept saying how this time of year was so different than during prime 4x4 months.

December 7th, we had a few steep climbs and narrow trails on the way to our third camp called Hardscrabble. We had gotten there early enough in the day that Cody decided he would head out of the park and go on to home. He was having some inspection issues with his new home. Dan and I continued on an off-chute trail, which ended up being an in and out. Then we headed out of the park. As we traveled, it continued to snow. I didn’t think much of it except for a few slippery clay areas Then the trail narrowed and got steeper, and steeper, and narrower, ultimately down to a singlevehicle width with switchbacks and drop offs! I thought to myself that we weren’t even halfway up yet and probably had several miles to go up Being from Wisconsin, and knowing we had run into some clay earlier, I was getting a little uneasy about continuing I stopped and told Dan that I wanted to walk up a little to check out what the trail was like up ahead He asked what would we do if we didn’t continue? In my head I was thinking of saying “ we wouldn’t fall off the 2,000 ft drop”. What I actually did say was “back all the way down”. After looking at the trail surface ahead, we continued to go up. By the way, if you do this in summer months watch out for vehicles coming down with rafts on trailers! We did finally make it to the top and to the main road. Dan said he had never seen me shy away from any obstacle before with my Xterra ��. We headed back to Moab for the night.

In my head I was thinking saying “ we wouldn’t fall off the 2,000 ft drop”. What I actually say was “back all the way dow

December 8th, after we completed White Rim Trail, Dan and I knew that we would have some extra time. We stopped at the Canyonlands Visitor Center and asked if anyone there knew of another trail that wasn’t closed, that we could take. Because we then had a good night’s sleep in a warm hotel, Dan and I set out to Lockhart Canyon

It had frozen overnight The gravel roads to the trail were very muddy It was a beautiful sunny day and we had nothing to do but explore We worked our way up over a ridge and down into a valley There were a few tight switchbacks coming down and some slight confusion on what turns to take; however we found our way to Lockhart Canyon The trail seemed ok for a short while and then became quite technical We had been passed by some rental side by sides They had stopped ahead of us and were walking the trail father ahead. We also went walking to determine how difficult the trail was going to get. After a short distance both Dan and I agreed that this was beyond our vehicle’s capability, or at least beyond what we wanted to do because we still had to drive back home. At that point we headed back to Moab. We decided to check out the Needles area of Canyonlands on our way back and found a camp site in that area.

December 9th, we woke up and it was the coldest night yet Dan and I ate breakfast and tried to warm up Then decided to start heading home We made it to John Martin Reservoir in Hasty, CO We pulled in very late (or it seemed very late because of driving all day) We set up camp in the dark and got in our roof top tents The wind howled all night long I got up once during the night to move my Xterra 180 degrees hoping my RTT would handle the wind better It was cold! We got up in the morning and I couldn’t keep my hands warm enough to close the RTT We decided to head for town to get something to eat there. Before we got to a town, our routes split and both of us were headed onward to our homes.

We all enjoyed this trip. And are already planning for a 2023 December trip.

Hope to see you on the trail.

Steve Truax

USE CODE "BOREAL" FOR 15% OFF YOUR PURCHASE

THE EVENT OF THE DECADE?

For those that knew where to look and how to capture the Northern Lights, one night in March was an epic event for midwesterners searching the skies for the aurora. Here we share some reader photos of that event.

PHOTO BY UP @JEEPING

IPHONE SHOTS BY CHRIS BACARELLA @CHRISBACARELLA

IPHONE SHOTS BY CHRIS BACARELLA @CHRISBACARELLA

SHOTS BY @UPJEEPING

SHOT BY @1941 ADVENTURES

SHOT BY RUSS PIPER

SHOT BY @1941 ADVENTURES

THE AURORA What are you even doing?

The question gets asked daily in the various facebook groups dedicated to hunting the elusive Aurora Borealis. "Will I be able to see the lights (insert "tonight, next Tuesday, or next fall on my trip to ?")

While it is possible to predict the likelihood of auroral activity, it is difficult to predict exactly when and where the Northern Lights will be visible on any particular night. The Aurora is affected by many different factors, are typically only visible in certain locations and under specific conditions, and like all natural phenomena, they can be difficult to predict with complete accuracy. Sorta like predicting what kind of mood your spouse will be in when you tell them you are going out for hours on end to "hunt for the Aurora." While scientists continue to study and learn more, there is still much that is not fully understood about the Northern Lights, or marital relationships for that matter.

Avid aurora photographer and advocate of dark skies, Angela Botner, so kindly gave us permission to share her take on how to see them and what to do with your camera when you do in these helpful, tongue-in-cheek charts.

If you missed the latest Aurora super show on March 23, I assume your spouse wasn't having any of your bullshit Or you were in the wrong place at the wrong time According to Earthsky org, "people reported seeing the aurora as far south as Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Virginia " Poor souls in a line stretching from central Iowa east to the lower peninsula of Michigan were not as lucky A cloud bank hung over the area all evening, dashing any hopes of seeing the aurora except as a faint glow for a fleeting moment LAME

For those that did see the lights, it was an amazing experience (or so I gather from the hundreds of gushing photographers littering up my social media feed that night.)

Angela Bottner told us that she had a unique vantage point for viewing and capturing the show- over open water. She lives on a springfed lake and grabbed some amazing shots.

Angela also told us about efforts to create a Dark Sky Park in Northwestern Wisconsin. You can learn more about that and support the project at NW Wisconsin Dark Sky Park Project

Angela talks about the abundance of wildlife, especially birds that visit the lake she lives on-

No birds were hit with sticks in the course of our research on this subject. "Douglas County Wildlife Area is located between Solon Springs and Gordon in Douglas County. The property is approximately 4,005 acres of pine barrens. Bird life is dominated by species, which require extensive open landscapes." - Wisconsin DNR

"You can throw a stick and hit an eagle around here."

It's show time, and the vendors are prepping for another season of expos, shows, rendezvous, rallys, meetups and more. As attendees, here are a few points or pleas that we would like to make to vendors

DEAR EXHIBITOR,

KNOWYOUR STUFF PONY UP

As attendees, we come to overland shows and expos to learn about new products and get expert advice. It is important that you have in-depth knowledge of your products and can answer our questions and provide guidance on how they can be used

OPENUP

Attendees may feel intimidated by the range of products and expertise on display at overland expos Being approachable and engaging with attendees can help build rapport and make them feel comfortable asking questions and learning more about your products

LISTENTO FEEDBACK

Offer show-exclusive discounts or promos. Attendees are looking to make purchases during overland shows. Offering discounts or promotions exclusively to attendees can be a great way to incentivize purchases and generate excitement around your products

SHOWUSWHAT YOUGOT

Provide hands-on demonstrations: Many overland products are complex and require a certain level of technical knowledge to use effectively Hands-on demos are an effective way to showcase how products work and give attendees a chance to see them in action.

ROLLOUTTHE WELCOMEMAT

Shows can be overwhelming and exhausting for attendees. Providing a welcoming environment with comfortable seating areas, refreshments, and a friendly atmosphere can help attendees relax and spend more time engaging with your products.

Attendees may provide valuable feedback on your products, pricing, or overall booth experience Take this feedback into consideration and use it to improve your offerings and your booth in the future. A Northology infographic. NorthologyAdventures.com

CALL TO ACTION Let’s secure public access to High Rock forever! Together we can help the DNR add 160 acres—a critical outdoor recreation corridor—to public lands at the tip of the Keweenaw This parcel contains over half a mile of the Keweenaw Point Trail, almost half a mile of High Rock Bay Road, and more!

Although this land is currently used, there are no road or trail easements in place, and that means at any time those routes could be closed! KORC has worked over the last 3 years to secure a deal with the current landowner The DNR has some funds reserved for this acquisition, but not enough to close the deal by March 31, 2023 KORC will be pledging funds donated by our members in December, but we still have more to raise to make up the funding gap

That’s where we all step in and step up! Copper Harbor Trails Club and a private foundation have generously offered to match every donation dollar-for-dollar, so whatever you are able to contribute, your donation will be matched 1:1 by these funding sources!

View the full details of the Call to Action here: bit.ly/korc-highrock

Contribute your matched donation today at www.keweenawoutdoorrecreation.org/support

WC4WDUPDATE

The Wisconsin Coalition of Four Wheel Drives is preparing for a busy upcoming season of fun family friendly activities We have trail rides, work weekends at the Mole Laketrailsystem,traildevelopmentatQuarryMeadowsOff RoadPark,Meet&Greets,4WDtrailrideevents,anda spattering of other activities Check out our calendar at https://www.wc4wd.com/event-calendar/ or on our facebookeventspage.

Our Spring Membership meeting and Meet & Greet is just aroundthecorneronApril15thatHolidaysinAppleton,WI.

Meet & Greet starts at 10:30am with a prize drawing after lunch.Stopinandlet’sgettoknoweachother!

April 22nd we are hosting a Recovery training event at QuarryMeadowsleadbyprofessionaltowtruckdriverPhil Muth from I90 Enterprises. We have a few spots open yet buttimeislimitedtosignup.

We are also excited to collaborate with the overland communityandgettoknowmoreaboutthisevergrowing recreation It would be great if we could work on an event or2thisseasonwiththisawesomecommunity

Interested in a training event, look us up We have opportunities for USFS certified chain saw safety, first aid, traildevelopment&sustainablemaintenancejusttolista few Let us know if there is some thing your community is interested in learning more about, feel free to reach out, our team members have countless hour in 4WD recreationalactivities.

TimDuenkel President WC4WD

“LetsMakeTrails”

Welcome to the CABIN

We don't always camp and we definitely have standards when it comes to non-camp lodging. Chain hotels? No Haunted log cabins? Maybe Never-remodeled-or-upgraded-in-60-years? Only if it's kitschy enough! We do love the rustic, the quirky, the historic, the off-the-beaten-path stays In this monthly feature we review some of the places we have stayed and give you an honest opinion

We are compiling a listing of our favorite Hipcamps, Air bnbs, cabins, lodges, yurts, whatever- if its fun, fresh or funky, we will let you know.

If you are an establishment owner, please reach out and let us know about your place, we want to find the unique and share it with other adventurous travelers! If you are a traveler who wishes to submit review, please email us immediately!

GORDON FIRE TOWER CABIN

You heard that right- there is a cabin in northwest Wisconsin with a firetower on site "The only rental of its kind east of the Rocky Mountains! Relax in the rustic single room cabin at the Gordon Firetower! This charming cabin is located at the historic Gordon Firetower. RV electric hookup available on site. You will need to bring everything you would on a camping trip. This is camping with style!" Guests have access to the entire property. cabin, firetower, and immediate area, and the tower overlooks the St Croix watershed and offers "the most scenic view of ALL Wisconsin firetowers." Check availability and book on AirBnB.

LODGING HIGHLIGHT- APRIL'S SUGGSETED STAY

Rockford Ski Club

ILLINOIS Callie's Lake & Campground KENTUCKY

MICHIGAN

Fresh Coast Cabins Eagle Harbor

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Copper Harbor

Trails End Copper Harbor

The Outpost Big Bay

Join the Northology Adventures Facebook group to continue discussions on topics& articles each month

SUBSCRIBER DRAWING

SWAG PACK WINNER

Hooray! You found the drawing winner name for February! If this is you, email us to confirm that this is your email and we will send your prize! If this is not you, check the next issue to see if you won All magazine subscribers are automatically entered in the monthly drawings so sign up for your free subscription today! Email us to claim prize at info northologyadventures@gmail com

CAMP GEAR PICKS

GUEST SETUP & GEAR SPOTLIGHT

SARAH MICHALS

We will occasionally be highlighting gear reviews and content from guest bloggers, writers and other content creators

This month we feature photographer and adventurer Sarah Michals. Sarah breaks down her camping setup and evolution, talks about her cooking and coffeemaking utensils and what she uses to keep her food cold and her devices charged on the road and at camp.

She also talks about how she finds great campsites and her favorite apps and resources for finding routes and information

Check out the whole story in Sarah's blog (see the underlined text link at the right) and let us know if you have gear reviews, handy camping tips or info we can share with others by emailing us at info northologyadventures@gmail com

"Camping is one of my favorite outdoor activities. The thrill of being outside in a total submersion of nature actually brings me a sense of calm It is a stark reminder for me to slow down and enjoy my surroundings in the moment.

There are so many amazing options for camping - whether you ’ re into private campgrounds, County and State Park camping or dispersed campsites, you can find the perfect fit for where and how you want to enjoy nature

It seems the older I get, the more adventurous my camping excursions become, and becoming more self-sufficient in the woods for longer periods of time has been amazing for me to learn how to trust myself and build my own confidence And, it keeps me pushing myself further!"

READ THE REST OF THE STORY ON SARAH'S BLOG HERE.

5 THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM SOLO CAMPING

"Sam and his crew are awsome they know the trails well and have good eye for what your jeep is capable of "

"Sam was awesome. Give us exactly what we wanted and then some. HIGHLY RECOMMEND him if you want to explore some awesome trails "

justiceexplores@gmailcom

"Sam is amazing! He knows his area, his spotting, is conscientious of what he’s bringing you through and is extremely patient!! Excellent and I would give 150 stars!!! You need to be able to trust your spotter and I would follow him anywhere!!" justice explores JusticeExplores

April 21-22 MOORE Expo

May 5-7 Midwest Women's Off-road Weekend

May 19-21 Overland Expo West

May 19-21 Cleanup Campout for KORC

July 7-9 Overland Expo Pacific Northwest

August 25-27 Overland Expo Mountain West

September 29-30 Big Iron Overland Rally

September 14-17 Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat

October 6-8 Overland Expo East

October 12-14 Rendezvous in the Ozarks

October 19-22 Overland the Red

Monthly Rigs & CoffeeIllinois/Wisconsin - second Saturdays

Michigan

Missouri

To submit events for this calendar, email info.northologyadventures@gmail.com

A monthly feature bringing you our favorite YouTube videos from some great creators- check them out and be sure to subscribe! To watch the videos featured, click on the thumbnail on the right.

YOUTUBE FAVES

Welcome To The Outdoors is back with this fun romp in the desert with friends. Braxton along with @MoLeisureXventures and others go on a mini trip through Canyonlands National Park right before they start their vehicle builds. Braxton talks about challenges of traveling in Big Momma, Enoch does some trail fixes on the Xterra and the crew competes in a camp mac n cheese cook-off The next morning, clouds begin to gather and we are along for the ride as everyone scrambles to navigate switchbacks up and out of a canyon before a storm rushes in.

Scott and Ashley are on their way to Lake Powell and along the way, one of the vehicles catches fire. This "completely change the dynamic of the rest of the journey! Trying to find the other group is a whole challenge in itself! 'Prepare for the worst, hope for the best!' We Thought we were prepared! Every adventure is an opportunity to learn! And boy did we learn! We are very grateful the situation worked out the way it did though! It could have been so much worse! Let us know things you've learned on your overlanding adventures!"

"We visit an amazing spot deep in the Ouachita National Forest in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. It was a perfect camping spot and weekend." Beautifully shot with clips of amazing scenery and then all the necessary camping shots- kids and dogs playing, camp setup, enjoying meals, friendship, a little sass and the beautiful weather. Fun score and a lot of different camera angles, a fun watch!

Does anyone shoot The West better than Rob Miller? There are a few condenders but I love the drone work, sweeping views and score that Rob puts together, it's a total vibe. Here Rob is testing out some new things on the Tundra, including an new AT Habitat truck bed camper on his way to a lookout view. But seriously, love the AT, but we are here for the VIEWS. Rob flies his drone over the Colorado River (on BLM land) and to White Pocket. Included are the filler shots of driving, opening gates and so forth but Rob makes even the mundane feel epic. Bravo, Rob. Gorge in Kentucky. During this and take a look at other e local trails like no other and they know what else the area has to offer besides offroad trails. We are epecially excited about this video, since some of it was shot at Overland the Red last fall and features some of our attendees. Way cool. Bill & Deb, see you soon!