Trail Tales: 4 Satisfying Moments of Every Overlanding Trip

Moments are what drive us. People say that the journey is better than the destination but we believe that every moment of an adventure is the best! Whether you’re showing off a new trail to friends, testing out gear, setting up camp or reaching the pinnacle of your exploration it’s the small details that make us appreciate where we are. Blake Saffell from Three92 Media, a Boulder, CO based Media Production House and Marketing Firm drives us through key moments of every overlanding trip.

All images and video supplied by Blake Saffel at @three92_media or www.three92media.com

Vehicle: 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

Rhino-Rack Products Featured on Blake’s Jeep:

• Backbone System
• Pioneer Platform
• 250L Weather Proof Luggage Bag
• Foxwing Awning
• Pioneer Shovel/Spade/Axe Mounting Bracket
• Spade

Preparation - Because you’re getting excited by all the possibilities ahead.

Blake Saffell: First thing I do to prep for a trip is to take my Jeep by Devon’s Car Care in Boulder, CO. You’ve got to make sure everything is looking nice and tight. We check fluids, torque on certain bolts, inspect the all brake lines and clearance points.  Once we’re sure that the Jeep is mechanically set, we clean it out and load it up. These moments of packing can be a chore unless you place each piece of gear into the car knowing what it’s going to be used for. Some people are gear heads that love the latest and greatest overlanding gear and I understand why they do.

Wilderness Appreciation - Just because!

Blake Saffell: Growing up in the mountains West of Boulder, it made me truly feel at home in the wilderness.  Before I could afford a Jeep, I parked my car at the bottom of the trail and backpacked into awesome locations. The isolation that you find is something I fell in love with, the beauty of lightly traveled, hard to get to locations made me realize I needed to capture that beauty and show it to people. The best part about exploring new places is that you never know what you’re going to find and what the adventure will be like along the way.

Adapting to conditions - When will you know you’ve been tested if you don’t fail a few times.

Blake Saffell: The weather on one particular trip turned from sunny to snowy right around sunset. We were at lower elevations under 9,000 ft in Aspen and there was just a light rain but as we ascended to the top of Aspen Mountain the rain turned to sleet, and from sleet to snow. Lightning struck close to us. That certainly affected how we could scout out our camp site.  The terrain was essentially a difficult ski resort at the beginning followed by high alpine roads above 11,500 ft in elevation. We adapted and found a bunkered down in a spot. We also learned that the Rhino-Rack Foxwing can put up with some serious winds and even though not recommended it even seemed unfazed by 4-5” of heavy wet snow sitting on the awning.  I’m not sure a high alpine environment with 60 mph winds at over 11,000ft (3,350m) in elevation is the recommended application for the Foxwing however just like all the Rhino-Rack products that we run, the Foxwing managed to put up with our abuse.

Meal Preparation - Being wilderness savvy while also mixing luxury with minimalist cooking

Blake Saffell: I try to enjoy every moment I spend out exploring the wilderness. From setting up to preparing a good meal at a peaceful destination these are the final moments of a day that seal the flavours of every adventure. What’s the best meal I’ve made? I think it’d have to be a few of the steak nights! If you come prepared then you can eat like a king with unrivalled views of any 5 star restaurant.

Rhino-Rack: Thanks, so much Blake! Can you also give us a little rundown of how all your Rhino-Rack products help to facilitate these adventures?

Blake Saffell: Rhino-Rack products allowed us to carry more cargo and gave us easier access to it! We even had a large tent on our Backbone System and Pioneer Platform and didn’t have to cram everything inside the Jeep! We put all of our chairs, sleeping bags and clothes in the 250L Rhino-Rack Luggage Bag secured to the Pioneer Platform. It made camera and food access while we were out and about so much easier! The Pioneer Platform also provided enough room for me to walk around the outside of the Tepui roof top tent and is strong enough to support my weight even on the outermost edges.  The Foxwing awning allowed us to cook our dinner, eat under cover from the snow and stay dry. Legends.

Rhino-Rack Trail Tales

We'll be posting stories taken directly from Rhino-Rack Customers. Adventurers who want to share their explorations around America. If you'd like to get involved in the Trail Tales Series please contact Rhino-Rack through any of our social media platforms below.

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Vehicle Modifications:

1. Roof Rack:  Rhino Rack Backbone System with Pioneer Platform, 250L Rhino Bag, Foxwing Awning, Rhino Rack Spade, Tepui Kukenam Sky tent.
2. Performance:  500hp 6.4L Hemi V8 conversion with JBA headers and 2.5” dual exhaust.
3. Drivetrain:  545RFE Transmission, TeraFlex full float, full width Super 60 axles with 5.38 gears and ARB lockers.  Custom 1310 Driveshaft’s.
4. Suspension/Steering:  TeraFlex long arm, Syngery coil-over brackets, 12” Travel King coil-overs, Fr & Rr Currie Anti-Rocks, Fox 2.5” Air Bumps, Tera HD steering and trackbars, Tera trackbar drop bracket, PSC Hydra Assist Steering.
5. Wheels/Tires:  Maxxis 40” Razrs and Maxxis 42” Competition Sticky Trepadors.  8 Lug 17” B.A.D. Wheels Inc, Internal beadlocks.
6. Lighting and Electrical:  Rigid Industries 50” E-Series Midnight Edition(ME), 10” E-Series ME, 10 white rock lights, 6 red rock light, 2 Diffused Duallys, 2 ME Duallys, 2 D2’s.  Dual sPod with dash integration.
7. Stereo:  Kenwood 892hd Navigation, Focal Components, JL 10” W6, Dual JL Audio 600w Class D Amps
8. Armor:  Crawler Conceptz Ultra Series front bumper, Crawler Conceptz fender flares, Poison Spyder Customs (PSC) sliders, PSC tire carrier, PSC corner gaurds, PSC rear bumper, full Synergy skids, PSC Trail Cage
9. Recovery:   Warn 9.5 CTI Thermometric winch