EXPLORING ELEMENTS

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EVENT: NW Overland Rally 2018

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The NW Overland Rally 2018 was the 8th year of the overland tribe gathering in Plain, WA. The event is growing leaps and bounds every year. It went from about 1,300 last year to 2,000 attendees this year. I’ve been to six of the last seven years of the event, and have been lucky enough to be the Field Manager/Camp Host/Raffle MC the past few years.

There is truly stunning landscapes to explore in this part of Washington. This is Eagle Falls on the Skykomish River, a roadside rapid I’ve run in my kayak before.

The NW Overland Rally offers a wide range of classes, clinics, demonstrations, driving experiences and trail runs to attendees. It also has MASSIVE raffles all three nights of the event, with some truly spectacular prizes to be won. Think roof-top-tents, awnings, winches, recovery gear, drones, knives, growlers and so much more.

Jeep was kind enough to loan me a brand new JLU Rubicon for the week. Impressively capable vehicle, and much more refined than the JK.
The Jeep Wrangler JLU Rubicon in its natural habitat, off road.

Even with all the awesome going on around the action packed event, the true reason to attend is the people you meet, and of course the cool rigs they show up in. The shear diversity of overland adventuremobile at the event this year hints at the growth of the overland community, and the thriving scene in the Pacific Northwest. Check out a good cross-section of the adventuremobile at the NW Overland Rally 2018 here: Wild Rides From the Northwest Overland Rally.

Spent a few days measuring and marking out the field. Each vendor gets a 20’x40′ spot, and each camper gets a 20’x20′ spot.

The following is a glimpse at some of the happenings from around the NW Overland Rally 2018. Hopefully I’ll see you there next year!

Did I mention DIVERSE vehicles!!!
Everyone has their own idea of what camp is all about, some have more fun with it than others 🙂
My favorite rig every year. This little home built camper on a classic FJ40 is just to cool!
LiveWorkWander’s pop-top Troopy is everything you could ask for in an overland adventuremobile.
It’s not often you get to see a winch recovery by a Subaru on a Tacoma!
There is never a shortage of adult libations at the NWOR.
Thursday Night’s Campfire/Raffle
Friday Night’s Campfire/Raffle. The Hellwig Operator truck that Ray is pointing to was serving up quality Ninkasi beer.
Saturday Night’s Campfire/Raffle. BIG prizes, and LOTS of them!
The Metal Tech NWOR Camp Chef competition is always an amazing time.
Cocktails are part of the comp, and this year’s secret ingredient was Walla Walla sweet onion. This team served up their cocktail in the onion. Points for creativity for sure!
Judging the Camp Chef competition is serious business! Mario Donavan has it figured out, and is the most experienced judge on the panel.
Lots of events at the NWOR specifically for the ladies. The ladies only Rebelle Rally happy hour was a big hit.
Fun for the whole family! This year we even had a Ukulele class for the kids.
The Rally always finishes off with the Challenge Competition on the technical driving course. ALL vehicle are welcome.
This year’s challenge competition involved keeping water in a cup on your hood, a timed run around the course and marking your hand with a marker on a leash at three specific spots on the course. Exciting for all, and tons of fun to drive.

Have a look back at a few previous NW Overland Rallies:

EVENT: NW Overland Rally 2017

Northwest Overland Rally 2016: Top 10 Adventuremobile

EVENT: WA Overland Rally 2013

EVENT: WA Overland Rally 2012

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