So I was watching that show "Alaskan Off Road Warriors". I know, I know...so fake.

It got me wondering: How could I plan a vacation like that? I'd like to go somewhere, rent an offroad vehicle, and check out the local terrain. Maybe find some cool places to stay/eat/visit. I saw the trading post where that old movie Stagecoach was filmed is a cool spot to visit in northern arizona/utah.

Anyone every vacationed in a relatively remote location here in the states? I've driven with my family to the grand canyon, mount rushmore, and quebec before- but I was younger than 14 then. I think the southwest may be cool to visit.

Have you ever visited anywhere cool like this, within the country? I'm not ready to venture overseas yet with this type of adventure. Not to mention, I can't justify bankrolling that for a good while anyways.

1/18/2015 6:58:23 PM

A trip like this can be pretty costly, depending on how you get there and other factors. But I guess you got a decent head start on saving for the trip when you fucked over your secret Santa.

1/20/2015 4:15:59 AM

http://bb4wa.com/tripsexpeditions/

1/20/2015 8:51:01 AM

Yeah you should probably adventure your ass over to Amazon.com and buy a gift for whoever you fucked over.

1/20/2015 10:30:48 AM

not offroad vehicles, but if the aim is adventure..


reiadventure.com

1/20/2015 1:26:34 PM

The best most adventurous places aren't accessible by vehicle and more often than not cheaper than spending money on hotels, rentals, or equipment.

If you don't want to organize something yourself then yeah check out REI. Correct link:

http://www.rei.com/adventures

They're more pricey than doing something yourself but everything is organized and you don't have to worry about equipment, food, or logistics.

After moving to Colorado I've started doing yearly trips around the state. My first one is a 4 day trip through Four Pass Loop in Maroon Bells. During the week it's not too crowded and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

http://www.mountainphotographer.com/maroon-bells-four-pass-loop/



It's wilderness area so no vehicles of any kind allowed. Which is awesome.

2/2/2015 10:33:29 PM

I always see these in Moab. I see some on the side of cliffs that don't look accessible by foot. Mostly BLM land so you can do practically anything.

http://www.cliffhangerjeeprental.com/

2/3/2015 12:16:35 AM

How could something be not accessible by foot but accessible by a jeep?

2/3/2015 11:36:17 AM

Buy a ticket to San Jose Costa Rica.

Rent 4x4 here http://www.wild-rider.com/car-rental-rates/

Drive to Arosi Valley and stay here http://www.vrbo.com/97733

use the jungle villa as your home base and map out an exploration adventure every day. just get back before dark.

2/3/2015 11:47:30 AM

^^^^I would advise that a person who needs a heated jacket for 70 degree weather shouldn't do any adventure that requires leaving a car

2/3/2015 12:23:33 PM

^Haha I didn't make the connection. I just assume people who go to state are comfortable hiking/camping away from a vehicle. Guess I'm overly optimistic in regard to people's adventuring abilities.

2/3/2015 12:30:13 PM

Where I usually am they look like the mountain goats you see that appear to be stuck on the side of a cliff. I'm sure there is a way they get there but there are a few places with several hundred foot drops where it appears the jeep is going to roll over any minute.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cliffhanger+safari&espv=2&biw=1221&bih=792&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=x1rRVL6SFNivoQTD74LgAw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

2/3/2015 6:35:40 PM

That's half the hiking I do at higher elevation. Most class 3 and 4 hikes you could never take a jeep. Obviously not on a class 5 climb either. Unless it's spidey jeep.

2/3/2015 11:03:10 PM

Stuff like this (from my previous post):

2/4/2015 12:00:27 AM

OP posted a picture of a Jeep and asked about offroading, not class 4 or 5 hikes.

On another note, that looks kind of like Switzerland.

[Edited on February 4, 2015 at 11:53 AM. Reason : a]

2/4/2015 11:52:12 AM

But the OP also said "adventure" which IMO means no vehicles or hoards of people. How's it an adventure if you're in a jeep? You've got air conditioning and a cooler of beer. It doesn't take any work.

Quote :

"On another note, that looks kind of like Switzerland. "

No that's what most of the rockies look like in Colorado. That's what I spend 2-3 seasons a year doing. One day I'll get into winter mountaineering where you back country ski stuff like that after skinning up it. Going to take it slowly though and take more safety classes first. Don't want to die.

2/4/2015 12:42:12 PM

I'm not trying to get judge-y about what is/isn't adventure. I BASE jump and walk my ass up to the top of peaks like that and jump/wingsuit off, but if someone wants to ride in a jeep around outside then more power to them.

2/4/2015 7:35:02 PM

Should base jump ski. Whatever it's called.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwbP9WLX3fY

There's another sweet video I can't find at the moment that's longer where a guy is constantly skiing / gliding back and forth. Pretty sweet.

I think my problem with four wheeling (going to get a little judge-y here and it's certainly not the case with everyone) is the last thing I want to hear in the wilderness is a vehicle and people who camp in BLM areas are loud and always leave trash around. I purposely go to wilderness areas so I'm NOT around that many people, vehicles, lights, etc. I don't want some jeep ruining nature for me (I know that sounds crunchy).

You're right an adventure is different for everyone but in general I think of an adventure of getting away from it all from an extended period of time. If you want to go drive a jeep around then more power to you. I spend enough time in a car on the weekends skiing or getting to a destination. The last thing I want to do is sit on my ass for another day.

[Edited on February 4, 2015 at 7:58 PM. Reason : f]

2/4/2015 7:51:04 PM

If you want to do something adventurous that is a little more accessible Zion national park in Utah is easy to get to but has some awesome hikes. One in particular that I liked was called "the narrows". You can start outside of the park and hike like 16 miles down the river or start in the park and hike up (lots of tourists for the first 2 miles or so if you do it this way). It's a hike through a slot canyon so you are in the river the whole time but it's pretty cool

I haven't done this but I really want to go to Yosemite and climb half dome. Again not the most remote or hard to get to place but definitely looks like a challenge/adventure. I have actually never been to CA so I can't vouch for it but there are so many amazing places in the us that people forget about when planning a vacation. Utah and Arizona are beautiful just to drive through and Colorado had a lot more than just skiing (I definitely prefer the hiking and summer activities here). Wyoming/Idaho/Montana are also places I have yet to explore but know there are adventures to be had there. If only I had like two months to take a road trip across the western part of the country....

[Edited on February 4, 2015 at 8:29 PM. Reason : More]

2/4/2015 8:20:27 PM

^

Did Half Dome twice this year, and it's pretty awesome for a day hike can't recommend Yosemite and the California parks enough. We may end up doing Mt Whitney this year too. The Eastern Sierras are not near as crowded as the Yosemite side. Bishop/Mammoth area are nice if you are already in the area.

We spend a lot of time in Utah too, and that's a great bang for your buck place since the terrain is so varied. Part of it is beautiful desert and part of it looks like Colorado.

Quote :

"Should base jump ski. Whatever it's called. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwbP9WLX3fY There's another sweet video I can't find at the moment that's longer where a guy is constantly skiing / gliding back and forth. Pretty sweet. "

The gliding back and forth was probably speedflying/speedriding. It's more akin to paragliding, but a lot more dangerous than it seems. I saw that guy do a shitty off axis front flip from a similar jump and hit the wall in a video recently. He explained it as wind and randomness, when it was clearly his fault followed by piss poor avoidance.

Ski BASE has slowed, I know a few professional skiiers that still dabble in it, but it's not pursued as it once was--probably because of McConkey going in and it adds a lot more danger for not that much more thrill. I'll probably ski off Lover's Leap before I die, but don't have any real desire to make it a thing.

Quote :

" I think my problem with four wheeling (going to get a little judge-y here and it's certainly not the case with everyone) is the last thing I want to hear in the wilderness is a vehicle and people who camp in BLM areas are loud and always leave trash around. I purposely go to wilderness areas so I'm NOT around that many people, vehicles, lights, etc. I don't want some jeep ruining nature for me (I know that sounds crunchy). "

I get that. I've had a lot of luck in BLM areas, but there are a lot of dune buggies and such running by.

2/4/2015 11:43:03 PM

Offroading isn't really my thing. You can get more of a thrill on your own two feet than in a vehicle. But if that's your jam go for it!

Canyoneering in Utah is pretty fun, it does take some amount of technical skill depending on the canyon. There are courses that you can take for a a few hundred bucks.

Hiking in CO...14ers are a great challenge. Skills needed vary on the mountain.

Whitewater rafting trips are great you can go for a half day to a few weeks.

2/14/2015 2:04:41 PM

This thread took off. Thanks for all the input. The costa rica escapade looks really awesome. My parents are heading there in a couple of weeks and always enjoy their adventures down there.

I am not really attached to a jeep, I was just using that as a visual.

Thanks again for all the thoughts.

2/14/2015 6:19:58 PM