Rock-crawling event draws big crowd to southern New Mexico
By Loryn Guiffre' For Pulse
February 22, 2007
February is the time to test your rock-crawling skills, maneuver through extreme terrain, climb massive boulders and cross ravines. The 2007 Chile Challenge rock crawling is here, and four-wheeling enthusiasts are gearing up to have some fun.
The annual Las Cruces Chile Challenge began in the 1980s and is hosted by the Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club. The event is open to anyone with a four-wheel drive vehicle that is properly equipped.
Rock crawling is considered an extreme form of off-roading and it takes good judgement, skill and finesse to master the sport. Rock crawling is popular with outdoor enthusiasts across the Southwest, especially in mountainous or rocky regions of New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
"Some of the extreme trails go up waterfalls over 15 feet high. The easy trails may visit old mines or wagon trails used decades ago. The sites and views are spectacular. The Chile Challenge truly is nationally famous. We have been covered for the past 15 years by all of the major industry publications (like) Four Wheeler, Off Road, and JP Magazine," said Paul Tomicek, president and CEO of S&H RV Supercenter and rock-crawling enthusiast.
"It is one of the best-organized events in the country and we have had over
400 vehicles attending the four-day event, with participants from the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. It is basically follow-the-leader in Jeeps. Trails are rated by their difficulty and the equipment needed to travel them. For example, a stock 4x4 could run an easy trail. A lift kit and larger tires could do a moderate trail. Extreme trails require many modifications," said Tomicek.
"The Chile Challenge is not a competition. It really is follow the leader. It is competitive in the sense that if you are out with four rigs and the first two guys walk right up something, you have to take a harder line or do it smoother. It is competitive only in our minds," said Tomicek.
Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club members act as trail leaders and tail gunners for each excursion, responsible for getting people in and out of trails safely. All vehicles depart from the southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, the headquarters for the event. Prior to each excursion, every vehicle is inspected by the trail leader to ensure that proper equipment is installed and on hand. According to Tomicek, each trail takes about 6 to 8 hours to complete and a picnic lunch is part of the program.
While some people may find almost-vertical rock climbing in a modified vehicle a bit intimidating, there is room at the event for spectators. According to Tomicek, it is more fun to participate, but it is also fun to watch. Spectator runs take place on Friday and Saturday. Spectators use their own vehicles to navigate to trails, so four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, but a stock pick-up truck will do. Spectators will meet at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. in the morning and depart to trails from there.
If your vehicle isn't four-wheel drive equipped, Tomicek recommended parking at the gravel pit along Shalem Colony Trail or along Rocky Acres Trail in the Robledo Mountains and hiking to the event trails. "Eighty percent of the trails are out in those mountains," he said.
Sometimes, rock crawling leads to broken-down vehicles and dented metal. Fortunately for participants, the organizers have kept safety and a family-friendly atmosphere a top priority. No alcohol is permitted on trails and swearing is not allowed over the C.B. radios.
"I have three kids and they join me as often as possible. My son started wheeling when he was only 6 months old. My wife said he had to be able to hold his head up before he could go. It is a quite a family event," said Tomicek.
"Although it is certainly dangerous and rollovers will happen, we don't have a lot of rollovers like you see on TV rock crawling. It is slow, technical driving."
To participate or find out more information about the event, visit :
Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club - New Mexico.
Article Reference: Las Cruces Sun-News - Conquering the canyons: Rock-crawling event draws big crowd to southern New Mexico
February 22, 2007
February is the time to test your rock-crawling skills, maneuver through extreme terrain, climb massive boulders and cross ravines. The 2007 Chile Challenge rock crawling is here, and four-wheeling enthusiasts are gearing up to have some fun.
The annual Las Cruces Chile Challenge began in the 1980s and is hosted by the Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club. The event is open to anyone with a four-wheel drive vehicle that is properly equipped.
Rock crawling is considered an extreme form of off-roading and it takes good judgement, skill and finesse to master the sport. Rock crawling is popular with outdoor enthusiasts across the Southwest, especially in mountainous or rocky regions of New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
"Some of the extreme trails go up waterfalls over 15 feet high. The easy trails may visit old mines or wagon trails used decades ago. The sites and views are spectacular. The Chile Challenge truly is nationally famous. We have been covered for the past 15 years by all of the major industry publications (like) Four Wheeler, Off Road, and JP Magazine," said Paul Tomicek, president and CEO of S&H RV Supercenter and rock-crawling enthusiast.
"It is one of the best-organized events in the country and we have had over
400 vehicles attending the four-day event, with participants from the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. It is basically follow-the-leader in Jeeps. Trails are rated by their difficulty and the equipment needed to travel them. For example, a stock 4x4 could run an easy trail. A lift kit and larger tires could do a moderate trail. Extreme trails require many modifications," said Tomicek.
"The Chile Challenge is not a competition. It really is follow the leader. It is competitive in the sense that if you are out with four rigs and the first two guys walk right up something, you have to take a harder line or do it smoother. It is competitive only in our minds," said Tomicek.
Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club members act as trail leaders and tail gunners for each excursion, responsible for getting people in and out of trails safely. All vehicles depart from the southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, the headquarters for the event. Prior to each excursion, every vehicle is inspected by the trail leader to ensure that proper equipment is installed and on hand. According to Tomicek, each trail takes about 6 to 8 hours to complete and a picnic lunch is part of the program.
While some people may find almost-vertical rock climbing in a modified vehicle a bit intimidating, there is room at the event for spectators. According to Tomicek, it is more fun to participate, but it is also fun to watch. Spectator runs take place on Friday and Saturday. Spectators use their own vehicles to navigate to trails, so four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, but a stock pick-up truck will do. Spectators will meet at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. in the morning and depart to trails from there.
If your vehicle isn't four-wheel drive equipped, Tomicek recommended parking at the gravel pit along Shalem Colony Trail or along Rocky Acres Trail in the Robledo Mountains and hiking to the event trails. "Eighty percent of the trails are out in those mountains," he said.
Sometimes, rock crawling leads to broken-down vehicles and dented metal. Fortunately for participants, the organizers have kept safety and a family-friendly atmosphere a top priority. No alcohol is permitted on trails and swearing is not allowed over the C.B. radios.
"I have three kids and they join me as often as possible. My son started wheeling when he was only 6 months old. My wife said he had to be able to hold his head up before he could go. It is a quite a family event," said Tomicek.
"Although it is certainly dangerous and rollovers will happen, we don't have a lot of rollovers like you see on TV rock crawling. It is slow, technical driving."
To participate or find out more information about the event, visit :
Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club - New Mexico.
Article Reference: Las Cruces Sun-News - Conquering the canyons: Rock-crawling event draws big crowd to southern New Mexico
