Expedition overland article on not getting "Jeeping"

[Christophe Noel]

Agree with the opinion or not, I have tremendous respect for any writer that sticks his or her neck out there to get stepped on. This goes well beyond our team. It's one thing to launch a round from the safety of an anonymous comment box. It's a whole different bunch of bananas to write a piece, stick your name on it, and stand behind it.

And with that...the door is always open to the 100,000 members of Expedition Portal to submit their own editorials. It's a genuine invitation, and we'd love to have your opinion thrown into the mix. I know there's some good writers with good opinions in the audience.

christophe at overlandinternational dot com

 

[expedition4x4]

I just found the condescending attitude interesting, I'm sure we won't be seeing any landroving or land cruising satire here. I still stand by my statement that he should have went with someone that knew what they were doing. But then it wouldn't have made for a pot stirring post on front page.

 

[Ranger Steve]

Soon. We are busy installing a new "anti-bounce" suspension and litter collector system. Oh, and we had to increase the payload to handle all the BS from the web wheelers on this forum. . .




I jest, I jest (For the "Jeeping Rock Crawlers", this is called satire). . .

I'll pack the family and head on out from the jersey coast. Thanks ahead of time for the extra mods haha.

 

[Chazz Layne]

Guess telling the author he's showing his ***, and that he's wrong gets moderated out/cut.

Nope, it was automatically flagged for the same reason it was censored in your post here.


(the comments on the home page are a little less sophisticated at censoring than the forums are)

 

[Robert Bills]

I just read the article, doing my best to keep an open mind after reading all the comments which, except for Expedition Portal staffers, reflect an almost universal negative reaction.

My take: The article is a failed effort at satire. Instead, the author comes off as an effete snob who doesn't know the difference between rockcrawling and jeeping in the more general sense, someone who actually believes that "overlanding" is a more noble endeavor than other forms of backcountry travel. However, what really bothers me is the author's "holier then thou" inference that it was beer swilling "jeepers" who littered the trail when he has absolutely no evidence to suggest who actually committed that sin. How does he know that it wasn't a card carrying Sierra Club member or a dirt bike rider or, heaven forbid, an "overlander" driving a Land Rover with all the latest store bought accoutrements du jour?

I have been a jeeper for 54 years, and proud of it. Long before anyone tried to lay claim to or commercialize the terms "expo" or "overland," and before anyone thought to coin the phrase "rockcrawling," my family and the other families who were part of our small town jeep club were traversing the most remote areas of Baja California, the Mexican mainland and the American Southwest. So were many other families from other towns and other jeep clubs. The one thing we all had in common was a sense of adventure. Some built their rigs for sand dunes, others for traversing rocks, and others to get to the best surfing/fishing beaches in Baja. We never thought of one style of offroading as more noble or more worthy than another, rather an expression of personal choice, and "jeeping" was just a synonym for "four wheeling" and not a label in some internet journalist's caste system.

 

[Scott Brady]

I just read the article, doing my best to keep an open mind after reading all the comments which, except for Expedition Portal staffers, reflect an almost universal negative reaction.

A most reasoned and eloquent retort. Thank you.

Unfortunately, internet discussion has devolved to the emotional and anonymous. It is one thing to disagree with young Cordes, but another thing entirely to call him names and make ignorant assumptions about his experience or character. As always, the anonymous are best served from behind the keyboard and within the warm confines of their mother's basement, not assessing their options for retreat when they see Chris (all 6'4" and 230lbs of him) step from his leather-clad Rover. . .

 

[1leglance]

I really wish the article had not used the "Jeeper" term but instead more clearly outlined how the author did not enjoy technical rock crawling (I don't either) and instead prefered "overlanding".
Trash is everywhere in the southwest, from asphalt to rock gardens. But we should do our best to create less contention between brands and motorized groups.

I have wheeled with Chris and I don't think meant to hurt anyones feelings and while he did admit to "stiring the pot" I hope is was in fun rather than serious jibes.

Anyway at least he got to drive a really cool rig

 

[jeep-N-montero]

A most reasoned and eloquent retort. Thank you.

Unfortunately, internet discussion has devolved to the emotional and anonymous. It is one thing to disagree with young Cordes, but another thing entirely to call him names and make ignorant assumptions about his experience or character. As always, the anonymous are best served from behind the keyboard and within the warm confines of their mother's basement, not assessing their options for retreat when they see Chris (all 6'4" and 230lbs of him) step from his leather-clad Rover. . .

Chris or yourself are welcome to come visit my basement anytime you wish, just come prepared to have an educated conversation about my war room and man cave filled with military and hunting memorabilia, most of which comes from the 3 different countries I have lived in....

 

[expedition4x4]

A most reasoned and eloquent retort. Thank you.

Unfortunately, internet discussion has devolved to the emotional and anonymous. It is one thing to disagree with young Cordes, but another thing entirely to call him names and make ignorant assumptions about his experience or character. As always, the anonymous are best served from behind the keyboard and within the warm confines of their mother's basement, not assessing their options for retreat when they see Chris (all 6'4" and 230lbs of him) step from his leather-clad Rover. . .

Chris or yourself are welcome to come visit my basement anytime you wish, just come prepared to have an educated conversation about my war room and man cave filled with military and hunting memorabilia, most of which comes from the 3 different countries I have lived in....

 

[mclovinal]

I don't really have much of an opinion on the article, I interpreted it as satire and possibly a criticism of how poorly kept our trails often are, but I do want to say that it is cool that the guys who run the site are joining in the conversation, however unduly emotionally charged on side of said conversation may be. It is the internet, after all. Not that it matters much, but you win points in my book, expo staff.

 

[Scott Brady]

Chris or yourself are welcome to come visit my basement anytime you wish, just come prepared to have an educated conversation about my war room and man cave filled with military and hunting memorabilia, most of which comes from the 3 different countries I have lived in....

See, isn't this more gentlemanly? No doubt we all have much in common (including a love of hunting, firearms and military history), so it is always best to avoid assumptions and petty generalities.

 

[rlynch356]

Our last "Jeeping" outing (in Defenders no less) was partially filled with trash collection duties along the trail including some random rover parts, beer cars, butts, and other stuff.

We had a good time though, its just a sad state of affairs when people trash our resources - doesn't matter who or what they drive. If your out to have some fun, Have fun - just put your trash in your truck.

 

[brushogger]

I gave my opinion earlier. That being said, I do actually enjoy reading things that differ from my opinion. One learns nothing by reading or studying things that only reflect his current point of view. Reading different points of view is fun, and inspires thought and lively debate. This is especially true when thoughtful humor is involved. When the name calling starts though it's a buzz kill. Here's to the Portal

 

[Christophe Noel]

The one thing we all had in common was a sense of adventure. Some built their rigs for sand dunes, others for traversing rocks, and others to get to the best surfing/fishing beaches in Baja. We never thought of one style of offroading as more noble or more worthy than another, rather an expression of personal choice

Well, if Chris' op-ed produced one gem it would be these fine words above from Mr. Bills. Well said, sir. No bravado or razored tongue, just smart words.

 

[independent]

Chris may be just stirring the pot as he said. I thought the aerobatic reference was spot on. Rock crawling and aerobatics are similar in that the skill that it takes to accomplish the task unscathed is the point. I think that the pilots might be held in a little higher esteem is all. One last thought, after his camp chair review he may want to change his photo, wouldn't want to be caught in one of those stuffy campaign chairs now would we.
I do think it's cool to bring in a new voice to share their opinions though, it makes for great conversation. And he is definitely entitled to his opinion, as he's writing what he feels.