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October 10 – 19, 2019

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So far Rebelle Rally has created 144 blog entries.

Team Tuesday 2019: Sarah & Jessica

Getting way too comfortable with being comfortable. Being told you can’t do that because you’re a girl. Two of the reasons we’re highlighting today’s 2019 Rebelle competitor duo. Kicking off this year’s Team Tuesday, please welcome two friends with a mutual love of doing difficult things together – Sarah Pfeifer and Jessica Depatie of Team #119 Artemis 4×4!

Sarah is from Orange County, CA where she is a cardiac registered nurse. When she’s not working, Sarah is most at home in the outdoors – including the mountains, beach, and deserts. She’s also a badass at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, archery, pistol shooting and loves learning how things work – including tearing apart and modifying her third Jeep.

She also loves traveling, and has some pretty incredible past adventures – with an epic honeymoon trekking through Patagonia with her husband at the top of her list. That also happened to involve an 80 km trek at (literally) the end of the world.

When Sarah was a kid, hearing people say “you can’t do that” would light a fire under her – especially if it was because she was a girl. And somewhere along the line, she started believing she couldn’t. Dealing with health issues as a teen also led her to accept doctors and illness would be her life. Then she reclaimed her health, and has been working on regaining that “you just watch me” attitude ever since.

“I thought I couldn’t climb mountains, and then I did. I thought I couldn’t make it through nursing school, and then I did. I thought I couldn’t travel the world, and then I did. All of these things were so terrifying, but I proved to myself that I was capable of SO much more than I thought. So when it came to the Rebelle my gut reaction was “I can’t.” Then I asked my gut “why not?” My gut didn’t have an answer. So here I am!”

Jessica currently resides in Sedona, Arizona where she’s the CMO and co-owner of The Ascension Lab – a fitness marketing company. Being a CMO, she spends a lot of time building her growth agency helping businesses in fitness expand their reach…which also sums up the common theme that brings all of her other favorite hobbies together: health, happiness, and service. 

So when she’s not helping others, Jessica loves to hike around her new town of Sedona, go rock hounding, practicing zero waster, and practice her map and compass navigation (she’s the navigator of the team), and go road-tripping with her husband.

Speaking of trips, one of her funnest happens to be with her Rebelle partner-in-crime Sarah and her husband. They all camped in the Canadian wilderness in  -40° for New Year’s Eve. Trekking through dense old growth forest packed with snow, Sarah and Jessica lead the way with map and compass, they brought in the year at the edge of a frozen lake huddled around a fire, sleeping in a shelter made from the trees and snow, and exercising some serious mental toughness.Jessica is competing this year because it evokes a special kind of fear response that, for her, usually means that if she does this – she’ll be a more aware, capable, and evolved woman on the other end of it.

“Today, I live by the mantra that “adversity introduces a [wo]man to [herself].” – Albert Einstein. When it makes sense for me, I make space for the activity that follows that special fear response. That’s been my signal to just go for it (even though I’d be way more comfortable watching from the sidelines.) It’s an opportunity for growth. I learn more about myself and the human experience.”

We look forward to welcoming these two challenge-seeking women in this year’s 2019 4×4 Rebelle roster!

Team Tuesday 2019: Sarah & Jessica2019-04-23T21:09:00-07:00

Total Chaos Fabrication – Official Suspension of the 2019 Rebelle Rally

TOTAL CHAOS Fabrication will return as the Official Suspension of the 2019 Rebelle Rally.  Without TC, the Rebelle Rally would be a bumpy ride in more ways than one. We trust our vehicles and bodies to their insanely well-crafted equipment and their incredibly capable crew as our selected pool of media drivers. A huge thank you the entire crew for supporting us since Day One, and for taking our vehicles AND rally next level.

 

 

Total Chaos Fabrication – Official Suspension of the 2019 Rebelle Rally2019-03-28T18:09:51-07:00

Rebelle U Navigation Intensive Course

Join us for our Rebelle U all-navigation intensive course in our outdoor Southern California desert classroom in May. This is a rare opportunity you do not want to miss specifically tailored for not only the Rebelle Rally, but other vehicle-based adventures and rallies.

Days will be spent with founder Emily Miller and X-games Gold Medalist/Professional Navigator and Rebelle Head of Scoring Chrissie Beavis as they walk you through map reading, plotting heading and distances, compass reading, triangulation, roadbook reading, and other imperative navigation-based topics and exercises.

Partners and vehicles are not needed, and all levels are welcome. To learn more and sign up, visit http://bit.ly/RebelleUMayNavOW.

Reserve your spot now – this opportunity may not happen again!

Rebelle U Navigation Intensive Course2019-03-25T11:35:53-07:00

Total Chaos Fabrication – Official Suspension of the 2018 Rebelle Rally

TOTAL CHAOS Fabrication – The name synonymous with premium suspension parts. It’s common to hear people say TC is like a magic carpet ride. And that’s one ride we don’t mind taking. Watch to see why we rely on TOTAL CHAOS products, and their people, 365 days a year.

Total Chaos Fabrication – Official Suspension of the 2018 Rebelle Rally2019-01-10T08:54:56-07:00

2019 Rebelle Roadmap, Tips, & Advice

We know joining the Rebelle isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve laid out a step by step guide for you on how to get there and some tips and advice to consider along the way!

Here are our suggestions for getting rally-ready:

  • Read the rulebook.
  • Read the FAQs.
  • Secure your spot.  Dive in & REGISTER.
  • Find a great teammate – someone with similar goals.  (A sense of humor is a plus!)
  • Identify a vehicle.
    • Your own?
    • Want to Rent? – Rally in a fully Rebelle-prepared Jeep Rubicon via dependable provider – Barlow’s.
  • If necessary, raise funds.  Be honest with yourself & ask:
    • Am I a marketer or influencer for companies?  Try sponsorship.
    • Am I a hard worker?  Use your skills and maximize your earning potential.  Try Uber or Lyft!  We have several success stories.
    • Am I an Entrepreneur?  Grab the white board and get creative…
    • Am I a fundraiser?  Party planner?  Start a GoFundMe. Throw a bash. (Check with your accountant or legal advisor for key advice and questions.)
  • Train.
    • Read our Compete Page for a list of skills to know and practice.
    • Check for Rebelle U training courses, contact your local 4×4 club, search for 4wheel drive training courses near you.  For navigation, follow the Rebelle Rally online navigation course with exercises in the password protected portion of  our Competitor Zone.  Check REI for an outdoor map and compass class for excellent basic understanding.  Contact a local orienteering club.
    • Secure and prepare your required items – outlined in the rulebook & Compete Page.
  • Have you got spirit?  Select your designated non-profit organization for the chance to win the Team Spirit $5000 cash award.
  • International teams – check the rulebook and select your non-profit for the opportunity to win $2,500 in your team’s name.

Ready for the competition? Here’s some tips: 

  • To be the best teammate, work to be the best you can be at your role.
  • Have reasonable expectations.  If you have never participated in the Rebelle, you can’t expect to be an expert at it – the pace, format, and challenge.  To learn how to win, you must first learn how to finish.
  • The Rebelle is about being self sufficient and at the same time, a good teammate. Read all the rules, do your research, and don’t just turn to social media or someone else to answer questions or do the work for you.  It will bite you in the competition.
  • Don’t overpack.  Excess will get in your way, frustrate you, and slow you down.  BUT, if an item is EXTREMELY important, bring more than 1.
  • Sleep when you can, and sleep well.  Pack a very comfortable sleeping pad, bag, tent, and pillow. 
  • Pack efficiently with easy to transport bags/containers.
  • Don’t use key gear for the first time on the rally.  Practice with it early – MAXTRAX, shovels, navigation equipment, external odometers, etc.
  • People tend to practice what they are best at, not at what they struggle with.  Read the basic and intermediate navigation skills in the online navigation training.  Rate your ability for each skill on a scale of 1-5, and sharpen your weaker skills.
  • Understand triangulation and know how to execute in the field.
  • While driving and navigating are the fundamental skills, the difficulty is performing when tired, frustrated, hungry, lost, etc.  Be prepared to discover some things that surprise you about yourself – both positive and negative.  It is a great opportunity to grow.
  • Someone will make the first mistake, if it isn’t you, go easy because you will make one too.
  • Know how to do your teammate’s job, NOT to criticize or critique, but to be a safe and effective partner.
  • Remember that respect for your teammate and humor go a long way.  Keep the challenge in perspective.
  • Afraid to fail?   Evaluate what you define as failure and consider a new definition.  Not all mistakes are failures, but a chance to learn and apply experience.  Learn from every mistake and apply it to the next checkpoint or day.  And then LET IT GO.
  • Remember, “If it were easy, everyone would do it!”

Still got questions? Email us at info@rebellerally.com and we’d be happy to answer them!

2019 Rebelle Roadmap, Tips, & Advice2018-12-05T16:03:54-07:00

Hoehn Adventures – Presenting Sponsor Video of the 2018 Rebelle Rally

 

Hoehn Adventures has been our dedicated partner since the inception of the Rebelle Rally. For the Hoehns, their journey with their vehicles is not just professional – it’s personal. Cars are in their blood, and adventuring in them is imprinted in their DNA.

With over 80 years of car dealership experience, their world-class service is backed by a family and crew of staff that truly walks the walk. Watch and learn more about the story of Hoehn Adventures from the Rebelle Rally.

Hoehn Adventures – Presenting Sponsor Video of the 2018 Rebelle Rally2018-11-26T11:01:18-07:00

Rebelle Rally: The Ultimate Authentic Proving Ground

We refer to the Rebelle Rally as the ultimate authentic proving ground for people, products, and vehicles.
That is not an outcome of the event…an after the fact observation. We built it that way from the start.

The Rebelle Rally is a world-class competition and that is our core. But we believe in not wasting a single opportunity, from gathering the incredible stories that happen to get to the starting line, to the breathtaking content that happens on course, to gathering the impressions and data that help companies win each and every day. And not only do the competitors put themselves, cars, trucks and gear to the test, our entire staff comes from multiple professions that demand excellence in the gear we use, and we appreciate and understand the product development process.

Personal impressions and experience are critical over days, demands, weather, altitude, and more. However, to back our mission, we went a step further and partnered with Mapbox to plug in the tech that allows vehicle manufacturers and companies who desire to see their data in a way that allows them to make the most informed decisions possible. Yes, the ultimate proving ground that not only is proof of durability, reliability, function, and performance, but the data capabilities that are so critical for decision making. And we have only begun to scratch the surface. This is the Rebelle.

Rebelle Rally: The Ultimate Authentic Proving Ground2018-11-15T11:10:12-07:00

Rebelle Rally Field Update: Day 7

Glamis Finale

October 19, 2018

The final day of the 2018 Rebelle Rally presented by Hoehn Adventures was full of surprises, with the overall winner of the 4×4 Class literally coming down to the final minutes after eight grueling days of competition. When the dust settled, the Rebelle Rally had its first-ever tie for first place in the overall standings. CPs were placed in the furthest corners of the Glamis sand dunes to test driving, navigation, and time management under pressure. “You will not be able to reach all of these checkpoints,” Rebelle Founder Emily Miller told all of the teams in the morning brief.

Michelle Laframboise and Elise Racette of Team Clearwater Design #115 had not won a stage the entire rally, but placed consistently in the top five, and stayed hyper-focused on their goal of overall victory. Thirty six points behind the leaders coming into the last day of competition, the team had as close to a perfect day in the sand as we have seen. “We came and trained at Glamis with Emily and Nicole Pitell-Vaughan from Total Chaos Fabrication last month,” Michelle confessed. “That really gave me the confidence in the dunes, and it all paid off today.” The Canadian women also took home the International Cup for the second year in a row. For their efforts, $2,500 will be donated in their name to the charity of their choice.

Tying Team Clearwater Design #115 for first place overall was Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe of Team #140, who also won the Bone Stock Award in their 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. This is Hall and Donaghe’s third year competing together, and while they have come so close to winning in the past, disaster has struck every year on the last day of the rally. This year the unthinkable occurred prior to the rally, when a smash-and-grab robber stole Rebecca Donaghe’s bag with all of her plotting and navigation tools (not to mention her clothing and personal belongings). This made an already challenging event even more so, but Donaghe and Hall overcame the adversity with courage and resolve. “You are not your tools, Rebecca,” Emily Miller reminded Team #140 at the start of the rally.

Rounding out the podium in the overall standings were reigning champions Kaleigh Hotchkiss and Teralin Petereit of Team Blondetourage #125. The two were consistent and unflappable throughout the rally, winning multiple stages. In the end, Team Blondetourage #125 did not have enough points coming into the final day to maintain their lead and hold off the more aggressive competitors.

The Rookie of the Year Award in the 4×4 Class went to Sarah Homer and Lindsey Hunter of Team Escape The Paved #176. The two Houston residents finished seventh overall in their Bone Stock Ford Raptor. Sarah and Lindsey are neighbors who formed a bond when recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. “Though flooding is an absolutely awful experience, I feel really blessed to have made such incredible bonds with my neighbors,” Lindsey explained. Sarah heard about the Rebelle on a Baja trip. The minute she started telling me about the Rebelle I was hoping she’d ask me to do it with her, so my response was an instant yes! If we can overcome a hurricane, we can overcome anything.”

The Crossover Class was not quite as closely contested, despite twice as many entries in 2018, as compared to the previous year. Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner) drove their Bone Stock Porsche Cayenne wisely and minimized their risks to maintain their 50-point lead in the overall standings. Rookies to the Rebelle, Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar) couldn’t close the gap in their Bone Stock Subaru Crosstrek, but matched the Porsche team point-for-point in the dunes. Shannell McMillan and Nickie Kelly of Team Dirt N Perfume #207 placed third in the Crossover Class in their Subaru Forester.

“This rally is really about competing with yourself,” Emily Miller explained. The 42 teams at the Rebelle Rally represented 5 countries and 17 states, driving vehicles from ten different manufacturers. Jeep was the most prevalent brand at the rally, sweeping the podium in the 4×4 Class.

The teams now transit to San Diego for Rebellation. From 12 PM to 2 PM on Saturday, October 20th, Rebelle competitor vehicles will be on display and podium awards will be presented for both classes at the historic Lane Field in downtown San Diego. This event is open to the public with media in attendance. The festivities continue at 7 PM until midnight with our ticketed awards gala held at the breathtaking Coasterra. Celebrate in style under the stars overlooking the sparkling San Diego skyline with dinner, dancing, awards, and video highlights from the rally. Black tie-optional, come dressed in whatever clothing makes you feel like a million bucks!

Sponsor Highlight – Total Chaos Fabrication

The Rebelle Rally is in a class all on its own as a driving and navigation challenge, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the companies we choose to partner with are just as unique as we are. Case in point: Total Chaos Fabrication. Single-handedly responsible for the “midtravel” suspension segment with their introduction of the tubular Upper Control Arm (UCA) in 2002. These arms use race-quality components to increase wheel travel without the need for custom fabrication. And with Total Chaos’ commitment to quality, craftsmanship, customer service, and constant innovation, we are proud to call them the Official Suspension Partner of the 2018 Rebelle Rally.

Rebelle Rally Field Update: Day 72018-11-26T10:58:38-07:00

Rebelle Rally Field Update: Day 6

Johnson Valley to Glamis

October 18, 2018

Rebelles awoke to a beautiful fall morning in Johnson Valley with perfect temperatures and breakfast prepared by Drew Deckman and his talented staff. Day 6 of the Rebelle Rally presented by Hoehn Adventures started with a Precision Enduro, which is unlike a Rebelle Enduro Challenge (REC) in that rather than being designed for a specific time or speed, a Precision Enduro is designed to run along a specific cap heading. Three different road books were designed to keep teams from following one another, but with 4×4 class leaders Team Blondetourage #125 (Kaleigh Hotchkiss/Teralin Petereit) first off the line, there was plenty of follow-the-leader going on.

Leaving Johnson Valley, the plan was to go through the stunning Joshua Tree National Park. Course Director Jimmy Lewis and his staff spend all year designing the perfect course for the Rebelle Rally, complete with challenging CPs and detailed Rally Navigator-generated road books. Sometimes Mother Nature has a different idea though. The roads in Joshua Tree National Park were washed out by recent rains. The staff reacted by routing the course around the Salton Sea past Mecca en route to the artist compound known as Slab City.

After Slab City teams traveled through Mammoth Wash, which required slow, deliberate tire placement to safely drive to Imperial Sand Dunes (Glamis). Reaching green CPs before their closing times was an issue for all teams on Day 6, with traffic, fueling, and road conditions eating up valuable time. The format of the Rebelle Rally requires teams to manage their time efficiently, as there are set windows of time for each checkpoint. Miss the time cutoff for a green CP and your day is over; literally.

Posting the highest score of the day in the 4×4 class was Team Sassquatch Rebelles #184 (Amy Hopkins/ Kendra Miller) with 154 points. Following closely behind them by two points was Team#140 (Emme Hall/Rebecca Donaghe), and then Team Hoehn Adventures #109.

Despite the change up in the daily winners, Team Blondetourage #125 (Teralin Petereit/Kaleigh Hotchkiss) remains in first in the 4×4 class above Team #140 by two points. Coming in third is Team #109, with 11 points to catch up.

In the Crossover Class, Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner) won Day 6 to extend their lead in the overall standings. Currently 50 points separate Team Hoehn Porsche and second place Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farar).

The final stage of the 2018 Rebelle Rally will push the competitors deeper into the dunes of Glamis in search for elusive CPs. Past editions of the rally have taught us that nothing is certain when dunes are part of the equation. Teams have gotten stuck, broke, and ran out of fuel at Glamis, plunging their position in the standings. Other teams have taken all the skills that they have learned over the week and applied them on course to upset significantly more experienced rivals. Anything can happen at the Rebelle Rally!

Daily Tech Tip – What Is The Team Spirit Award?

 

It is not always about your score, but how you compete. The Rebelle Rally Team Spirit Award is designed to promote and encourage a positive spirit in the midst of focused competition. It is searching for solutions, providing encouragement, and treating others with respect and enthusiasm – which ultimately results in fostering a spirited competitive climate. The Team Spirit Award winners, as voted on by staff and competitors, receive a $2,500 donation in their name to the charity of their choice, generously provided by Off-Road Like A Girl this year.

Sponsor Highlight – Mountain House

Delicious, freeze dried meals are not an oxymoron thanks to official supplier Mountain House. Rebelles, media, and staff’s lunchtime fuel is made up of Mountain House chicken fajitas, mac and cheese, and the occasional breakfast scramble. Not a bad way to break up the day.

Rebelle Rally Field Update: Day 62018-11-26T10:58:49-07:00

Rebelle Rally Field Update: Day 5

Johnson Valley Loop

October 17, 2018

Navigation gets considerably more challenging when you get off the burned-in two track and traverse across open Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas. Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States at 96,000 acres, and plays home to the famous King of the Hammers race. Elevations range from 4,600 feet at Hartwell Hills to 2,300 feet at Melville Dry Lake with numerous mountain ranges and rocky canyons. All of this is fertile ground for Course Director Jimmy Lewis to place CPs in the most creative of locations.

Team Hoehn Adventures #109 (Jo Hannah Hoehn/Susie Saxten) and Team Clearwater Designs #115 (Michelle Laframboise/Elise Racette) tied for first place on Day 5, pushing them up to second and fourth place in the 4×4 Class, respectively. Team Blondetourage #125 still leads the overall standings though, with a 12 point lead over Team Hoehn Adventures #109.

In the Crossover Class, Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner) and Team Desert Dreamers #208 (Ariel Jen/Melanie Morimoto) tied for the best score on Day 5. The strong showing put Team Hoehn Porsche #202 back in first place in the overall standings, ahead of Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar).

Once returning to Base Camp, the teams had the option of competing in the Falken Tire Change Contest. Seven teams completed an impromptu tire change in under ten minutes, putting them into the pool of lucky participants for a drawing for a set of Falken Tires. While Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar) took the least amount of time to change their tire, it was Team Ridgeline Rebels #209 (Maria Guitar/Michele Klein) that won the raffle and a free set of Falken tires.

Tomorrow overall leaders Team Blondetourage #125 (Kaleigh Hotchkiss/Teralin Petereit) will be the first off the line for a precision enduro in Johnson Valley before the Rebelles travel south through the artist commune of Slab City en route to the Imperial Sand Dunes, where Rebelles will face the ultimate challenge of navigation and driving.

Daily Tech Tip – What Is Bone Stock?

The Bone Stock Award is presented to the team that places highest in a vehicle that is exactly as delivered from the factory. The only allowable change is different tires, but even that are limited to the factory sizing. Currently Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe of Team #140 lead the eleven-vehicle field in Bone Stock and are third overall in the 4×4 Class behind the wheel of a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Additional Bone Stock participants include:
Team Wild Grace #106 – Nissan Armada
Team Omada Adventure #116 – Land Rover LR4
Team 4 Corners #129 – Ram Rebel
Team Bold Adventures #168 – Toyota Tacoma
Team Not Lost #175 – Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Team Escape The Paved #176 – Ford Raptor
Team Jeep Thrills #177 – Jeep Wrangler Willys
Team Teton Drift #178 – Mercedes Benz G550 Squared
Team Serendipity #187 – Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Team Hoehn Porsche #202 – Porsche Cayenne

Sponsor Highlight – Coola

The desert is a harsh environment with an abundance of spiky vegetation and a lack of water and shade. Fortunately, Rebelles have a triple threat – organic, high-performing, and nourishing. COOLA is effortless to wear and conquers whatever we throw at it – literally. And we’re devoted. COOLA thank you for always having our back with your nourishing, luxurious, anti-oxidant infused plant-based protection from head-to-toe.

Rebelle Rally Field Update: Day 52018-11-26T10:58:59-07:00