NMBR’s 2016 Ghost Divide Expeditions [GDE16] - Overland Expo West Based Expeditions
Ghost Divide Expedition [Original] –
Overland to the Expo - Sunday, May 15th -19th, 2016
and
Ghost Divide Expedition II – Overland from the Expo - Monday, May 23rd - 27th, 2016
and
Ghost Divide Expedition II – Overland from the Expo - Monday, May 23rd - 27th, 2016
Overview &
Invite:
If your prospective 2016 Overland
Expo WEST trip involves copious amounts of pavement, consider airing-down,
engaging 4WD, and taking the path less traveled with New Mexico Backroads.
Updated 11/9/15 - Due to high demand, NMBR
will be guiding two separate five day [500-mile] expeditions that will traverse
some of New Mexico and Arizona’s loneliest backroads.
The Ghost Divide Expedition [Original] will
lead to the 2016 Overland Expo WEST; the Ghost Divide Expedition II will lead
from the 2016 Overland Expo WEST. Both Ghost Divide Expeditions will follow the
same route and cover three unique areas—Gila National Forest, White Mountains,
and Mogollon Rim. Over two-thirds of the
Ghost Divide Expeditions route will be comprised of unpaved roads. The Ghost Divide Expeditions will provide a
demanding [yet rewarding] experience—the days will be long, the roads will be
unforgiving, and the pace will be brisk.
The Ghost Divide Expeditions
will require participants to be self-supportive with regards to vehicle,
equipment, meals and supplies. All nights will include camping and enjoying
the company of fellow overlanders, deep in the backcountry.
For the Ghost Divide Expeditions, New Mexico
Backroads seeks the most self-sufficient, open-minded, and good spirited
overlanders.
Where & When:
The Ghost Divide Expedition [Original] will take place during the week leading up
to the Overland Expo WEST—Sunday, May 15th through Thursday, May 19th. Participants will meet the morning of Sunday
May 15th in Southern New Mexico; the exact time and departure
location will be announced to participants on April 1st, 2016.
The Overland Expo WEST
begins the morning of Friday, May 20th and ends the evening of Sunday, May 22nd.
The Ghost Divide Expedition II will take place during the week following
the Overland Expo WEST—Monday, May 23rd through Friday, May 27th. Participants will meet the morning of Monday,
May 23rd at Mormon Lake [site of the Overland Expo WEST]; the exact departure
time will be announced to participants on April 1st.
Peparations:
The Ghost Divide Expeditions will require participants to be
self-supportive with regards to vehicle, equipment, meals and supplies. All nights will include camping and enjoying natural surroundings, deep
in the backcountry. Services of any
kind, including cell, fuel, or anything remotely civilized, will be unavailable
for stretches of up to 225 miles. In the time leading up to the Ghost Divide Expeditions,
participants (or Ghost Dividers) will be provided with helpful and extensive
information on how to prepare for the adventure and what to expect. The self-sufficient aspect of NMBR guided
expeditions [and other 4WD based adventures] challenges and prepares
participants for their future 4WD based endeavors—to go boldly, prepared, and
with confidence.
The Experience:
2016 will mark the 5th year New Mexico Backroads has guided
the Ghost Divide Expeditions in connection with the Overland Expo WEST; this
year’s route will be the longest, roughest and best yet. The 500-mile Ghost Divide Expeditions will
include a diverse range of scenery and terrain including desert, grassland,
chaparral, forest, rivers, canyons, creeks, lakes, and wildland burn
scars. Road types and conditions will
include canyon bottom narrows, washboards, rutted two tracks, primitive
non-maintained, graded, mountain shelf, and [least of all] paved highway. The Ghost Divide Expeditions will feature
outstanding vistas, dozens of water crossings, historic landmarks, wildlife
viewing opportunities [including Mexican grey wolf territory], and aggressive
elevation contours [between 4,000 and 9,000 feet]. For those that join in, the only guarantee is
that they will conclude their adventure with new friends, dirty rigs, big
smiles, and stories that will make their fellow overlanders envious.
Ghost Divide Expeditions Resources & Features:
NMBR’s Ghost Divide Expeditions photo
gallery LINK
TCT Magazine Article - Writer and photographer Phillip Jones
recounts his experience on the 2015 Ghost Divide Expedition. LINK (GDE story starts on page 6)
MOTUS Article - Zach Berning,
Digital Editor at Motus, previews NMBR’s 2015 Ghost Divide Expeditions. LINK
REVOLUTION EXPEDITION Article - Adventurist Terry Baker recounts his
experience on the 2015 Ghost Divide Expedition. LINK
Perspective from a 2015 Ghost Divider -
"Just finished the Ghost Divide Expedition II with Jake Quinones,
our guide at New Mexico Backroads and I just can't say enough of what a
great time I had. The trip was seamless, the scenery and backcountry
was just absolutely beautiful. But our guide made all the difference in
the world. His knowledge and history of all the areas were
outstanding, making the places we saw come alive. I never questioned
his capability or his professionalism at any time. I would and will
travel with NMBR many more times in the future! One trip off the bucket
list. Now for the rest..." - Debbie W., Northern Arizona
The Next Step
If you are interested in joining one of the
2016 Ghost Divide Expeditions [Original or II], please email
nmbackroads(at)gmail.com for full details, pricing and registration
information.
