An all-new season of the GeoStash contest starts with this month's issue of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility MAGAZINE. The year-long extravaganza of fun and adventure will run from the October '06 issue to the September '07 issue. The coming year will be filled with new prizes and great adventure.
For the first prize of the new GeoStash season and the October '06 issue, we are proud to tell you that a super-tough Kilby Enterprises gas tank skidplate for a Jeep TJ, YJ, CJ, or KJ will be awarded to the lucky winner. These gas tank skidplates offer excellent protection for any Jeep. The skidplates are built from three pieces of 3/16-inch steel plate laser-cut, formed, and welded together. They utilize the stock mounting locations in order to keep installation time and difficulty to a minimum.
If you are picking up this magazine for the first time, somewhere in the pages of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility each month are hidden GPS coordinates. These coordinates pinpoint a location somewhere in the continental U.S. where a stainless steel plate ("marker") laser-cut with the magazine's title and my phone number is hidden. The marker is about the size of a vehicle's license plate. When it is found and redeemed, the lucky enthusiast wins a very cool prize. These prizes will range from products donated by our advertisers and manufacturers to 4WD&SU magazine apparel and subscriptions.
The GPS coordinates in the magazine can be hidden just about anywhere. The coordinates will be divided in two parts - north and west - and hidden in the magazine's text or ghost-imaged somewhere on a photograph. The coordinates will not be hidden in or on any advertising. Finding the marker on the trail will require use of four-wheel drive and will more than likely require some hiking. We'll keep it safe, so don't worry, you won't have to rappel off the sides of any cliffs. The stainless steel marker may be placed behind trees, between rocks, or under something, but it will not be completely buried. If you have a GPS with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) it should get you to within 3 to 9 feet of the marker. How simple can that be?
At the publication of this issue of 4WD&SU, the marker for September '06 has not yet been found. Keep an eye on our website for updates.
The errant winner of the August '06 GeoStash contest is Perry Ellison of Grand Island, Florida. Perry is a longtime follower of the magazine but just happened to be in Arizona for business. He rented a four-wheel-drive Jeep and was out cruising the desert looking for snakes. Well he found August's marker by chance, and is now the proud owner of a Currie Anti-Rock system. Here is his story:
"Kevin, it has been a real honor and pleasure being involved in this contest. I was in Phoenix, Arizona, on business and rented a 4x4 Jeep Grand Cherokee to go out and explore the deserts of southern Arizona. I was in Tonto National Park navigating along the edge of a deep arroyo when I decided to stop and walk the riverbed to look for snakes and anything else that might spring out. I was checking washout holes in the arroyo wall when I noticed the edge of a plastic bag deep in one of the washouts. I reached in, and to my surprise found the marker for the GeoStash contest. I could not believe it. I had my Jeep play photographer by placing the camera on the door panel and stood with my trophy for the photo at the edge of the arroyo. Notice the big grin! Thanks, and I look forward to future issues of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility MAGAZINE. Thanks again."
GeoStash Coordinate Locations in the Magazine
July '06 Page 66. 48 31.401N - Lower righthand corner photo.Page 89. 114 08.456W - Bottom image, clocking ring. Marker location: East of Glacier National Park, Montana.
August '06 Page 43. 33 45.436N - On Jeep grille.Page 85. 111 41.664W - Third photo down.Marker location: Just outside of Phoenix, Arizona.
The GeoStash marker will have my phone number listed on it. I must be called immediately when the marker is found. The marker must also be sent back to me for verification, but it will be returned to the person who found it. Each marker for any given month will have a unique identifying mark on it so it cannot be duplicated.
Very Important - do yourself a favor and check our website's GeoStash page to see if the marker has been found for any given month before you go out searching. Please keep in mind that the marker may have been found while you were en route to the coordinate's location. Once we have been notified, we will post where the marker has been found.
A disposable camera will be attached to the marker. Have a photo of yourself taken at the location (hopefully you won't be out alone) you found the marker and send the camera back with the marker when you mail it to me for verification. Though there will be a camera attached to the marker, we would prefer a digital image of the winner on the trail with the marker be e-mailed to us if you have the capability. If you do have a digital camera, please set it to the highest megapixel setting before snapping the photo. The GeoStash II webpage will highlight the enthusiast who found the prize, the product and its manufacturer, and the next month's prize to be given away.