Designers and builders of some of the most capable rockcrawlers around, Avalanche Engineering now owns and operates its own testing grounds. Good news for you: those grounds are open to the public. Following their dreams, Steve and Jen Rumore have created an off-road destination resort at the base of the San Juan Mountains in the Four Corners region of Colorado. Currently the Ranch operates eight four-wheel-drive trails, one enduro/ATV loop, and a motocross track, in addition to a 4x4 playground featuring a teeter-totter, a rock pile, a tire pit, and other obstacles.
Along with the allure of the mild to hard-core trails, Avalanche Ranch offers the exceptional Colorado scenery and wildlife, including elk, deer, wild turkeys, and Indian ruins. The Ranch is staffed by knowledgeable 'wheelers who'll gladly assist in answering questions regarding four-wheeling or even offer design ideas about your rig. All types of off-highway vehicles are welcome at the Ranch. Avalanche Engineering creates its own line of tube-frames, mega-travel suspensions, rockcrawling hard parts, and axle assemblies, and is the designer of the Sniper and Assassin rock buggies. For more information about Avalanche Ranch, call (970) 883-4400 or visit the Web site at www.avalancheohvranch.com.
The Final Draw
Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac. They suck, we tell ya', they suck. After coming in contact with the pesky plants on numerous occasions along 4x4 trails in five different states, we finally said enough is enough. Something had to be done to relieve the rash of blisters that would develop in patches over our entire body - yes, it gets everywhere - and then itch like freaking mad. We tried a number of traditional remedies to no avail until we finally discovered the end-all beat-all cure: Zanfel. Though a bit pricey for the 1-ounce tube, you'll find yourself laughing at the cost after scrubbing just one affected area with the product - yes, scrub. You finally get to scratch. Ha ha ha! The makers of Zanfel claim that the product is capable of reducing and even eliminating itching associated with Poison Oak, Sumac, and Ivy in just 30 seconds. It was just about that fast, too. It took about two and a half tubes over a couple days to clear us up completely, a process that usually takes as long as four weeks. Had we used it sooner, the results might have been even quicker. Needless to say, we now keep a tube handy in the camera bag. Aside from that, all we can say is that you'll be amazed; we certainly were. Check out the Zanfel Web site for more information at www.zanfel.com.