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Moab becomes a hot destination this week with the annual Jeep Safari hitting town over the weekend. It also is still Spring Break time for many as well, which makes for a crazy busy downtown. Don't even try to find a nice hotel or lodging place if you haven't already. Everything will be full. You have to fill out a registration form if you want(ed) to participate in the Jeep Safari. Theya re probably full with registrants by now, so you might be watching from the sidelines if you didnt get ahead of the game.
Although, some of the greatest seats for the Jeep Safari are actually the ones outside of the Jeep- just sitting on the Moab red rock hills and watching the slews of Jeep try to navigate some of the tricky spots on the hills.
Red Rock 4-Wheelers has all the information you need for the annual event.
Jim Styles has come out again attacking the adventure recreation seekers stating that they are ruining Moab, UT. The Slat Lake Tribune article (as journalism goes) of course plugs in a few "interesting" facts of their own as well- on of which stating that: " recreation has the potential to be as destructive as oil and gas drilling, mining and cattle ranching."
Please. Let's get serious here. Me taking my mountain bike down Slickrock is not more destructive (not even in a hundred year) than any one of the above. But it is the voice of just one lone activist. With statements like, "The search for solitude, beauty, and all things remote and mysterious must be random. To be more organized is to risk commodifying beauty itself"- I am not sure how seriously I can take the criticism anyway.
The article does show both sides of the story, interviewing Sheri Griffith among others for commentary on their complaints.
Moab's own mayor has admitted that Jim is "literally stuck" in the 1950's when he could have all of Moab to himself.
The fact of the matter is that Adventure Sports and Recreation in the Moab area is actually relying on maintaining the integrity and beauty of the back country. Otherwise, where would the adventure be if we are riding through skyscrapers and buildings? Why would we go hiking if we didn't have a beautiful view at the end? Adventure seekers and guides alike share the same respect for the back country in Moab. They (we) are perhaps more interested in keeping the natural landscape than any other commercial group involved in the town!
Nice try Stiles.
Gravity play has the scoop on the AdventureXstream race in Moab on March 24. I guess this event can either be a solo race (which some will use for training for the larger adventure races later this year) or even a team race in Moab.
Bike, trek, paddle, rappel, and navigation. Not as huge or as brutal as the Primal Quest race last year in Moab, but a great adventure race nonetheless.
Gravity play also has a nice fundraiser going for fellow adventure racer Danielle who got injured earlier this year in Moab.
This weekend is the Skinny Tire Bike Festival in Moab, UT. The weekend of the 16th, Moab is also hosting the annual Canyonlands Half Marathon. Lodging and things are filling up fast for the marathon weekend. March officially starts the outdoor activities in Moab I guess. Moab has the luxury of being in the very southern end of Utah, which means warmer weather and good outdoor adventure environment.
I will be heading down to Moab next week to take advantage of the weather and early season activity. In my opinion, the best time to visit Moab is during the spring and the fall. Summer is great for vacations, but the heat is killer sometimes. The spring weather is perfect for mountain biking, street racing, off-road trips and hiking. Rafting is still best done during the hotter months.
But once again, the nation's outdoor playground Moab is off to an early start with the outdoor activities.
