The Backcountry Brief

Welcome to this week’s Backcountry Brief. Your weekly roundup of trail tales, gear reviews, and stories from America's Backcountry.

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Like this issue? Something else you would like to see? Let me know directly at rocklander@substack.com

In This Issue:

📰 Country Report: Weekly News Updates

🤔 Of Interest (to me): Baja 1000

📌 Tip of the Week: Minimize Trail Impact

🗺️ Trail Guide: Ringing Rocks Trail, Montana

🛠️ Rig Tips: Get Your Seat Right Before You Hit the Trail

⚡ Gear Review: Vortex Triumph HD 10x42 binoculars

🗨️ Forum Watch: The Week's Top Discussions

I’ve been keeping up with some news that matters. Here’s what stood out this week:

• New York is planning a nuclear power plant in upstate, and communities are competing to host it. The North Country region is making a strong pitch, highlighting existing infrastructure and skilled trades jobs.

• A new poll shows 81% of Americans are concerned about wildlife conservation and the environment. More telling: 72% would support candidates who prioritize protecting threatened and endangered species.

• Kansas county just paid out $3 million to settle lawsuits after illegally raiding the Marion County Record newspaper in 2023. The sheriff’s office expressed regret and admitted that they should have reviewed the law before executing the warrants.

Engines echo through the desert this week as the 58th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 kicks off in Ensenada, Mexico. Eight hundred fifty-four miles of dust, rock, and raw determination. No other race on earth feels quite like it.

This year, 233 teams are lined up to take on the course. Trophy Trucks, UTVs, buggies, and bikes will all chase the same finish line, each with a 36-hour limit to make it there.

The course runs through mountains, coastline, and open desert. Locals camp along the route, cheering through the night as racers fly past. You’ll see names like Luke McMillin, Robby Gordon, and Brock Heger…drivers who’ve turned Baja into their proving ground.

Speed matters, but the heart of Baja is the way it strips everything down until only grit and teamwork remain. It’s a test of endurance, faith, and a little luck. The kind of challenge that built the off-road spirit we love.

So, if you can’t make it south of the border, tune in to the SCORE livestream and watch the dust rise. The Baja 1000 isn’t just a race.

It’s a celebration of freedom, courage, and the drive to keep pushing forward…values that run deep in every off-roader and every American heart.

It’s all about the conditions of the route that dictate your speed and approach.

Slow, steady speed is usually the best bet in mud and sand. Remember that it is best to “go as slow as possible, but as fast as necessary.”

If you get stuck, you are either driving too slow or too fast! Try to avoid excessive tire spin. Find a better line and minimize damage to the trail.

105 Off Road Tips - the latest collaboration by my friends Matson Breakey (Co-Founder of Metalcloak) and Off Road Legend Del Albright is now available on Kindle or you can pick up a Paperback copy to keep in your rig.

It also makes a great gift for the off-roader in your life.

Trail Info:

• Location: Whitehall, Montana

• Distance: 9.2 miles

• Elevation Gain: 1,145 feet

• Type: Out & Back

• Difficulty: Hard

• Vehicle Requirements: High-clearance 4x4 or ATV

Ringing Rocks Trail cuts through rough forest roads east of Whitehall, climbing over ruts and loose rock before reaching a field of boulders that sing when struck. The road is slow going and best handled by a capable rig with good clearance.

At the top, you’ll find hammers left by other travelers so you can hear the metallic tones for yourself. The spot is quiet, scenic, and just strange enough to make the effort worthwhile.

Rock’s tip: Air down, buddy up, and take it slow on the climb.

I’ve seen plenty of folks spend thousands on suspension and tires, yet still squirm around after an hour behind the wheel. Comfort and control start with something simple: how you sit.

Start with the basics. Slide your seat forward or back until your knees stay slightly bent when pressing the pedals. If you’re stretching or cramped, you’ll lose finesse on technical climbs. Most Wranglers have a bar under the seat that lets you fine-tune that distance.

Next, dial in your recline. Too far back and you’ll fight the steering wheel all day. Too upright and your shoulders will tighten up before lunch. Lean forward, lift the lever on the side, then ease back until your arms rest naturally with a slight bend.

Height matters more than most think. Only the driver’s side seat height can be adjusted. Use the ratcheting handle on the side to raise or lower until you can see the hood corners clearly. That visibility can make the difference between clearing a rock and crunching a bumper.

If your seat feels stuck or starts sinking over time, check the tracks for dirt or debris. A quick clean and a shot of WD-40 often fix it.

That’s the kind of preparation that keeps you confident and free out there…just the way off-roading in America ought to feel.

Want the full step-by-step guide and visuals? Check out the breakdown here.

The Vortex Triumph HD 10x42 binoculars are a no-nonsense option that delivers clear glass in a package built for the abuse of off-road life, all for just under $100.

Their rubber-armored body handles getting tossed around the cab. They’re also fully waterproof and fogproof, ready for a cold morning or a sudden downpour. The 10x magnification is plenty for scouting trail conditions from a distance, and at 22.9 ounces, they won’t weigh you down.

You can spend a fortune on optics, but these are a practical choice for a dedicated truck pair. The box includes Vortex’s GlassPak chest harness, so you’re ready to go without buying extra gear.

Keep a pair in your rig…you’ll be glad you have them when you need to see what’s ahead.

I keep tabs on a bunch of off-road and hunting forums every week. Here’s what stood out lately.

• Over on Bronco6G, folks are arguing whether a stock Bronco Sasquatch can out-wheel a lifted 4Runner Off-Road Premium. Most posters leaned Bronco, pointing to front and rear lockers, sway-bar disconnects, and better approach angles. One guy summed it up with, “Forget the specs, the Bronco wins on cool factor alone.” Hard to top that.

• On Rokslide, hunters are swapping Christmas list ideas under fifty bucks. The thread’s full of solid picks…Darn Tough socks, OnX gift cards, boot dryers, and ammo for the practical types. My favorite comment came from a guy who said he just wants people to wait until December before talking Christmas.

• The HuntingPA crowd had a good laugh over a “trophy squirrel” post. The hunter dropped a massive gray, and the replies rolled in fast: “Better get that one mounted!” and “Hope you had your drag rope.”

Until next week…

P.S. Got a story to share? Event for me to visit? Leave a comment and let me know—I'm always looking for great trail tales from the community.