Japanese Van 4wd Snow Run - VANLIFE NORTHWEST

Vanlife Northwest hosted a Japanese van 4wd snow run in southern Washington on , testing the limits of their JDM vans. Community- a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. // As a natural-born tinkerer, I cannot deny my fascination with these vans began with a wrench in hand, exploring the tolerances and torques of their inner workings, honing my mechanical skills, appreciating their simplicity and reliability. Yet, I ultimately came to understand that the vans themselves were the tool- facilitating exploration, and drawing the wilderness into my backyard. With successive adventures, road trips, campouts- I began to anthropomorphize my van. She grew in familiarity as friends grow closer through shared experience. What’s more, I began to notice others felt as I did. I had found my community. The first run of the new decade brought us up through Carson, WA. Our first pit stop was at Panther Creek Falls, rewarding those willing to undertake a short hike views of the falls, know for its numerous cascading fingers. Just reaching the snow line, we took this time to air-down to the suggested 15psi to improve traction and expand our footprint, allowing the vans to get out on top of the snow instead of digging holes in it. We continued our ascent to Four Corners, and there we played in the woops and snow features sculpted by the weekend snowfall. Our caravan persisted up the mountain, traversing breaks in ice and snow, testing the approach and departure angles of our vans. The day culminated with a bonfire built atop a wide spot on our snowy trail, and we warmed ourselves with stories from the day, and the spirit of adventure that brought us together. Checkout Vanlife Northwest: Video produced by Dalton Long of Long Wool: YouTube Channel: Instagram: Music: “Warm Sea“ by SAVVIER