New Mexico Black Range - NMBR's Next Chapter: After 10-years as New Mexico Backroads, NMBR is now New Mexico Black Range.
The name change represents NMBR's deep roots in the wild and remote Black Range of the Gila National Forest. For those of you not familiar, NMBR is a one-man operation. I’m the guide, the trainer, the storyteller, and the photographer—I am NMBR. From childhood adventures, to supporting a livelihood, NMBR's rebrand honors my humble beginnings and lifelong connection with the Black Range. Many of my earliest memories are those from the Black Range; pedaling my bike down rough two tracks with my dog Hagar, whittling boats to float down the Mimbres River, and riding in my Dad’s bronco during a fierce Thanksgiving snow storm. Some thirty years later, one of NMBR’s first professionally guided trips began at the very spot Hagar would jump out of the Bronco and run the rest of the way to camp.
Over the past decade, NMBR has evolved from a small overland tour and four-wheel drive training outfitter/guide service, operating exclusively in the Gila National Forest, to a multi-state operation serving a multitude of enthusiasts, companies, and agencies. While NMBR has expanded its offerings beyond New Mexico’s borders, the New Mexico Black Range name represents all the miles I’ve traveled to get here—personally and professionally. Moving forward, NMBR will continue to embrace environmentally responsible, safe, and purposeful principals surrounding vehicle-based endeavors in the backcountry. NMBR’s primary service ambition will remain steadfast: “provide clients with the training, instruction, challenges, and experiences necessary to inspire confidence in their future 4WD based adventures—to go boldly, prepared and with confidence!”
Looking ahead, the next chapter will include further expansion of NMBR's area of operation across the American Southwest and new adventures. This year, New Mexico Black Range will be offering ten different overland and 4WD-based adventures including the all new Rockies Road Trip to the Overland Expo Mountain West. Rich and original content is what fostered NMBR’s growth in the early years. With a “back to basics” approach, New Mexico Black Range will be producing more stories, commentary, and photography. In the coming months, New Mexico Black Range will be rolling out a fresh new look including new website, refreshed graphics, and name changes for social media channels. As I handle the transition between guiding and fieldwork, your patience through this process is appreciated.
To NMBR’s clients, collaborators, and followers, as always, thank you for your continued support. New Mexico Black Range would be nothing without you. Let’s plan on the traversing the path less traveled together for 2020 and beyond. Ready for your next great adventure?
New Mexico Black Range 2020 Schedule:
- Sold-out / Wait-list February 2020 – Winter Gila Overland (WGO) – Friday, February 21st through Sunday, February 23rd – New Mexico
- March 2020 – Spring Overland Training – Friday, March 20th through Sunday, March 22nd – New Mexico
- April 2020 – El Coyote Expedition “ECE” (Weekender)– Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th – New Mexico
- May 2020 – Overland Expo West Based Adventure: Ghost Divide Expedition “GDE” – Sunday, May 10th through Thursday, May 14th – New Mexico & Arizona
- June 2020 – Summer Overland Training (Weekender) – Friday, June 12th through Sunday, June 14th – New Mexico
- July 2020 – River to the Sky Expedition “RTS” – Friday, July 24th through Monday, July 27th – New Mexico & Colorado
- NEW August 2020 – Overland Expo Mountain West Based Adventure: Rockies Road Trip “RRT” – Monday, August 24th through Thursday, August 27th – Colorado – Details to be released early-February 2020
- September 2020 – Fall Camino del Tesoro Overland “CDT” – Monday, September 28th through Thursday, October 1st – New Mexico & Colorado
- October 2020 – Fall Gila Overland “FGO” (Weekender) – Friday, October 23rd through Sunday, October 25th – New Mexico
- November 2020 – Fall Overland Training (Weekender)– Friday, November 13th through Sunday, November 15th – New Mexico
