Jessica Chasse – Ladies Offroad Challenge Featured Entry

Jessica Chasse
Maricopa, AZ

"Jessica Chasse, Phoenix, AZ – Jessica likes to spend her time away from work in the dirt. One thing she loves about being offroad is no cell service! She is still in the planning/dreaming phase of her current build and has found that wheeling on 31s requires a lot more "finesse" than her last rig. Her proudest moment in the garage (driveway, actually) was when she replaced her rear bumper with a swing-out tire carrier, which doesn’t sound like much but she had to remove, negotiate, and replace a 35x12.5x15 KM2 by herself! She was bruised for a few days but it was worth it to find out that she CAN move a tire that size by herself!"

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Tell us about yourself:

I was born in Maine and moved to Arizona to attend ASU and escape the winter. I like to spend my time away from work in the dirt. One thing I love about being offroad is no cell service! I also like to go shooting but since getting a jeep, I have not done it as often as I used to. Ideally, I would be out rock crawling or camping every weekend but life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. I am still in the planning/dreaming phase of my current build and have found that wheeling on 31s requires a lot more "finesse" than my last rig. I have been very fortunate that the offroad community in Arizona is amazing and have made many great friends. One thing I've learned is how far out of their way a fellow jeeper will go to help you, all you need to do is ask.

How long have you been offroading? 

Although I would occasionally ride ATVs when visiting my parents in Payson, I did not own a vehicle so it was more of an occasional recreational activity than anything. I have been into offroading for less than 4 years. I started on the forest roads outside of Payson learning how to drive a manual on dirt with my dad then started exploring the desert west of Maricopa before I discovered how much fun rock crawling was in January, 2014. After that, I was hooked!

How did you get into offroading?

I bought my 1st jeep almost 4 years ago when I was looking for a 4 wheel drive vehicle to help me get to better camping and hiking spots. I'd wanted a jeep since I was a child and decided to just get one because I was afraid that I would not be happy with whatever vehicle I chose because it wasn't a jeep!

Tell us about your vehicle:

Clarence is a 2005 TJ Unlimited (LJ) Rubicon on 31s. I haven't done much to upgrade yet EXCEPT for having a cage installed. I would not wheel this jeep until the cage was in place. I also have suspension seats and 5 point Camlock Harnesses. Overkill for the current build but Clarence will grow up eventually and I'd prefer to do the safety upgrades before anything else.

What has been your favorite offroad experience?

Wheeling Moab! Hells Revenge, Fins n Things, 7 Mile Rim, Kane Creek Canyon, Poison Spider (at night) and Top of the World were all run during a nearly week-long trip to Moab in April 2016. We also took the day before our drive back to Phoenix "off" and explored Arches National Park.

What was your most exciting offroad achievement?

Making it to the top of Hells Gate on Hells Revenge, it almost did not go so well!

What excites you about offroading?

Challenging myself and trusting my vehicle to do the nearly impossible. Also, a lot of the places we get to see are not seen by most, except in pictures.

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of offroading?

Realizing you are what is holding you back. I've been scared many times, there are trails I don't think I'll ever be able to do because even though the vehicle is capable, the driver is not.

Which aspect of offroading do you think is the most fun?

When you finally make it up that obstacle that has been your nemesis or when you single shoot it after everyone has told you how hard it is and filled your mind with doubt!

What does prepping for an adventure look like in your world?

Lists, lots and lots of lists! List of what to pack, what's already packed, shopping lists, menus...

If it's an area I have not been to before, I research the area online well in advance of hitting the road.

What is on your offroading bucket list?

Rubicon Trail! Sand Hollow, Glamis and Clarence's build! 🙂

Tell us about who you go offroading with:

I normally wheel with a core group of people I've met through the Arizona Virtual Jeep Club, but I also join other runs posted on the forum. The group I wheel with is almost 50/50 as far as the male to female ratio is concerned, which I know is an anomaly in the offroad world. A few of the married couples take turns driving, so it's very rare that I'm the only lady wheeling when we go out. In fact, one of my friends' jeep is hers, he had to go buy his own because she rarely let him drive it!

The guys I wheel with are all supportive and willing to explain, teach, and/or help when the need arises. They do not act like the females in the group are a drag on the group or don't belong, they love that we're out there and enjoying everything with them.

What is a piece of advice you have been given that you instill in your offroading adventures?

Never go alone! Know your recovery points and keep your gear close at hand. Buckle up - jeeps can be replaced, people can't.

Do you have anything else you would like to add?

Thanks to the Ladies Offroad Network, I've made a lot of connections throughout the country and some really good friends. It's great having a place where everyone is so supportive of one another and we can learn in a judgement free setting.

Click here to see all the 2018 Ladies Offroad Challenge Entries.