Catherine Fanaro

About Catherine:

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: "Black"

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: "Sushi"

Q: Do you have any kids? Tell us a little about them:
A: "I have two daughters, Cadence (10) and Carrah (3). They are the loves of my life and polar opposites. Cadence is quiet, reserved and enjoys downtime and Carrah is loud, outgoing and loves to be out doing things."

Q: Do you have any pets?
A: "Yes, a cat named Minnie."

Q: Do you take your pets off-roading?
A: "Not my cat, but I own a pet care business and many of my “adopted” pets come along."

 Catherine's Off-Road Facts:

Q: How old were you when you first started wheeling?
A: "I have been wheeling all of my life. My brother has had me in the passenger side of an off-road vehicle since I can remember."

Q: Is your whole family into off-roading?
A: "Not my whole family, but we have done several excursions off-road as a family (including my awesome grandma)."

Q: Are you usually the driver or the co-driver?
A: "I am usually the driver."

Q: Do you have any off-road traditions or rituals?
A: "I like to collect rocks from each place I wheel. It's kind of like a token of where I’ve been. I think of off-roading as a time for self-reflection, so the rocks I save are small mementos of moments in time where I felt I was growing, changing or learning something."

Q: How often do you get to go off-roading?
A:  "Pretty often, at least a few times a month and more if I’m not incredibly busy at work."

Q: How did you get started in the off-road world?
A: "My older brother, Chris used to take me. He also ran a fabrication and build shop I worked at. My first vehicle was a 1987 Jeep Cherokee and from there. I’ve never looked back."

Q: Where is your favorite place to wheel?
A: "It’s a secret… Shhhhhh."

Q: What is on your off-roading bucket-list?
A: "Black Bear Pass, although I’m terrified of heights (Red Cone gave me a run for my money)."

Q: How are you active in the off-road world?
A: "I’m very active, as I am the founder and President of Colorado Jeep Girls. We put on many events and give back to the community in many ways. This year, we adopted two trails here in Colorado."

Catherine's Off-Road Stories:

Q: What is your most memorable off-road moment?
A: "Oh, there are so many. I would say sitting on the top of Red Cone, looking at the descent in front of me. Wishing I hadn’t come this far, but knowing there was no turning back. I got in my Jeep, I put on my big girl panties, and I faced my fear of heights in the most realistic way."

Q: What was your first wheeling trip?
A: "I don’t remember my first ever… But I know my first time driving was nerve racking and rewarding. I was on fire with adrenaline running through me, but there was so much excitement and I knew I was right where I wanted to be."

Q: What was your longest wheeling trip?
A: "Colorado Jeep Girls did an all girls retreat last summer, we did around six trails. On the way home from Summit County, I decided I wasn’t done yet, and pulled off in Dumont and did Spring Creek with a friend."

Q: What was your favorite wheeling trip?
A: "Running Democrat Mountain with Trails Offroad while they mapped the trail for the website."

All About the Ladies:

Q: Who do you look up to in the industry? Why?
A: "I look up to Matt Balazs from On Trail Training. Matt works all year round doing things with other off-roaders, including helping with recoveries and offering amazing classes to people in the industry and off-roading community."

Q: How do you feel as a woman in the offroad industry?  What changes have you seen in the off-road industry since becoming involved?
A: "I feel empowered, honestly. I started the first all-female Jeep club in the state and it’s grown tremendously.  We’ve been able to help other women come to know their Jeeps and the amazing world of off-roading. I think in the last few years, women are more welcomed in the industry. I feel there was a time when that was not the case. I am so happy to be a part of that change."

Q: Give us a story, about educating, guiding, empowering ladies in the off-road world:
A: "Colorado Jeep Girls had a women’s only camping trip last summer and all the women who came (besides myself) were new to off-roading. I was able to pull my Jeep off to the side and teach these women how to use their Jeeps, learn how to pick lines and tire placement.  I was also able to give them valuable information about Stay The Trail and Leave No Trace.  We did a trail cleanup, camped that evening and all the weather you could think of was thrown at us."

Q: What advice do you have for ladies who want to get started off-roading?
A:  "Find another woman or a ladies group and go! I think it’s easier to have a female with you so you don’t feel pressured or undermined as you’re learning. LISTEN TO YOUR SPOTTERS. If you’re ever uncomfortable in a situation, and you are certain you don’t want to do it or can not do it, it’s OKAY to back out."

Catherine's Vehicle:

About Catherine's vehicle: "2001 Jeep Cherokee (XJ), a little less than 200k miles, Straight 6"

Vehicle Name:  Betty White

Q: Is your vehicle a Daily Driver?
A: "Sometimes. I also have an Audi A6, but my Jeep is often my vehicle of choice."

Q: What is the best modification you have done to your vehicle?
A: " Hard to say. I think all of the modifications (and ones I will make in the future) have been imperative to the build and function."

Q: Do you work on your own vehicle?
A: "I do as much as humanly possible myself, and have a set of great friends who help me when needed."

Vehicle Information:

Vehicle Type: Jeep Cherokee
Year: 2001
Builder: Catherine Fanaro
Tire Make/Size: Mickey Thompson MTZ, 35"
Wheel Make/Size: Cheapie American Racing wheels (size 15)
Front Suspension: Iron Rock Offroad  6.5” Coil Springs (will be changing soon), Serious Offroad Long Arms and Crossmember
Front Shocks: Deutsch Tech
Rear Suspension: Iron Rock Offroad Leaf Springs 6.5” with Lift Shackles
Rear Shocks: Deutsch Tech
Front Axle Housing: Dana 30 with Truss, Sleeves, C Gussets and upgraded Poison Spyder Diff Cover
Front Differential/Locker: No lockers yet! Planning to go with ARB Air lockers when the money is right
Front Steering Components: Currie One Ton Steering, Gearbox Stiffener
Rear Axle Housing: Chrysler 8.25
Engine Manufacturer: DaimlerChrysler
Engine Horsepower: 190 HP
Engine Torque: 225lb-ft
Radiator/Fans: Stock, with added Aux Fan (controlled by a switch)
Transfer Case(s): NP231 with Slip Yoke Eliminator
Rear Driveshaft: Adams Driveshaft
Body/Interior: Added a Switch Panel where ashtray goes
Body/Body Panels: Rear Quarter Panel Armor
Body Modifications: Trimmed Fenders and Armor, Upgraded Bumpers
Lights Interior/Exterior: Pods on Front Bumper and Pods integrated into Rear Bumper
Winches - Front/Rear Brand & Capacity: WARN M6000

Author:  Catherine Fanaro