Hannah Beck
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Hannah Beck

Hannah Beck-LON MemberHannah Beck

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"I’m Hannah Beck, Pacific NorthWest local and overlander. I’m a heavy equipment operator at H&H Wood Recyclers and take great pride in running with the boys. Born in Fountain Valley California, my family moved to Battle Ground Washington where I met my husband and put down my roots. I’ve been off-roading for over 3 years with my Jeep Grand Cherokee “Chariot” in southwest Washington and northern Oregon. I love wheeling and navigating in the Gifford National Pinchot and Tillamook State Forest weather with friends or solo. I’ve learned to overcome many things with my Jeep, even suicidal depression. Everyone has a spark in life that drives them and for a while I lost mine. I was introduced to off-roading over 3 years ago and thanks to the community I overcame something very dark. I’m now training for the Rebelle Rally in 2018 and building my Jeep! Offroading has taught me that even in some of the darkest moments great things can happen, so put it 4-low, hit that pedal and go!"

Occupation: Heavy Equipment Operator
Birthday: July 3, 1994

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Questions & Answers

Hannah Beck-LON MemberAbout Hannah:

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: "Blue, but I really like tan too."

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: "Literally anything simple and easy, so sandwiches, salads, toast, eggs, etc. I can survive on sandwiches for months, not saying it's normal or anything, but I can…so many kinds of sandwiches"

Q: Do you have kids? 
A: "Nope, nada, nothing, and not for a while."

Q: Do you have any pets?
A: "Yes! My fur ball Kodiak, he’s a 15 year old Norwegian forest cat mix, though we call him Kody for short and occasionally scoundrel! He is a totally spaz, calm and collected one moment then boom! He’s “Scooby-Dooing” across the wood floors, ricochets off a wall or couch then slams to a halt on a rug, looks straight into nothingness and lets out a loud meow. Then vigorously grooms himself, I swear he’s the most vocal cat I have ever meet, ranging from sweet meows, chuffs, to strange cackles and half formed sentences…he looks resentful as I write this, I may not live to see tomorrow."

Q: Do you take your pets off-roading?
A: "No, Kody would most likely die from observation only."

 

Hannah Beck-LON MemberHannah's Off-Road Facts:

Q: How old were you when you first started wheeling?
A: 
"I really didn’t 'wheel' until I was in the club, so 20 years old."

Q: Is your whole family into off-roading?
A: "Only my two brothers, but I’m the only one who avidly goes out on the trails, whether to wheel, build, clean or just get some rad photos of my Jeep because it validates my Jeep addiction."

Q: Are you usually the driver or the co-driver?
A: "I drive; my Jeep, my rules! Though I do let my husband drive occasionally so he feels special too."

Q: Do you have any off-road traditions or rituals?
A: "Not really, I just try to enjoy it as much as I can, get some photos, pick up garbage if there is any and make sure Chariot survives."

Q: How often do you get to go off-roading?
A:  "Right now, three times a month if I’m lucky. I plan to go more often but there are other things than off-roading that take precedence in my life. After all me and my husband are homeowners and Chariot needs his own room."

Hannah Beck-LON MemberQ: How did you get started in the off-road world?
A: "Well I have always loved the outdoors but I had never actually gone wheeling or rock crawling. I’ve had my jeep since high school but it was just a daily. Roughly three years ago I fell into a really dark depression, the kind where you lose the will to live. I felt like a robot, work, sleep and repeat. I’m normally a very happy creative person and I no longer had any energy for anything. After a year of constant headaches and suicidal thoughts, I quit my job hoping for some rest.

After two weeks of nothing I decide I should treat myself by looking on craigslist to see if I could find a hobby that would give me my joy back. I ended up finding a rat-rodded Kawasaki Vulcan 700cc that didn’t run for $500, and I loved it. I scrounged up some money and my husband helped me go pick it up. I was so happy once it was sitting in  our garage and I would just sit on it feeling so proud to own something so cool. I knew nothing about motorcycles and bought some manuals and started sanding off the paint and removing the fenders. I figured if I could fix it maybe I could fix myself. Looking Hannah Beck-LON Memberfor mechanic help online I tried finding a motorcycle group that I could hang out with and hopefully learn from. While looking for groups I stumble upon local 4x4 groups instead and found one I liked. I decided since I already have a 4x4 Jeep that ran why the hell not check it out.

Over three years I’ve been and seen more places than I have in the last 8 years, thanks to that club. I learned how to fix my Jeep, wheel, rock crawl, build trails, travel more, and build my Jeep and my confidence. I got my lust for life back and a better job that I actually enjoyed. I’m no longer a member of that club, since I learned all I could there and decided to move on to better things, but I do thank that club for giving me a new lease on life and showing me the world of off-roading. Because if I had never hit depression, bought a motorcycle, got a new job, found a club, and learned to wheel I wouldn’t be where I am today if not at all. Now I know where I want to go and how to get there. All I need is my Jeep, hard work and a little bit of faith."

Hannah Beck-LON MemberQ: Where is your favorite place to wheel?
A: "I love Ladee Flats in Estacada, Oregon. It has a good range of trails for everyone and plenty of bypasses on trails in case you are not quite ready to push your jeep too far. Located high in the Oregon Mountains the air is crisp and clean, the weather changes the feel of the trails so there is something new and the views along the cliffs are phenomenal."

Q: Do you belong to an off-road club? Which one? What is their motto/mission?
A: 
"Not currently, though I would love to start my own, which I plan to do in the future. Not anything huge, just a good club to help locals, empower women and help youth."

Q: What is on your off-roading bucket-list?
A: "During the upcoming year I plan to check the Rebelle Rally off my list with Hedi Rowan. I do want to build my jeep as an Overlander and travel the U.S. hitting all the national viewpoints and off-road trails. I plan to write and post on a blog when I do travel with Chariot and show other women what they can do. Eventually I would love to do the Rebelle Rally solo when I have enough experience or if allowed. But my biggest goal is to purchase over 50 acres in the Pacific Northwest and build an off-road training ground and course. I would love to have classes on off-road basics and vehicle maintenance. Hold yearly events and fundraisers to help local clubs and groups. Provide onsite and offsite trail tours ranging from stock to heavily built vehicles. It’s just a dream but I hope to achieve it even if I’m in my 90’s."

Hannah Beck-LON MemberQ: How are you active in the off-road world?
A: "During my time in the club I was very active with trail building, clean ups, events, club runs and trail rides. Lately work has been very busy since they moved me to heavy equipment and equipment servicing, so getting out on the trails is a little hard but I do manage to get out with a few friends. If I have enough notice to schedule my time off then I can go off-roading more. I’m always down to be spontaneous as long as it doesn’t interfere with my work."

 

Hannah Beck-LON MemberHannah's Off-Road Stories:

Q: What is your most memorable offroad moment?
A: "When I mixed up the dates on a trail clean up and arrived two weeks before hand and ended up solo wheeling. I enjoyed the trails, got myself out of a tough situation calmly and effectively and took some gorgeous photos. I had dinner by myself at a small local dinner and drove home as the sun set. It was legit the perfect day alone with my Jeep. I made a mistake and made the best of it, all by myself."

Q: What was your first wheeling trip?
A: "In my Jeep, La Dee Flats. Which was awesome because it started as a work party to help another club build trails and we ended up finishing the work early, so we hit the trails in the Jeeps. First time Chariot got really muddy too, I was the off-road pizza delivery Jeep!"

Q: What was your longest wheeling trip?
A: "When me and my Jeep friend Vanessa went to Mt. Hood for the day and found a high alpine lake. It was beautiful; we got to the lake and parked on the rocky shore while the lake was almost still as glass. The birds were singing and you could hear the occasional splash of a trout. It was a little hazy out due to the Washington wildfires, but the smoke covered the sun and gave the lake a soft golden setting. We didn’t make it back to Portland until about 11:00 pm, and we left for the trails at 10:00 am. "

Q: What was your favorite wheeling trip?
A: "The Mt. hood trip with Vanessa! It was so relaxing and peaceful. The trails were easy but I still aired down, and there were a few intense rutted spots but still nothing I hadn’t done before."

 

All About the Ladies:

Q: Who do you look up to in the industry? Why?
A: "Charlene Bower. I love how she is strong but very kind and inspiring. She can run with the boys then turn around and be a complete lady. You feel like friends around her, laugh, cry and still be serious and honest with each other. Those are qualities that are sometimes hard to come by now days. I truly enjoyed my time with Charlene at the Ladies Offroad Convention. I know Charlene has a big name and reputation in the off-road community and some people freak out around their “idols” but Charlene is very normal and human, that’s what I love about her. Charlene is badass don’t get me wrong, but you could still sit down and sip some tea with the gal."

Hannah Beck-LON MemberQ: How do you feel as a woman in the off-road industry?
A: "Very empowered! The more and more I learn and meet people I gain new knowledge and skill sets. It’s a very adverse industry and I enjoy how there is something for everyone. I grew up a tomboy so I feel as though I fit in perfectly."

Q: Give us a story, any story, about educating, guiding, empowering ladies in the off-road, past or future:
A: 
"Personally I feel haven’t lead or guided ladies in off-road yet, but someday I do hope to help women gain the confidence in themselves and their vehicles. When I do have opportunities to speak to other women I’m always kind and positive. I know what it’s like to be treated poorly purely because of a difference of vehicles or knowledge. I was made to feel guilty about asking questions and not already knowing the answer, as If I was a complete idiot. I don’t want anyone to feel that or be treated that way for just wanting to learn more. You can come to me with questions at any time no matter how silly they seam and I will help to the best of my knowledge. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll tell you I don’t know. I don’t know everything but I am honest and true to my word, which I take much pride in."

Hannah Beck-LON MemberQ: What advice do you have for ladies who want to get started off-roading?
A:  "Try something new, you may be afraid but do it and take in your surroundings. Attempt challenges but listen to your gut. Absorb advice and knowledge like a sponge, you don’t have to use it but at least you’ll have it. Observe everything; you just might pick up something. Ask questions no matter how silly. Make the best out of every trip, stay positive and be the calm when there is a storm."

Hannah's Vehicle:

About Chariot:
"1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited v8 5.2 liter"

Q: Does your vehicle also serve as a daily driver?
A:  "Mostly, sometimes I drive Tex, my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 2500."

Hannah Beck-LON MemberQ:What is the best modification you have done to your vehicle?
A: "New engine! Though that’s more necessary, but my front bumper by ARB has given Chariot a tougher look. I have a rear bumper, hood, visor and fender flares that are waiting to be installed! Now I just need a lift and some tires! I do have to admit that it is not actually a specific modification that I take pride in but that I’m building my jeep the way I want that gives me pride. It’s Chariot as a whole that is meaningful, because of all my hard work that has gone into his build."

Q: Do you work on your own vehicle?
A: "As much as I can, yes. If I don’t have the tools or time I can take the Jeep to a local small time mechanic that I trust. He’s very fast, affordable and will take my Jeep at any time."

Vehicle Type: Grand Cherokee Limited 
Year: 1997
Builder: Jeep
Tire Make/Size: all terrains, 30” tires
Wheel Make/Size: Factory Jeep 17”
Body/Body Panels: ARB front bumper