Thayer & April first met in Colorado at a Rebelle U training in 2019. They’ve competed against each other in 2019 & 2021. They share a love of Rebelle & offroading. The team name Dusty Turtles comes from them both rolling and totalling their trucks in Glamis.
Knightsbridge Overland
Overland Kitted
Tactical 4×4
Custom Molle Panels
JC’s British and 4×4
Hest Outdoors
Freelance writer and PhD student in Developmental Psychology
Berthoud, Colorado
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the times you spent in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” – Jack Kerouac
I’ve played the violin since I was six years old. I started when I saw other kids on Sesame Street playing and remember thinking, well if they can, I can! ... That mindset seems to have stuck with me!
I knew I was in for life after my first Rebelle in 2018. The challenge, endurance, as well as lifelong friendships are like nothing else. This year I seized the opportunity when I suddenly realized my October was free! Why, obviously I should be at the Rebelle!
Of course I look to books and famous adventurers, but my children often play the largest role. Their thought-provoking questions inspire my life to a new level. Both my daughters have grown up watching their mother compete in the Rebelle; it is mind blowing sometimes to think of their world in which the norm is to have their mom as "a race car driver!"
I’m an avid reader. If I had to pick three, currently it would be; Shantaram, by Gregory Roberts, The First Overland, by Tim Slessor, and The Gift of Healing Herbs by Robin Rose Bennett.
Although on paper my greatest adventure was probably driving down the Baja peninsula (especially in a Land Rover some might say!) To me, it was taking my two daughter’s camping when I first was a single mom. Camping by yourself is easy, camping with children there are so many more things to think about, yet I wanted them to experience it from a young age. Once we started, we haven’t looked back and now they beg me to go!
2018, 2019, 2021
Software Engineering Manager - onX Offroad
Seattle, WA
"Just sand it!" Delivered from my back seat by Kyra, Laura Wanless's daughter.
I am a published Glaciologist and one time I fed Anthony Bourdain.
I had resigned myself to not competing this year, after finishing last year with a broken truck and a broken body. I tried really hard and woke up an hour and a half before the cow bell. I wasn’t sure if I had more to give. Up until the rally I practiced navigation and built out my car each year. In March of this year Thayer reached out looking for a partner and I went from “definitely not” to “maybe”. We’ve met up for a couple of days together and it’s been amazing. We may not win and we’ll have fun doing it.
Other Rebelles. When we’re not in the rally, we’re doing group training events, or talking about maps, or celebrating huge wins in our personal lives. We might all be different, but the Rebelle binds us, and if there is conflict, we listen to each other. Rebelles are badass!
Anything I can get my hands on relating to navigation or adventure.
Currently reading “Longitude” by Ava Sobel.
One of my all time favorite books is:
Island of the Lost – a Harrowing True Story of Shipwreck Death and Survival on a Godforsaken Island at the Edge of the World
by Joan Druett (Author)
I grew up in SE Alaska, and really wanted to be a glaciologist. My first experience with GPS was while traversing and studying the Juneau Icefield from Juneau to Atlin, BC, Canada. Being towed on skis by a snow cat over crevasses is a ton of fun.
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Stay in the know - our newsletters contain all the latest updates and event information.