TWENTY-FIVE YEARS ON: LAND ROVER GOES BACK TO THE GREAT DIVIDE

Back in 1989, young off-road enthusiast Tom Collins planned the route for Land Rover’s Great Divide Expedition* across the toughest sections of the Continental Divide in Colorado. This week, he’ll be back on the trail, leading Land Rover’s commemorative 25th anniversary expedition. Here ‘T.C.’ explains what the participants can expect.

You organized the original Land Rover Great Divide Expedition in 1989. How does it feel to be putting together the 25th Anniversary version?

It feels great. I kept my old route book from the original expedition and it was fun dusting it off. Some of the trails I haven’t been back to since ’89, but not too much has changed. These are still some of the most challenging unpaved roads and 4x4 trails in America. Our customers who’ll be taking part in the adventure are definitely in for a thrill drive.

Will you be following the same route as the original expedition?

That’s not really possible any more. Battle Pass in Wyoming got paved over pretty much straight after we finished in ’89, and part of the trail through Rollins Pass in Colorado used to include an old railway tunnel, which has since collapsed and has never been repaired. What we are covering are all the very best highlights and toughest trails from the 1989 expedition. We’ll still be driving close to 1,000 miles, from Denver to Telluride, and that’s going to take us seven long, hard days.

What are going to be the driving highlights?

There’s a long list. On the first day, we are going straight into the 12,800-foot Red Cone Pass that crosses the Continental Divide. It has a really tough approach - the instructors will be spotting the vehicles all the way, it’s spectacular. There’s also Mosquito Pass, at 13,188 feet, it’s the highest through-road in America and it leads you into Leadville. Add to those, Black Bear Pass heading to Telluride on the last day, which is just the most breathtaking, memorable way to end the expedition.

How did the original 1989 Great Divide Expedition come about?

Bill Baker, who was head of Land Rover North America public relations at the time, was looking to do something unique to launch the then-new 1990 model-year Range Rover in the US. For years, I’d been planning to drive the Continental Divide, maybe on a dirt bike or some 4x4. I suggested the idea to Bill, who jumped at it. What’s great is that Bill will be joining the group at some of the stop-overs to talk about the original drive.

How many Range Rover vehicles took part in the original expedition?

For the expedition, we took nine 1990 Range Rover vehicles, specially-equipped with winches and expedition roof racks. For this 25th Anniversary expedition, we’ll be driving a caravan of nine stock, straight out of the showroom 2014 Range Rover vehicles. What’s going to be fun is seeing the reaction of customers as they drive these totally stock 2014 Range Rover vehicles on some of the 12,000-foot high mountain shelf roads that are not much wider than the vehicles themselves.

Being that this is an expedition, what will the amenities be?

After long days on the trail, our guests will be staying at places like One Ski Place in Breckenridge, the historic Hotel Jerome in Aspen and the Hotel Madeline in Telluride. There will be one night under the stars, camping on a private 1,000-acre ranch at the foot of the Collegiate Peaks in Vista, Colorado. These will be luxurious tents with proper beds and down comforters, and true gourmet dining.

When does the expedition kick-off?

We’re giving two groups of customers the chance to take part. The first expedition kicks-off today until Aug 28, and we’ll repeat it from September 3-12. It really is one of those amazing once-in-a lifetime adventures, and a wonderful opportunity to put our hugely-capable 2014 Range Rover vehicles to the test.

Follow the Great Divide Expedition on Land Rover USA’s social channels: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

*To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Great Divide Expedition, a replica of an original 1990 Range Rover Great Divide Expedition vehicle was auctioned off on eBay and raised over $55,000 for the Tread Lightly! organization.