Alaskan Jeep Experience

Jp and the 2017 Nitto JK Experience traveled into “The Last Frontier” to test our machines and ourselves.

- Rick Péwé

Alaska: “The Last Frontier.” The ultimate test of man and machine—which is exactly why the Nitto JK Experience Presented by Discount Tire decided to head north to the cold country and pit its band of Wranglers against the elements. Our epic adventure would start off in Anchorage, and then we would meander (and slog) our way to the top of the country— Prudhoe Bay. Even returning back down to Anchorage would entail numerous other off-road escapades and sightseeing that would stay in our memories forever.

This is the final year of the Jeep Wrangler JK platform, so it seemed a fitting trial by fire to travel to the largest state in the union. While more than a dozen JKs made the trip from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay, a few of them even drove from the lower 48 and back again; a true testament to the durability of even a built Wrangler.

Mel Wade started the JK Experience seven years ago to highlight the vehicle’s capabilities and to promote his shop, Off Road Evolution. He has been a participant on many of the Ultimate Adventure trips put on by our sister magazine, 4-Wheel & Off-Road, and loosely patterned his JKX adventures after that. While limited to JKs only, Mel also allows other shops and businesses to participate—since he’s only interested in promoting the common good. Nitto has been the title sponsor from day one, and supplies all the rigs with its awesome tires should the owners decide to run them. 37s were the norm on this trip, but 40-inch sizes were also in abundance.