After long careers in stateside emergency services, Maria and Lisa met when their paths crossed in McMurdo Station, Antarctica while working there for the Fire Department.

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Randomly placed together as roommates in the highest, driest, coldest, windiest, least inhabited continent on the planet, they spent 5 months working and living together.  In its starkness, Antarctica is a quiet and beautiful place. Their time there was spent 'wondering', but was it more about the beauty around them or why they were in a place where the air hurt their faces.

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Serendipity abounds when the closest people on the planet that aren't already on the continent are in the International Space Station crossing above your earthly stance.  Lisa had a pre-existing interest and passion for the Rebelle Rally and upon their return stateside, had already considered several opportunities.  As her search for a rally partner waxed and waned, Lisa reached out to her friend about interest in the Rebelle Rally.     

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Interestingly, Maria had never heard of this thing called the Rebelle, but her research led her to embrace the challenge.  The spirit of adventure, the common goal of competing as a team, and the camaraderie of all involved brought her 'all in' to the project.

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The Rebelle Rally is an 8-day off road competition that covers almost 2500 kilometers of the California and Nevada desert.  Precise navigation using analog tools (compass, plotter, and paper maps) allows teams to find hidden checkpoints throughout each day of the Rebelle Rally.   Teams choose their paths through the rally and to the checkpoints without the benefit of modern digital tools.

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The third member of their team, Pika, Lisa's 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JLUR in Hella Yella will be their constant companion for the Rebelle.  The origin story of this team member acquired during the height of the COVID pandemic is a story in itself.  Stay tuned as they share their history and 2026 Rebelle Rally preparation journey.    

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Please join with them on this challenge they have embraced and reach out to share your thoughts and support.  Training sessions, skills practice, and equipment outfitting fills much of their time as the October event approaches.