The Big Thing :: A Mighty Little Triumph in Montana

Having attended my share of overland events over the years, I half-expected XOverland’s inaugural The Big Thing (July 10–13, 2025) in Montana to feel like a polished production with an established vibe. What I didn’t anticipate was the heart, the attention to detail, and that family-oriented community energy pulsing through the XOverland Ranch like wildfire.

Set just outside Bozeman on a 505-acre parcel of outdoor heaven, the event was an immersive, in-depth exploration of all things 4WD, yet it never felt overwhelming. A three-day showcase of workshops, live demos, rig displays, happy hours, s’more-laden fireside chats, ranch drives, kids’ adventures, incredible giveaways (some tied to class participation, drawing you deeper in), free Toyota consults and repairs,  and personal stories galore—The Big Thing lived up to its name without feeling too big to handle.

From the start, I was nudged to compare it to your typical expo. But here’s the truth: it didn’t need comparing. The event was entirely its own: intimate, intentional, and inclusive—distinctive enough not to need defending or defining.

Representation That Matters

Among the many standout elements, one theme rang especially clear. As an adventuring gal, I’ve learned to gauge how many “of us” show up—on and off stage. This time? We were seen. Valued. And handed the mic. Female representation at The Big Thing wasn’t just present—it was powerhouse strong. One of the highlights was when Patty (Patricia) Upton—a rig queen in international overlanding since the ’70s, including a crossing of the Darién Gap in a 1966 CJ-5 Jeep, the Sand Ship Discovery—relayed her account of the epic adventure shared with her husband, Lauren. She will be participating for the first time alongside Connie Rodman in this year’s Rebelle Rally, America’s all-women off-road navigation challenge. A poignant reminder that age and experience are allies, not limits. 

Adding to the inspiration was Emily Miller, founder of the Rebelle Rally and Rebelle U training programs. A race-winning driver and off-road coach to over 8,000 students, her background brings depth, drive, and undeniable encouragement to the female contingent stepping into the arena. Between these formidable she-roes, the message was clear: capability knows no gender, and the road is wide open.

The Sound of Female Grit

Eager to put this brand of inspiration into action, a driving experience delivered. The ladies-only off-road course (a bonus Sunday option) was led with expert patience and mastery by Nena Barlow (barlows.us)—a fierce and funny master trainer with decades of backcountry experience and two-time Rebelle Rally champion. 

Raven, an XOverland loaner Tacoma, my classroom-on-wheels, helped me conquer trail hills I’d normally experience from the passenger seat, all while likely enduring a rigorous, involuntary backside workout. While my somewhat mortifying vocal reactions may have needed censoring, the sisterhood camaraderie was real. Warm encouragement from Mary Hannah Hardcastle beside me during some of those spicy inclines and declines meant I couldn’t have asked for a better wing(wo)man. This was easily one of my highlights. 

Sessions That Stuck: Beyond the Basics

But the learning didn’t end there. Not a dry lecture in sight, the workshop lineup read like an overlander’s dream: winching and recovery, navigation, solar and power systems, trail cooking, and more. But what struck me most was the humility woven through each session. No bluster or bravado. Case in point: speakers like Scott Brady shared the gritty, real-world stuff candidly, including some self-confessed blunders and hard lessons learned. Gold dust. Even when geared toward newcomers, room was made for grassroots voices to add perspective, giving practical takeaways.

Jason Schuab’s Overland Cookery Essentials session was surprisingly brilliant. If you’d told me I’d be raving about how to make kale and tofu (both as fun as a funeral) taste good from a camp stove, I might’ve laughed. It was fresh, insightful, and loaded with alternative tips that I’ll actually use. Finally, someone qualified gave us all permission to elevate trail food with a must-have pantry of flavour-packed staples—going well beyond quesadillas and freeze-dried regret. I left inspired, satiated by a cup of velvety Japanese pumpkin soup I’m still salivating over, and committed to employing new ways to make even rice exciting.

Meanwhile, my partner, Jase, disappeared into Micah Weber’s Intro to Welding and Warn’s Winching and Recovery class. No surprise, he was all in. His eyes lit up the moment he mentioned getting hands-on. There’s something about methodically nicking ropes with a sharp blade and pulling a rig from the brink that speaks to his soul—or maybe it’s just the toys. Either way, he returned giddy, head full of freshly gleaned field intel and a thousand-yard stare.

A Proper Community Vibe

We camped beside a shimmering lake perfect for dips, paddling, or casting a line, next to a pop-up sauna. It felt like I’d stumbled into some kind of glamp-overland utopia. Ample portable loos dotted across the site—a miracle in itself. Staff kids collected rubbish like tiny eco-warriors while having genuine and friendly conversations with us older attendees. How refreshing. Pre-event communications were clear, and schedules and map boards were everywhere. There was breathing room, time to connect, and permission to just be.

The Heartbeat Moments

Small, personal touches such as the cooling mist stations and filtered water spigots for thirsty nomads like us (needing refills every couple of days) made a big impact. Other standouts were the freedom to move our rig (a 2015 Toyota Hilux 2.5L turbo-diesel) once parked (hallelujah!) and the unspoken magic of the Crofts’ quiet humility—always willing to chew the fat if you were lucky enough to catch them between demands. Hearing some of the Next Big Thing visions read aloud from the manifestation board was heartfelt and an endearing gesture. And yes, there was even a motorcycle crowd suggestion for the 2026 roster.

Feedback with a Future

Of course, no event is flawless. So, when the organisers proactively sought feedback, they received it with grace and are already planning improvements:

• Early bird ticket access for 2025 attendees
• Option of closer camping zones to the Roadhouse, Hub, Portal, and classrooms
• More shade and communal chill zones under Montana’s relentless rays
• Showers (saving our limited water supply, yes please!)
• Scheduled gaps between sessions
• More vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-conscious food options
• An amped-up Garage Sale (with coffee and hype the night before?)

These were modest asks in the grand scheme, and frankly, the execution was already a cut above.

Summer Camp for Adults

The Big Thing felt like the spark of something quietly powerful—long in the making, ready to take root and thrive in the overland space. Educational without preaching. Inspiring without ego. Product-rich without the hard sell. It struck that rare balance between substance and soul. For me, it was the kind of experience that leaves you better equipped as a remote roamer and fuller as a human. I left with a head packed with new know-how, a heart fuelled by newfound friendships, and a renewed resolve to keep chasing the trail. You could just as well call it summer camp for grown-up explorers—dust-caked, mud-splattered, and wide open to whatever comes next.

To Clay, Rachelle, and every extraordinary soul associated with XOverland who made this gathering what it was—thank you. As a grateful, longtime contributor to this community, and certainly as a Brit, I don’t use the word “awesome” lightly. But you’ve earned it. Nicely done. 

Read more: The Big Thing :: Where the Heart of Overlanding Came Home

Photos by Reyes Murrieta and Dana & Arthur