Many of us traveling overnight or long distances on motorcycles are going into bear territory; that’s why we love our ADV and dual-sport bikes—to get off main roads and into the backcountry. But what about storing food out of reach from bears while we sleep at night? Growing up in the Canadian Rockies, I often…
BearVault: A Container for Safe Food Storage in the Backcountry
As a rider, I’ve traveled through a lot of bear country, particularly in British Columbia, Alaska, and Russia. As a hiker, I’ve encountered dozens of bears—even been chased by one, which is why I take food storage in the wilderness seriously. Not only do I want to avoid being woken in the night by claws…
Eye-Catching Rigs of Overland Expo West 2022
Overland Expo West is the premier overland-inspired event in the USA and will likely retain that crown in the coming decades. It is the SEMA of our “industry,” and anyone who is anyone fights tooth and nail to secure a booth in the hopes of attracting a slice of the ever-growing pie. While other industries…
Zapp Family Completes 22 Years of Worldwide Travel in 1928 Graham-Paige
Herman and Candelaria Zapp grew up together, dreaming of adventure since they were kids. Six years after marrying, they set a firm date for the backpacking trip they’d put off for so long. But at the last minute, they decided to drive instead. The vehicle was sitting in their garage and in need of refurbishment….
Gaia GPS Launches New Overlanding Map
Gaia GPS has launched Gaia Overland, a new global base map designed to provide the information you need to plan and navigate your next overland or off-pavement adventure. Map features include updated roads and trails, including those from OpenStreetMap, road and trail data from the US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management, and…
Snow Peak Launches Community Campout to Support Inclusivity in the Outdoors
In an effort to support those experiencing barriers to accessing nature, Snow Peak has launched Campout for Good, an impact-focused community campaign uniting campers across the United States to help create a more accessible and inclusive outdoor environment for all. Registration is free and includes access to exclusive content, a Camp Guide to inspire this…
Through Algeria and Tunisia on a Motor-bicycle with Lady Warren
Lead photo courtesy of Through Algeria & Tunisia on a Motor-bicycle “When the wandering spirit stirs him, lucky is he who can yield to the lure. There are probably few people, to whom travelling is even remotely possible, who have not felt the longing to feel and see the romance unfolded by travellers’ tales. To…
Last of the Igu
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. The road wound steeply through the mountains, hugging the forested flanks in a dizzying series of switchbacks. Waterfalls pounded onto the surface, gouging the mud into angry little streams. And all the time, the rain kept falling, falling, falling—slamming into the earth…
Destination: Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, British Columbia
Photography by Richard Giordano Located on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park offers visitors the chance to bask in its rainforests, try out the surf, observe local flora and fauna, and hike the local trails. One of the park’s main features, the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail, winds 47…
Far Bank Fly Fishing School Offers First Season of Free Educational Videos
While fly fishing might not be the first thing that comes to mind regarding online education, Far Bank is changing the narrative when it comes to what is possible. The fly fishing school recently launched its first season of a free, comprehensive, and feature-film quality educational fishing series hosted by renowned fly casting expert Simon…
Good to the Last Drop :: Instant Coffee Options for the Trail
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2022 Issue. I have a secret to share with you: I’ve been drinking instant coffee for the last few weeks and have been enjoying it. I know this may come as a surprise to some of you, especially after past articles where I have no…
Video of the Week :: Walking Through Fire—Crossing the Empty Quarter
Located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula and spanning 650,000 square kilometers, the Empty Quarter (Rub’ Al Khali) is the largest sand sea in the world. In this desolate but beautiful place, three women—Janey McGill, Atheer Al-Sabri, and Baida Al-Zadjali—chose to cross by foot, walking 758 kilometers from Ubar to Ibri in Oman’s…
Overlander Mexico
When you face the unknown—whether people, places, or concepts—the talons of fear have a way of gripping down relentlessly. The year was 2018, and my husband and I were facing doubts before overlanding into an unfamiliar country for the first time. We would have experienced less of a mental rollercoaster were it not for our…
Overlanding Norway’s Southern Fjordlands
For as long as I can remember, Scandinavia has held a particular magnetism for me. In my teenage days, I dreamed of the vast snow dunes of Lapland, fire crackling in the unforgiving cold, the northern lights showing the way through the endless night. The first time I traveled solo, I looked for the landscape…
Plan the Experience
“Are those the Bears Ears?” my brother Rob questioned as he pointed at red rock formations to our south. “Sure, I guess those look like large ears.” I knew the Mormon pioneers blazed an overland route through here in the mid-1800s on their way to settle the southeastern corner of Utah. But that was about it. “Trapped” inside my…
Video of the Week: Van Life in The Artic with Living The Van Life
Chad DeRosa’s travels around the USA and Baja have been well documented for more than a decade. This video beautifully demonstrates that Chad is not only an excellent storyteller but also a courageous explorer, daring to take on the winter Arctic in his Mercedes Benz Sprinter. With temperatures dropping to -30F, Chad takes us on…
Method Race Wheels Reveals New 706 Bead Grip Wheel Technology
Today, Method Race Wheels introduced its new 706 Bead Grip wheel, a revolutionary design that bridges the gap between conventional street and beadlock wheels. The 706 is DOT-approved and features Method’s patented Bead Grip technology, which provides the ability to safely run lower tire pressures without the stress of a tire de-beading. The wheels, available…
Mojave Road Adventure Festivus – April 22-24
Back in January 2022 we informed you that the Mojave Road has a new champion. Billy Creech has worked tirelessly and has organised an event which is packed with adventure, education and opportunity. The Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association (501c3 non-profit, a portion of the ticket sales go to MDHCA ) and OLAF Events…
Old Versus New : A Real-World Perspective
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. It’s common wisdom in overlanding circles that older vehicles are the smart choice for exploring remote and seldom-visited corners of the globe. Because they were built without computers, function perfectly fine without the need of fancy gizmos, and are made with virtually…
Overland Iran
After extensive travelling in many parts of the world, we more and more started to look for areas less travelled, especially since we started venturing in our Land Rover Defender. When focusing on the Middle East, we were intrigued by Iran. Once part of Mesopotamia and known as Persia until 1935, this “far away” country…