One week after Willys revealed its General Purpose vehicle, and in the midst of The Blitz, journalist Sullivan Richardson, mechanic Arnold Whitaker, and Kenneth C. Van Hee drove quietly out of Detroit in a 1941 Plymouth sedan bound for Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego. It was just before midnight on November 18, 1940, and as…
Feralosophy: A Ladies-Only Overlanding Experience is Coming This October
(feral-os-o-phy) (noun): In a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication. Belief or doctrine. The Ozarks regularly appear on Expedition Portal and in Overland Journal for good reason. Overlanders frequent the forested mountains that stretch across five states, taking in springs, rushing waterfalls, lakes, caverns, and other karstic landforms. Add some off-pavement trails,…
Reza Pakravan :: Modern Explorer
Photography by Kevin Merrey and Mark Game It was 70 days into Reza Pakravan’s bicycle expedition from Norway to South Africa before he cracked. His body weak with a recent bout of malaria and severe food poisoning, Reza and his expedition partner, Steven Pawley, slogged through the Kenyan desert in 40°C temperatures, out of water…
Eco-Hack! | Video of the Week
Armed with lasers, terrestrial rovers, drones, and 3D-printed fake tortoises, conservation biologist Tim Shields looks like he belongs on a science fiction film set in the Mojave Desert. Really, though, his target is specific and aligns more with Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. Shields is on a mission to save desert tortoises from going extinct by…
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: The ABCs of Overland Convoy Etiquette
Photography by Richard Giordano, Eglė Gerulaitytė, and Lila Shaw There’s a kid driving a Corolla at 120 kph, waving a note at me with the words “I love you” scrawled across the paper. Normally, I would be flattered at this declaration of affection, but the teen’s foot is jammed to the floor, sending his beat-up…
Overland News of the Week
Opinel Releases New Grilling Set Fabricated in France, this grill set includes a stainless steel folding knife, a spatula insert, and extra-large tongs with a stonewashed finish. The No. 12B folding knife features a beechwood handle from sustainably managed French forests and is equipped with a bottle opener at the end, while the spatula is…
Join Naresh Kumar as He Cycles Across America to Combat Human Trafficking
Naresh Kumar has cycled more than 10,000 kilometers through 13 countries on a tandem bicycle to raise awareness and funds to combat human trafficking. Now, you can join him as he travels from Oregon to DC, inviting strangers to join him on project Freedom Seat. Born and raised in a suburb of Chennai in South…
Fire-Cooked Chipotle Burrito Bowls from Epic Family Road Trip :: Video of the Week
A simple, staple meal that can be whipped up at camp or home is like gold—especially if the recipe is flexible enough to be cooked over a fire or on a propane stove. In this Video of the Week, Carol van Stralen of Epic Family Road Trip is joined by her daughter, Caroline, who shares…
All in the Family: The Story Behind AluBox
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles the multi-generational Denmark-based storage company AluBox. She connected with Søren Wiberg to learn more about AluBox’s origins, its involvement in field expeditions, and how consumer preferences have changed since the company’s inception in 1999. Cover photo courtesy…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer
Feature Image Courtesy of The Journal of Lost Time AMERICAN NORTHWEST Northwest Overland Rally When: June 20-23, 2024 Where: Leavenworth, Washington The Northwest Overland Rally caters to keeners curious about anything from winching to photography, off-pavement driving skills, or seasoning your cast-iron pot. Join a wine-tasting, whiskey-sharing, or happy hour session before the evening’s lively…
Camp-Style Lu Rou Fan With Gon Dirtin’ and Mali Mish :: Video of the Week
Gon Dirtin’s Linhbergh Nguyen and Karissa Hosek have launched a brilliant new five-part series, Gon Cookin’, in which they recreate guest’s favorite dishes into camp-friendly versions. Presented by XOverland and driven by Mobil 1, the series is part Chef’s Table, part cooking class, and features recipes from Marco Hernandez, Stephanie Tea, Bound for Nowhere’s Mary…
Overland News of the Week
Storyteller Overland Acquires Taxa Outdoors In this week’s overland news, adventure lifestyle and adventure van manufacturer Storyteller Overland has acquired camping habitat and overlanding utility trailer brand Taxa Outdoors. Entrepreneur and former Global Brand President for Harley-Davidson Neil Grimmer will serve as the chief strategy officer of Storyteller Overland and CEO at Taxa. “With the…
From Biocrust, With Love :: Video of the Week
If living organisms could write a letter to humans, what would they say? I imagine the message from thousand-year-old bristlecone pines, sequoias, and baobabs would be lengthy (and likely not on paper), while a bird’s eye perspective could be enlightening. But what about the areas we’ve long deemed lifeless, the deserts and dry places? After…
10 Things to Know About Overlanding Morocco
Photography by Richard Giordano In Marrakech’s House of Photography, time stands still. Silver photographs, glass plates, and autochromes capture market scenes and hooded figures from 1879 to 1960, confirming what I already know to be true about the country: it evokes a sense of timelessness. I feel it most while shopping in the souks or…
On Her Own | Bikepacking from Hamburg to Nordkapp :: Video of the Week
With 30 days off work, Wiebke Lühmann embarked on a 3,500-kilometer solo bike journey from Hamburg, Germany, to Norway’s North Cape. The idea came from her father, who had traveled to the Arctic Circle by bicycle in eighth grade. Filmed by Luhmann’s longtime school friend Fabienne Engel, On Her Own documents the highs and lows…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Spring
Lead photo courtesy of Weird Wild West SOUTHWEST USA Adventure Van Expo When: April 13-24, 2024 Where: Scottsdale, Arizona The Adventure Van Expo series returns for 2024 with a packed schedule of events, including the first of the season in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lively music, food trucks, vendors, and camping converge in this all-ages celebration of…
Overland News of the Week
Super Pacific Announces Integration With Truma VarioHeat Furnace Now available for integration with Super Pacific’s X1 truck camper, the Truma furnace provides a heating solution for year-round comfort. The furnace mounts under the canopy door, while the exterior port allows for an easy propane connection. When paired with the optional ThermaPuff insulation kit, Super Pacific…
La Ruta Mala: Trans-Cuba Bikepacking :: Video of the Week
Lead photograph by Jeanne Lepoix In La Ruta Mala, filmmaker Jeanne Lepoix captures the essence of bikepacking across Cuba, from the eastern coastal city of Santiago de Cuba to the tobacco plantations surrounding the picturesque town of Viñales. Lepoix and Xavier Tipa take on the 860-mile (1,384-kilometer) route over 17 days, passing through farming communities, past sugarcane…
1955 Citroën Traction Avant 11CV Commerciale :: Feature Vehicle
Photography by Etienne Musslin When we decide to leave on a trip—whether it’s 200 kilometers, around the globe, or somewhere in between—vehicle choice is often something we dive into headfirst. Maybe your trusty steed is parked in your driveway, or perhaps you’ve spent countless hours (and dollars) building a one-of-a-kind contraption with all the amenities….
Five Tips to Help Plan Your Next Overland Trip
Photography by Richard Giordano Being on the road full-time means I’m in a constant state of trip planning. The process has become so natural it runs on autopilot in the background, between fuel station visits, grocery shopping trips, and scrolling the Park4Night app for some creature comforts and facilities. I love gathering tidbits about everything…