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  • Author: Chris Cordes

36 Hours of Adventure: For the Gram

It all hit me at a Starbucks in San Jose, California. I was hammering away on my keyboard, happily sipping my latte while writing a story, when I noticed a group of five girls in the corner. Every single one of them was alternating taking photos of their drinks with taking selfies in the sun….

Video of the Week: Perpetual Motion in Baja Norte

Overlanding is about the journey, the experience, the culture, and the people of a place. It’s about taking in all of the sights, sounds, and smells the road has to offer, regardless of your form of travel or budget. That’s why I really dig this latest series from the duo at West x 1000. It’s…

Overland Routes | Big Bend National Park

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Summer 2016. They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and standing in the heart of Big Bend National Park you’d sure believe it. It’s a land of burning sunsets, soaring mesas, and enchanting vistas that sprawl toward the horizon until meeting softly with the deep blue…

Video of the Week: Exploring Russia’s Wilderness

When it comes to travel destinations on my bucket list, Russia never really found its way to the top. Sure, there are plenty of amazing things to see there, but the beauty and diversity of other places always seemed to beckon me away from this enormous nation—until I watched this video. Observing Geko Expeditions wandering…

The Best Seat in the House: Scheel-Mann Vario F XXL

We evaluate a lot of gear here at Expedition Portal and Overland Journal. Tents, trucks, bags, fridges, and recovery equipment are regularly used and reviewed by our team, and normally the write-ups are pretty straightforward. We cover their specifications, talk about our expectations, and determine how well the product ended up meeting them. But today…

Vagabond Outdoors Drifter Shell

The pop-top camper shell market has exploded with activity lately. It started with the release of the AT Overland habitat back in 2016 and then heated up with the Go Fast Camper (GFC) which hit the market earlier this year. Now a new contender has entered the ring, and it’s called the Drifter. The Drifter…

Field Tested: Big Agnes Big Joe Bags

As a writer, I try not to make broad assumptions or stereotypes about anything, but today I’m going to make an exception. Most overlanders are bag junkies. I’d reckon there are very few of us that don’t perk up at the sight of a cool new backpack or duffel, and the mere mention of purpose-built…

Video of the Week: Breathe

The world revolves around work. We’ve become a society that identifies an individual’s worth based on the job they perform, the money they make, and the title they hold. Business days have consistently grown longer, emails and phone calls now keep us occupied long after we’ve left the office, and the new societal expectation is…

20 Things You’ll Learn Driving Across Australia

1. There are countless things that can kill you—but they probably won’t. Australia is home to some of the most deadly critters on earth. Jellyfish, sharks, snakes, crocodiles, and spiders just to name a few, yet throughout my travels, I never met an Australian who seemed too concerned. This in spite of the fact that…

Field Tested: Front Runner Spare Tire Braai

I love so many aspects of camping, but one of my favorites has always been the campfire. There’s something so relaxing about sitting in the cool night while a warm flame crackles nearby, and it’s the perfect opportunity to share hopes, dreams, and laughs between friends. Of course, there is one thing that can make…

Video of the Week: Overlander

Few people have done as much to put overlanding on the map as the guys and gals of Expedition Overland. Their friendly attitudes and passion for adventure have captured our imaginations from the beginning, and their videos have inspired many people to strike out in search of their own journeys, wherever they may lead. Of…