Moab, Utah, is one of the true outdoor adventure meccas of North America. I have many happy memories from my trips there, both as a launching pad for exploring the seemingly endless trails and national parks in the surrounding area and for the town itself, which has an eclectic mix of Jeepers, climbers, mountain bikers,…
Great American Rail-Trail Aims to Link Both Coasts
Rail lines offer a unique opportunity for building trail networks since they bridge urban, rural, and wilderness landscapes in ways other infrastructures don’t. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has been converting disused and abandoned rail lines in the United States into footpaths and bicycle trails since 1986. There is likely a Rails-to-Trails project near you as…
Field Tested :: InstaPrivy Portable Toilet Kit
Of all the portable commodes on the market today, the InstaPrivy is the only one you wear on your head. From outside the privacy shelter, the user looks like an olive-drab ghost on Halloween or perhaps a tiny mobile grain silo, but the design is genius in its simplicity (more on how to use the…
Max Adventure Announces Two Sahara Rallies for 2023
Among the cars that have come and gone from my garage over the years, my 2003 Mini Cooper S (the R53 generation) remains one of my favorites. I kept it well-maintained, so the reliability problems that plagued the supercharged hatchback stayed away. It was an efficient and engaging commuter, a hoot on track days, and…
Field Tested :: Hovsco HovBeta 20-inch Foldable Fat Tire Electric Bike
The world of electric bikes is evolving rapidly and expanding into dozens of different niches. From basic pedal assist to near motorcycle-like capabilities, the field is diverse. E-bikes appeal to overlanders looking to add a secondary mode of transportation to their outfit, and the Hovsco HovBeta folding step-through e-bike is an appealing option. I’m an…
Jeep Reveals 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Wrangler Rubicon
Has it really been 20 years? Jeep introduced the Rubicon nameplate for the TJ-generation Wrangler at Moab’s Easter Jeep Safari in 2002, and it was something of a watershed for the brand. DaimlerChrysler had finally equipped the original all-American sport utility vehicle with a legit factory off-road accessory package for the first time. The ur-Rubicon…
Overland Journal Senior Photographer Bruce Dorn Named Canon Legend
It’s safe to say that Overland Journal’s Senior Photographer Bruce Dorn has seen it all through his viewfinder over the last 40 years as a professional lensman in couture fashion, advertising, editorial, and adventure photography. As an award-winning director and filmmaker, Bruce is also the Creative Director for the pioneering visual and digital effects powerhouse…
Field Tested :: Austere Manufacturing Cam Buckles and Straps
In my garage, I have a large canvas bag filled with bungee cords, ratchet straps, and random lengths of rope and webbing. This Hydra head is not the ideal storage situation for these tools. Inevitably, rather than trying to untangle the strap I need from this Gordian knot, I buy new ones at the local hardware…
Car Culture Icon Ken Block, Dead at 55
Ken Block, one of the giants of contemporary car culture, died in a snowmobiling accident on January 2. Block loomed large as a rally racer, taste-maker, and seemingly indefatigable advocate for all things automotive. An entrepreneur at heart, he walked away from a multi-million dollar shoe and sportswear empire to take up a career in…
Overland Inspiration in 2022 :: Expedition Portal’s Top Ten Posts
Overland life evolved in exciting ways in 2022. As the global pandemic slowed or was increasingly ignored (depending on your perspective and general location), life gradually found a new normal. Schools re-opened, employees returned to their cubicles, and time spent on Zoom calls declined. Many predicted the unprecedented boom we saw in 2020-2021 in outdoor…
Video of the Week :: Blue Line Co. Goes Fishing for an Isuzu
Overlanding isn’t only a pursuit for itself. In fact, many of us fell into overlanding while chasing other passions. Backroads travel, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, or just regular old car camping can be the inspiration to build an overland rig all your own. A well-thought-out adventure vehicle will help get you to more isolated campsites,…
Ford Recalls 500,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes
Ford announced this week that it is recalling over 500,000 Bronco Sport and Escape models for faulty fuel injectors. The model years affected range from 2020 to 2023, and the recall is for the 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine. According to Ford, when the engine is operating, a cracked fuel injector could cause fuel and/or fuel…
Help Preserve the Verde River :: Buy a Raffle Ticket, Win a Custom Pin Drop Travel Trailer
Two northern Arizona businesses, THAT Brewery and Pin Drop Travel Trailers, are collaborating on a project to raise awareness around Verde River conservation and to promote river sustainability. Both businesses are already champions of Arizona’s natural resource stewardship in a variety of ways. Furthering their efforts, the business pair will be raffling off a one-of-a-kind…
All-New Scout EV Moves One Step Closer to Reality
Volkswagen has pulled the curtain back just a little further on its ambitious stand-alone EV SUV brand, Scout Motors. The revival of the venerable nameplate by Germany’s largest auto manufacturer was something of a bomb-shell earlier this year. According to VW, they intend to reveal more information about the electric off-roader in early 2023, with…
Porsche 911 Dakar :: The Safari Build Goes Mainstream
The “Safari build” has been a staple in the aftermarket Porsche restomod world for a while, but it’s a different story when the legendary manufacturer decides to make one of its own. Say hello to the Porsche 911 Dakar. Porsche has been teasing a lifted, off-tarmac 992 platform 911 for a little while now, and…
VW Features Adventure Concepts at SEMA 2022
The awkwardly named Specialty Equipment Market Association is holding its annual bash in Las Vegas. It is one of the largest showcases of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories on the planet, which is why we generally eschew its full title for the shorter and instantly recognizable, SEMA. However, SEMA isn’t just for the aftermarket any…
New Zealand Overlanders Detained in Iran Released
Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray, known as Expedition Earth, disappeared in July along with their Jeep Gladiator shortly after they arrived in Iran on an around-the-world expedition. Very little is known about the circumstances of their detention, but as Reuters and other outlets have reported, the couple were released earlier this week. New Zealand’s Prime…
GMC Sierra EV :: GM’s Premium Truck Brand Boosts its Electric Lineup
GMC debuted its all-electric 2024 GMC Sierra Denali EV today with a claimed 400 miles of range, 754 horsepower, 787 pound-feet of torque, and 800V DC fast charging at up to 350 kilowatts. Starting at an MSRP of $107,000, the all-new Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will be available for pre-order at 5:00 pm EDT…