(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…
Top Gear :: Overland Expo Pacific North West 2024
While exploring the booths at this year’s Overland Expo West PNW, I realized that the products worth highlighting should not only be ones I would personally use (and those backed by powerful PR firms) but, more importantly, those created by entrepreneurs. As someone who has been an entrepreneur, self-employed, and a freelancer for most of…
Minimalist Wallets :: Best of Breed
Good times—at least of the sort we’re after—come with a downside. The hard truth behind adventure is that you can’t safely peace out beyond the confines of cell service with nothing but a sandwich in one hand and your car keys in the other. For those of us desperate for even a brief escape from…
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…
NEMO Dagger Osmo Lightweight 3P Tent :: Field Tested
After an undulating 14-kilometer hike with 35 pounds on my back, I opened the NEMO Dagger Osmo three-person tent for the very first time under the looming shadow of Mount Assiniboine—motivated by a relentless cloud of thirsty mosquitoes. Perhaps this wasn’t the smartest plan in the world, but it made for a perfect opportunity to…
Overland News of the Week
New RUX Clear We’ve all been arm-deep in a bag or container, exclaiming, “Where the heck is it? I know it’s in here somewhere!” Well, fear not, as in this week’s overland news RUX is now offering the RUX 70-liter, Waterproof Bag, and RUX Pocket in a transparent material. The company promises that by using…
Flextail Tiny Repel :: Field Tested
Photography by Jason Spafford Outdoor endeavors should be about embracing nature, not battling mosquitoes. Enter the Tiny Repel. Designed by the Shenzhen-based company Flextail—increasingly known for their multifunctional outdoor gear since 2015—this compact device serves as a mosquito repellent, light, and power bank. Using DualRepel technology quickly creates a 30-foot mosquito-free zone (including horseflies), with…
ORVIS Special Edition Four Wheel Camper
Four Wheel Campers (est. 1972) and The Orvis Company (est. 1856) are powerhouses in their respective fields. Over the past year, they’ve combined forces to create a special-edition camper for the fly fishing and camping community, “designed to meet the needs of serious anglers, providing the perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and durability.” The camper…
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…
Cross Country on E-Bike via 1903 Motorcycle Route
Riding cross-country on an electric bicycle sounds like quite an adventure, and it would be if you weren’t Jack Smith. After all, he’s done that trip numerous times. His first crossing was in 1976, on a skateboard and accompanied by two friends. “Wow”, you might say, until you hear that he did that three more…
The Principles of Overlanding :: Insights on Exploring the World by Vehicle
Lessons are often learned the hard way, which, in my case, includes screwing up, getting stuck, carjacked, impounded, detained, delayed, and generally mired in the throes of adventure. Even the worst scenarios had a silver lining (maybe not the carjacking) as my awareness grew, and I adjusted my traveling operating system. During my travels, I…
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…
Overland News of the Week
Arc’teryx Introduces the ePE Beta First up in this week’s overland news, Arc’teryx has updated its best-selling Beta lineup with new PFAS-free Gore-Tex ePE in select models (the Beta Beta Lightweight jackets). Not only does this remove PFAS chemicals from their products but the new membrane provides enhanced performance. It’s lighter and thinner, which allows…
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…
Overland News of the Week
All-New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado To Land In Australia Mid-2024 As it is marketed in Australia, the all-new Land Cruiser Prado range is set to enhance its appeal with a five-variant lineup that includes 48-volt technology across the board. The range features the GX, GXL, VX, Kakadu grades, and the new Altitude variant, each offering…