East Africa is known for many things, and nearly all of them are the stuff of overlanding dreams. But a few could be classified as nightmares, principally the endless dance with roadblocks, police checkpoints, and military convoys. At times, that includes determined efforts to separate the traveler from their cash. As a result, I would…
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Category Archives: Outdoor
Chuckles Garage’s 1953 Ford “Nuke Van” Transforms a Cold War Relic into a Modern Overland Camper
Many years ago, an octogenarian English friend of mine—who remains fitter than many people half his age, suggested buying an armored Land Rover for overland travel. At the time, I dismissed the idea. Armored vehicles are heavy, expensive to maintain, and hardly ideal for crossing continents where fuel economy and payload matter. However, after several…
Editor’s Choice: The Best Rigs of Overland Expo PNW 2026
Overland Expo never disappoints when it comes to showcasing an incredible variety of expedition vehicles. From compact motorcycles and classic 4WDs to purpose-built campers and six-figure expedition trucks, there is something to inspire every kind of traveler. As international overlanders, however, we are naturally drawn to practical, thoughtfully designed vehicles that we could genuinely imagine…
Elevating Your Camp Cooking with Camp Yoshi’s Rashad Frazier
Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano welcomes Rashad Frazier, co-founder of Camp Yoshi, camp chef, and author of Cook Out: Recipes and Tips for the Great Outdoors. In this episode, Rashad shares camp cooking hacks for overlanders, as well as his favorite gear, recipes, and most memorable trips. Overland Journal Podcast Episode #305 The Overland Journal…
The North West Overland Rally: Where the Overland Tribe Gathers
The North West Overland Rally (NWOR) is special. I knew that to be true the first time I attended back in 2015. Before then, and for the following 10 years, the event was run by Ray Hyland and his family—his wife, Marianne, and sons, Seamus, Declan, and Liam—who brought decades of intercontinental overland travel experience…
Optima OrangeTop QH6 Lithium Battery :: Field Tested
The best thing you can say about a starter battery is that you never have to say anything about it at all; it should simply work every time you turn the key. An even better one doubles as an auxiliary power source. At just 21 pounds, the OrangeTop QH6 LiFePO₄ dual-purpose power unit punches above its…
Jaguar Land Rover Considers U.S.-Built Defender Based on Stellantis Platform
The global automotive industry is facing mounting pressure from several directions simultaneously. Manufacturers must contend with intense competition from both established brands and a growing number of Chinese automakers, many of which are entering international markets with competitively priced vehicles and rapidly advancing technology. At the same time, tariffs and shifting trade policies have increased…
Ford Racing to Provide Financial Support to Privateer Rebelle Rally Teams
Photo by Regine Trias Ford Racing is expanding its support for this year’s privateer Rebelle Rally teams through the newly branded Ford Raptor Route program. Open to teams competing in Ford vehicles in the 4×4 Class (with X-Cross® entries considered on a case-by-case basis), Ford Raptor Route provides financial assistance and exclusive team gear to…
Highway to Heaven: Through Ladakh and Kashmir in our 65-horsepower Wonder Bus
Both engine and lungs struggle for air as we wind our way past overloaded trucks and vertical drop-offs at 5,300 meters. Fingers and face tingle in spurts, and every bathroom break feels like running up the stairs to the fifth floor. Hospitals respirate below 92% blood oxygen. When a traveling doctor measured mine at 85%…
2027 Slate EV Truck Arrives With a Confirmed $24,950 Starting Price
The automotive industry has spent much of the last decade moving steadily upmarket. New vehicles have become larger, more complex, and significantly more expensive, leaving many buyers priced out of the new-truck market. Against that backdrop, startup automaker Slate has officially revealed pricing for its upcoming electric pickup, confirming that the 2027 Slate EV Truck…
Forest Service Launches New Recreation Mobile App
The United States Forest Service has launched a brand new mobile app that the agency says provides the most complete and accurate collection of Forest Service recreation sites that has ever been made available to the public. The announcement came as a surprise to some given the recent wide-spread budget cuts and general reduction of…
Icon 4×4 Reimagines the Classic Chevrolet C10 as a Modern Silverado-Based Pickup
My good friend Kade is the proud owner of a 1984 Ford pickup, and it is the coolest thing I have ever driven, apart from my Defender that is. The Ford is a bit rough around the edges, but the patina is perfect, and the ride is as sweet as it can be, given the…
Overland News of the Week, June 19, 2026
Free Spirit Recreation Updates RTT Line Up Free Spirit Recreation has introduced a fully updated 2026 rooftop tent lineup, featuring upgrades across the Nova, Kali, Aspen Lite, Aspen Pro, and Evo XL models. The revisions focus on durability, comfort, and improved usability based on customer feedback and field testing. All models now feature redesigned floors…
Overland Conservation :: Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps
Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps (ESCC) Founder and Executive Director Agnes Vianzon asks a simple question: How did you first access the outdoors? Through family camping trips? School outings? Friends and local programs? Where you grew up—urban or rural, in Florida, California, Nebraska, or Idaho—can also shape your access to nature. While wild spaces should belong…
Joe Burrow’s Custom Charity Bronco Heads to Barrett-Jackson Auction Block for a Cause
The last time we wrote about a Barrett-Jackson auction, it was to express some disbelief that a Santana Land Rover with what many would describe as an overly theatrical Jurassic Park-inspired theme managed to attract bids exceeding $400,000. Recently, Barrett-Jackson announced that a one-of-a-kind custom 2022 Ford Bronco built in collaboration with Joe Burrow and…
Adventures with Cyrus “Scooter” Anderson: Seven Summits and Beyond
Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady and Cyrus “Scooter” Anderson explore the importance of being present during travel and the value of family adventures, anchored by Anderson’s mantra to “Never, ever give up.” Anderson outlined his ambitious project to ride all-dirt routes between the highest points of every continent, an idea born after he summited…
Ducati Unveils Desmo450 EDS Dual Sport
Ducati’s 2026 Desmo450 EDS takes desmodromic valve timing into the outback with their first modern street-legal enduro/dual-sport machine. Per Ducati, the EDS was “born with a clear vision, one that speaks of passion, technology, and exploration.” The Goal Based on Ducati’s Desmo450 MX motocross bike, the EDS is built to take on the natural world…
Airstream Expands Rangeline Lineup with New 21PL Touring Coach
Airstream has introduced the new Rangeline 21PL Touring Coach, a Class B motorhome designed to offer greater flexibility for travelers seeking increased sleeping capacity, configurable storage, and simplified off-grid capability. Built on the Ram ProMaster chassis, the new model expands the company’s Rangeline lineup and reflects the continued growth of the compact adventure van segment…
The Rogue Wanderers on 100 Countries in a Toyota Tacoma and Four Wheel Camper
Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano welcomes American overlanders Dawn and Andy Elsbree, the Rogue Wanderers, to dive into their 2019 Toyota Tacoma and Four Wheel Camper build, why they chose it as their global overland platform, and how it’s held up after six years of travel and 100 countries later. Dawn and Andy share…
British Overlanders Craig and Lindsay Foreman Lose Appeal in Iran and Begin Hunger Strike
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both from East Sussex in the United Kingdom, were arrested in Iran in January 2025 while undertaking an around-the-world motorcycle journey. According to reports, the couple had entered Iran legally from Armenia with valid visas and an approved itinerary as they made their way toward Pakistan and eventually Australia. Iranian authorities…