Having attended my share of overland events over the years, I half-expected XOverland’s inaugural The Big Thing (July 10–13, 2025) in Montana to feel like a polished production with an established vibe. What I didn’t anticipate was the heart, the attention to detail, and that family-oriented community energy pulsing through the XOverland Ranch like wildfire….
Category Archives: Adventure
The Big Thing :: Where the Heart of Overlanding Came Home
The Big Thing event began with a simple idea: create something that feels like why we all fell in love with overlanding in the first place. Not for the gear. Not for the builds. But for the belief that adventure makes us better—because it brings people together and changes us along the way. So, we…
The BDR Bros: Nothing’s Thicker than Blood and Bikes
When TJ Brown heard the newly minted NorCal Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) was being opened in the summer of 2024, he immediately called a meeting of his friends, all adventure motorcyclists. The BDR Bros, as he dubs them, assembled on a Tuesday evening with maps, both Google and folding, and began planning for a two-wheeled…
Women’s-Only Off-Road Class Is a Go for XOverland’s Big Thing Event
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, as the featured “Big Thing” overland weekend concludes, the XOverland Ranch is offering a women-only technical training course—a dedicated space designed to build driving confidence, refine recovery techniques, and foster genuine connection among women who share a passion for adventure. Hosted at the picturesque XOverland Ranch near Three Forks, Montana,…
Beyond the Human Context: Protecting the Invisible in Kyrgyzstan
In 2017, my girlfriend, Caroline, and I bought a 1990s ex-ambulance Mercedes-Benz 609D in Berlin. With only 40,000 kilometers on the clock, it was in great shape and ready for adventure. Despite our limited resources, we managed to convert it into our off-grid home under the sweltering southern Spain sun. Without a garage, we did…
Living Legend Kingsley Holgate: The Man, the Beard, the Cause
Photography by Kingsley Holgate Foundation Kingsley Holgate is one of my heroes, having completed 41 expeditions (and counting), all after turning 50 years old. Explorations include reaching the geographic center of Africa, which had never been done before, and circumnavigating Africa, as close to the coastline as they could, which is something that was a…
Mike Pfeiffer of Last Line of Defense on Practical Readiness
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Matt Scott converses with Mike Pfeiffer from the Last Line of Defense about practical readiness and overlanding. Mike shares insights from his life as an “army brat,” his experiences traveling and living in various states, and his journey into off-roading and overlanding. The conversation highlights the…
1966 Land Rover Series 2a Marshall Ambulance :: Feature Vehicle
The namesake of British explorer Ernest Shackleton is suitably the stuff of legends. This wheeled Sir Shackleton, who we’ll call “Shack” for brevity’s sake, is a 1966 Land Rover Series 2a Marshall ambulance. But we’ve already entered a shrouded realm of mythology. Though Shack’s registration papers designate his build year as 1968, the error in…
From Fear to Fascination: Overlanding the United States-Mexico Border
I sat down and took a deep breath, desperately trying to clear my nerves. Our Zoom call gave a soft chime as parents and teachers logged on one by one. It’s not every day that a high school would consider supporting and helping pay for a month-long overland trip, much less an expedition consisting of…
Doug and Stephanie Hackney’s Inspirational Overland Adventures
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, Scott Brady hosts special guests Doug and Stephanie Hackney, who share their incredible journey from high-powered careers to full-time explorers. They dive into their motivations behind choosing travel over material comforts, the challenges and rewards of overland adventures, and the importance of adaptability. The conversation also touches…
Andrew Comrie-Picard on the Power of Self-Belief and the Transglobal Car Expedition
Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano is joined by Canadian race car driver, X Games athlete, stuntman, and Baja 1000 champion Andrew Comrie-Picard in this episode, which touches on his childhood in Alberta, Canada, and how his love for driving challenges launched his automotive career. The conversation continues with an in-depth look at Comrie-Picard’s latest…
10 Things to Know About Overlanding Greece
Photography by Richard Giordano On the busy streets of Xanthi, I spot a tiny lobster. She’s swinging an air lasso to “Gangnam Style” as bass pumps through a gargantuan roadside speaker. Located in northern Greece, the city of Xanthi hosts some of the most popular Apokries events in the country, which celebrate the festive season…
Dean Poulopoulos of Overland N’Explore on Overlanding Greece
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Overland N’Explore owner and founder Dean Poulopoulos. In this episode, they discuss differences between the European and American overland markets, give tips on overlanding Greece, and discuss how Dean went from working in the maritime industry to starting his own overland outfitter business…
Is the Rebelle Rally the Ultimate Overland Training Event?
Lead photo by Tim Sutton The scene is a familiar one: a golden desert sunrise, a cup of steaming coffee in hand, and a game of vehicle Tetris to prepare for the day ahead. Cold, stiff fingers are gradually warmed by the sun, eagerly grasping maps, hauling duffel bags, and closing zippers. A sense of…
Vancouver Island: A Rover and a Reset in the Best Place on Earth
It was the end of summer, and the sun hung over the far end of Muchalat Lake a bit later than it would in a month from now, but not as late as it had the month before. I was sitting on a log on the beach overlooking the water about 15 kilometers from Gold…
onX 2024 Impact Report Shows Progress Protecting Access, Conserving US Land
Access to public land is a privilege that all Americans and foreign visitors enjoy in most states (yes, we are giving you side eyes, Texas, Connecticut, and Iowa). With this privilege comes the responsibility for all users to engage in the sustainable and respectful use of this land. onX, a leader in digital outdoor navigation,…
Bikepacking Crete :: Top 10 Gear Picks
I grit my teeth and take a few more steps. Sweat drips down my nose as my heart pounds. Progress is measured in feet, not miles, on these ascents. The goats make it look so easy. Occasionally, a shepherd will pass in a beat-up Toyota Hilux; a simple nod is sufficient. It may be December,…
Are Bush Planes Your Next Over Lander?
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady is joined by Dave Harriton from American Expedition Vehicles, an engineering and product design expert and a passionate backcountry flyer. The discussion delves into the world of bush planes, particularly tandem planes, and the similarities to overlanding. Dave shares his journey into flying, from…
The Explorers Club: Not Just for Scientists
Photography by Chris Collard Housed in a New York City building on East 70th Street lies the headquarters of the Explorers Club. Home to the Kon-Tiki globe, the Apollo 11 moon flag, and thousands of archival volumes, artifacts, and maps gathered since the club’s inception in 1904, the society’s mission remains “to explore by all…
Clay and Rachelle Croft of XOverland on the Adventure of Travel, Life, and Love
Join host Scott Brady on the Overland Journal Podcast as he converses with Clay and Rachelle Croft, the dynamic duo behind the XOverland brand. Known for their extensive global travels and mastery of overlanding, Scott delves into their incredible adventures, the intricacies of their life, marriage, and maintaining family values amidst success. This episode offers…