When I reached the summit of Spitzkoppe mountain in Namibia, I had only been rock climbing for eight months. I couldn’t believe what it took to reach my goal, including the days leading up to it and the months of prep to make sure I was well-equipped.  Since my time in the infantry, I’ve been chasing the feeling I used…

  Show Notes for Podcast #81  Nena Barlow talks essential skills for backcountry overlanding Summary: Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Nena Barlow about her favorite Jeeps, her competitive success with the Rebelle Rally, and the essential skills for exploring the backcountry. Guest Bio:  Nena Barlow Owner Nena Barlow grew up in the Southwest, exploring the back roads by Jeep,…

    Show Notes for Podcast #80 Christian Pelletier on Not Taking Traveling the World so Seriously  Summary:  Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Christian Pelletier on his time working in West Africa, buying used vehicles in Australia and South America, and the not taking travel so seriously. Christian is a technology professional (also Overland Journal’s CTO) that has traveled…

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2021 Issue. Bell-bottoms and platform shoes are en vogue. Bee Gees’ disco hits top the music charts while Grease is the must-see film of the summer. Stephen King publishes The Stand, Cold War tensions will continue for another 13 years, and the Berlin Wall will remain in one piece…

The first time I set eyes on Rick Schamper’s 1968 Volvo Valp, I was left speechless. Forget unicorns, the Loch Ness Monster, Mokele-mbembe, or Bigfoot; this is the only mythical creature that matters. Rick said it best: “It’s like a caricature of a car, like a cartoon character.” And he’s absolutely right. I’m not sure whether I’m looking at a…

Loca Ceramic Pour-over Coffee Filter When it comes to vehicle-based travel, I am always on the lookout for products that can replace consumable items—for instance, this ceramic pour-over coffee filter. Instead of having to rely on paper filters with your coffee system (which you might have to replace while on the road during longer expeditions), this device is the filter….

Over 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and over a billion hours are consumed per day. It begs the question, how does a creator get their voice heard when the metrics are stacked against them? I sat down with Chad DeRosa, full-time overlander, award-winning filmmaker, and professional YouTuber (Living the Vanlife), to learn more. Chad is…

Show Notes for Podcast #69  Interviewing Rachelle Croft, Competitive Driver and Global Overlander  Summary We have the opportunity to interview Rachelle Croft, successful business leader, accomplished international rally driver, and global overland adventurer.  Guest Bio Montana native, Rachelle Croft, has always had her eye on adventure. Married to Clay Croft, mom to three boys and fur child Piper, she has…

  Show Notes for Podcast #68  Summary: Scott Brady and Matt Scott interview Bryon Dorr   Guest Bio Bryon Dorr Bryon Dorr has always been athletically minded and at an early age Boy Scouts gave him a taste for adventure. Through family road trips across the U.S. he got hooked on overland travel. Seeing new things and having new and varied…

The bikepacking boom has brought a new era of bikes and components appropriate for the road less travelled, and the Tumbleweed Prospector is one of the very best. Daniel Molloy, the owner of Tumbleweed Bikes, shares a story that is nothing short of extraordinary and provides an inspiring insight into what’s possible when you tirelessly invest in your dreams and…

  Show Notes for Podcast #66 The Overland Expo Podcast: What and Who Makes This Event Amazing? Summary: Matt Scott and Scott Brady discuss the past, present, and future of the Overland Expo with event Directors Lindsay Hubley and Jessica Kirchner. This podcast does a deep dive into their commitments towards training, travel, and the spirit of overlanding. Host Bios:…

Sunglasses are an essential accessory for adventures, but they can also be fragile, poor fitting, easy to lose, and fog up the moment you do anything strenuous. Ombraz (pronounced “Ohm-bruhs,” originating from the Italian word ombra for shade) promises to end these drawbacks with their armless sunglasses, designed to be the ultimate outdoor adventure shades.  “Necessity is the mother of…

  Show Notes for Podcast #65 Rebelle Rally 2021 Summary:  Ashley Giordano, Matt Scott, and Scott Brady discuss the most recent Rebelle Rally, including the vehicles, tactics, and winning teams. Host Bios:  Scott Brady Scott is the publisher and co-founder of Expedition Portal and Overland Journal and is often credited with popularizing overlanding in North America. His travels by 4WD…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #64 Summary: Scott Brady interviews Jim Markel, Co-Founder of RedOxx, former Marine, and global overland traveler. Guest Bio: Born in Italy to a military family, Red Oxx CEO Jim Markel has lived around the world and around the U.S.A. from coast to coast. Joining the Marines after high school, Jim served parallel to his…

If you’re an Expedition Portal regular, you might have come across an article I featured on a Toyota Hilux Arctic Truck 38 Polar Edition. The interview with owner David Daigle (ex-special forces, Norwegian climbing champion, and founder of DID Extreme Expeditions) focuses on his heavily modified Toyota Hilux, but also touches on his epic all-terrain trailer (pictured below). Like today’s…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #62 Interviewing Duncan Barbour, Camel Trophy Coordinator and Global Overlander Summary: Matt Scott and Scott Brady interview Camel Trophy and 7P Overland legend Duncan Barbour. Duncan shares his joy of international travel, working with a team, and learning about the essentials of adventure. Duncan digs deep into the importance of training and keeping our…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #58 Expedition Sailing and Overlanding with Brian McVickers Summary: Scott discussed with Brian McVickers the similarities and lessons learned from expedition sailing, including their recent crossing of the Pacific Ocean with The Kailani Expedition. This podcast is supported in part by: RedArc Electronics   Full Transcription below: Brian McVickers Podcast Scott Brady: [00:00:00] Well,…

Many consider the “Long Jeep” Wrangler LJ Unlimited to be a unicorn. A limited number of LJs were produced between 2004 and 2006, and most of the well-cared-for ones have been snatched up due to their sought-after inline 6-cylinder engine, long wheelbase, and small size. The owner of this LJ has transformed the vehicle into an overland machine that has…

Mario Rigby is an athlete, entrepreneur, business owner, and eco-adventurer dreaming up and pursuing human-powered expeditions across the globe. His most recent adventure, the Caicos Challenge, saw him run, cycle, kayak, and swim his way across the Turks and Caicos archipelago, raising awareness and funds in support of sustainable tourism and ocean health along the way. But the Caicos Challenge…

What I’ve learned over the past seven years of moto camping and long-distance riding is that you pretty much pack the same amount of gear for three days as for three months: tools, camping stuff, rain gear, off-bike clothing, first aid kit, camera, etc. As for food, you can only fit a few days’ worth at a time, anyway, so…