The historian Hellanicus recorded the first reference to letter writing, a handwritten note sent in 500 BCE from the Persian Queen Atossa, mother of Xerxes and the Achaemenid Empire (Roberts, 1843). There is little doubt that messages were sent across longer distances in earlier times, but they are lost in the sands. The process changed little for the next millennia,…

The Mercedes Sprinter is arguably the van by which all others are measured, and the 4WD variant is widely considered the most desirable. It’s a powerhouse of the commercial sector with a proven engine and drivetrain that regularly exceeds half a million miles with basic servicing. The Sprinter has long been a figurehead of the vanlife movement and, in more…

In the realm of modern overland exploration, South Africa boasts two notable, gray-bearded figures who have significantly contributed to the field. The first is Kingsley Holgate, a revered English and Zulu-speaking adventurer (soon to be interviewed by our publisher, Scott Brady), known for his extensive travels across Africa with Land Rovers, his dedication to improving the lives of Africans, and…

On January 9th, the Transglobal Car Expedition set off from a rainy New York City on an extraordinary 18-month adventure—the first wheeled surface circumnavigation of the Earth through both geographic poles. Utilizing three different types of off-road vehicles, a team comprised of some of the world’s best polar explorers will attempt a journey that combines challenging ice crossings with some…

Yes, you read that right, another list of New Year’s resolutions. But wait! This is Expedition Portal. I promise—no tedious and oppressive regimes for “self-improvement,” no gym memberships (ugh), and no giving up chocolate (yeah, right). I think making new commitments for the new year should be gratifying and fun, tasks you should look forward to completing. You’ll be more…

Dan and Marlene, along with their three children, Ava, Mila, and Luka, travel the world in their 170 Mercedes Sprinter van. The journey began 16 years ago when the couple chose to bundle up 10-month-old Ava and hit the road, towing a 25-foot Airstream as their first casa on wheels.  Epiphanies came in waves on the initial three-month trip (not…

This summer, I visited Alu-Cab’s headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa. What struck me the most about the experience was the sheer size of the operation. Whisked from facility to facility, building to building, and introduced to the multi-step manufacturing process that lies behind each Alu-Cab product, I realized just how large the company is. In hindsight, it makes sense….

From an overlanding point of view, the Lightship L1 is, in its current form, limited in terms of practical travel unless utilized as a base camp (of the Lightship models available, only the L1 Long Range is self-propelled). However, the technology and design of this self-propelled trailer interest us most, as well as the possibility that such innovation will inform…

The outdoor and adventure travel industries have expanded by leaps and bounds in the last few years, and the growth in those spaces has shown no signs of slowing. This is a good thing—not only does it drive positive vectors for employment and profitability, but also for global sustainability. With huge companies like Patagonia and REI, as well as smaller…

Are you tired of the 9 to 5? Feeling overwhelmed by rent and bills? Can’t get ahead? Well, a live-in vehicle might be the answer. It was for these reasons that I bought a beat-up 1986 Vanagon Syncro for under $10,000 and have lived in it for the past 10 years. Initially, I accepted that pursuing a career in the…

Look, we’ve all been there. The days get shorter and somehow slip away all that easier. It’s possible that you’re just a natural-born procrastinator like me, or indecisive (been there, done that), or perhaps that one overlander in your life managed to slip off the list (we won’t tell!). Perhaps you’re looking to treat yourself to something special as the…

Episode 174 On this week’s episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, come along on a wide-ranging conversation with one of the modern world’s most prolific and daring explorers: Reza Pakravan. In this podcast from the field, host Ashley Giordano interviews Reza about what he discovered filming his latest multi-part series, “Hidden Frontiers Arabia,” and how Tintin was a major childhood…

Photos by Eva Rupert and Bill Dragoo Traveling by motorcycle during the summer months is a game of chance for those of us who live in the desert. The days are hot, and the storms seem to come out of nowhere. We plot our routes through the high country whenever possible, pack our rain gear at the top of our…

While American novelist Jack London is best known for The Call of the Wild and White Fang, he is also inextricably linked with the Canadian Arctic. So, when British filmmaker Ben Page ventures north, he seeks an adventure of solitude spurred by London’s assertion that “any man who is a man can travel alone.”  But the romanticism of the Arctic can overshadow the risks. This week’s…

In this age of hyperbuilt and overcomplicated overland vehicle builds, it is all too easy to forget that, above all else, your build should be affordable, practical, and straightforward. The rooftop tent (RTT) is not a new invention; we have all seen the images of overland vehicles built in the early 20th century equipped with basic but sturdy canvas rooftop…

It all began in 1963 with a 1958 VW panel bus. My journey to find the “perfect” rig has been an interesting quest. I have gone through vans, trailers, and truck campers, and one thing that has become evident is there is no perfect choice, only a continual refining of my requirements. What worked for me at any particular time…

Presented by Küat Racks Have you heard a Mariah Carey song blasting over the speakers at your local grocery store yet? If so, it’s probably time to start thinking about the quickly-approaching holiday gift giving season. From ADV riders to bikepackers, vehicle aficionados, and tent campers, there’s something for everyone in this Expedition Portal gift guide. Organization is a popular…

It’s 2023, and no one has driven from pole to pole. We’ve sent humans to the moon and trekked through the planet’s remotest jungles. We’ve explored the depths of oceans and summited dizzying peaks where oxygen concentration is a mere 8 percent. It’s 2023, and no one has driven from pole to pole—yet. Currently at Antarctica’s Union Glacier camp, Chris…

This syndicated article is published in collaboration with our partners at GearJunkie and Columbia Sportswear. War leaves scars, that’s obvious. What’s less obvious—and an often unspoken truth among the veteran community—is that the military can be hard to leave. To many, the draw of service is strong. It’s not just the camaraderie, gear, or adventure; it’s also the feeling of…

In the dynamic world of overlanding, the emergence of tools like iOverlander has brought a significant shift. No more driving around at night at ridiculous hours trying to find a place to stay; open the app, find a spot, and voilà, you’re sorted. This app has become a beacon for the modern traveler, right or wrong, and it was through…