When I sat down for a plate of tacos with Overland Expo‘s Director of Sales, Anthony Sicola, at Expo’s bustling food oasis in Flagstaff last month, I mentioned I was on the lookout for interesting organizations and people to feature on Expedition Portal. He told me I needed to drop in to see Stacey Thomas…
Tires for Overlanding Episode 3: Airing Down for Backcountry Travel
Join us for episode three of our new educational series on Tires for Overlanding, where we review selecting various tires, driving and recovery, vehicle preparation, Tread Lightly, and more. For this third episode, we discuss the fundamentals of airing down tires for overlanding, including deformation, contact patch, mechanical keying, flotation, and more. We also discuss…
Scout Campers Launches New Lightweight Pop-up
Each day, the overland industry grows in unexpected ways. And for the 3rd of June, Adventure Manufacturing’s Scout Campers announces their new Pop-up. It is no coincidence that the other significant event for the 3rd of June was when Martin Behaim released the first extant globe, the Erdapfel, to the world in 1492. The new…
The Meat Trail: A Pilgrimage Across the Americas
Meat is eaten all over the world. Inuits eat it raw, having little fuel to cook with. In Africa, large strips of beef are grilled straight on the coals with no grate. In the USA, indulging in hamburgers and steaks is practically an institution. My preference is to grill a well-marbled piece of beef over…
Tires for Overlanding Episode 2: All-Terrain Tires
Join us for episode two of our new educational series on Tires for Overlanding, where we review selecting various tires, driving and recovery, vehicle preparation, Tread Lightly, and more. For this second episode, we discuss the fundamentals of all-terrain tires for overlanding, including construction, lug design, and tread features for sand, rock, ice, snow, and…
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…
Camp-Style Lu Rou Fan With Gon Dirtin’ and Mali Mish :: Video of the Week
Gon Dirtin’s Linhbergh Nguyen and Karissa Hosek have launched a brilliant new five-part series, Gon Cookin’, in which they recreate guest’s favorite dishes into camp-friendly versions. Presented by XOverland and driven by Mobil 1, the series is part Chef’s Table, part cooking class, and features recipes from Marco Hernandez, Stephanie Tea, Bound for Nowhere’s Mary…
Tires for Overlanding Episode 1: Mud Tires
Join us for our new educational series on Tires for Overlanding, where we review selecting various tires, driving and recovery, vehicle preparation, Tread Lightly, and more. For this first episode, we discuss the fundamentals of mud tires for overlanding, including construction, lug design, and basic driving techniques. Presented by Hankook Dynapro Tire How to Select…
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…
A Family Adventure Around The World – Lessons Learned
Something changed inside of us when we had our first kid. In hindsight, they were those typical feelings that come with becoming new parents. Excitement, trepidation, fear, joy, hope, and every other emotion you knew was there but didn’t know could arrive all at once. People said after having a baby we are going to…
The Noobs Rally 2024: Uniting at the Ultimate Adventure for Rookie Riders
Images: Finn Joseph, Jason Spafford, and Joel Paez Venturing into the heart of Death Valley’s Panamint Springs, the beginner-friendly Noobs Rally from March 20 to 24 welcomed a diverse crowd of dual-sport, dirt-riding, and adventure enthusiasts for fun-forging camaraderie and skill-building. Hosted annually by Joel Paez (NSFW), the community gathering marked its 17th year in “denoobing less…
Travel Safe in Baja and Beyond
By now, you have likely read about the most recent Baja tragedy involving two Australian brothers and their American friend who were found murdered just outside of Ensenada on a surf trip. The incident is deeply troubling, and our hearts go out to their families; we hope you will soon find solace in these difficult…
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…
10 Things to Know About Overlanding Morocco
Photography by Richard Giordano In Marrakech’s House of Photography, time stands still. Silver photographs, glass plates, and autochromes capture market scenes and hooded figures from 1879 to 1960, confirming what I already know to be true about the country: it evokes a sense of timelessness. I feel it most while shopping in the souks or…
Meal Bars for On-the-Go Energy
The eating experience ebbs and flows. There are times in life when there’s no better feeling than sitting down for a luxurious meal. Every bite tastes like a slice of heaven on Earth melting in your mouth, and you take your sweet time with each swallow in a desperate effort to make the flavors last…
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…
Sending It With the 2024 Ranger Raptor at Ford’s Assault School
I spent a day in the new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor, throwing it around corners and launching it into the air. Hold on to your socks, because this is definitely no ordinary Ranger. It’s Far More Raptor Than It Is Ranger Over 400 horsepower, front and rear lockers, a long travel suspension, 33-inch tires, racing-inspired…
Five Tips to Help Plan Your Next Overland Trip
Photography by Richard Giordano Being on the road full-time means I’m in a constant state of trip planning. The process has become so natural it runs on autopilot in the background, between fuel station visits, grocery shopping trips, and scrolling the Park4Night app for some creature comforts and facilities. I love gathering tidbits about everything…
Full Power: The Wescotts’ Turtle V Gets a Solar and Electrical Upgrade for its Next Adventure
Think back to 1972. Some of you may remember when The Turtle Expedition, Unltd. was exploring the backroads of Mexico and Central America in our trusty 1967 109 Land Rover. At that time, we had one battery, and its functions were to start the 6-cylinder gas engine (that choked on Mexican Pemex Nova regular), turn on…
Rebelle Rally Run with Expedition Portal’s Paula Burr
Registration is already open for the 2024 Rebelle Rally competition, an eight-day, 2,500-kilometer slog through the California and Nevada deserts by map and compass. Founded in 2015 by Emily Miller, it’s the first women’s endurance off-road rally and the longest competitive off-road navigation rally in the United States. Self-described as a “movement built on community…