This week we join 4×4 writer, commentator, and adventure-travel filmmaker Andrew St. Pierre White, a.k.a 4xoverland, on a solo expedition in Australia. Andrew’s career spans four decades, and he is considered by many as “the David Attenborough of 4WD.” In 1993 he published The Complete Guide to Four-Wheel Drive which was fundamental in launching the 4×4 information industry in South Africa. Since then, he has published 15 4WD books and created nine TV series. Today, he reaches a worldwide audience through his YouTube channel and social media. He is an inspiration to us all here at Expedition Portal and was recently interviewed by Scott Brady on the Overland Journal podcast.
In this week’s video, we look at episode one of Andrew’s first solo expedition since October 2019. If you’d like to learn more about what inspired this adventure and the pros and cons of traveling alone, I recommend watching the previous installment: Preparation for Solo Overland. It’s also worth noting that during this trip, Andrew compiled a free course on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Overlanders as part of his Overland Workshop (online training for overlanders and off-grid living).
We join Andrew at his first campground as he basks in the evening light and shares some tips on videography and storytelling. He then discusses the pros and cons of solo travel, including a condition he coins “benign insanity” (a result of long periods alone talking to oneself). On the second day, he states that the first night alone is always the toughest as you think about the friends and family you left behind, but once you get over the initial hump, that anxiety is replaced with excitement for the road ahead. The first issue on the journey is the Garmin Overlander GPS unexplainably loses its maps, and although the situation is remedied using 4G, Andrew is quick to point out that he has paper maps as a backup. This is a great real-world example of the importance of traveling with multiple forms of navigation, as discussed in detail by Scott Brady and Chris Cordes during their Principles of Overlanding :: Navigation podcast for the Overland Journal. As the day draws to a close, Andrew begins looking for a suitable camp spot and emphasizes the importance of looking for a place to stay long before you plan to stop. Once parked, he checks the vehicle and discovers bracken stuck around the brake lines. This becomes a teachable moment regarding the role of daily check-ups in preventing issues. Once set up, Andrew relishes in the solitude and quiet before taking a shower, cooking dinner, and concluding the episode by preparing a fire using a new technique learned during his time on the Canning Stock.
I love Andrew’s videos for so many reasons. Whether it’s his infectious passion for travel, willingness to share his expertise freely, or his humility and eagerness to learn, he is an excellent storyteller and educator. Throughout this series, he does a wonderful job of exploring the value of solo trips while not shying away from the challenges. However, what’s perhaps most impressive is his sheer wealth of knowledge and that his videos provide a constant stream of great tips and tricks that, if adhered to, will undoubtedly enrich your overlanding experience. Finally, he is effortlessly charismatic and charming, and his comic timing had me smiling throughout. If you’d like to learn more, check out the 4xoverland website and listen to his new venture The Next Journey :: Adventure Travel Podcast.
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