As overlanders and remote explorers, we often find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, which tends to make us more aware of our surroundings. As a result, one of the most critical skill sets for us is observation. Looking is seeing with your eyes. Observing is seeing in detail, listening to sounds, watching interactions and movements, applying…
Overland Classifieds :: 1983 Mercedes 1222 4×4 Doka Fire Truck
Building an overland vehicle often starts with a vision. A glimpse into the future, into what could be rather than what is at present, and an opportunity to create something out of the ordinary. Will this 1983 Mercedes 1222 Ex-German fire truck create that vision for you? If not, perhaps the conversions built by Fabian…
Destination: Ashley’s Western Saloon, Tetonia, Idaho
Photos courtesy of AirBnb Here’s a chance to live out your western frontier dreams and sleep in a rustic saloon on the western side of the Teton mountain range. Ashley’s one-bedroom saloon is located on a 10-acre property in Tetonia, Idaho, just north of the town of Driggs. Her property features a stream as…
Leaning Into A Weakness
For years I’ve been going on adventures where someone else other than myself has provided the route that the group will be using. Rarely have I ever been the one to plan a route as it’s not been a strength of mine and I was happy to pass on that responsibility. When it comes to…
REDARC wants to kit out your overlanding rig with $20K in gear
Consider this your notice: REDARC is giving two lucky winners $20K in prizes this summer with their Power Your Wild giveaway. What is Power Your Wild? Well, in a nutshell, REDARC will be giving the two grand prize winners full vehicle fit-outs including REDARC off-grid power systems as well as gear from ARB, all professionally…
Work Sharp Quest: Find $1000’s in free gear hidden across the US this summer
Work Sharp Tools, purveyors of blade sharpening and honing equipment, have announced an intriguing challenge for you adventurous types this summer. It’s a real-world scavenger hunt that takes place across the US called the Work Sharp Quest. In a nutshell, Work Sharp has hidden 40 waterproof Yeti cases, each filled with approximately $1000 in outdoor…
Field Tested: Wild Zora
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. Freeze-dried backpacking meals are an exceptionally convenient way to eat in the backcountry. They are lightweight, simple to prepare, and don’t need refrigeration. Freeze-dried meals have also gotten pretty tasty due to increased consumer demand. However, one thing that manufacturers of…
Field Tested: Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie
Editor’s note: This article was originally posted in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. The Micro Grid hoodie from outdoor clothing manufacturer Melanzana has developed a cult following over the past decade and a half. Perhaps it’s because this synthetic hooded pullover achieves the perfect balance of comfort and technical performance or because its two-tone…
High Country Adventure at the 54th Annual Sierra Trek
If you have been itching to get back on the trail for a high-country family adventure, Sierra Trek is your ticket to ride. What began in 1967 as a weekend Jeep trip and BBQ now features a dozen guided four-wheel drive and ATV/UTV trips ranging from historical tours through the Gold Country to a traverse…
Field Tested: Suunto 9 Baro
Editor’s note: This article was originally posted in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. Finnish company Suunto has been in the game for over 80 years, making compasses, watches, and dive computers. I owned their Vector, the first outdoor, sports-focused wristwatch that incorporated an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer in one chunky housing. For me,…
Field Tested: Nomad Grill and Smoker
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. There is nothing better than a satisfying meal after a day of adventure in the backcountry, and it needn’t consist of hotdogs and Kraft singles on white bread. Enter the Nomad, the low-mess solution to smoking and grilling. As travelers, we…
Overland News of the Week
Calyx Institute Membership + Alcatel LTE Hotspot Whether you work remotely or just like to have access to the internet while you travel, the Calyx institute has one of the most affordable solutions out there. By becoming a member at the contributor level ($500/first year, $400/year after), you’ll receive a 4G hotspot device (5G is…
Publisher’s Project: Moto Guzzi V7 Special
Editor’s note: This article was originally posted in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. Opening image is from a movie production, closed course. We always recommend wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle, but also acknowledge that helmet laws vary by state and country. There is such joy in simplicity, distilling a pursuit down to its…
Project Vehicle: Lexus GX 470
Editor’s note: This article was originally posted in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. Traditionally, the best SUV platforms in North America have been restricted to the Land Cruiser offerings, and to a lesser extent, the 4Runner, G-Wagen, and Land Rover wagons. In 2003, Lexus released the GX model in North America, Russia, and other limited…
Dometic Acquires Zamp Solar
Dometic, a global market leader in branded solutions for mobile living in the areas of food and beverage, climate, power and control, and other applications, has a warranted reputation for quality within the overlanding and outdoors community. It’s therefore exciting news that on May 26, 2021, the company acquired Zamp Solar, thus broadening its position…
Win an Adventure Scholarship from Outrise, Titus Adventure Company, and Overland Journal
The new Outrise smartphone app is a social community for outdoor enthusiasts that lets you create and share your favorite experiences, which can be anything from a simple afternoon hike to a multi-day ski trip. Users create and share these itineraries with one another, opening up a world of new adventure ideas. One unique element…
Yamaha Contributes Over $350,000 to Public Lands
The pandemic has caused an upsurge in public land use, with many of us looking for ways to escape the confines of houses and apartments. Sometimes, the outdoors is our only reprieve. But that rise has created a huge amount of stress on these natural spaces we are all responsible for. An increase of support…
Suffragists Centennial Motorcycle Ride
Happy International Women’s Day! This summer, women will travel across the USA on motorcycles to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. The Suffragists Centennial Motorcycle Ride starts in Portland, Oregon, on July 31 and ends August 20 in Arlington, Virginia. The largest women’s motorcycle event in 2021 will be led by one…
Overland Classifieds :: 1983 Land Rover Series III
It would be an understatement to say that the launch of the new Defender has caused a bit of a commotion amongst the overland community. Many people have expressed concerns over the complexity of the redesigned platform, and many people are not fans of the new look. (Just in case you have missed it, we…
36-Hours of Adventure :: In Search of Terra Incognita
This 36-Hours of Adventure is presented by Nimbl Vehicles. Nimbl also provided a loan of their Evolution camper, which we used for this journey. Curiously, one of the last significant unexplored regions of North America was the Sierra Pinacate, a vast desert of lava and sand stretching from Southern Arizona to the Sea of Cortez….