Some travel videos are packed with action shots, loud music, over-the-top personalities, and, let’s be honest, contrived adventure. And while there is undoubtedly a demand for such entertainment, some of us prefer a calmer, more authentic experience. Nore Gomez, of Costa Rica Hasta Alaska fame (his Instagram account is on fire), takes the latter approach…
Is the Escapod Topo 2 the Ultimate Overland Teardrop Trailer?
Escapod was born out of necessity and became the American dream for co-founders Jen and Chris Hudak. Like many great company stories, it started with a passion for the outdoors, professional talents, and going all-in on their vision. They started Escapod by building the trailer they needed and discovered that others needed one just like…
72 Hours Overlanding in the Utah Desert :: Video of the Week
This video of the week follows filmmaker Sinuhe Xavier, Rashad and Ron Frazier of Camp Yoshi, and Ben O’Meara of Huckberry through Southern Utah as they curate the perfect route for Camp Yoshi—an organization making the outdoors more inclusive through trips into the remote wilderness. Piloting the Jeep Gladiator Wayout, Xavier leads the group by…
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk—The Ultimate Overland Grand Cherokee?
Scott Brady reviews the new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk, which has proven to be the most comfortable and capable Grand Cherokee ever released. From the center and rear locking differentials to the 31-inch tires, multi-height airbag suspension, and driver-selectable front sway bar disconnect to the 30-mile electric-only range and road-trip comfort—this may be the…
Finding Shackleton :: Video of the Week
Dana grew up in Zambia, where she and her family spent time camping in Luangwa. Her parents drove an old Land Rover and pitched tents in the bush, providing perfect opportunity for barefoot wanders through the grass. Fond memories and time spent in Zambia’s wild places laid the groundwork for her love of overland travel….
Hardest Overland Trail in North America
The title of this video, “Hardest Overland Trail in North America (We Almost Died),” at first appears to be run-of-the-mill YouTube clickbait, which it is. However, after the first slow fifteen minutes, the action clips up a notch, and the viewer is drawn in by the landscapes’ beauty, the traveler’s affable character, and the trail’s…
Patriot Campers X3 Trailer Delivers Overland Capability and Comfort
Patriot Campers X3 Trailer is their most comfortable and luxurious trailer to date, combining Patriot’s legendary capability and durability with a live-inside camper. Complete with a queen-size mattress, the X3 includes a separate changing and sitting area, forced air heater, and interior storage. Additional systems include a diesel water heater, full outside galley, and extensive…
Video of the Week :: “Overlanding to Mexico” by Independence Overland
It’s no secret that I have a big soft spot for the Toyota FJ Cruiser, so the chance to watch a film featuring not one but two adventure-ready examples was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. Independence Overland, aka Tyler and Natalia (nfamousphoto.com), are based out of Colorado and are best known for their adventures in…
Video of the Week :: Bored With Your Nine-to-Five? Try a Microadventure.
Photo by Alastair Humphreys British author and adventurer Alastair Humphreys cycled around the world for four years, raced a yacht across the Atlantic Ocean, completed an unsupported crossing of Iceland by foot and packraft, and walked 1,000 miles across the Empty Quarter desert in the southern Arabian Peninsula. But not all of us are cut…
Video of the Week :: Sonoran Rovers and Artisan Arjuna Steen Create a Defender Masterpiece
If you are a fan of surgical carpentry and workmanship, the Classic Land Rover Defender, and impeccable filmmaking, then this is the video for you. Titled “Exquisite Land Rover Defender Camper Build – Start to Finish – Crafted in Southern Arizona,” the film highlights a joint effort between Sonoran Rovers and skilled artisan Arjuna Steen….
Video :: Preserving and Exploring the East Mojave Heritage Trail
Long-time denizens of Expedition Portal certainly will know our old friend and frequent contributor, Chris Cordes. Now with onX Maps, Chris has turned his passion for off-road exploration into a career helping others find their own way to unknown places. One such place is the American Southwest’s Mojave Desert. A sprawling patchwork of diverse landscapes,…
Video :: Bruce Dorn Captures the Stunning Beauty of Samburuland
Many of you know Bruce Dorn from his countless overland exploits around the globe, including being the primary cinematographer for the Expeditions 7 epics. Bruce is a Legend member of the Canon Explorers of Light, a member of the DGA, and a long-time contributor to both Expedition Portal and Overland Journal. Please enjoy his recent video…
Video of the Week :: Restoration of a Land Rover Defender 90
A few precious videos on YouTube have inspired millions with a simple premise – an impressive project performed in a desirable setting, silent except for the impact of various tools (such wonderful ASMR!). In a digital world where creators clamber for attention by showing too much skin or having bombastic personalities, it is refreshing to…
Video of the Week :: “The Canning Stock Route” – The Road Chose Me (Dan Grec)
Dan Grec has been featured a number of times on Expedition Portal and is perhaps best known for his epic overland adventures in a Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. If you’re not familiar with his work, I highly recommend checking out his website, The Road Chose Me, and his books Two Years and 40,000 Miles from…
Ford Raptor R :: Can the Ultimate Raptor Also Overland?
The Ford Raptor R is the king of the Blue Oval’s desert-running Raptor lineup. But can it work as an overland platform?
Video of the Week :: South Korea by Motorcycle with On Her Bike
In April 2017, Polish motorcyclist Kinga Tanajewska left Australia on her around-the-world tour by BMW F8000GS. The trip was named “Are We There Yet?” because Kinga had no idea what her final destination would be. One thing she did know, however, was that her first stop would be in South Korea. With bike shipping arrangements…
Can Your Overland Videos Send You to Jail?
Last spring, I woke early to start a long day’s hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on the south rim’s Bright Angel trail. Just a few switchbacks down from the historic Kolb brothers’ studio (famous in their own right as filmmakers), my eye caught subtle but deliberate movement in the pre-dawn light. A…
Nat Geo’s Incredible “Wild Life” Documentary Premiers April 14th, 2023
Anyone who has had the great pleasure of exploring Patagonia and the terminus of the Andes mountain range in southern Chile will know that this is a land of unspeakable beauty and natural abundance, a simultaneously powerful and fragile diverse range of ecosystems. There are two ways to exploit this land’s natural resources – one…
Video of the Week :: Lifestyle Overland—Radioactive Mines and Incredible Utah Canyons
It’s no secret that being a full-time YouTuber is a lot of work, and the ability to produce inspiring videos with cinematic production and a gripping storyline requires enormous dedication. Consequently, just a handful of overlanding channels stand the test of time and consistently hit these markers, and Lifestyle Overland is one of them. Lifestyle…
Video of the Week :: Return to Namibia
If you listened to the Overland Journal Podcast recently or saw Joe Fleming’s stunning photo essay from his moto adventure in Southern Africa just a few weeks ago, you probably have a little Africa travel itch you need to scratch. I know I do. It’s almost impossible to take a bad photograph in Namibia, and…