Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2015 i Overland Journal

In Good Company Our new FJ build is coming along great. I have decided that the latest Overland Journal will be permanently kept in the passenger rear seat pocket. This way, an uninitiated rear seat passenger can quickly see what overlanding and this version of the FJ are all about. I have been a voracious reader all my life, having literally read thousands of books and subscribed to hundreds of magazines. For practicality I have only kept the very best books in my library and have limited my magazine subscriptions to only the most interesting. My current personal subscriptions are: Overland Journal, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, and Men’s Journal. You are in great company. Keep up the good work. Jim Metzler, ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2013 FJ Cruiser Trail Team Edition…

Two years ago I was in need of a new dual-sport helmet and purchased Arai’s XD4. Though I’m a fairly analytical shopper, the litmus test was a BMW F800GS Adventure press introduction in Moab, Utah, (Overland Journal, Winter 2013). After a 140-mile, off-pavement test day, followed by a 700-mile rip across Utah and Nevada, the XD4 remained comfortable. While comfort is a personal metric, ensuring you have the correct size and fit are critically important for safety. The Facial Contour Support cheek pads come in several sizes for easy fitting and provide support during use. Mass is a weighty subject, and the unit’s Complete Laminate Construction is light and right. Goggles, depending on those chosen, will fit without removing the shield. The sun visor is designed for highway-speed use and…

“Wait, you gotta take this with you,” my buddy and fellow journalist Rick exclaimed as he handed me a zippered vinyl case the size of a VHS tape. My travel partner Kat and I were en route to the Mexican border and ultimately Ushuaia, Argentina, and had stopped at his house to say goodbye. I looked inside the case to find a dozen computer adapters and a black plastic box about the size of a burrito. “Its a Micro-Start,” he said, “It will jump your battery in the middle of nowhere 15 times before needing a recharge.” I didn’t give it another thought until one night near Palenque, Mexico, when our headlights dimmed and the voltmeter read 8.2 volts. I attached the Micro-Start’s leads to the battery thinking, “How in…

Aether Apparel, known for their understated designs and performance-minded engineering, recently released their entrant to the expedition suit sector. I received an early production sample and immediately left for Baja, Mexico, where I rode a Yamaha Super Ténéré down to Bahía Concepción while battling dust, heat, and torrential rain. These conditions allowed me to utilize the suit’s multiple ventilation ports to manage my internal temperature (without stopping the motorcycle), which highlighted its flexibility. I tend to prefer single-layer shell construction, Gore-Tex (or similar) material, and waterproof zippers. The Aether pant and jacket check all these boxes without the need for additional liners or shells. Many single-layer jackets require the main front zipper to be the primary ventilation intake, but this can result in the jacket being displaced in a crash,…

This May, ICON, purveyor of handmade classic vehicles, hosted the second annual GO Campaign Cars and Casino fundraiser in Las Vegas, Nevada. The gala event, which included live entertainment, food, and Vegas-style gaming, drew more than 250 guests from across North America. When the last dice was rolled, patrons had generously donated over $100,000 to the cause. GO Campaign, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, identifies grassroots organizations (local heroes) around the globe and partners with them to provide disadvantaged children and young adults with critical services. Their goal is to give assistance and highly needed exposure to programs that might otherwise go unknown. Beneficiary selection is based on a grant process, and past programs have included educational and vocational training, increased access to medical services, and supporting orphanages. The key to GO…

As the morning’s first rays of sunshine crept over the horizon, our Jeeps’ shadows awoke, slowly appearing over the muddy waters of the Pecos River. We broke camp without speaking and sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee, looking westward and forward to our upcoming week of retracing the Butterfield Overland Mail Route. This seemed a fitting place to start the adventure, as in 1858, the time of the first nonstop transcontinental stagecoach voyage, civilization, law, and order stopped here at the Pecos. Beyond its murky waters lay uncharted territory, opportunity, and danger. My cell phone beeped with a text message and I wondered aloud, “Jake, do you suppose there’s any wildness left in the West, or have cell phones and pavement killed it?” Jake shook his head and…

Pros • Recessed latches and handles • Dual handle system • Minimal drain splash • Good ice retention Cons • Leaked in tip-over test Canyon, one of the newer entrants to the cooler market, was launched by longtime industry insider Jason Costello and has acquired a respectable position in the arena. Their Outfitter 35, which is on the smaller side of their offerings, features rotomolded construction and clean lines. The hinge system is incorporated into the body and is secured with a stainless steel rod. Latches are a two-piece design formed from polyurethane and attached to the body with stainless steel hardware. Two notches on the lid, which has a freezer-grade gasket, allow the unit to be cinched down securely with a strap. Canyon stated the tie- down/lock locations were…

Pros • Rubberized T-Grip latches • Large drain port with tether • Lock eyelet and tie-down grooves • Lid locks in open position Cons • Messy drain • Thermal loss at lid Igloo followed conventional wisdom when designing the Sportsman 40, yet added a few twists of its own. The most evident is the deviation from molded carrying holds to more traditional injection-molded plastic handles. They are well constructed, and when in the closed position are fully recessed into the body—a nice feature when packing next to other gear. Another unique aspect is a detent on the lid hinge that locks it in the open position. The rotomolded body has a single lock eyelet in the front, the lid features tie-down slots at each end, and nonskid rubber feet keep…

To be fair, I will be the first to admit that each of these coolers would have performed better if I had adhered to the cardinal rules of keeping them out of direct sunlight and never introducing warm items to the ice. As for draining versus not draining the water, that may be fodder for a future test. Regarding construction and durability, all premium units in this review are rotomolded, have full-length hinges, aluminum or stainless steel hardware, and freezer or food-grade seals. Though a latch, handle, or drain plug may need replacing at some time, in my opinion each of these coolers will withstand years of strenuous use. The Coleman Xtreme Wheeled 50 and Igloo MaxCold are much lighter duty, and care needs to be taken to preserve the…

By Christophe Noel Duffel bags are the unsung heroes of travel, often enduring more indignities and hardships than they should. They serve to keep our possessions organized and mobile, and are an ever-present fixture of life on the road. From classic canvas to the modern haulers constructed to watertight tolerances, today’s bags have much to offer. But knowing which variation pairs best with your individual needs requires careful evaluation. In an effort to isolate the finest duffels available to the overlander, we have settled on five models we feel have earned the title of Best of Breed. ADVENTURE TOOL COMPANY | VALUE AWARD ALL-PURPOSE LINED DUFFEL, MEDIUM $80 We first took notice of the Adventure Tool Company (ATC) when they released their impressively designed and built canvas tool roll. Constructed…

Why We Love la Cucaracha Pablo and Anna Rey La Cucaracha has its own personality and idiosyncrasies. We have loved and hated it, often in the same day. There was a time when we wanted to throw it off a cliff and cash in on an imaginary insurance claim. We’ve had a few major breakdowns: in the Sudanese Sahara, Kenya’s Sibiloi National Park, on the Bolivian Altiplano, and again in the Chilean Andes. When the springs broke in Mozambique, we traveled almost 1,000 kilometers with them attached with wire until we found a used replacement set as a permanent repair. After the motor died in Iquique, Chile, we installed a second-hand motor—a great junkyard find. That was nine years and 200,000 kilometers ago. Once we learned how to drive and…

The issue of interacting with wildlife on an overland trip is often the stuff of dreams. Many of us imagine the thrill of bouncing across the plains of East Africa in the middle of a seemingly endless herd of wildebeest and zebra as awestruck spectators to the Great Migration. Others dream of witnessing caribou traverse the Great White North or meeting up with their predators: wolves and bears. Many overlanders travel with the hope of getting close to wild nature, which can be the reason for the trip itself. But don’t throw caution to the wind, as you can often get more than you bargained for—you may be providing the entertainment for the wildlife rather than the other way round. A few years ago some friends and I were on…

Garmin touts the Foretrex 401 Global Positioning System (GPS) as a compact wrist-mounted device with a highly sensitive receiver, a barometric altimeter, and an electronic compass. It carries an IPX7 (3.3 feet for 30 minutes) rating for incidental exposure to water, and I’ve found it holds up to rough field use. The on/off and device settings are activated via rubberized buttons on the side of the unit, and menus are intuitive, which makes setup and changes simple. The user can customize certain screens to allow viewing of preferential information, such as simultaneously displaying latitude and longitude together with UTM. It will also hold 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and 10,000 points. Using the Jumpmaster software and military grid reference system (MGRS) you can wirelessly share routes, waypoints, and tracks with nearby…

The Rebel fits a niche that enthusiasts were waiting to have filled, and Ram did a great job on this one. When Ram Truck announced that they were working on a “sporty” new 1500 4WD, it prompted a tornado of speculation and debate. The most commonly heard comment, at least from the standpoint of this journalist’s ears, was that Ram had its sights set on the Ford Raptor. Though I didn’t have any doubt that the brand could go head-to-head with the Raptor if they wanted to (this was not their intent), I’ve always thought of Ram trucks as heavy-duty, haul-or-tow-anything, run-forever work trucks. What I expected was a platform rooted in solid Ram DNA, but with more pizzazz and backcountry savvy. In May I traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona, where…

A year ago we brought you one of the most comprehensive flashlight tests in the history of the industry (2014 Fall Issue). We evaluated beam pattern on a Cartesian grid, took incident light readings to distances where the light was too low to read a book, and put them on an integrating sphere and spectrometer to determine true luminous output and color temperature. Of the 13 lights reviewed, the two that rose to the top were Surefire’s P3X Fury (medium size category) and LED Lenser’s P17R. During the past year they have become permanent yet ambulatory fixtures in my vehicles, camera bag, and home. SureFire P3X Fury The SureFire P3X Fury, though pricey, is a dynamo of a torch. It produced 854 lumens in the sphere, and lux (received light)…

Sportsmobile Sprinter Mojave Sportsmobile, founded in 1961, is often referred to as the granddaddy of high-quality camper conversions. Though their original platforms were Volkswagen buses, the lineup has expanded through the years to include Chevrolet, Ram ProMaster, and Ford Econoline vans. Their newest iteration, the Mojave (based on the Mercedes-Benz four-wheel drive Sprinter 2500), falls right in line with the company’s mantra of form and function. The Sprinter, which has proven itself as a reliable and capable platform, features many modern safety enhancements: 4ETS traction control, trailer stability assist, and electronic stability control to name a few. It is powered by a BlueTEC 3.0-liter diesel V6 (188 horsepower, 325 lb-ft of torque), and includes a two-speed low-range transfer case. Other than adding 17-inch aluminum wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires,…

Some of Texas’ most magnificent backcountry is hidden away behind locked gates, accessible only by privately owned land and back-roads. Land access will provide adventurists more hardship than venomous snakes, flash floods, and borderland bandits. Before setting off for the banks of the Pecos River, your journey will require a bit of research, a few phone calls, and careful planning. Pick up 900 Miles on the Butterfield Trail by A.C. Greene, and The Butterfield Overland Mail by Waterman L. Ormsby, which contain the history, maps, and geographical information of the Butterfield Trail. Once you have an understanding of the Butterfield Trail’s two routes and the surrounding terrain, build your own retrace. Use the stage stops as your guiding stars; their names still dot the map with springs, canyons, wells, and…

Pros • Dual lock tabs and tie-down eyelets • Wide rope handles • I-beam supported lid • Cost Cons • Thermal loss at I-beam points • Messy drain Engel, the undisputed granddaddy of the electric fridge/ freezer arena, jumped into the cooler market a few years back. One thing I liked about Engel’s advertising pitch is that they only claim it will hold ice for 8 to 10 days, rather than the misleading “up to 20 days” assertion made by others. This unit, which also has a rotomolded construction, has a full-length integrated hinge and I-beam inserts in the lid for maximum weight bearing and durability. It is also one of the few coolers in the review that claims to be dry ice compatible (we did not test this). Dimensionally…

Pros • Durable construction • Excellent drain system • Lockable • Multiple tie-down points • Lifetime warranty Cons • Weight • Protruding tabs and latches • Rubber foot became dislodged Pelican has been the go-to brand for high-quality waterproof cases for decades, and their entry into the rotomolded cooler sector was highly anticipated. Their Elite 35-quart model breaks from the traditional format in many ways. The most noticeable are its conventional latches and handles, and rather square stance. Latches are an injection molded, two-piece design with one-touch release mechanisms and stainless steel hardware. They function well, though they do protrude considerably from the overall footprint, as does the lock eyelet. Large swing-out plastic handles are attached to molded handholds on each end, and raised corners on the lid allow for…

The city of Balochistan is so notorious for its crime that foreigners must be accompanied by a compulsory armed escort for much of the route. The soldiers jumped backwards in fear—out of reach of the flailing fists of the red-faced Australian. “If you don’t let us over the border I’m gonna #%@*,” he roared. I stared through the cracked windshield and out towards the coils of barbed wire far ahead, wondering how I ended up in this situation. There I sat in an overheating London black cab in the middle of the Balochistan desert, with an unhinged Ozzie hitchhiker who was now trying to start a fistfight with a bunch of armed recruits. I checked the gauges once more. The temperature seemed to be holding just below the red section;…

By James Langan There are certain advantages to having a dedicated camping rig, one that is only used for overland adventures. Though I’ve reached middle age (a time when one might choose this luxury), my practical nature still prefers the idea of a multifaceted outfit. More so than with other projects, the Ram 2500 Tradesman was purchased to be an overland “hauler” and replace the 1996 F-350 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel I had owned since new. Though the Tradesman is Ram’s base model with regard to frills (no leather), this one has a 40/20/40 cloth split-bench, power windows and locks, cruise control, A/C, satellite radio, and coil springs fore and aft; all of which make for a comfortable driving experience. Newer is almost always nicer, but the biggest motivation to…

El Camino del Diablo translates to The Road of the Devil. The name itself evokes an eerie feeling of discomfort, and it should. Over the last 1,000 years this barren track has earned its name with soaring temperatures, waterless expanses, and an ever-rising death toll. It comes from humble beginnings as a Native American footpath, but earned its infamy with the Spanish in 1540. During his march from Mexico to the fabled cities of gold, conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado dispatched a small expeditionary force to seek out a rumored river junction to the north. Although the expedition did return, the immense hardship encountered during their journey led the soldiers to name the path after the Devil himself. Over a century later, a Jesuit priest named Eusebio Kino retraced the…

The heart of a four-wheel drive is the drivetrain, and more specifically its axles. Though some may argue that the engine and transmission set the pulse, which is true to a degree, I don’t think they have considered a number of important engineering factors. Before I continue I should probably qualify my opinion. I’ve been a four-wheel drive enthusiast since the ’70s, at which time I was broke; my truck often sat in the New England snow with an empty tank while I hitchhiked to work. After a 15-year tenure with an engineering firm in California—where I discovered the rugged trails of the West and how destructive they are to axles—I launched Dynatrac. During the past 27 years we’ve repaired nearly every type of axle manufactured. I’ve analyzed the causes…

I was truly humbled by the incredible outpouring of support and camaraderie. There comes a time in everyone’s life when they find out who their friends are; the ones they can count on in a time of need. They may not need to bail you out of a sticky financial situation, or pack up on a moment’s notice to fetch you from a mud bog in the middle of nowhere, but they step up to the plate when you least expect it. During my travels, which include months trekking through Central and South America, Australia and Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and so on, I have experienced nothing more than the occasional petty theft: baboons stealing sundries from my camp and that type of thing. (It would seem that I’ve led…

If you are a longtime subscriber you are quite aware that we hold reliable equipment in high regard. I don’t personally need, nor can I afford, every latest-and-greatest whiz-bang gizmo that comes down the line. However, there are certain aspects of my gear that I won’t skimp on. In 2006 I picked up an ARB recovery kit for a trip to Baja, Mexico. Though it originally contained two kinetic recovery straps, a snatch block, winch line extension, and several bow shackles, I’ve added a handful of shackles and one of ARB’s synthetic line blocks. The original winch line extension was loaned out a few years ago and, well, never came back. The rest of the kit, however, is intact and has literally been put into service hundreds of times—during recovery…

The KO2 is a great choice for a durable multi-terrain tire, and I would not hesitate recommending them to a friend. Tires are the unsung heroes of the overlanding world. We burden them with loads that would bring an elephant to its knees, shoehorn them through thorny brush and cacti, and then bleed them of half their life-supporting content and mash them over granite boulders, slickrock, and debris. We then air them back up and expect them to purr down the highway like Garfield with a plate of lasagna. My experience with BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain and All-Terrain tires dates back to the early 1980s, and I was very surprised when the previous model, the KO, fell short of the competition during our 2014 Summer Issue tire test. Little did we know…

Compass Expeditions’ 128-day trip of a lifetime. While most “tours” zip you through a region in 6 to 14 days, and some extend that experience to three weeks, Compass Expeditions pushes the adventure envelope with a 128-day circumnavigation of South America. While traversing tens of thousands of miles of scenic backcountry, the team will visit nearly every country and ecosystem on the continent, from the subzero climes of Ushuaia and towering heights of the Andes, to the steamy jungles of the Amazon. A few highlights include exploring Machu Picchu, Angel Falls, Torres del Paine National Park, the Nazca Lines geoglyphs, Lake Titicaca, Salar de Uyuni, Iguaçu Falls, the arid expanses of the Atacama Desert, and studying indigenous cultures that date back thousands of years. Though Compass suggests the trip is…

Nature’s Energy Stacks Diane Hutt and Josh Mitchell have spent plenty of time wandering the planet. During their travels, when local snack options were limited to mass-produced sawdust bars and preservative-infused junk food, they gained an appreciation for healthy grab-and-go nourishment. After returning home they launched Threshold Provisions, with the goal of blending natural ingredients into not only healthy, but also tasty energy bars for the road and trail. Flavors range from mango and organic pumpkin seed, to honey, pineapple, and cinnamon, and all are free of GMOs, gluten, dairy, and soy. They also offer a delicious, nitrite-free wild sockeye salmon jerky. Threshold Provisions’ products are handcrafted in Asheville, North Carolina, and you will only find them on their web store and from select purveyors of natural food options. thresholdprovisions.com,…

Electric fridge/freezers have become the rage in the past decade. They are efficient, don’t require the regular purchase of ice, and will keep ice cream in its solid form in the heat of summer. However, the cold fact of the matter is that coming up with the $800 to $1,600 price tag may require sourcing a second job or selling your first born. Though I’ve had an ARB fridge/freezer strapped in my Toyota Tacoma for years, when out in my ’82 Hilux I use an old-school steel-belted Coleman ice chest (purchased in 1983 when I bought the truck). After 30 years and hundreds of trips through the American West and Mexico, the time came for my trusted old friend to retire. The dilemma I faced was whether to replace it…

Pros • Recessed latches • Drain channel • Pool-sized drain port • Tie-down eyelets and lock tabs • Lifetime warranty Cons • Messy drain • Cost Grizzly Coolers, another recent arrival in the rotomolded premium cooler sector, has become popular with the hook and bullet crowd. Their 40-quart model is similar to the Engel in shape and design, yet varies in a number of features. The latching system utilizes their BearClaw polyurethane T-handles (mounted to the lid rather than the base) that pull down and hook on molded tabs in the body. I like this feature, as it removes the mechanical aspect of a two-part latch. Corners are cut at 45-degree angles and the general shape has a slight taper toward the bottom. Molded handholds are notched at each end…

Pros • Excellent ice retention • Comfortable ergonomics • Solid construction • Numerous accessories Cons • Cost • Drain dribble • Lacks drain channel • Size designation misleading Yeti is no newcomer to the premium cooler genre, and they have spent the last decade perfecting rotomolded design and function—so much so that the products from other manufacturers may appear remarkably similar. The old adage, imitation is the best form of flattery, may hold true. The Tundra 45 follows family tradition with a clean, uncluttered form and radius corners throughout. It utilizes trucker-style rubber latches that hook into ball sockets on the body for a firm seal. Molded lock eyelets are found at the front corners and wide grooves on all sides allow for secure lashing. It has handholds molded into…

I DON’T KNOW IF IT WAS THE ALTITUDE OR HUNGER PANGS THAT MADE ME A LITTLE PUNCHY. Either way, I gave my head a quick shake to steady my nerves as we turned onto a narrow dirt road, climbing the flanks of another Andean mountainside. Darkness had overtaken the day and our once-brisk tempo was slowed to a more prudent speed. Carefully navigating a switchback as rocks skittered out from beneath our wheels, we became enveloped by an ominous wall of fog. I lifted my face shield, struggling to see the faint red glow of the taillight ahead. My eyes squinted as tight as I dared to shut out the flecks of dirt and mist hitting my face. Over the radio I heard Justin say, “Well, we came for an…

Regardless of your vehicle choice, chances are you love exploring with it. Your spare time is probably spent wandering back roads, traversing bike trails, or experiencing new sights and challenges. As overlanders we tend to wander, but we also aim to do good as we go by being environmentally and socially responsible. Though volunteering with organizations such as Tread Lightly may come to mind, we often forget to share our backcountry experience with those who may not have the same opportunities. If you have a few extra hours each month and would like to make a difference, volunteering as a Big might leave a long-lasting impression in a Little’s life. With that perspective in mind, the Overland Journal team set out to make a difference in our hometown of Prescott,…

OVERLANDER CHILI Serves: 10-12 | Cook time: 1 hour Equipment: Large pot, medium saucepan, skillet, knife, large spoon, and serving bowls 2 boxes of Carroll Shelby’s Chili Kit; substitute your favorite mix if desired 1 lb ground beef 1 lb chorizo 1 lb bacon 1 lb cubed beef, ½- to 1-inch cubes 1 large red bell pepper 1 large yellow or orange bell pepper 1 large red onion 16 oz can stewed and cubed tomatoes 2 cups corn grits 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 2 jalapeño peppers, chopped Sour cream MENU MAIN: Overlander Chili SIDE: Tortilla chips BEVERAGE: A cold pilsner beer in hot weather, or a nice cabernet or zinfandel in cooler temperatures. In the age of cowboys and long cattle drives across the Southwest, camp chefs, known…