Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2018 i Overland Journal

In 2008, our team had the pleasure of bestowing the Editor’s Choice Award on AT Overland’s first Chaser trailer. It featured their brand-new trailing arm air suspension (TAAS) and was one of the few North American options equipped for true backcountry use. A lot has changed in 10 years. Buyers now have a range of trailers to choose from, and many have proven their mettle on the trail. To find out if the Chaser still stacks up, we took their flatbed variant for a 10,000-mile journey around North America. The living systems have improved tremendously since our original review. Options now include a stand-alone kitchen, hot water shower, propane tent heater, stereo, and a range of other items including standbys like a fridge and battery. We had many of these…

Perfecting the duffle bag has long been the quest of purveyors of outdoor equipment. It must not only protect our clothes and a medley of gear but also be durable enough to survive the rigors of real-world travel. During the past few decades, we’ve tasked the duffle with additional responsibilities: being lashed to our vehicles or motorcycles, doubling as a backpack, and keeping our socks dry in foul weather. Last year I picked up a 50-liter Speedway and have since utilized it during a variety of trips. My first impression was that the 1000D synthetic canvas exterior and rubberized YKK #10 zipper would do a great job of keeping my clothes dry, and they have. Dual compression straps cinch things down enough for the Speedway to be used as a…

Back in the ’80s, the automotive industry was responding to consumer demands for compact SUVs capable of tackling the backcountry with the same moxie as their forebears. Jeep answered the call in 1984 with the Cherokee XJ, which took cues from the venerable Wagoneer. Though phased out in 2001, it returned in 2014 as a mid-sized SUV, the Cherokee KL, and has enjoyed a healthy following. It was given a refresh for 2019, and we were on hand to get behind the wheel for a proper assessment. New for 2019 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, the same 270-horsepower mill found in the Wrangler, save the eTorque regeneration system. It is not the lethargic four-banger of yesteryear, and I was impressed with the responsive nature of the turbo and smooth…

One of my earliest camping memories is of my dad instructing me to police the grounds as we packed up, collecting any trash left by us or anyone that came before. “We need to leave it better than we found it,” was his mantra, and it never wavered. This was also true of our fires, which were meticulously extinguished and double- or triple-checked for even the smallest remaining ember. My dad had a short run as a firefighter, and he was the son of a retired fire captain. Following in line, I was a full-time fireman in the Air Force, much of that time spent as crew chief of a wildfire team. Fire, and trying to keep it from burning things down is just part of my family story. Which…

Not all four-wheel drives are created equal. Years of long miles and harsh conditions separate the wheat from the chaff, and over time the survivors turn into icons. But what makes these legendary off-road platforms so great? What virtues defined the Patrol, separated the Defender, and gave the Land Cruiser a following of loyal fans the world over? Undoubtedly, there are an array of reasons, but they all whittle down to three: capability, versatility, and utility. Sadly, these traits seem to be lost on many of the plush four-wheel drives of today, but one company in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is working to bring them back. Their name is Main Line Overland, and this Toyota Tacoma is one of their latest masterpieces. AT ITS CORE, THIS PROJECT IS DEFINED BY A…

TRAVEL CHANGES US IF WE LET IT. There is something different about Peru. On my third trip to this variegated country in as many years, it became clear. It is easy to say that the difference is in the water, that element having plagued several members of the group for days, or that it is in the air, clear and rarified along the spine of the Andes. Others may attribute the uniqueness to the earth, the sky punctuated by the towering stones of Machu Picchu or the mystery of the Nazca Lines. For me, it is fire. That burning from within each of us to explore the blank recesses of a land and culture. In Peru, I am walking among the ancients; I am driving into the clouds. I arrived…

You don’t need to like film, and you don’t need to use it either. But without film camera development there would be no digital descendants. This reflects the very progression of many human innovations. Early analog DNA is deeply ingrained within the operational terminology, circuit boards, and sensors of today’s digital cameras. The best exemplification of our continued reliance on the seminal technology is embodied in the modern Leica rangefinder cameras. Progeny of the early Leica film cameras are not only alive and well, but also still manufactured, continuing to deliver when called into action. Here, we briefly examine some of Leica’s film rangefinder cameras from their inception to their practical use in the field to the final results in print. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW In the early 1900s, a young precision…

Just when we thought 12-volt refrigerators were all the rage, the cooler revolution began. First, high-quality rotomolded cooler boxes came to market boasting the ability to keep ice for a week. Next came soft-sided models with durable construction and everyday usability (think überlunchbox) and portability. While not the first to market, the Engel HD30 has several notable features, including fully-welded construction and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film that serves as an additional abrasion- and puncture-resistant layer. A waterproof and airtight zipper keeps spills to a minimum and ensures longer ice retention in the 30-liter compartment. In use, I found the HD30 to be surprisingly convenient, taking the place of a cooler box or fridge on most day trips. I also brought it along on longer adventures to keep cold drinks…

Personal design touches abound, with everything from rubber latches to hold fishing rods in camp to shoe bags that hang just below the door. Camping is one of the most enjoyable aspects of overland travel—nothing beats pulling up to a remote lake with no other vehicles or buildings in sight. Certainly, sleeping in the wild can be a simple affair, using a bedroll unfurled beneath the stars. Or it can be an elaborate camper, with everything including the kitchen sink. Between these two extremes is the rooftop tent (RTT), which has one distinct advantage: the sleeping system is placed on the vehicle, which isolates the tent from uneven terrain, rocks, and muddy or snowy surfaces. For some travelers, there is also the sense of being above the fray—elevated above critters…

When Ford released the new Expedition FX4 option pack, it seemed like another marketing scheme. A large SUV with a fully independent suspension and V6 engine doesn’t check many of the overland boxes, especially for those anticipating the release of the new Ranger and Bronco platforms. However, the Expedition FX4 is more than a couple of stickers and a nice sales pitch; it represents a change in the industry. The people at Ford know that less than 20 percent of their buyers will ever use an Expedition off pavement, yet they decided to celebrate the minority.The FX4 will come with an electronic limited-slip differential that has the ability to fully lock both rear axles together. It will also include a full skid plate package, 32-inch tires, reasonably-sized 18-inch wheels, and…

DIGNITY About 7 years ago, hundreds of thousands of people had to flee their homes in Syria. Entire towns and villages emptied within days in the struggle to avert the swirling dark shadow of war. Yet, these portraits do not focus on shadows, but on the genuinely warm light that people are capable of shedding in the most adverse conditions. The serene pursuit of dignity in the face of adversity—of normality and growth amid chaos and malevolence—is possibly one of the most remarkable and noble human features.…

What do you envision when you think of California? Shimmering oceans, warm beaches, and a stunning coastline? Perhaps towering redwoods or sparse deserts filled with Joshua trees? You wouldn’t be wrong to think of any of these things, but what if I told you that this beautiful state is filled with so much more? Within its border, you’ll find cascading sand dunes stretching far into the distance, shimmering lakes with depths of over 1,000 feet, and abandoned ghost towns backed by craggy mountain peaks. It’s an adventurer’s dreamland and far more accessible than many people realize. From the northern reaches of the state near Mount Shasta to its southern border with Mexico, we have charted a course through some of the Golden State’s most scenic territories and it is almost…

I’ve often made a habit of traveling solo, or in a single vehicle with my wife or a friend. Whether wandering Southern Africa or Central America, I’m free to turn left or right, sans the need to consult another. Appreciative of the freedom this lends, I’ve never given much thought to the fact I’m often flying without a parachute. However, there comes a time when life’s train is derailed and neither prayer nor curse will set it right. It is in these moments when we need an angel, or angels, of kindness. My wife, Suzy, and I had landed in Cusco, Peru, where we planned to visit Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Delayed by hurricanes and pilot strikes, we forewent the great Inca citadel and found a lovely homestay along…

In early 2000 I received a phone call from friend Daphne Greene (think 1995 Mundo Maya Camel Trophy) who was, at the time, working with the California State Parks OHMVR Commission. They were considering a grant to provide backcountry access for the disabled, and she asked if I could help. I was introduced to Doug Pringle and his crew at Disabled Sports USA Far West (now Achieve Tahoe), an organization dedicated to assisting those with mobility challenges to get back in the saddle, ski, or bicycle. Doug, a Vietnam combat veteran, had stepped on a land mine while on patrol. Like thousands of fellow soldiers, he returned home an amputee. Coached by a wounded WWII veteran, he put on a ski, got back on the slopes, and realized that being…

We’re not suggesting you need a hearing aid, but let’s face it, if you spend any time in an overland vehicle with mud/snow tires and a diesel engine, your hearing is not getting any better. We were tired of the constant “What was that? Say again? What did you say? WHAT?” that tormented our attempts to converse. Communication on the road is important both for the enjoyment of sharing thoughts and for safety (“See that hole/truck/little kid?”). We recently discovered the Rugged Radios 660 2- to 4-person intercom system. Commonly used in off-road racing, we found it to work equally well in our not-so-quiet truck. We opted for the H22 Ultimate carbon fiber 2-way headset with active noise reduction, comfort top head pad, the wind block foam mic muff, and…

I cannot say I believe in the idea that traveling guarantees one will find enlightenment. The undeniable thought trend that surrounds adventurous lifestyles is that traveling induces some tangible insight, and enlightenment is somehow synonymous with happiness. Yet riding solo can be lonely and that alone doesn’t promise any clarity of vision. A more classic definition of enlightenment would be truth, and sometimes the truths we find about ourselves are painful at first. We had been planning this undertaking for nearly 10 months. With one of us living in San Diego, and the other two in Minnesota, planning was all we could do while separated over the winter. We made a good effort of it, sacrificing what we could for chances to research our way forward. Between finishing up degrees,…

“ Panadareeha,” my dad said, slowly and methodically. “Almost,but try to use the tip of your tongue.”We were nosing our rental truck through Santiago traffic, a city I left 7 years ago as a foreign exchange student. As we drove around, my dad decided his 4-week Spanish lesson had commenced. With ripe ignorance, we had hatched a plan to drive from Santiago, Chile, to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, in a Nissan Navara 4WD rental pickup truck. Preparation for this trip led us to blogs and photo essays of exquisite overland rigs with lift kits, winches, and rooftop tents. Would we really need all of this to drive to the end of the world and return safely? Could we find a reliable rental truck, fly down with enough supplies, and buy…

Chris Scott began exploring the Sahara in 1982, aged 22, astride a sketchy XT500 rat bike which invariably saw him making a hasty retreat from Algeria after he lost fuel from a cracked tank. Undaunted by the breakdowns and luggage fires of his early explorations, he has since made over 40 trips into the Sahara on motorcycles, 4WDs, MAN trucks, saloon cars, bush taxis, and camel caravans. He’s also led tours in Algeria, Niger, Morocco, and most Saharan countries. His career as a writer began in typical DIY style with Desert Biking, a photocopied how-to pamphlet which over the years morphed into the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook (AMH), now recognized as the bible for overland bikers the world over. Considered one of the leading experts on Saharan travel, his other books…

Many motorcyclists dream of exploring the world on two wheels—challenging themselves to a trip most epic, but not knowing how to start, where to go, or even if they can afford the time. Idolized enduro kings and queens are observed journeying for weeks, months, even years at a time, forgoing conventional responsibilities for the open road—but giving little example of how to accomplish such a feat. Globetrotters themselves, the founding members of Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) wanted to make adventure travel accessible to everyone. In 2010, they launched a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization which enabled any rider to indulge in adventure using only a bike, a map, and American backcountry—at least as key ingredients. The maps, which BDR designs and produces in collaboration with Butler Maps, are created per state or…

A classic Mexican breakfast with a few fancy touches.  SERVES 6 | COOK TIME 20 minutes | ASSEMBLY TIME 5 minutes EQUIPMENT Small pot with lid, skillet, spatula, spoon, knife, cutting board 1 can refried beans 1 can black beans 1/2 pound chorizo 12 eggs 12 tostada shells or corn tortillas 1 jar green salsa 1 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled Cilantro, finely chopped (optional) Lime wedges (optional) As the plans came together for our next camping trip, our friends suggested dividing up the meals so that each couple only had to cook once. I flashed back to our last adventure together that had essentially turned into an all-out cooking contest, and knew we’d have to step up our game to keep pace with them. When my consort, Chris,…