Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2022 Issue. I have a secret to share with you: I’ve been drinking instant coffee for the last few weeks and have been enjoying it. I know this may come as a surprise to some of you, especially after past articles where I have no…
Video of the Week :: Walking Through Fire—Crossing the Empty Quarter
Located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula and spanning 650,000 square kilometers, the Empty Quarter (Rub’ Al Khali) is the largest sand sea in the world. In this desolate but beautiful place, three women—Janey McGill, Atheer Al-Sabri, and Baida Al-Zadjali—chose to cross by foot, walking 758 kilometers from Ubar to Ibri in Oman’s…
Overlander Mexico
When you face the unknown—whether people, places, or concepts—the talons of fear have a way of gripping down relentlessly. The year was 2018, and my husband and I were facing doubts before overlanding into an unfamiliar country for the first time. We would have experienced less of a mental rollercoaster were it not for our…
Overlanding Norway’s Southern Fjordlands
For as long as I can remember, Scandinavia has held a particular magnetism for me. In my teenage days, I dreamed of the vast snow dunes of Lapland, fire crackling in the unforgiving cold, the northern lights showing the way through the endless night. The first time I traveled solo, I looked for the landscape…
Plan the Experience
“Are those the Bears Ears?” my brother Rob questioned as he pointed at red rock formations to our south. “Sure, I guess those look like large ears.” I knew the Mormon pioneers blazed an overland route through here in the mid-1800s on their way to settle the southeastern corner of Utah. But that was about it. “Trapped” inside my…
Video of the Week: Van Life in The Artic with Living The Van Life
Chad DeRosa’s travels around the USA and Baja have been well documented for more than a decade. This video beautifully demonstrates that Chad is not only an excellent storyteller but also a courageous explorer, daring to take on the winter Arctic in his Mercedes Benz Sprinter. With temperatures dropping to -30F, Chad takes us on…
Method Race Wheels Reveals New 706 Bead Grip Wheel Technology
Today, Method Race Wheels introduced its new 706 Bead Grip wheel, a revolutionary design that bridges the gap between conventional street and beadlock wheels. The 706 is DOT-approved and features Method’s patented Bead Grip technology, which provides the ability to safely run lower tire pressures without the stress of a tire de-beading. The wheels, available…
Mojave Road Adventure Festivus – April 22-24
Back in January 2022 we informed you that the Mojave Road has a new champion. Billy Creech has worked tirelessly and has organised an event which is packed with adventure, education and opportunity. The Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association (501c3 non-profit, a portion of the ticket sales go to MDHCA ) and OLAF Events…
Old Versus New : A Real-World Perspective
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. It’s common wisdom in overlanding circles that older vehicles are the smart choice for exploring remote and seldom-visited corners of the globe. Because they were built without computers, function perfectly fine without the need of fancy gizmos, and are made with virtually…
Overland Iran
After extensive travelling in many parts of the world, we more and more started to look for areas less travelled, especially since we started venturing in our Land Rover Defender. When focusing on the Middle East, we were intrigued by Iran. Once part of Mesopotamia and known as Persia until 1935, this “far away” country…
Lineup Announced for the 2022 Adventure Travel Film Festival
Offering several opportunities for fun-filled weekends this summer, the Adventure Travel Film Festival has returned with two locations for 2022: Perthshire, Scotland (July 8 to 10, 2022) and Cotswolds, UK (August 12 to 14, 2022). The Festival’s lineup includes a tantalizing array of independent adventure travel stories. Filmgoers will join Naresh Kumar’s tandem bike journey…
Tuk South :: From Kenya to Cape Town in Two Tuk-Tuks
What began as an adventure travel documentary project morphed into something more powerful for Robbie, Josh, Jasper, and Ivo of Tuk South. These young British gents are driving 6,000 kilometers from Kenya to Cape Town, using their platform and video production skills to raise funds for African wildlife rangers. Driving a couple of 8-horsepower tuk-tuks,…
Overland Journal Presents: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a 3-part Video Series by Desk to Glory
I am thrilled to announce that Overland Journal has launched Episode One of a three-part original fly-and-drive video series titled Destinations: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Episodes two and three will be released later this week via the Expedition Portal YouTube channel on Wednesday, March 23, and Friday, March 25, 2022. This series follows the…
Destination: Parque Nacional de los Lençóis Maranhenses
This 380,000-acre national park situated in Maranhao State in Northern Brazil is considered a kitesurfers heaven, a dune buggy racer’s dream, and an adventurous vacationer’s perfect getaway, and we know why. With few restrictions and a laid-back vibe, the area is a natural draw to overland travelers. The park contains the largest sand dunes in…
Marking the 10-Year Anniversary of Expeditions 7
“First is forever,” reverberated through the air on the night the Expeditions 7 team celebrated becoming the first to drive a 4×4 vehicle on all seven continents. The moment Expedition Leader Scott Brady congratulated his team, those in attendance simultaneously played a personal reel, mental images flashing in quick succession: narrowly avoiding jail in Russia;…
It’s the End of the World As We Know It
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2021 Issue. Riding to the end of the world, aka Ushuaia, was never our original plan. We did not ride the Dalton Highway to the tip of Alaska. Hence, the popular route from the northernmost point to the southernmost point of the Americas was something…
The Spitzkoppe Climbing Adventure
When I reached the summit of Spitzkoppe mountain in Namibia, I had only been rock climbing for eight months. I couldn’t believe what it took to reach my goal, including the days leading up to it and the months of prep to make sure I was well-equipped. Since my time in the infantry, I’ve been…
The Origins of the Humble Jerry Can
Patagonia is famous for, among other things, its intense gales which can reach up to 70 mph in the summer months. This bluster is fantastic when the wind is at your back, but as soon as you turn the vehicle to drive in the other direction, the favor changes, and suddenly your rocket ship is…
Armchair Adventure Bootcamp – February 25 to 27
Once again, offering a full schedule of workshops, presentations, and masterclasses, this year’s Armchair Adventure Bootcamp is set to take place during the weekend of February 25 to 27. Participants can expect over 20 hours of virtual content and may catch up on any sessions missed for six months after the event. Presentations and classes…
Mojave by Defender
“Daddy! Those motorcycle guys are giving us the thumbs-up!” my 5-year-old said. We were only an hour into the first off-road adventure of our new Land Rover Defender, and I knew it was going to be a good trip. The Mojave Desert has always been a favorite area of mine in Southern California. I spend…