Northwest Overland Rally 2016
The June 2016 NW Overland Rally had it all – fun, adventurer camaraderie, high profile equipment vendors, a pleasant grassy camping field, mild to wild organized trail runs into Washington’s Cascade mountains, a raffle each night around a bonfire, and instructional clinics conducted in its own wooded area nearby. As if all that wasn’t brilliant enough, event-goers gathered under blue skies and near perfect daytime temperatures. (Not that harsh weather ever soured a good overland event anyway.)
A well-deserved hat tip to the organizer, Ray Hyland (of London to Singapore overlanding fame, with his family in a 1954 resurrected Land Rover), his wife Marianne, and an entire army of hard working volunteers, for pulling off a near-perfect affair. The event was very well organized and managed. Ray even drove his classic Land Rover to the event from his home in British Columbia, Canada. Getting a close look at the Rover was a treat all to itself. Meeting the Hyland family was worth the trip alone.
NW Overland Rally
This year’s Rally was my first time at the event. It was an honor to represent OutdoorX4 Magazine at the event and be asked by Ray to teach an in-field tire repair clinic and the non-winching recovery clinic, plus give a talk on satellite communications. It’s always a privilege to share skills with fellow adventurers and meet them personally. Thanks to all who attended the clinics.
Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I’ll certainly be returning to the 2017 NW Overland Rally. Irrespective of where you live, make plans now to go yourself next year. The best part about overlanding is the journey taken to get to the rally and choosing a different route home, regardless of the distance to beautiful upstate Washington.
* OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible 4×4 adventure travel and outdoor recreation