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.

2016 NW Overland Rally near the town of Plain, Washington, about 2 hours from Seattle. Photo: Spencer Whitney

2016 NW Overland Rally near the town of Plain, Washington, about 2 hours from Seattle.
Photo: Spencer Whitney

Over 75 vendors attended the Rally, allowing attendees to see the newest backcountry and 4WD equipment. Photo: SubCompactCulture.com

Over 75 vendors attended the Rally, allowing attendees to see the newest backcountry and 4WD equipment.
Photo: SubCompactCulture.com

Many hours of off-roading, overlanding, and backcountry education were available to all attendees. Here we see Andy Lilienthal of WARN Industries teaching the Rally’s winching clinic. Photo: SubCompactCulture.com

Many hours of off-roading, overlanding, and backcountry education were available to all attendees. Here we see Andy Lilienthal of WARN Industries teaching the Rally’s winching clinic.
Photo: SubCompactCulture.com

The area within the woods adjacent to the event was turned into a fine 4WD challenge and skills teaching course.

The area within the woods adjacent to the event was turned into a fine 4WD challenge and skills teaching course.

The Rally sponsored both beginning and advanced driving skills clinics.

The Rally sponsored both beginning and advanced driving skills clinics.

Professional trainers Christopher Walker and Paul Cooper of Overlanding BC provide obstacle course drivers a quick briefing before tackling the trail. Land Rover North America generously sponsored a 2016 TDI Range Rover for attendees to drive on the Rally’s obstacle course.

Professional trainers Christopher Walker and Paul Cooper of Overlanding BC provide obstacle course drivers a quick briefing before tackling the trail. Land Rover North America generously sponsored a 2016 TDI Range Rover for attendees to drive on the Rally’s obstacle course.

Chris Collard shares stories with attendees and answers questions.

Chris Collard shares stories with attendees and answers questions.

Attendees gather around the bonfire for the nightly prize raffle. The event’s vendors and supporters generously provided hundreds of prizes each night, including three winches, two awnings, and a rooftop tent. Photo: Spencer Whitney

Attendees gather around the bonfire for the nightly prize raffle. The event’s vendors and supporters generously provided hundreds of prizes each night, including three winches, two awnings, and a rooftop tent.
Photo: Spencer Whitney

* OutdoorX4 Magazine Promoting responsible 4×4 adventure travel and outdoor recreation