Overlanding

So often today, travel has become a utilitarian task, perceived as a necessary evil used only as a means to connect vacationers to our chosen destinations; complete with high cost, long lines, and countless complaints along the way. However, we can counter this reality; we can choose to make our travels less of an act and more of an art.

By choosing overland travel and making the journey itself a highlight of the trip, we make a choice to explore what lies between the beginning and the end. We make a choice to discover the nuances of our surroundings. We inspire our imaginations, build our confidence in blazing new paths, and immerse ourselves in the history, culture, wildlife, and beauty of areas that cannot be sampled from a tiny window at thirty-thousand feet.

Overland Travel

Think about overland travel like blending a road trip with backpacking: traveling that is as much about the journey as it is the destination, and for which the traveler is wholly self-sufficient and capable of overcoming all expected, reasonable challenges that may arise while exploring remote backcountry areas. Although a variety of vehicles can be used to support overlanding –– including dual-sport motorcycles, 4WD “adventure” vans, and even modified, medium-duty platforms like the Mercedes Benz Unimog and Mitsubishi Fuso –– for most of us, a truck or SUV is the platform of choice and will provide ample capacity, capability, and comfort. With a few basic modifications and thoughtful loading, most latemodel versions will serve travelers well, whether tackling long miles on the highway or bumpy ones in the backcountry.

Interested in giving overland travel a try? Start by loading your vehicle with all of the things you’ll need for comfortable camping including food, clothing and games. Always have a good map and compass handy. I recommend a state highway map –– available free-of-charge from most state’s highway departments –– and more critically, a highly detailed topographic map. These are available from the U.S. Geological Survey – USGS – for a minimal fee, but they can also be found in paper and GPS formats from manufacturers like DeLorme and Garmin. I never travel without my Gazetteer TOPO map book, which can be found at many local bookstores.

Some other things to consider when traveling remotely are fuel and water capacity, based on how long you’ll be out, and a basic first aid kit and the skills to use it should unfortunate mishaps occur. Be sure you have some understanding of how to use the 4WD system of your vehicle in case you run into a bumpy patch or slippery road far from service. Finally, and maybe most importantly, never travel into the backcountry without giving a friend or family member a detailed description of your route and your planned return date.

I definitely encourage folks to travel in pairs or groups, especially if you’re new to the backcountry. If you’re not quite sold on overlanding solo yet, just ask someone you know if they’d like to load up their truck or SUV and come along for a weekend adventure. Not only will this give you some peace of mind, but you’ll likely enjoy the trip even more.

The most important part to overland travel, and arguably any form of travel, is attitude. Recognize that there are inherent risks and challenges to traveling off the beaten path but, with proper planning and execution, almost none of them are dangerous. In fact, the small doses of adrenaline or desolate solitude we may feel along the way are part of the reason we do this; it’s what feeds the adventurous sides of our souls.

So keep your mind clear, your eyes to the horizon, and your heart open to new experiences. Our attitudes are what keep us receptive to the things we discover, and it is only then that we are able to feed our understanding of the world around us. And, in the end, that awareness becomes the essence of travel.

Still curious about overland travel? OutdoorX4 Magazine Overland Columnist Jonathan Hanson, who is also the curator of Exploring Overland, has put together this fantastic video that sums up what the overland experience and lifestyle is all about:

Overland Expo 2016 – THIS is overlanding from Exploring Overland on Vimeo.

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