Overland Expo East 2015

A year ago the world famous overland gathering known as Overland Expo visited the mountains of North Carolina for the first time. It was a huge success and the 2015 Overland Expo East promised to be bigger and better than the inaugural event. The first weekend of October saw a steady stream of overlanders of all varieties turn their attention towards Taylor Ranch, but unfortunately their arrival coincided with record breaking rains for western North Carolina. Regardless of the weather a large number of overlanders had arrived by Friday, and the campground began to grow fuller as sites were selected and camp was made.

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As the week faded into the weekend the rains continued and the road through the camping area turned into muck, and the day parking area was completely covered in a slick mix of mud and uprooted grass. Due to these deteriorating conditions some attendees were unable to enter the event on Saturday. However, the vendors tightened their awning guylines and made certain that everything was weighed down as the occasional gust swept through the ranch. Many of the vendors from the previous Expo returned alongside a host of new faces, and with nearly 90 vendors and exhibitors, attendees needn’t worry about a dull moment during their day. With vendors covering every facet of overland travel including shelter, personal accessories, vehicle components, and camp equipment it was difficult to keep the “must have” list in check.

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Overland Expo

The schedule of classes, round table discussions, and presentations had also greatly expanded from the previous year. A few classes and sessions on the driving course fell victim to the weather, but the majority charged ahead. One of the best features of the Expo is the variety of courses that allow overland enthusiasts of all experience levels to expand their knowledge and skill sets. From the seasoned international expedition participant to the novice looking to outfit their first overlanding vehicle, the course list truly offered something for everyone. For many the most difficult choice of the event was what courses to attend, but fortunately a number of sessions repeated on various dates throughout the weekend allowing attendees to make the most of their time.

Inspiration and excitement could also be found simply wandering the camping area. As per usual at Overland Expo, every vehicle told a story of a project in progress and previous journeys, all the while reflecting their driver’s personality. The attendees, staff, and vendors were always more than happy to stop to talk about their rigs, and the conversations often turned to how their equipment had fared during the persistent winds and rains over the weekend.

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Every day at Expo ended with groups gathering in camp or at the lodge to share in the camaraderie that is always present amongst the overlanding community. Talk of the weather at the last few Expos, new plans for vehicle modifications, or the sharing of lessons learned could be overheard throughout the event grounds. As the event came to a close the trickle of vehicles leaving the ranch slowly grew as attendees went their separate ways. The 2016 Overland Expo East will surely continue with the trends of expanding every facet of the event, and once again this dedicated community will come together to learn, celebrate, and enjoy everything the world of overlanding has to offer.

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