what is overlanding. @overlandjrnl #notcarcamping #adventure

"It's just car camping, you're really not doing anything," they say. 

And we reply, "I beg to differ." 

Ever had that conversation?  Well, share this with them, as referenced from Overland Journal; also referenced below - http://www.overlandjournal.com/overlanding/what_is_overlanding/

The main difference between Mountain State Overland and the rest - we're out to "explore roads less traveled AND advocate conservation. "

Overlanding describes self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal. Typically, but not exclusively, accommodated by mechanized off-highway capable transport (from bicycles to trucks) where the principal form of lodging is camping; often lasting for extended lengths of time (months to years) and often spanning international boundaries. While expedition is defined as a journey with a purpose, overlanding sees the journey as the purpose.  Now consider these definitions.

Car Camping. Traveling in a vehicle to an established campground. If there is a picnic table there, it is probably car camping.

Back Country Adventure. A one-day or multi-day off-highway trip on an adventure motorcycle or in a 4WD vehicle.

Overland(ing). Vehicle-supported, self-reliant adventure travel, typically exploring remote locations and interacting with other cultures.

Vehicle-Dependent Expedition. An organized, vehicle-dependent journey with a defined purpose, often geographic or scientific in nature.

Expedition Vehicle. A 4WD vehicle or adventure motorcycle prepared for self-reliant travel over long distances, through unpredictable weather and over variable terrain.

Technical terrain can be encountered throughout the journey, and the travelers may even seek out the most challenging route to a destination as part of their experience, but overland travel is not the same as recreational "fourwheeling", where the primary objective is overcoming challenging obstacles. The critical point to the term overland travel is that the purpose is to include at least two or more of the following: 1. Remote locations, 2. Cultures other than your own, 3. Under-explored or under-documented regions, 4. Self-reliance in unfamiliar territories for multiple days, weeks or months. That is to say, an overnight trip to the local mountains on a well-documented route, staying in an established campground with full-hookups, is not an overland adventure, it is a backcountry trip or at the very least, car camping.

1. Primary purpose: Exploration and adventure travel
2. Duration: Typically a week to many years. Can be only a few days if the route is particularly remote, challenging, or infrequently traveled. 
3. Logistics: Detailed planning is required for environmental, geographic, and geopolitical contingencies.
4. Route Finding: Navigation is easy, typically on known routes that are well documented
5. Camping: Remote or established campgrounds
6. International Borders: Rarely includes crossing of international borders
7. Risk: Low risk to personnel, moderate risk to equipment on more challenging tracks.
8. Terrain: Backcountry travel often includes challenging trails as part of the adventure, with trails like the Dusy Ershim and longer routes in Moab, Utah being an example.

Photos courtesy of Overland Journal, "What is Overlanding?", http://www.overlandjournal.com/overlanding/what_is_overlanding/ 

a one man overland adventure. @orgear #vimeostaffpick #soepic

So simple, so minimal, yet so powerful.  From Vimeo, "watch Kyle Dempster bike across Kyrgyzstan, while wading through wild rivers, dealing with corrupt military checkpoint staff and soloing a handful of unclimbed alpine rock and mixed routes."

A truly epic journey by one man with his camera and several bottles of vodka - if that's not insightful, I'm not sure what is.

www.outdoorresearch.com www.ducttapethenbeer.com In summer 2011, Outdoor Research athlete Kyle Dempster took off on his bike across Kyrgyzstan with a couple mostly-accurate maps, a trailer full of climbing gear, and a vocabulary of 10 Kyrgyz words. He spent two months pedaling and pushing the bike more than 1200 km on roads of variable states of neglect, wading through wild rivers, dealing with corrupt military checkpoint staff, and soloing a handful of unclimbed alpine rock and mixed routes. He recorded the journey, his camera his only partner, friend, and sometimes the only receiving end of his conversations for days at a time. In 2013, Kyle’s self-shot footage of his journey in Kyrgyzstan made it to the desk of filmmakers Fitz Cahall and Austin Siadak, who were asked to look at the footage and see if there might be enough to chop together a 4-minute climbing film. They saw a lot more potential in it, and turned it into the 25-minute “The Road From Karakol,” which debuted at the 5Point Film Festival and took home the Best In Fest award. Music Artist: Lemolo Song: Open Air Artist: Exit Music Song: Modern Age Original score by Amy Stolzenbach

roof platform. #overland #roofrack #customfabrication

Looking for a rack?  Prepare to be overwhelmed; there's a lot of options.

First, consider the base system - towers, bars and mounting.  Most of the major roof rack manufacturers have got it figured out for you, you just need to think about strength.

Next step, what are you carrying and where are you going -

In a pickup or sport utility, you've got plenty of room to toss your gear, but the space fills up quick on extended trips.  Why not put it on top? 

Whether it's a basket or a roof platform, these options will increase your gear handling capabilities.  They're also crucial for stashing muddy gear, fuel and other items you don't want in your cap or trunk space. 

We built this platform out of 1x steel tubing and decked it with 1x6 and 1x2 cedar planks; cedar is one of the more weather resistant wood options and it light - we didn't want to coat the decking with anything toxic, i.e. sealant.  

Mounted on crossbars and lifted with rain gutter mounts, it should give serve MSO's needs.