Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2015 i Overland Journal

Road Trip I’m sending you some photos of our trusty Nissan Patrol K260 SWB for your “Where has your Overland Journal been” segment. It is a 1992 with a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel 6-cylinder engine, and we have equipped it ourselves to travel overland through Africa. We have done four separate trips that covered a total of 191,000 kilometers during 616 days on the road. The attached photos are from our recent travels through Southern Africa. Rene and Andrea Bauer 1992 Nissan Patrol K260 Overland Obsession Over the last five years my husband Doug has managed to bring our family along on his newest obsession…overlanding. We have spent these years traveling the United States and Canada by way of the “scenic route” in our truck Lumpy. In 2014 our family traveled 15,000…

I’ve long been a fan of LED lighting for low-output applications such as running lights and dash illumination, but early examples of driving lights were laughable at best; dangerously lacking would be a more accurate statement. However, when I heard Lightforce was going to put their name on a set my curiosity spiked. The LED 180’s clean, subdued looks and sturdy 7-inch aluminum chassis immediately impressed me. Like most of Lightforce’s products, the LED 180 is ruggedized against dust and water (IP68 rated), as well as impact and vibration. Its seven 10-watt Cree diodes have a combined output of 5,180 raw lumens and a service life of 50,000-plus hours. The pedestal-style brackets mount vertically or horizontally and support a wide range of mounting angles. Additional holes on either side of…

It is hard to believe it has been a year since the completion of our all-terrain tire review. The somewhat unexpected victor was the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 , which claimed both the Editor’s Choice and Value Awards. As surprised as we were to see the A/T3 best the rest throughout a variety of carefully measured metrics, we had a hunch this tire would do well. Having used it on two fleet vehicles prior to the evaluations, we were already impressed with its well-behaved road manners and surprising off-payment aptitude. In the past year it has demonstrated excellent ride qualities, and claws at the tarmac with nearly the same tenacity as a road-biased tire. With more than 16,000 miles of use over varied terrain, tread wear has been minimal and the…

The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is considered to be the toughest all-woman automotive rally in the world. This March, 10 U.S. teams found themselves in Morocco challenging 158 of the best female off-road competitors on the planet. Unlike many rallies, where contestants utilize GPS tracks, gazelles are only allowed to use paper maps, chart plotters, and a compass. Another deviation from traditional timed events is that the objective is to negotiate the most direct route possible between checkpoints. In short, results are based on precise navigation, driving skills, and vehicle competence; no outside assistance or support is allowed. During the nine-day event, competitors traversed 2,500 kilometers between Erfoud to Foum Zguid. When the dust settled, the American contingent—whose backgrounds varied from Wall Street trader, stay-at-home mom, and Hollywood stuntwoman—landed four…

We traveled to seven continents in an effort to compare the attributes of each of these platforms and their drivetrains in some of the most challenging conditions on the planet. One of the most hotly debated subject around the campfire these days is what 4WD vehicle deserves the title of “Ultimate Overlander.” The conversation should not be limited to four-wheel drives sold in the United States, but to the best 4WD wagon platform available globally. From our perspective there are five pinnacle SUVs sold in the world today: the Jeep J8, Land Rover Defender 110, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Nissan Patrol, and of course, the Toyota Land Cruiser 76. These trucks represent the most pure, the most purposeful, and the most durable offering from each of their respective brands. There is no…

Pros • Exceptionally durable chassis and drivetrain• Factory triple differential locks• Capability well suited to most overland terrain Cons • Reliability has suffered in the last decade• Limited articulation• Heaviest model in the test• Most expensive model in the test Editor’s note: Currently, the availability of a new 461 for consumer purchase has become more difficult. We can only find new units for sale in South Africa, and only as a special order. The G-Wagen, which was originally designed in the mid-1970s and released in civilian trim in 1979, is the elder statesman of this test (it has continued with only a modest redesign for 30 years). Another attribute unique to the G-Class is the engineering focus on military readiness: the first units were underwritten by a 20,000-vehicle order from the Shah of Iran. While the newer…

I was deep into Baja Sur, Mexico, having spent much of the week riding dirt tracks with the venerable Super Ténéré. My evaluation of Yamaha’s newest 1200 had two priorities: test the new suspension and electronics package released with the 2014 model, and evaluate the bike as an option for my Trans-Africa trip next year. The 2013 Super Ténéré won the Value Award in our comprehensive adventure motorcycle test last year (Adventure Motorcycles, Spring 2014), and has developed a legitimate following among dual-sport travelers around the globe. The Super T has defined itself as one of the most durable and reliable big adventure bikes, certainly a desirable attribute when planning a cross-continent trip. The Yamaha is a serious adventure platform with an exceptionally reliable drivetrain. Changes with 2014 A few…

Though witnessing the wonders of our planet can be memorable, it is often our experiences with local people and those we meet on the road that have the greatest impact on our lives. Such was the case for Karin-Marijke Vis and Coen Wubbels of LandCruising Adventure, who have been global nomads since 2003. During their inaugural three-year trek through Southeast Asia they forged lasting bonds with fellow travelers, many of whom soon returned home to Europe. Understanding that friendships can fade with time and distance, the LandCruising duo organized a reunion in the Netherlands. The event prompted a sequel, which has since morphed into an annual tradition. The Gathering is not a large-scale organized affair, but simply an assembly of like-minded overland travelers. You won’t find a midway packed with…

Pros • Class-leading technical terrain performance• Excellent ride quality and control off-highway• Class-leading road stability and safety• Runs on JP8 and most grades of diesel Cons • Limited interior volume• Limited global dealer network• Lack of factory differential locks• A few minor reliability issues Jeep has a rich history of building capable vehicles for global exploration and military deployment. The brand’s legacy predates all other contenders, and it is certainly the grandfather of the civilian four-wheel drive market. Early flat fender M38s provided the first vehicle-dependent overlanders with a cheap, durable, and easily repairable platform, and Jeep vehicles were used in the first Camel Trophy, as well as for Mark Smith’s crossing of the Darien Gap. Though they have been viewed as lighter-duty options, Jeeps are extremely capable for recreational use. For this comparison we evaluated the ultimate…

Pros • Good off-pavement capability• Stable on the trail and highway• Strong axles and available rear differential lock• Good driver comfort and low noise, vibration, and harshness Cons • Powertrain barely suitable to the application• Undersized clutch for GVWR• Lowest payload in the test• Limited international service infrastructure The Patrol, in both wagon and cab/chassis form, is Nissan’s solution for the severe-duty 4WD segment and represents the 50-year heritage of the model. Unfortunately, this classic and capable Patrol will be replaced within the next few years by the hideous, soft, and ponderous Y62. Once in the driver’s seat, the Y61’s position in the market becomes clear. It strikes a comfortable balance between durable utility vehicle and daily commuter. The Patrol, with its extensive interior trim work and finishing, along with smooth and refined highway characteristics, is the most…

For the inauguration of Overland Routes we are featuring one of the most beautiful and remote trails in America: Valley of the Gods and Elephant Hill in Southeast Utah. The original concept of Overland Routes, a comprehensive catalog of the continent’s overland trails, was released on expeditionportal.com in 2008. At the time, however, our team lacked the technical support and staffing needed. This changed in 2014 when Rob Boegheim, Director of Hema Maps, expressed interest in collaborating with Overland International on a North American mapping project. Hema is based in Brisbane, Australia, and is the global authority on digital rendering of backcountry tracks. They have provided hardware, training, and support to our staff, along with access to their excellent Explorer app (available for Apple and Android devices). We would like…

Menu Main course ~ Catalan cod esqueixada Sides ~ Rice, green salad, or toasted bread Beverage ~ Cold cerveza or chilled white wine Catalan Cod Esqueixada Serves: 2 | Prep time: 1 hour Equipment: Large mixing bowl, knife, cutting board 1 pound salted cod 1 cup olive oil ½ large white onion 1 clove garlic Whole black olives Roasted red peppers Paprika Fresh bread Unless you have a juicy bank account that allows you to frequent hotels and restaurants, hitting the road usually means forgoing some of the comfortable routines of everyday life. One of those sacrifices is not having a dedicated kitchen for preparing six-course meals. Fortunately, there are healthy, tasty, and simple recipes—especially if you love sushi or ceviche—that don’t require the heat of a fire or camp…

Based in Vierkirchen, Germany, just north of the Bavarian Alps, Hanwag takes pride in crafting the finest handmade mountaineering and hunting boots for the wanderlust cognoscenti. The agile Mountain Light GTX is constructed with an innovative combination of nylon-backed ballistic Cordura, high-grade European leather, a full-length nylon shank, Vibram Fuora sole, and Gore-Tex liner. The result is an extremely stout yet lightweight field boot. It features their low-profile Ghilly lacing for the mid-foot and toe (loops of webbing reinforced with, and overlain by, sewn leather rather than steel eyelets) and a rugged rubber rand that encompasses the entire boot to mitigate abrasions. A Swiss colleague introduced me to Hanwag several years ago and I’ve since worn these boots in desert, alpine, and tropical environments. I consider them to be a…

We have all had those “Aha!” moments when we finally try a product after years of resistance. This happened to me recently with Bluetooth helmet communicators, something I’ve always viewed as a product couples use while lounging on their Gold Wing. I now consider them to be essential gear when riding adventure motorcycles. The moment of clarification came in Colombia, when Sinuhe Xavier mounted a Sena SMH10 to my Arai helmet and we rolled into Bogotá traffic. While we mostly used the communicators to make fun of our riding partners, they were indispensible for safe passing, calling out turns, stopping for photographs, and sharing insights on the stunning scenery. Immediately upon my return from South America, I started researching available units, which led me to Sena’s 20S headset and Prism…

Instinct set my foot on the brake. It was dusk in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and we were passengers in a van that was moving much too fast through a maze of traffic. Road construction had left the route in dire straits: Cars flew by on both sides with horns blowing, lights flashing, and drivers yelling. It felt like a scene from Romancing the Stone and we expected to see Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner zoom past in the Little Mule. It was hard to believe that this was the country’s capital city; its entire population of 1.5 million people must have chosen this day to be out on the highway with us. We had come to Mongolia in search of Siberian taimen, the world’s largest trout, and to witness the Golden…

Pros • Excellent articulation• Good off-highway ride quality• Cavernous interior• Heritage and classic appearance Cons • Limited reliability• Poor driver ergonomics• Lack of factory differential locks The Land Rover Series and Defender utility vehicles have been produced for 67 years, and the final Defenders are scheduled to roll off the assembly line on December 20, 2015. More so than any other vehicle, the Defender has defined our emotional connection to overland travel; one that is replayed in our memories from hundreds of Wild Kingdom episodes to current James Bond films. The form of the Defender is definitive in its role as an icon, both for the Land Rover brand and the generations of travelers that have grabbed the steering wheel. As an overland vehicle the Defender is a magnificent tool. The interior is the most voluminous in…

Pros • Class-leading reliability• Durable• Global dealer support• Best motor in the test Cons • Sensitive to dirty or high-sulfur diesel• Mismatched track width• Limited articulation• Limited technical terrain performance Toyota takes building the Land Cruiser quite seriously, a commitment I witnessed firsthand while touring their plant in Nagoya, Japan. As I walked the production line with the engineering team, they shared their philosophy on quality and the essential role that every employee contributes to the process. Even a janitor can stop the entire line if they notice something wrong. Beyond my time watching the Land Cruiser being produced, I lived Toyota 70 Series reliability on seven continents during a combined total of 120,000 miles of heavily loaded expedition travel. The two Expeditions 7 VDJ7Xs experienced staggering conditions and not once did they fail. On the road the…

Free Wheelchair Mission provides the gift of mobility and dignity for the physically disabled around the world. It was April of 2007, and I was in the remote village of Santo Domingo Yolotepec in Oaxaca, Mexico, with ARB’s Jim Jackson and Dave Day of Growers First. The cargo atop our Jeeps, though it would not be given a second glance in the U.S., would hopefully change the lives of a few dozen residents of our host community. It wasn’t bundles of pesos, crates of food, or equipment to repair their aging well, but boxes of all-terrain wheelchairs—gifts of mobility for the physically disabled. In Santo Domingo Yolotepec, as is the case in most third-world regions, outside assistance (especially medical) is a foreign concept. If a child is born with a…

Expedition preparation is a complex collection of vehicle modifications and relevant artefacts, edited down to the bare essentials that will make the trip more fun, time efficient, and comfortable. Weight is always a big consideration for travellers, and heavy accessories that remain unused are often dumped in favour of other, possibly unrelated, lighter items. At the end of an adventure a list is usually prepared of what not to bother with next time and what to add. Over the years a master list is assembled, with sub-lists to suit different environments. Some people are kind enough to publish their lists on the web as a useful resource for others. They usually feature the regular suspects such as recovery gear, safety equipment, and tried-and-tested camping items. What seldom makes it onto…