Indholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2014 i Overland Journal

While I wouldn’t consider myself a collector, I tend to keep things for a long time. The ’82 Toyota Hilux I purchased in college, my first four-wheel drive, still sits in my garage. The Coleman stove, lantern, and ice chest, acquired around the same time, though they’ve been “refurbished” with Krylon and layers of duct tape, are used regularly. When the odometer on my ’02 Tacoma, which doubles as an abode and mobile office when I’m on the road, clicked past the 170,000-mile mark, I figured it was time to give it an overhaul. I’d performed regular maintenance (oil, brakes, timing belt), but the transmission was howling like an aggravated hippo, the DR suspension—which was top-of-the-line when I installed it in 2006—was damping my ride like an out-of-control Slinky, and…

The restorative properties of REM sleep are impossible to quantify. There is also no better way to spoil a good slumber than with a sharp stick in your back or a rock under your hip. As people who spend a great deal of time in the backcountry, our sleeping pad review was not just an editorial musing for the sake of filling page space; we had a vested interest in discovering the most comfortable sleeping pad available. Winning the contest without the threat of a close second was the Exped MegaMat 10 LXW. At 4 inches thick, 77 inches long, and 30 inches wide, the MegaMat more than lives up to its name. The internal open-cell foam has lateral cored channels that give the pad a unique bed-like quality, while…

If you’ve ever lay awake dreaming of crossing the infinite expanse of the Australian Outback, or hanging out with the likes of Charley Boorman for 10 days, Compass Expeditions may have the remedy for your sleeping disorder. Next March, Charley and a dozen or so new friends will embark from Sydney on a 3,200-kilometer moto trek through some of Australia’s most stunning environs. Highlights will be traversing the high passes of the Blue Mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Area), exploring the rough-and-ready mining town of Broken Hill, and tossing back a few stubbies at the Silverton Hotel, one of the filming locations for Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. From the edge of the Never Never they’ll head south through the sprawling sheep stations of the Flinders Ranges en route…

Since the beginning of mankind, when early humans ventured beyond water supplies that were within arm’s reach, we have had a need to transport it. From those initial forays into the unknown with water carefully stored in hollowed-out gourds and animal skins, to today’s high-tech containers, the management and transportation of water has always been a logistical consideration as important as any. For the overlander, the ability to secure and transport water can often be the single most critical aspect of planning and executing a given route. Underestimate your water inventory and things can get ugly in a hurry. Bring along a sufficient supply and have your containers fail can result in a fate just as dire. Years ago, during a backpacking trip in a remote corner of the Grand…

Pros: • Extreme durability• Fits a multitude of carriers• Long service life Cons: • Dispensing water is awkward Most overlanders will instantly recognize this iconic can due largely to the popularity of its fuel-toting counterparts. Scepter fuel cans have a loyal following, and with a lengthy list of accolades and technical achievements, they are the most proven containers on the market. They have been the official container of the U.S. military for years, and exceed all of the standards set by the United Nations for the safe transport of a multitude of fuels. With a track record like this, one would guess that the task of portaging water would be child’s play for the Scepter can. It seems counterintuitive that a plastic receptacle would be superior to good old-fashioned steel containers, but it is…

Pros: • Tap makes for easy dispensing• Fits a multitude of carriers• Excellent build quality Cons: • Tap exposed to dirt and grime While Front Runner’s 45-liter water tank is a nice system and ideal for many overlanders, it may be too large for some applications. Offering an alternative in their 20-liter jerry can, Front Runner still went a step beyond the traditional jerry can format by adding one simple feature––a tap. Made of the same BPA-free food-grade polyethylene plastic as used in their 45-liter offering, the standardized shape and dimensions mean it is an easy fit within all NATO and Wedco-style can holders. With an easy carry handle, narrow profile, and a large lid for convenient filling, it retains all of the benefits of a normal jerry can. The inclusion of a…

Pros: • Compact and efficient shape• Roto-molded construction is very durable• Mounting system is excellent Cons: • Mounting system may not work for all applications• Heavy for the volume When RotopaX first entered the market, their innovative containers and proprietary mounting systems took the overlanding and adventure motorcycling worlds by storm. Most people were drawn to the low-profile shape as well as the simplicity of the mounting hardware. With the simple twist of a handle, a RotopaX can be confidently secured with no need for secondary straps or braces. Constructed of rotary-molded plastic—the same process used with their white water kayaks and high-end coolers—RotopaX containers are made in complex shapes with no seams. This greatly adds to their durability and positively influences the size to capacity ratio. At roughly 2 pounds, a 1-gallon RotopaX water…

Pros: • Low cost• Very compact when empty• Ease of dispensing water Cons: • Cap appears to be a proprietary size When compiling these reviews it becomes all too easy to slip into the bottomless rabbit hole of high-end options made of exotic materials with cutting edge designs. Not every good product carries with it a storied brand name, or arrives with scores of awards and third-party testing results. Some products, like this collapsible water tank from Boli, can only be assessed at face value for what it is, a 5-liter water bag that costs less than a burger and fries. The Boli 5-liter collapsible container is made with materials and technologies that are quite commonplace in today’s manufacturing landscape. The BPA-free food-grade plastic is paired to a simple lid and hard plastic handle.…

1 Try to find a daily rhythm that works for the whole family, not just that of the child or the parents. Flexibility is key. Don’t expect to be able do exactly the same things you did before having children; rather, enjoy what you can do. 2 Some equipment makes life easier. A baby carrier, which can be used until age four or five, is great if you like hiking. If you will be driving long distances, make sure to pack some toys (alternating two bags will make the toys seem new), drawing pads and markers, and perhaps even that magical DVD-player or tablet. 3 A first aid kit, children’s medicines, insect repellent, and sunscreen are also good to bring along. The sun is very intense in Central America so…

I will be the first to admit that the introduction of a Land Rover Discovery with an independent suspension system sounded like the death knell to a brand I have come to love. Over the past few decades, each new model seemed to become increasingly complex and less utilitarian, with solid axles giving way to A-arms, and the classic 100-inch wheelbase growing by nearly a king’s foot. For years, I stewed and avoided any new Land Rover, both personally and editorially. However, the last four years of driving LR3s, LR4s, and MKIII Range Rovers have made me a convert. Certainly, the LR4 is more expensive and more complex than my 1995 model, but it is also better in nearly every way. For this final installment of the long-term publisher’s project,…

The new Explorer model ups the ante one notch further by adding a digital compass, barometric altimeter, and for the first time, GPS navigational features. It was roughly a year ago when we awarded the DeLorme in-Reach SE with our coveted Editor’s Choice award. Capable of signaling for help from any corner of the globe via the Iridium satellite network, it can also be used to track progress, and most notably to send and receive text messages as a stand-alone unit. As I compiled that extensive review, I knew full well it would be dated material in short order, as this technology has been advancing rapidly. Even as I sat down to write this short follow-up to announce the arrival of the inReach Explorer, it too was still getting innovative…

It’s not often that a 16-year-old can convince his parents to sell their home and take off on a moto trek around the entire planet. However, when mum and dad are lifelong motorcycle enthusiasts who are bored with their jobs, disgusted with their coworkers, and have no interest in enduring a life of mediocrity while they wait for the day their pension checks begin to arrive, the odds are greatly increased. Such was the case for Mike Schram, who sold his parental units, Aad and Jeanette, on his desire to be the youngest person to circumnavigate the planet on a motorcycle. Three days after Mike finished school, his parents sold their home in Tasmania, Australia, bought two Triumph Bonneville T100s and a Yamaha XT660R, packed their remaining worldly possessions in…

Pros: • Large capacity• Ease of dispensing• Simple mounting design Cons: • May not fit inside some vehicles• Lacks transport handles One of the more unique water containers in this review, this system was purpose-built by and for overlanders. Designed to work in conjunction with their popular Slimline II rack system, we found Front Runner’s 45-liter water tank could be easily adapted to fit other fixed points with little modification. We have this tank mounted atop a drawer system within the Overland Journal Land Rover LR4 and it has proven to be an excellent solution. It is formed from food-grade BPA-free polyethylene and has a familiar shape: the dimensions of a pair of standard jerry cans. This greatly facilitates mounting options if you opt to deviate from Front Runner’s simple and well-constructed mounting bracket. The…

Pros: • Low cost• Easy dispensing• Fits a multitude of carriers Cons: • Caps are not very robust Although Reliance manufactures a full catalog of products, they are best known for their water containers. They are also known for providing an exceptional value. If the Reliance Rhino-Pak looks familiar, it is because it was modeled after the ubiquitous jerry can. This makes it a favored option for those over-landers who currently have the necessary mounts to hold such a can. The Rhino-Pak also has a unique feature, male and female grooves on opposing sides of the can that permit the secure stacking of multiple cans. Although not as durable as the Scepter can, it is half the cost. The lid is uncomplicated and features a simple cap and pour spout that is inverted during…

Pros: • Extremely durable• Ease of dispensing• Perimeter webbing is very useful• Excellent construction Cons: • Can be awkward to fill• Slightly unpleasant taste to the water Countless expeditions to the far corners of the globe have included MSR Dromedary bags in their critical logistics. Constructed of 500 and 1000 denier Cordura with BPAfree polyurethane liners, Dromedary bags offer a level of durability and flexibility that is difficult to rival. Whether used in multiples for vehicle use, or as a singular storage container for motorcycle travel, the “Drom,” as it is affectionately known, is a stalwart staple in the backcountry. Available in a range of sizes from 2 to 10 liters, the Dromedary features a standard wide-mouth three-in-one cap, which permits users multiple dispensing options. Perimeter webbing threaded through heavy-duty metal eyelets makes it convenient to…

Pros: • High-quality, 18/8 stainless steel• Standard wide-mouth lid• Never any foul taste to the water Cons: • High cost for provided capacity• Can dent if impacted For many people, stainless steel is the preferred material for food and potable fluid storage. Oft the subject of heated debates on which material is best for water storage (many of which are rife with misinformation), stainless steel frequently halts the discussion. Klean Kanteen, undoubtedly the leader in stainless steel bottle sales in North America, uses 304 food-grade stainless steel (also known as 18/8 for its percentages of chromium and nickel) in all of their products. Unlike other metals like aluminum, stainless steel does not need to be lined or coated, will never retain flavors, nor will it impart a foul taste into your water. There are not…

By Sinuhe Xavier The 800XC has proven its mettle both in the dirt and over long stretches of tarmac. Getting a new bike is similar to diving into a new relationship: boundaries are tested, infatuation morphs into true love or utter contempt, trust develops, and sometimes that trust disintegrates. Luckily for me, much like the marriage to my wife, this love-at-first-sight scenario has played out in my favor. But like any relationship, it has taken some work and fine-tuning. To say that the 800XC comes direct from the factory bonestock is an understatement. In a strategy to boost accessory sales for its dealer network, Triumph left the bike unprotected and unprepared for any substantial backcountry travel. Starting with the rubber, I swapped the original tires for Continental TKC 80s. These…

Few words can describe how spectacularly delicious freshly baked cinnamon rolls taste when you’re camping. Only two things are guaranteed: they will be gone by the next day, and they are by far the best way to make new friends. However, this is not an easy recipe for a novice. It involves making bread dough from scratch and the daunting task of baking in a Dutch oven over charcoal. These are two skills that are best developed with a lot of practice…delicious practice. Menu Main course ~ Charcoal-baked cinnamon rolls Beverage ~ Coffee or hot chocolate Charcoal-Baked Cinnamon Rolls Serves: 6-8 | Prep time: 45 minutes | Rising time: 1-3 hours | Cook time: 20-30 minutes Equipment: Dutch oven, large bowl, cutting board, charcoal briquettes 1 ½ cups lukewarm water…

If you like to tinker with engines, transmissions, and differentials as I do, you’ve inevitably dropped a nut or bolt into the murky abyss of your engine compartment. When you don’t hear it hit the ground—which means it probably found a cubbyhole in the frame or wedged itself behind an exhaust manifold—it’s time to pull out a telescopic magnet, a headlamp, and put on your miner’s hat. I recently picked up the Extendable Telescopic Magnet Flashlight from Impeltronics and immediately put it into service. I can tell you that this is one handy tool. When extended it provides a 21-inch reach; the business end has an LED array to illuminate your target, and a flexible head to allow for 360° rotation. The magnet is powerful enough to pick up any…

The company is boasting a 15-percent increase in tread life on asphalt and a whopping 100-percent increase on gravel roads. I knew things were going to get dicey when ominous thunderclouds, which had loomed overhead for much of the morning, unleashed a fury of lightning. It fractured the sky and brought with it a deluge uncommon for the season. As bulbous drops began to splatter against our visors, I called over the intercom to my co-driver, Trevor, “Things are going to get greasy…easy now. ” He backed off the accelerator of our Wide Open Baja buggy, but only slightly. Our straightaway terminated with a left turn into a now-flowing creek bed; a bushy tree lay dead ahead. I knew we were carrying too much speed as he turned the wheels…

the hunt A pack of African wild dogs trotted directly towards us. Absolutely alert, they moved with that easy, ground-eating pace that typifies a pack of totally focused predators on the hunt. Our safari driver swiftly braked in hopes of creating a steadier camera platform for us. The dogs flowed around the vehicle as easily as a mountain stream around a boulder: the first dog split to our left, the second to our right, and the third to our left. So it went until all 22 had passed us in utter silence. Once the canine hunting party was safely clear, our driver whipped us through a quick, three-point turnaround and we began to shadow the dogs from a discrete distance. Unlike the solitary great cats, which depend upon stealth and…

Pros: • Keeps the weight low in the vehicle• Collapses when empty• Ease of dispensing water Cons: • Can be difficult to fill• Awkward to hand carry when full• Cost• Slight plastic taste Soft-sided water reservoirs have been around for thousands of years. Even early vehicle travels were frequently accompanied by oiled canvas water bags, often seen draped over the front of the radiator, ready for action. ARB’s Flexitank Universal Water Bladders, available in 35-, 55-, and 75-liter sizes, are modern versions of those early containers. Made of durable food-grade polymer PVC coated fabric, they are robustly built, as befits an ARB product. The advantages of a soft-sided water reservoir are multifold. Flexitanks are designed to maximize what would otherwise be unused spaces, like the oddly shaped foot wells that hide behind the front seats of many…

Pros: • Lightweight• Quality materials and components• Stacks well• Easy to secure• Great value Cons: • Lacks a pour spout The WaterBrick is another unique product that although not aimed directly at the overland market, seems to be tailor-made for it. The impetus behind this container was to provide users with an ideal solution to transport and store water, primarily for emergency and humanitarian aid projects. To best address the portage of water, the WaterBrick shape was designed to provide maximum rigidity with minimal weight. The 3.5-gallon WaterBrick weighs just a little over 2 pounds, and the narrow profile and rounded bail handle make it easy to carry, even during long-distance transfers. The complex shape facilitates the use of less material without sacrificing strength or durability, yet adds to the container’s utility. As the name implies,…

Pros: • Easy to clean• Pouring control is excellent• Very durable• No foul taste Cons: • Plastic yellows slightly over time• Zip closure can be difficult when cold When Platypus containers first hit the market, their claims of durability seemed dubious at best. Clear plastic and a zip-locking closure smacked of sandwich bag technology; hardly the type of thing you would expect to survive the rigors of outdoor use. In reality, these collapsible reservoirs are remarkably strong, highly abrasion resistant, and easy to use. Its proprietary Big Zip closure holds so tight, we tested its ability to remain closed by standing on the bag. Nary a drop escaped. The pleated bottom allows the container to stand upright and the large handle is positioned perfectly to facilitate an easy and controlled pour. Whether you choose the 2-,…

Pros: • Extremely durable• Never any foul taste to the water• Inexpensive• Standard wide-mouth lid Cons: • Size may still be too small for some Speaking of classics, Nalgene’s ubiquitous bottles are synonymous with backcountry travel. It’s hard to envision a backpacker in North America without at least one Nalgene wide-mouth bottle in their possession. Their wide-mouth lid has become so popular that it is now considered the “standard thread” for water bottles. While the 1-liter Nalgene is the king of bottles, the 1.5-liter Silo has a loyal following of its own. Favored by wildland firefighters across the U.S., these bottles have been abused and neglected, only to survive and soldier on. It’s not uncommon for a Silo to outlive a number of lids, as the BPA-free Tritan plastic is seemingly impervious to cracking. To…

No! The word should be enough. A reasonable man would stop at that, but not Shannon. I fear we are in for another wild ride, this time on 700-pound Bavarian beasts. I am used to Shannon’s mood swings, but this one could bury us. My hapless friends and I are subject to his leadership as we dismount and take in the situation. Shannon was one of my teammates during BMW’s GS Trophy competition in Africa, so I know the man. Following him is like driving into a wall cloud in Oklahoma—you know it will be exciting, but be careful what you wish for. “I know that look in your eye, Shannon. We are not riding down that wash on loaded 700-pound motorcycles.” The “wash” is a sludge-filled trough, still flowing…

By Chris Collard and Scott Brady Though we regularly pay homage to high-quality gear—equipment that is touted as being designed for the toughest conditions on the planet—it’s not often that we are able to vet them against Mother Nature’s best…or worst. While 110-plus temperatures are not difficult to find here in the western United States, sub-zero climates, especially in the -20°F to -30°F range, are a bit trickier. Sure, we could pack up our gear and head to North Dakota for the winter, but the days would be quite short and we’ve not yet found a good phrase book to help manage ordering a cup of joe. Though we were initially going to test cold-weather boots and parkas in the freezer of a local ice cream facility, when Antarctica landed…

Overlanders John and Carmen Nomad have created an academy that teaches competitive sports to Zambian orphans. Zambia, land of the magnificent Victoria Falls and one of the safest countries in Africa, is also fraught with poverty and an HIV/AIDS epidemic that is wiping out entire families. Two individuals, through the Nomad Sports Academy, are transforming orphans and underprivileged children into athletes. Canadians John and Carmen Nomad, who have lived in Africa for over 20 years, founded the academy in 2012 in Mukuni Royal Village, just a few kilometers from Livingstone and the falls. Their goal is to educate children about proper diet and exercise, provide vital life skills, and train them to represent their country at domestic and international sporting competitions. “I have met orphans who run 20 kilometers to…

“Rats, there’s a truck ahead and it is coming our way,” I exclaimed to Kat, who was sitting in the passenger seat of Charlotte, our VW Syncro. It was dusk and there was still just enough light to clearly make out our goal: a range of scruffy hills to the south. We were slowly bouncing along a muddy, circuitous farm track between fields of crops with ditches on both sides. “There is room to pass him,” Kat said. “Maybe he’s just a field worker eager to get home.” I doubted that. Most field laborers in this part of Mexico rode bicycles if they were lucky, or walked. The guy in the dull red Nissan was probably the landowner, and he probably wouldn’t be happy with two gringos driving around his…