I’ve been fascinated with Expedition Overland since they first started to post videos on YouTube of themselves running around the rocky two tracks of Montana. Then last year Clay and his adventurous band of wanderers headed north to my favorite state, Alaska. I followed them weekly as they would post a new 20 to 30 minute YouTube short of their Alaskan adventure. I was impressed with the effort and attention of detail with their filming that I feel rivals much of what you see on television these days. Their Alaska trip rekindled my want to return to Alaska and explore more of my favorite state.
But, what I’d really like to discus is the recent comments I’ve read and heard concerning Expedition Overland’s latest YouTube series covering their latest adventure south to Mexico and Central America. Seems some viewers are disappointed in the amount of “wheel’n” depicted in the videos. Adventure travel is so much more then locking the hubs, putting the truck in four low and pushing the limits of your vehicle. In fact, when on a long distance expedition or overlanding, I would suggest the opposite is true. You want to do the least possible to risk damaging your life blood; the vehicle.
That is not to say don’t take the path less traveled, cause that is the deep calling of why we take trips like the one Expedition Overland took to Central America. But be smart about it. Traveling via vehicle long distances to explore new places and people experiencing the world with its wondrous mountain peaks, desolate desserts, thick jungles and raging rivers first hand is the real reason behind the trip.
If you want to take your truck or Jeep out and see how far you can push it before you get stuck or break, there are plenty of off-road parks to visit. 3,000 miles from home and 100 miles or more from the closest parts store or mechanic is not the place to test the capabilities of your vehicle to the point of breakage.
The way I see it, build the vehicle preparing for the worst (within your own personal budget) and hope for the best. Adventure is not without risk, for if it was it would not be an adventure. But only the foolish act beyond their capabilities.
I do believe there is some heavy duty trail busting coming in future episodes of Expedition Overland that may satisfy the viewers looking for more “wheel’n”. I would agree an adventure is sweeter when I’m pushing myself and vehicle, however traveling and exploring new places is so much more than tires in the mud.
