Serious Question - What IS Overlanding?
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- I was shocked by a comment asking if driving an EV around the world counts as overlanding.
I've seen a lot of different definitions over the years, and in today's video I run through those, testing them against reality and my own experiences to see if they hold up.
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00:00 Intro
00:56 The Origins of Overlanding
02:05 You Must Have 4x4
02:35 A Case Study
04:05 You Must Cross International Borders
07:33 You Must Be Self-Reliant
11:02 You Must Travel Remote
12:40 You Must Go For A Long Time
14:07 So What IS Overlanding?
16:13 Outro
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#Overland #Overlanding #AdventureTravel - Авто та транспорт
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I've been told by "experts" that my wife and I are not"Overlanders" We haven't crossed any borders (yet) and we have to get out of our "comfort zone" by crossing those borders. We sold our house and We have been traveling full-time for three years now, sometimes off road most times on road. We live in a teardrop we tow with our Tacoma. Our first year alone we visited 37 US states and traveled 20,000 miles and we've been having wonderful adventures everywhere we go. We stop and work for travel money a couple of times a year living out of a slightly larger trailer to do so. When we have enough money saved we pick up the teardrop and adventure more. Do we care if we're not overlanding correctly? Nope, we're just out living out best life. Thanks for the fun video!
Thanks for this video Dan! I like the Overland Bound definition of "vehicle based adventure travel" which allows room for however people want to overland. I've taken my Jeep with an Ursa Minor across nine countries in the EU, had planned a year long route but got shut down due to the pandemic. I brought her back to the US and have since done a 5mth coast to coast loop of America. Both trips included some highway, some back roads, some wild tracks and that's the fun of it. Do your version and have fun. ❤
🔥 I love these points & couldn't agree more! Facts over feeling. Safe travels everyone. 🧭🗺
Road trips are going places, Overlanding is just going. It’s all just vibes.
Thanks for always being so awesome. You are our favorite UA-cam dude. 🤙🏻
I appreciate that!
One of the first magazines in Australia devoted to four wheel drives and four wheel drive travel was called Overlander Magazine.
It´s all about the travel and the adventures and people you bump in. I don´t care if I do this by foot, with my bike or in our camper. Go out, have fun and make new experiences. Stay safe all together
Thank you! I really like your view on the whole thing. I see $250k rigs and the debt to fun ratio seems off the mark. In many cases I think that "overlander" is a hip new term for "mobile home". I'll continue to call what I do "car camping" or "hobo-landing" and keep the fun to debt ratio where I like it.
I agree totaly, I have a $1300 van that I have driven 5 times across America in 5 years, I live out of my van fulltime, have solar power for my Dometic CFX fridge. I have a generator for rainy days and to run an a/c or microwave, or charge batteries, also a CampChef stove/oven and a Gazelle Gazebo for cooking and showering. I think that qualifies as camping or overlanding.
I'm not saying that you have to have all that to be overlanding, I think anything from a bicycle and a bedroll and traveling with over night in the wild and more traveling is overlanding
Totally agree with you, overlanding is travel over land by vehicle. Doesn't matter what you drive, the joy of car based camping is the same. Love your videos and honesty
Thanks, what a great topic of conversation and a question I have been asking myself just lately. I also happen to agree with everything you say.
Thank u Dan, after watching your videos for 2 years, I finally had the courage to do the whole south African countries starting from South Africa and ending it in South Africa. It has been the best time of my life. Thanks Dan
That is incredible to hear!!!
... where to next (grin) ?
@The Road Chose Me ......lagos, Nigeria to London this summer in my new acquired vw bay window camper, am considering swapping the original engine to Toyota 4y engine........what is your take on this than?
I'd keep it stock, better the devil you (and everyone else) knows.
Have an incredible drive!
I appreciate your outlook, Dan. For many, their means or domestic responsibilities sets the scope of their overland adventures, and they shouldn't be belittled by others for it. I also think too many people in the community take themselves too seriously because of their following or social media celebrity status. That's what keeps me coming back to your videos and articles. Your demeanor is still that of "one of the people" yet grounded in experience.
Nice video Dan. "Overlanding" is just the current term for something humans have done since the wheel was invented/horses tamed. The term overlanding is really a marketing and gatekeeping term. Saying "overlanding" allows for 1) companies to sell overlanding specific products as something extra special (creating an industry) 2) allows for gatekeeping and for people to think they are special as real overlanders and 3) gives excuse for "overlanders" to spend money on gear and trick out their vehicles so they can be "overlanding" vehicles. I agree with your definition at the end that its vehicle based adventure.
I have to agree with you here.
Overlanding and epic are words over used.
I started in a 1982 Chevy chevette. It's what I could afford at a young age.
I liistened to an interview with Frrenc and Evelyn yesterday, where ferenc was kind of talking down about overland travel in north America because it's "too easy" . I find myself agreeing more with your points about how it can be situational based on the abilities and experience of the individual. People die in the Mojave every year, they get injured and have to do triage mid-trip through the Ozarks, they may get stuck in a snowdrift and have to find heat in the middle of nowhere in Canada.
To me the acceptance that you are never self reliant is a larger part of overlanding than the egocentric idea of only being self reliant. Because no one is self reliant
Love the definition: Vehicle Based Adventure Travel…
This is a terrific discussion… in the United States vehicle based overland travel perhaps started in 1903 with “Horatio’s Drive”. Americas First Road Trip. (See the book by this title” written by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns… ) There was just 150 miles of paved roads in America at the time. They went from San Francisco to New York City. Other overlanders called “Sage Brushers” toured Yellowstone National Park. There could be and likely are many early examples of overland pleasure travel. Good show Dan!
My experience of overlanding in the 1970's-80's was an Ford Econoline van with good size tires non 4×4 all over the western states & deep into Mexico without all the junk people carry on there rigs nowadays. 1 ice chest, a metal grill to put on rocks, two flashlights spare tire, small tool set with some nuts & bolts, this is how we did it, meeting people along the way, stopping at the local market to restock, or buying fish from a fishing village. It is simple & easy. It does not need to be complicated. You figure it out along the way! After summer hopefully heading out for a long trip in my 35 year old Toyota truck, carry basic items & paper maps. And away I go...it's not complicated. I will put new tires, down size from 32 size MT's to 31 Mickey Thompson AT tires. Hit some trails, drive through towns- round trip down to the tip of Baja and back.
My first Jeep was a rusty cj7 that drove 20k kms one summer across Canada and back with no top or doors. I did it because it was a challenge. So I agree that adventure travel comes in all shapes and forms, so I like that definition.
Overlanding is a useful term when using it to contrast with other forms of vehicle travel. Commuting is daily driving from home to work. Driving interstates and developed roads is just car travel. Four wheeling is going someplace to play off road. Overlanding is taking a challenging route to go from point A to B.
Great video! I am building a VW bus to to the Trans American Trail from cost to coast in the US. Mostly off road but some on road but not international. Glad to see its still a form of overlanding! LOL! Cheers..
We’ve done a lot of travelling around Australia in our rig but we truly feel like overlanders now we’ve imported it to the states to continue the adventure. Comes of the ship in 3 days 😅 stress levels are currently high 😂
Thanks Dan. This makes a lot of sense. I'm from arizona, I've always thought of it as an off road trip to some place remote. I have come from the 4 wheel off road crowd. I go out anywhere from one day to 3 weeks. I almost went on a trip to Baja Mexico but threat level went through the roof when my group planned the trip. I still plan on making that one at another time. I think it's funny that the definition is not a one size fits all at all. I see where you say you don't need big tires, I mean if your always on asphalt there is no reason right. I mean even the dirt road that you sometimes see 18 wheeler semi logging trucks on don't need big tires for those. I still think that comes down to what you plan to do there. If you plan on just doing these types of roads 30 inch tires actually make sense because higher gas mileage, longer range. When you get into tougher roads that isn't maintained for a semi to drive on, rocks are on the road, parts being washed out so things get a bit technical now your going to want bigger tires. What you need depends on the roads you take. Now never taking them in a different country maybe hard to plan for. Knowing I want the more technical road, i'm going to look for them, my jeep is setup for trails I take. If I go to another country I'm still going to be looking for the same type of roads. I don't think I would downgrade the jeep. I agree that you don't need to spend a ton on something to do this with. I think the jeep progresses as we progress in what we do with the Jeep. We find what we like to do with our off road vehicle, we built to fit that style of driving. That's why people are totally fine with the small 31" tires, and others well they have to have the 40" tires. It's not just tires it's lockers, lift, the whole thing. I really don't think it's a one size fits all. I've seen people build a Jeep out crazy then realize they don't like the technical trails, then only take it on trails that they didn't even have to do any mods for. I think it's better as a steady progression of us building what is our driving style.. building our rigs to match what we do with our vehicle. Honestly think you have modified your latest jeep more than anyone I know of. I don't know of anyone else who has cut out the back of their jeep off, then put a carbon fiber frame back there. Just you and your friend. Again it's you building it to use it like you like to.. your style of driving and your lifestyle in your Jeep. Think it's great. You learned that from many years of doing it. Your first Jeep was not so modified, as it should be.
Overlanding started in Australia by the early cattle farmers I was told by an American traveler.
Overlanding to me is travelling by vehicle for extended distances/periods of time while being mostly self-reliant.
If you are self-reliant but aren't doing a lot of time or distance it is probably just camping.
If you are doing substantial time or distance but aren't mostly self-reliant it is probably a road trip.
Being self-reliant doesn't mean you can't sleep in a motel, ask for help, or buy supplies. But it does mean you are responsible for your own problem solving and are prepared for when things go wrong.
very well said. You are well spoken and very detailed in your explanation and totlaly agree with you 100%
I enjoy watching Expedition Overland, but totally disagree that you have to cross borders to overland. You can meet lots of different people and cultures just in the United States if you get out there and open yourself up to the opportunities. As someone who was recently diagnosed with 2 autoimmune diseases that will for the time being, if not the rest of my life, limit where I can go I refuse to allow someone to tell me what is and isn’t overlanding. As far as being self reliant, I haven’t seen any who are truly self reliant. None of us can produce gas on our own or manufacture tires, etc.
Anyone who thinks the U.S. doesn't have a wide variety of cultures to experience, needs to travel more here. After a 27-1/2 year USAF career, I've seen that there is as much diversity here as I saw living and traveling in the Pacific, SEA and Europe. But here's the thing: Overlanding should start when you leave your home. Not when you arrive in Moab (or wherever). That is something I try to emphasize on my own channel. And especially with the video I released just an hour or two ago.
Wow. You so correct, you don’t have to cross borde to do overland.
Hmmm... As a bicycle tourist who pedaled through parts of Baja and Chihuahua (both on and off pavement) in the early '80s, how "self-reliant" are those writers at X Overland if they use a motor to propel themselves for every kilometer they travel? 🤔
Interesting video. I have zero interest in defining what I do in my Jeep. The important thing is to take it out into the back country to do some exploring. Camping, staying in a cheap motel, spooky 4x4 sections, crossing international borders, etc. It's all just part of the fun, and the fun is the thing. Thanks!
I don’t understand why anyone would ask what is Overland or make suggestions of what they think it is. In the early 1700’s-1800’s men and women of this country carved out paths of land to get from one point to another by horse back then wagons. A lot of them Trails was called the Overland pass or trail. The future brought Overland relay stations where people who could not afford there own team of horses and wagon could ride together in a overland wagon for a small fee. These Wagons and relay stations store fronts are in museums all over this country. Fast forward to today we are still traveling over these trails but with new technology. 4x4 replaced the Horse and the small Overland Campers replaced the Wagons.
Go to Western Museums and watch lots of Western tv shows it was nothing to them just simply a way of traveling in there everyday life.
One origin of the term "overlanding" comes from drovers in Australia moving large mobs of cattle long distances overland.
Hence the term "overlanding" or more correctly "overlanders" became part of the common popular vernacular in Australia.
So that's one possible historical origin and use of the term.
But terms can have more than one origin from different times and places, so I don't know if this the ground zero origin of the term.
Also, it's interesting to note that "overlanding" is not a term used in Australia today to describe 4WD and/or any other type of camping trips.
I love how you use such a common sense approach to exploring what people call overlanding now. I was using forest and BLM paper maps 30 years ago searching for Backcountry roads to camp deep into the mountains. No matter what you drive the search for beautiful places that you've never been to is "overlanding"to me.
I live in Australia, have travelled widely in Australia in our Land Rover Defender, which has low range, without crossing an international border, but that was definitely overlanding.
On the other hand, I lived in Thailand for 3 years, and travelled to Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and China, but our vehicle was a little 2WD Toyota Vios, so while that was travel, I don't regard it overlanding.
I would just describe overlanding as 'long distance travel over land' (not flying) without trying to define it too specifically.
Nice job on going into a controversial topic that’s just a ridiculous topic. We’ll never agree as a community so I just stick to off-road is day use trail exploration. Overlanding is off-road camping. I won’t say those in 2WD vehicles on pavement traveling/camping isn’t overlanding… but if I made a video on that, I’d call it a road trip. However, I truly don’t care, that’s why we called ourselves Mallcrawlers, but I think most would agree, we are wheelers. Good stuff!
Great points. mate! Also very diplomatic.
When I was a kid it was called camping and if it was an extended camping trip, it was called summer vacation.
I agree with the last defenition... Vehicle based... But would like to emphasise that the vehicle is your base and not only your mode of transport. Basically you live from it or with it. Sleeping in motels or chalets is not true overlanding. Thanks for the video.
Do you think ItchyBoots, who is travelling the world by motorcycle, isn't overlanding? She's spent almost every night in a building (and very few in a tent).
@@MarkRose1337 I was just gonna bring up ItchyBoots! LOL! I think she is definitely overlanding, even though she sleeps in hotels.
To each their own.
For me it’s always been traveling (by vehicle) from point A to point B (and possibly back again) for multiple days, as opposed to traveling by plane or - back in the day - ship). Back when we started driving across the continent for fun (i.e., the trip itself rather than a particular destination became the objective), we just referred to it as “roadtripping", but I think “overlanding" would have been an equally appropriate term had I thought of it at the time. If someone wants to say "overlanding" is more than that, well, good for them. 🤷🏼♂
Excellent video and explanation Dan. Love your work.
Cheers David
Question Dan. What is the black cover on your door hinges for ?
I too have e JKU but have only seen those “ black things” on your Jeep.
I like the notion of vehicle based adventure travel.
I think a must read is “First Overland” by Tim Slessor.
Great points.
So Dan … When you are young go on a long road trip with your dysfunctional parents during summer school holidays and you and your siblings just turned teens and your folks are married long enough that they won’t stop bickering and arguing for every silly thing and you and your siblings are secretly wishing the car would go over the cliff and end the misery… would that be considered overlanding? Don’t forget to consider the adventure part of the car going over the cliff when you bin this one as “ overlanding” or “not overlanding”.😮
Curious minds want to know 😀
I think we can agree that reaching the bottom of the cliff would be called "intolanding".
Enjoy your concepts and vids.
related question to "What is overlanding" Do we need to start by asking ourselves, where did the terminology start? Who actually uses the words Overlanding? Im an Aussie but have lived around the world for the past 28 years, and never heard the terminology Overlanding except from the USA, and a small amount of people in OZ. How about just a way of thinking of getting out and enjoying what the world has to offer outside of your own back yard by some type of transport that you are in control off?
Great job,maybe it’s just wondering what’s around the next corner,thanks
Not just wondering, but going to find out!
This a fun issue to toss around and I agree with all your points - especially that the definition of overlanding is different in North America compared to elsewhere - except your last point about length of travel. Spending a week offroading in southern Utah would be an awesome trip but by my Australian definition that wouldn't be overlanding. There needs to be a bit more 'travel' in the trip for it to qualify as overlanding for me.
The way I see it, the people who wrote that blog post have a vested interest in defining what *they* do as overlanding - it's all marketing and business... product placement with a side order of adventure travel. Great vids and story telling though...
I mean Expedition Overland channel is obviously there to sell trucks, gear and equipment so one can feel equipped to go adventure. I enjoy looking at new gear but it gets intimidating/lure people into the never ending consumption cycle.
Here and many others channels focus on encouraging one to go out , problem solve and experience, and then figure out what he/she will need in terms of equipment.
Couldn't agree more, Dan! Overlanding is just traveling over land. You don't need an earth roamer or a 150 thousand dollar truck to do it. I use a 20 year old chevy, it's still in the process of being built but I go places that most of these fancy jeeps and land cruisers won't go. I go to areas that often lacks cell phone coverage. That's my overlanding. But that doesn't mean what other people do staying in 2wd on a highway isn't overlanding
Thank you Dan for this video. I think your travels in Africa and in the Americas is what counts as overlanding. However, I don't think anyone in the 4x4 world looks at self-reliance the way you described it.
I imagine most people use self-reliance to mean planning supplies and vehicle maintenance ahead of time and fixing problems as they occur instead of getting towed out. No one can be completely self-reliant using a vehicle and roads built by others, but then no member of society could be.
To me there is a difference between touring and overlanding. The classic example of overlanding that comes to mind is African Safari: remote, off-road, elements of danger and adventure, 4x4, self-reliance, etc. etc. Touring is destination based driving. It's hopping in your vehicle and going somewhere usually stopping at restaurants and hotels. It can be short or long, international or not. Camping is going fishing or hiking or going to the beach for a weekend or a week. So for me overlanding combines all those, but may not be defined by any one thing. But going back to African Safari example, the ideal is 4x4 based, self-reliant, international and remote. Does it have to be all those things? I don't think so but it's definitely not touring, and there is nothing wrong with that.
This is why i sub’d to your patreon.
being self reliant is not the same as being completely self reliant. being self reliant could mean not taking a paid tour where everything is planned, provided and executed by someone else.
i'm australian so overlanding is not a term we use, we call it touring and if i had to pin down a definition for it, i'd describe it taking a vehicle setup for camping and extended travel on a holiday primarily based on camping from the vehicle or trailer if applicable.
how you do it and where you go is completely open, from bare bones sleep next to the fire and eat baked beans to fully accessorized over the top rigs costing the gdp of a small country it's all the same only what you get out of it differs.
Well Said Sir!
Are you finally going to Nepal?
a comment I read somewhere here on YT: "Amercians built an overlander by putting a roof top tent on top on a race truck"
I like "adventure travel"... good term. I can also boil it down to touring and I like to camp out of my car. The o word is so toxic now that it just isn't even worth the conversation. The conversation around the camp fire is so far away from the internet, its lovely. More people need to spend less time on the internet.
I’m in Guatemala with my wife in our Promaster and I love asphalt. Travel in a vehicle is overlanding in my book. But when you get out here what you drive, how you live and where you’re going doesn’t really matter. Having fun is the goal. Oh and I have a winch! Carry on debating.
Adding a comment before watching your vid (while definitely looking forward to it!).
To me 'overlanding' has been claimed and defended as an elitist activity with people who are taking their vehicles (mostly 4x4) through multiple countries, have the most expensive gear, and stay in often rustic campsites. I definitely consider this overlanding but I think that's just one style and there should be a better word for what yourself and others are doing.
To me the preferred definition of overlanding is pretty simple. It's vehicle based and it's more about the journey than the destination. To that effect it also shouldn't be somewhere you are very familiar with, but rather seeing things new and unknown to you. Meaning that it doesn't have to be international, require expensive gear or anything like that. It's when you choose a multi day route and use your vehicle to remain self sufficient while you travel that route, camping between days, bringing and preparing your own food much of the time and taking in the experiences of that route. It also probably involves taking backroads and secondary roads as opposed to just staying on major highways.
I do not think that overlanding is staying at a provincial park for a weekend even if you sleep in a RTT and carried all your gear there in wolf packs.
Overlanding = extended duration, extended distance, vehicle based travel. Overlanding is about TRAVEL. It's not weekend car camping. It's not a roadtrip on dirt roads. It's also not something you can do in your own backyard. So while I might agree that you don't need to cross "international" boarders, you do at least need to cross some sort of geo-political boarder that is different than the normal sphere of influence you live or grew up in. So yes, for a larger country like the US, Mexico, or Canada you can overland within the country, but it has to be beyond your home state/territory. But then again, I'm just gatekeeping so... lol
🍻
I go car camping at some pretty out of the way places in a jeep. I’d love to overland but my career keeps me close to home. The term overlanding has been totally overused and diluted by people who want to be cool. I’m actually sick of hearing it being parroted over and over. I’ve never been trendy though so it’s just my opinion! Keep overlanding Dan, we like to watch!
I find myself at odds with almost everything you said. Firstly the Australians didn't invent overlanding, the Roman Empire was doing it in 312 B. C. Europeans were doing it long before Australia was settled. Australians brought the word from The British Isles. The reason driving cattle across the territories was similar to North America is, that was before they were a country. None of the state had yet united! They were simply relocating from one territory to another territory, and most of the people involved would have been "British Subjects" a long way from their home country.
Secondly travel inside of Australia by Australians is locally called "Touring". Now touring here and touring there can add up to part of an Overlanding lifestyle, but a week long trip in your home country, by itself is just a camping trip.
I feel that becoming "an overlander" is not something you can purchase. It is also not something you bestow on yourself. You become an overlander when other travellers consider you an overlander, for your accomplishments, and your resumé of travel destinations.
p. s. I would also add that self sufficient does not mean you can't buy gas, get directions, or hire a mechanic. The reference to self sufficient is you are not part of a paid guided group where your meals are supplied, your repairs are attended to, and your border crossings are rubber stamped, etc. I always say "vehicle co-dependant travel" because you are as dependant on the vehicle as it is on you for fixes or sympathy. Just not a rented vehicle or on a curated path...
Hello,
I think a lot of the debate on what is overlanding just comes down to words. And, in the end, does it really matter?
It's like people arguing over "travelers" vs "tourists", where somehow being a traveler is much better than being a tourist. I don't think it's that important what we call it, what does matters is our mindset and attitude as we go out in the world and interact with other people.
Enjoy your travels!
"I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description ["0verlanding"], and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the travel involved in this case is that." -- United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, probably.
I don't really agree 100% here. With vanlife growing in populatrity, we need to consider this vs overlanding. Many vanlifers either travel and enjoy nature or travel and enjoy cities/cultures which sounds similar to overlanding.
To me, vanlife is like classical vacation: you go to a different place while having everyday luxury.
In contrast, overlanding is like a backpacking-vacation: you have extremely limited space (which is part of the fun) and sacrifice luxury for adventure, have the flexibility to go much remoter than others could, but in a way are also more reliant on nature and people.
I was researching vanlife for months before getting into overlanding and those things really stood out to me. It's not that one is better than the other, its just that everyone had different needs, wants and priorities.
Also, the way I see adventure is doing stuff that raises your adrenaline and pushes you out of your comfort zone.
I absolutely agree 100% that neither is better than the other, they're just different.
I love to see people getting out doing what they love, no matter what it's called.
That is by far the most important thing!
So it's car camping 😉
Overland = Roof top tent 😊
Two of Dan's biggest overland trips, the Transamerica, and Australia both we're tent on ground trips. Definitely overlanding.
@@brycedunlap I agree... I was just being a little sarcastic to all that people thinking that having a rtt makes them "overlanders"
I love how your analytical mind is picking this apart. And I agree with you that overlanding is a broad concept, where (I think) the main goal should be to live your life with purpose and fulfillment. If you like taking your Jeep to Moab every weekend and doing different trails - then do that. If you like driving your Honda Civic to India - then do that!
These kind of videos are what drew me to your channel, and what made me become a Patreon. Your thoughts, insights and "you-can-do-it-too" attitude has been a big part in me formulating my plan for retirement: Get a camper van and drive to 120 countries in 120 months.
I will try to come to one of the Patreon camping weekends this year. Looking forward to meeting you! Daniel K.
Woah, 120 countries in 120 months.
I absolutely can't wait to follow and live vicariously through you!!
Firstly, looking sharp with your haircut and being clean shaven… looks like you’re ready to get married 😂
Down to business.
Here in Australia, the overlanding term has become popular only in the last few years. To my mind it was always referred to as Touring or Outback Touring. Overlanding to me was say, start in Sydney and finish in London sort of thing. The vehicle makes no difference.
In short, people should call it what they like. Everyones version of Overlanding will always be different based on how adventurous they feel, how much time they have and their budget.
Who cares what others think. We undertake these trips for ourselves, not for seeking the approval of others.
Get out there and make memories I say! Whatever you call it.
I'd take issue with your description of self-reliance in this context. With respect, I would describe it as having the tools and material to not *need* to be aided others, and able look after yourself for at least a few days while off the grid or away from civilization. You have onboard water and air, a nicely-stocked fridge and pantry, a spare wheel/tire, spare parts, tools, and the knowledge needed to do simple fixes on your own vehicle and things of that nature.
If needed, you can purify stream water, catch fish to eat or hunt small game, and so on. You have your own shelter, no need to hook up to sewer lines and the like. Self-reliance in that context is a huge part of what I see as overlanding, rather than just simple car camping.
Overlanding to me means staying in a different place every day or every few days, not having to rely on restaurants and motels, and not being afraid to rough it on your own for a while. As opposed to simple car camping where you pack all your gear up, go out for a weekend, or a week, to one place, and then and drive right back home again.
Let's keep it simple. Overlanding is travelling over land.
It's about the journey, not the destination or the method of travel.
Transport can be any means that gets you there, from train, truck or bus to vehicle, bicycle, camel or horse or on foot.
Bear and Grizzly recently hiked the 600km Jordan Trail on foot. Camel traders travelled the Silk Road for thousands of years. Aborigines walked to Australia 60,000 years ago.
All were overlanding.
Overlanding is yes, 4x4 , but of course not all the time , but some trips all the time yes. International yes of course it can . Remote , most definitely , not all the time , but you are heading there for sure. Self reliant ,yes of course that's why the 12 volt fridge , food supply , solar battery , tents ,or sleeping platform inside vehicle , awnings , spare water and fuel , again not all the time...but you are heading there .
Ovelanding is quintessential Safari whatever continent and country you are in , and it involves all of the things you have listed. Anything else is just a road trip . Overlanding , in my understanding of the endeavour , involves all the things (save international , it can , but doesn't have to be) you listed at various times. Remote at some point being key , at which time the other points naturally follow , if it is truly remote.
Cheers Wild Bill Jeep overlanding the Arctic watershed , Boreal forest , and Taiga of Northern Ontario and Northern Quebec . Never stop exploring.
Going places doing things
Can't rely on you for one definition. You're all oveer the place.
My opinion of overlanding is a Twist between off-roading and living homeless I Don't Know Why the humans enjoy camping the struggle of survival like camping and things of that nature where it's just making things more harder maybe it's some Gene that's in the human body that just makes us want to explore and Conquer.
Hey, hey, I'm homeless by choice ! :D
What it’s home ! a person that travel for work and live on a hotel every week, and return only for the weekend. Is a homeless?
Houseless not Homeless! Your home is your jeep and wherever you are!
@Flight of the CrowsWing l'll remember to tell that to a homeless person living in there car that they are just houseless not homeless 😑
It's all just words. What's next, a trip on your boat will be overwatering?! I'll stick to calling it boating!
As far as by land vehicle, idk. Traveling?
I think the definition changes if your a Hippie or Redneck 😅😅
Marketing
Now which one of you ticked off Mr. Greg?
For me overlanding has absolutely nothing to do with what surface that is under your wheels, it’s to do with what you are doing, vehicle based exploration is overlanding.
That is a really good way to say it!
anyone else noticed how his facial hairstyle changes in there videos?
Overlanding is what the word says Overlanding , dosnt mater how you do it or how you do it , walking , horse and cart , push bike or motorcycle , a car or 4x4 , if your travelling and going over the land then you are Overlanding 😊
I agree, but I also think it needs the element of adventure. A trucker driving back and forth across a continent isn't overlanding in my humble opinion.
As you say "it is interesting..." how people get hung up on labels & seeming to use that to create division, boundaries & separations of many things. Whether on purpose or not it does not matter.
Really in my mind any kind of travel or adventure is to transend & go beyond divisions, boundaries & separations.
The other day I "overlanded" from my front door out to the mail box & then back again. Now I would not put it in the category of an exciting adventure. But technically it was "overlanding". I traveled OVer the Land, to get to the mail box (& back again).
Don't get me wrong, in my declaring & including that in the definition, I by no mean assume or expect any of you clicky high quality overlanding humans (you know who you are!) should welcome & include me in your definitions, divisions, boundaries, separations or indeed your communities.
None of that stops me from going out to my mail box (or beyond!) & calling it "overlanding".
I guess taking such positions will always run the risk of being "cancelled" I am a big boy, I receive mail with cellophane windows, I can take it!!!
BRINGIT!
You can “overland” in a Toyota Corolla
Wait... So you're saying that the guy from SoCal with the $100,000, 2,000lbs over GVWR, flamboyant Tacoma calling a trip to Arizona an, "Overland Expedition," isn't a true overlander?! Blasphemy. 😂
It seems the "gatekeepers" who revel in parsing definitions are the ones who least get out there and do it. Who cares what label you use, get out there and adventure.
As a person who has done a ton of this stuff, I think you are spot on! It doesn't matter how others define overlanding, it is how you yourself define it.. My journeys in the early 80's were very different compared to my journeys today. Both are overlanding but, more importantly, they were journeys that shaped who I am today. My future journeys will shape my future self. That's overlanding.
Absolutely brilliant with your observations.🦘
Great video! It’s quite interesting and humorous that some people within a community can be so critical of each other over relatively nonsensical matters. Just get out and enjoy our earth and other people.
I was raised car camping. To me car camping differs from overlanding because generally you stick to paved roads and reasonable gravel roads, maybe even dirt roads in good condition. Overlanding differs by being off road primarily, using rougher routes to get places. There is going to be paved roads and higher grade gravel in places but primarily off pavement, backcountry, forestry roads, double track dirt etc. Living out of a vehicle is usual but off-road motor biking and even a longer term mountain bike trip could count. There is no hard and fast rules but that’s what I think. I backpacked around the world using a multitude of transport methods including absolutely dangerous public busses in Africa and India, hitchhiking in Africa, Australia and New Zealand etc but that was ‘backpacking’ to me, not overlanding. I’ve also done the ‘overlanding’ trips all over Africa, India and the outback in Australia, living out of a strong 4 wheel drive vehicle, buying food almost daily in village markets, cooking on an open fire each night, getting stuck for days at a time in the deep mud in Africa, sand matting across the Sahara, etc. For me, that’s the difference between ‘overlanding’ and other forms of travel. Having said all that, driving any form of vehicle around the world or large parts of the world should be seen as ‘overlanding’ too.
In America “overlanding” is spending $80-100k on a daily driver and equipment to possibly spend 1 night a month at an improved campground.
1990s, I use to call it car camping ,going out to the desert, go up some trails and camp, out of the back of my grand wagoneer I still call it car camping /overlanding
You literally travel " OVER the LAND", Thats why they dont call it SAILING. You could Overland travel with boots and a tent. jmho
I love overlanding in my Miata. It is like a 4 wheel touring motorcycle.
Overland to me is using your vehicle and whatever capabilities it uas to go out and explore and camp and have a great time
Different cultures? All you have to do is drive from Chicago to Brownsville in the US and see how many cultures you cross!!! These folks claiming that "ovlerlanding" has to be something exotic or anything more than traveling by vehicle (including bikes/motorcycles) over land are just hoping to spice up their UA-cam channels!!
Very interesting, but who cares if someoneelse tries to tell you "this is not overlanding, or this is not offroading".
Go and have fun, and let everyone define themselves to what they think of it.
Once you invite a friend to go 'overlanding' it might come in handy though to have a joined definition ;) manage expectations.
I think the international borders thing is very much an African or Euro-centric view of overlanding. The drive from Toronto to Kenora is over 1800km one way inside just the province of Ontario. For scale, that's roughly the same as Paris, France to Lviv, Ukraine.
If you're using a vehicle and travelling/adventuring over land, you're overlanding.
From what I understand the term overlanding was invented by the US cavalry in the overland expeditions to the west and later on that term was adopted by overland stage lines. It simply meant travel across countries by wagon and despite Hollywood and television concepts those wagons were usually pulled by mules or oxen.
For me overlanding is you go and make your own path were there is no road and overlanding is the up normal of the normal greetings from South Africa