Overlanding has become a nationwide phenomenon and currently shows no sign of slowing down. This rise in popularity is due in large part to social media outlets like that of Instagram, showing people all over the country everything that overlanding has to offer. Additionally, the COVID-19 Pandemic has made everyone crave the outdoors just that much more.
As one can imagine, many companies (like that of Yakima) have begun to capitalize on this growing lifestyle trend. Thankfully, it's companies like this that have made the hobby that much more accessible to those of us who are new to these endeavors. The result has been more ordinary people being able to have extraordinary adventures.
But what about you? Do you long for the sweet escape, serenity, and adventure that only a trip into the great wilderness can bring? Are you ready to go off the grid for weeks at a time and only have yourself and your rig to rely on? Can you handle hunting your own food, only navigate by using the stars and abandon society as you know it? If all of that describes you, you should probably go find another article, because this won't help you.
However, if you're the kind of person who just wants to go overlanding, have a good time, and stay safe, then this is the article might just be right for you.
Let's get into what you'll need to have an enjoyable overlanding escapade.
The Boring Stuff: Safety Equipment
As with any trek into the sticks, you should ensure that you are well prepared for various types of emergencies. As you can imagine, there probably won't be many hospitals nearby, nor' the means for an ambulance to get to you very easily. So, please don't skimp out when it comes to your safety equipment.
Some of the basic items you should bring to take care of yourself include: A first-aid kit, plenty of food and water, sleeping bags, warm clothes/rain jacket, and a fire extinguisher. Additionally, you should also consider bringing a solar charger for your phone, a physical map of the area (in case your phone/GPS breaks or dies), and signaling devices (in case you're severely hurt or lost). As a bonus, why not bring a friend? It's safer and more fun!
Picking Your Lodging Accommodations
If you're planning on going overlanding for any semi-extended period of time, you're going to need a place to sleep (if your rig is a camper-van go ahead and skip this part). The good news is that there are tons of options for you to choose from. The bad news is that there are tons of options for you to choose from. So, how do you decide?
Ultimately, it really comes down to what suits you, your vehicle, and the journey/terrain best. Obviously, you could use "Old Reliable" (the tent), to serve all of your lodging needs. However, this is not always the most comfortable way to spend your nights in the bush nor' will it do much to protect you from wildlife.
If you want a more fun, updated, convenient approach, you could use the very trendy rooftop tent. These utilize the space on the roof of your vehicle and can typically be erected in as little as 5-1- minutes. Just keep in mind that these often cost a lot more than an average tent.
If comfort is higher up on your priority list, then you could opt for one of the many off-road-ready campers that are taking the overlanding community by storm. Companies like that of Opus, Colorado Campworks, and Mobi, all offer fantastic alternatives to the mundane tent. Just make sure that your rig can handle towing one of these things off the beaten path before you commit to purchasing one.
Make Sure Your Rig Is Up For The Job
One of the most important things to do before you go out there is to make sure that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. The last thing that you want to do is taking on a trail that requires rock crawling capabilities when you only have a stock Honda Civic. So, go ahead and seek out information online or even go find some people who know the trail and talk to them. For the most part, the overlanding community is a pretty helpful and nice bunch of guys and gals.
In addition to making sure your vehicle can handle the expedition, you'll also need to make sure that you can handle mending your vehicle in case of mishaps; essentially, you'll need an overlanding toolkit. This means bringing with you: Hand tools, a spare tire(s), a jack, tow straps, jumper cables, a tire repair kit, a shovel, and plenty of duct tape. Most importantly, you'll want to educate yourself a bit to make sure you know how to effectively and efficiently utilize these items.
Remember: This Is Supposed To Be Fun, So Have Fun!
Finally, there is one last thing to make sure that you do on any overlanding journey: Remember to have fun. This is a chance for you to really get to know both yourself and your car; therefore, it should be an enjoyable experience. After all, it is one of the few opportunities for you to be in a car away from the general population (and who doesn't love the thought of that?).
Sources: Expedition Wire, Gear Patrol, REI