May 9, 20241 yr Anyone else into overlanding? I know there's a few sprinter folks here. Going to take the FJ to someplace in June. Built a bed last weekend, ordered a mattress, spare gas cans, some locks to lock the various stuff that will be on the roof rack down. Found this site: https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/ that has a bunch of routes to try along with downloadable maps that you can put in an app. Planning on joining so I can download all the maps. Deciding between the area around Guadalupe Peak/Southern NM https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/post/guadalupe-mountains-adventure-trail or this one, taking dirt roads from just outside Santa Fe to the Colorado border: https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/post/carson-santafe-backcountry-discovery-trail Have downloaded two different apps for mapping, Gaia GPS and onX offroad. I think I like Gaia better. Anyone else do this? What am I forgetting? I have full size spare, shovel, pick axe, traction boards, big jack, winch, spare gas cans, tire patch kit, 12v air compressor, first aid kit, tow rope, emergency jump starter, crow bar, tools,
May 9, 20241 yr Can you carry enough fuel with some reserves? - would be my #1 concern. Mechanical breakdown would be 2nd. But, yeah, I see the appeal of turning off the cell phone and spending many days away from it all.
May 9, 20241 yr Author That’s probably my biggest worry. Bought two 2.5 gallon rotopax gas cans. I thought I’d try to figure out the half way point of the trip and if I hit half a tank before I get there I’d turn around.
May 9, 20241 yr I wouldn’t say I’m really into overlanding, but I do sleep in the back of my truck a lot. I’m posting from the bed in the back of my truck right now actually.. It’s a long bed Tacoma. I have an exped mattress on top of a drawer in the back. Midrise camper shell with screened. windows,and a fan clamped to the screen. Fridge, solar, etc… Before the Tacoma, I had an LX 470 that’s posted up in Toyota thread. Similar set up with a bed and drawers in the back of it. I’ve taken it up through Colorado and a little bit of Utah a couple of times. Other more local trips like Big Bend a few times. Big Bend Ranch SP is good for that type of thing. Some of those campsites deep in the park are a good 30 miles or more from the pavement. I wish we had more public land here for dispersed camping.
May 9, 20241 yr Look into a Garmin InReach or equivalent for off grid comms and emergency beacon. Carry 1+ gal drinking water per person per day and a reserve. Calculate fuel like in a boat going offshore fishing. 1/3 tank for the trip out and trolling, 1/3 trip in, 1/3 reserve for emergencies.
May 9, 20241 yr We'll be doing some this summer when Austin turns into the 5th level of hell. Probably some of the same areas as Bob is thinking about. The CCV top has a queen size bed and the dogs have a fully padded bench area in the back.
May 9, 20241 yr Make sure your compressor is heavy duty enough. I've nearly been stranded because of relying on a cheap light duty one. I'd also look into something you could buryor some sort of heavy bag you could fill with dirt/sand/rocks and attach your winch to in the event there isn't anything else.
May 9, 20241 yr Author It’s handled blowing up all 4 tires from 10 psi to 35 psi after a day of off-roading. I have considered getting a small hand held that uses the same battery as my impact wrench as a back up. Yes, pretty desolate out there without many trees. I can’t imagine how much dirt/rocks you’d need to pile up to use for a winch. I have seen matt’s off road recovery us big rocks to tie off with various levels of success. They have moved around some big rocks they were using for anchors. Maybe some spikes you can hammer into the ground? Huh, Learned something new today. searched on google and sure enough “land anchors” are a thing
May 9, 20241 yr We get a lot of over landers up my way. The Denali Highway (Paxson to Cantwell) is a popular destination with all of the side trails available to explore. Tourists are starting to show up now. Tourist season will be in full swing by June with the very mild weather we've been experiencing.
May 9, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, blacklab said: It’s handled blowing up all 4 tires from 10 psi to 35 psi after a day of off-roading. I have considered getting a small hand held that uses the same battery as my impact wrench as a back up. Yes, pretty desolate out there without many trees. I can’t imagine how much dirt/rocks you’d need to pile up to use for a winch. I have seen matt’s off road recovery us big rocks to tie off with various levels of success. They have moved around some big rocks they were using for anchors. Maybe some spikes you can hammer into the ground? Huh, Learned something new today. searched on google and sure enough “land anchors” are a thing Depending on what kind of ground you're on, I've seen guys use a spare tire as an anchor point. Dig a deep and narrow hole, run the recovery strap through the center of the wheel, then drop it vertically into the hole. Edited May 9, 20241 yr by Pescado_Rojo
May 9, 20241 yr Author 21 hours ago, davidg said: Look into a Garmin InReach or equivalent for off grid comms and emergency beacon. Looks like iPhone has satellite texting for emergencies now https://support.apple.com/en-us/101573#:~:text=Even if your normal cellular,Tap Emergency Text via Satellite.
May 11, 20241 yr Author After wasting several hours doing research I decided to buy this: https://www.deadmanoffroad.com/collections/the-deadman/products/the-deadman-v2 I needed to get something to go around a rock or tree anyway, so may as well get one that can work by burying in the sand as well
May 11, 20241 yr On 5/9/2024 at 6:54 PM, blacklab said: Looks like iPhone has satellite texting for emergencies now https://support.apple.com/en-us/101573#:~:text=Even if your normal cellular,Tap Emergency Text via Satellite. Just be aware, you can only contact emergency services via iPhone satellite feature. An inreach device allows you to contact emergency services as well as friends/family.
May 11, 20241 yr Being stuck doesn't always play fair. Some situations will not allow to winch forward, you may need to winch backwards. I'd recommend a winch set up that can be used on a front bumper that has a place for a receiver hitch and same on the back. If nothing else, get a snatch block. You can use to double line, pull from odd angles and hang venison from a tree to dress it out.
May 11, 20241 yr 9 minutes ago, Bevo&Pevo said: Being stuck doesn't always play fair. Some situations will not allow to winch forward, you may need to winch backwards. I'd recommend a winch set up that can be used on a front bumper that has a place for a receiver hitch and same on the back. If nothing else, get a snatch block. You can use to double line, pull from odd angles and hang venison from a tree to dress it out.
June 4, 20241 yr Author Popular Post west side of Guadalupe peak, about to head out to the boonies for a couple of days
June 4, 20241 yr Northwest of Dell City in NM is a wind Mountain and the Cornudas. One of the Cornudas mounts has some stealth rock climbing on terrain similar to Hueco Tanks. It is supposedly on BLM land but access is over private roads. Might be interesting to check out if you have an open itinerary. Edited June 4, 20241 yr by davidg
June 6, 20241 yr Not sure it counts as overlanding since we're in a van, but wife and I are currently sitting 30 min outside Telluride at a dispersed campsite. We were at Pagosa 2 nights ago and Ouray last night. Will be someplace close to Aspen tomorrow night. Pic 1 is our Pagosa site and Pic 2 was last night.
June 7, 20241 yr Author Back to civilization, if you can call Odessa that, back to Austin tomorrow, will post pics and trip report when I get home.
June 7, 20241 yr On 6/5/2024 at 7:29 PM, Chewbacca said: Not sure it counts as overlanding since we're in a van, but wife and I are currently sitting 30 min outside Telluride at a dispersed campsite. We were at Pagosa 2 nights ago and Ouray last night. Will be someplace close to Aspen tomorrow night. Pic 1 is our Pagosa site and Pic 2 was last night. Those are all great spots. Picture of rig?
June 8, 20241 yr Popular Post Those are all great spots. Picture of rig?Here are a few. Let me know if you have any questions.
June 9, 20241 yr Author Popular Post Drove from Austin to Van Horn on Monday. Stopped at Balmorhea to swim. Got up early on Tuesday and headed north. Headed west to Dell City and had a wonderful lunch, three taco plate at Angel's Tried to follow the path from Overland trail guides but it was all fucked up. Road just ended at one point. Got a few scratches from driving through mesquite and cactus Wrong neighborhood mother fucker Ended up coming to a locked gate. Turned around and ended up camping outside Dell City. Wednesday Morning drove from Dell City around the north part of Guadalupe through Big Dog Canyon. Please don't tell mom we were playing in the street One thing I love about west Texas/Southern NM is when the road goes to the horizon Big dog canyon Camped Wednesday night and drove around Lincoln National forest on the east side of Guadalupe. Got up Thursday morning to this Eastern most part of the park and headed off to Odessa, but stopped to get some west Texas fine dining
June 15, 20241 yr On 6/9/2024 at 11:46 AM, blacklab said: Drove from Austin to Van Horn on Monday. Stopped at Balmorhea to swim. Got up early on Tuesday and headed north. Headed west to Dell City and had a wonderful lunch, three taco plate at Angel's Tried to follow the path from Overland trail guides but it was all fucked up. Road just ended at one point. Got a few scratches from driving through mesquite and cactus Wrong neighborhood mother fucker Ended up coming to a locked gate. Turned around and ended up camping outside Dell City. Wednesday Morning drove from Dell City around the north part of Guadalupe through Big Dog Canyon. Please don't tell mom we were playing in the street One thing I love about west Texas/Southern NM is when the road goes to the horizon Big dog canyon Camped Wednesday night and drove around Lincoln National forest on the east side of Guadalupe. Got up Thursday morning to this Eastern most part of the park and headed off to Odessa, but stopped to get some west Texas fine dining Pro move saving the bag for the emergency roadside shit
July 19, 20241 yr On 6/9/2024 at 11:46 AM, blacklab said: Drove from Austin to Van Horn on Monday. Stopped at Balmorhea to swim. Got up early on Tuesday and headed north. Headed west to Dell City and had a wonderful lunch, three taco plate at Angel's Tried to follow the path from Overland trail guides but it was all fucked up. Road just ended at one point. Got a few scratches from driving through mesquite and cactus Wrong neighborhood mother fucker Ended up coming to a locked gate. Turned around and ended up camping outside Dell City. Wednesday Morning drove from Dell City around the north part of Guadalupe through Big Dog Canyon. Please don't tell mom we were playing in the street One thing I love about west Texas/Southern NM is when the road goes to the horizon Big dog canyon Camped Wednesday night and drove around Lincoln National forest on the east side of Guadalupe. Got up Thursday morning to this Eastern most part of the park and headed off to Odessa, but stopped to get some west Texas fine dining Looks awesome. Wanting to take The Boy out adventuring a bit before he gets too much older and was pegging out west, with Balmorhea for sure on the list. Looks like a pretty clean route, as I'm not looking for anything too rough.
July 20, 20241 yr Author It was a great trip. I got the route here: https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/post/guadalupe-mountains-adventure-trail Some jackass named blacklab has a comment on that page about the route. Follow the green in the posted map and pretty much any 4x4 can make the trip. I used gaia gps with the map downloaded from there and it worked great. Can't wait till I retire, going to hit up every one of the trails on that website in and west of the rockies. Really want to do the pony express trail. Dirt roads from Salt Lake to Tahoe across Nevada.
July 20, 20241 yr 54 minutes ago, blacklab said: It was a great trip. I got the route here: https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/post/guadalupe-mountains-adventure-trail Some jackass named blacklab has a comment on that page about the route. Follow the green in the posted map and pretty much any 4x4 can make the trip. I used gaia gps with the map downloaded from there and it worked great. Can't wait till I retire, going to hit up every one of the trails on that website in and west of the rockies. Really want to do the pony express trail. Dirt roads from Salt Lake to Tahoe across Nevada. Seems like you were the OP on one of the old sites, about the dude that jeeped across the congo? Am I correct? It was fascinating.
July 20, 20241 yr Author I think I did link it. That was a great story. Ran into it when researching this trip. Joined the forum so I could post then saw the post and thought, this seems familiar. https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/democratic-republic-of-congo-lubumbashi-to-kinshasa.50799/
July 20, 20241 yr 13 hours ago, Gil Bang said: Seems like you were the OP on one of the old sites, about the dude that jeeped across the congo? Am I correct? It was fascinating. http://theroadchoseme.com/africa-expedition-overview
July 22, 20241 yr On 7/19/2024 at 8:20 AM, UncleBuck said: Wanting to take The Boy out adventuring a bit before he gets too much older and was pegging out west, with Balmorhea for sure on the list. Looks like a pretty clean route, as I'm not looking for anything too rough.
July 23, 20241 yr On 7/21/2024 at 12:52 PM, blacklab said: Yes! That truck is bad ass. Late 70’s? That’s a 67-72. The square bodies were 74 into the 80s. My first truck was a 65 step side with a 283 and dad had a 68 short bed fleet side, then a 78 short bed fleet side complete with tin roof camper shell. The 78 has been parked in the garage since 2009 but is about to see the light of day again. Edited July 23, 20241 yr by davidg
July 23, 20241 yr ^^. dang. That charlie pack bumper sticker brings back some memories. Of course we had our own version: off the skanks and on the tanks.
July 24, 20241 yr On 7/21/2024 at 12:57 PM, Rip76 said: Oh, not mine. I just love it. it looks to be about a 71/72. Beautiful truck. 1971.
August 3, 20241 yr On 7/21/2024 at 12:51 PM, Rip76 said: Would this work? On 7/24/2024 at 4:15 PM, Jerry Callo said: Beautiful truck. A Norwegian Blue?
August 9, 20241 yr @blacklab, do you mind posting a list of the equipment you took? I drove out to Vegas with my dogs and would like to try overlanding somewhere on the west coast since we're already out here. I plan to leave here on the 17th. I don't have a full rig, just an F-150 4x4 and some camping equipment, so want to get any other essentials I might need. I joined overlandtrailguides.com and found a couple easier routes, so I'll most likely be sticking to forest service roads and not doing real bouldering or anything crazy, but definitely don't want to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Thanks
August 9, 20241 yr Author dry box measuring cup Tongs Knife Egg pan trash bags sandwich bags olive oil wipes Plate Utensils Matches fire starter flint Insect repellent spatula pans paper towels with heavy holder Paper bag for burnable trash Kitchen towels toilet paper Hand soap lighters salt + pepper camping pillow two sheets, blanket chair table stove 5 gallon water container tarp recovery impact gun extra battery and charger for impact gun 12v->120v inverter solar panel jumper battery kinetic rope soft shackles snatch block deadman recovery tarp air compressor tire repair kit fuses multimeter fire extinguisher first aid kit crow bar tools - screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, sockets, wrenches zip ties bungee cords parachute cord big items in truck yeti small cooler for drinks box with food/dry goods bed, mattress, pillow, sheets, blanket water container roof traction boards jack shovel pick axe gas cans backpack laptop books toiletries swim suit swim towel 1x shorts Jeans 4x boxers 3x long sleeve tshirt 2x short sleeve shirt 3x Socks Jacket Rain jacket baseball hat aussie hat sunglasses Hiking boots tennis shoes Flip flops on way down Charge phone Charge battery pack Charge laptop Charge lighter charge light will buy for next time usb powered Fan Binoculars Angle grinder Second pillow for reading/watching laptop Dish wash basin
August 9, 20241 yr 9 hours ago, blacklab said: need to cut off a fender or bumper stuck on a rock Damn, you're hardcore
August 9, 20241 yr 2 hours ago, Mittens said: Check out Mr. Fancy Pants over here! @blacklab Also @blacklab
August 10, 20241 yr Awesome, thanks. Curious. Why would you need an angle grinder?East Texas Pass Key
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