overlanding

[blacklab 11818]

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, 

 

[CycleTex87 2944]

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.

[blacklab 11818]

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. 

[Your Mom 4755]

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.

[davidg 4015]

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.

[rage-a-holic 4241]

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.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4959]

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. 

[blacklab 11818]

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

[mooseoutfront 3631]

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.

[Pescado_Rojo 19235]

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 by Pescado_Rojo

[blacklab 11818]

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.

[blacklab 11818]

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

 

[UnivTex34 1762]

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. 

[blacklab 11818]

Not having to talk to family is a feature not a bug of overlanding.

[Bevo&Pevo 4923]

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. 

[locodos 5230]

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. 

[Bevo&Pevo 4923]

That was a great movie.  ^^^

[blacklab 11818]

west side of Guadalupe peak, about to head out to the boonies for a couple of days

[davidg 4015]

 

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 by davidg

[Chewbacca 7617]

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.

[blacklab 11818]

Back to civilization, if you can call Odessa that, back to Austin tomorrow, will post pics and trip report when I get home.

[Bodhi 1086]

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?

[Chewbacca 7617]

Those are all great spots.  Picture of rig?

Here are a few. Let me know if you have any questions.

[blacklab 11818]

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

 

[NAVY 6667]

So this is RVing with cool vehicles, right? 

[blacklab 11818]

Correct

[Pescado_Rojo 19235]

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

[Chewbacca 7617]

So this is RVing with cool vehicles, right? 

Basically dispersed camping, yes.

[UncleBuck 6442]

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. 

[blacklab 11818]

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.

[Gil Bang 25551]

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. 

[blacklab 11818]

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/

[conVINCEd 21468]

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

[Rip76 4880]

On 6/14/2024 at 7:53 PM, blacklab said:

Correct

Would this work?

 

[blacklab 11818]

Yes!

That truck is bad ass. Late 70’s?

[Rip76 4880]

Oh, not mine.  I just love it.

it looks to be about a 71/72.

[orange dream 1200]

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. 

[davidg 4015]

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 by davidg

[Fuck Tim Beck 3787]

^^. dang. That charlie pack bumper sticker brings back some memories. Of course we had our own version: off the skanks and on the tanks. 

[Jerry Callo 8630]

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.

[Gatorubet 29538]

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? 

[DixonHur 10837]

@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

[blacklab 11818]

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

[DixonHur 10837]

Awesome, thanks.

Curious.  Why would you need an angle grinder?

[blacklab 11818]

need to cut off a fender or bumper stuck on a rock

[DixonHur 10837]

9 hours ago, blacklab said:

need to cut off a fender or bumper stuck on a rock

Damn, you're hardcore

[Mittens 7991]

11 hours ago, blacklab said:

    two sheets

Check out Mr. Fancy Pants over here!

[DixonHur 10837]

2 hours ago, Mittens said:

Check out Mr. Fancy Pants over here!

@blacklab

Also @blacklab

 

[davidg 4015]

Awesome, thanks.
Curious.  Why would you need an angle grinder?

East Texas Pass Key