I recently read an Outside article on overlanding that made me laugh. I am not an overlander myself, but I cover the topic extensively as part of my work. So this piece was right up my alley. It discussed how Coloradans are increasingly getting themselves stuck when they venture unprepared into rugged high mountain passes.
If nothing else, these individuals are demonstrating one of the fundamental principles of overlanding: it is not just off-road driving. Anybody with a vehicle can take it off road. But not every vehicle is suitable for overlanding. On top of that, not every person who owns a suitable vehicle knows how to overland safely.
Overlanding 101
So what is overlanding, exactly? It is journeying over land using some sort of rugged vehicle capable of handling extreme terrain. Though overlanders do spend some time on paved roads, most of their journeys take place off-road. More importantly, their favorite off-road environments tend to be harsh.
This is why so many overlanders drive specialized rigs that have been heavily modified along the way. More experienced overlanders wouldn’t take an unmodified Toyota 4Runner up to a Colorado mountain pass covered with snow. Without the right modifications, the truck would not make it. And in fact, a Colorado driver found that out earlier this year.
You Have to Finish the Journey
Among the many things that sets overlanding apart is the concept of the journey being more important than the destination. Most overlanders couldn’t care less where they end up at the end of the day as long as they finish the journey safely and with everything intact. That’s because overlanding is all about the journey itself. You need to finish it to be a true overlander.
To do that, you need a few things. First on the list is the right equipment. A true overlander has a vehicle more than capable of handling rugged terrain. He carries an ample supply of Rollercam cam straps along with ropes and chains. He carries hand tools, spare parts, emergency supplies, and even a first aid kit. That says nothing of the basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.
Next, completing the journey requires some knowledge of the terrain. It is simply unwise to embark on an overlanding trip without doing some research first. Research tells and overlander what kind of equipment he will need. It tells him what to be prepared for in terms of weather and possible hazards.
Rounding out the list are the following:
- A working knowledge of one’s vehicle.
- The ability to handle common repairs.
- A huge dose of common sense.
- A means to contact the outside world.
- The ability to survive on one’s own for extended periods of time.
This list of necessary things should make it clear that overlanding is not just driving off-road. There is so much more to it than that. And in Colorado, people do not seem to be getting the message.
A Problem That’s Getting Worse
According to the Outside article, the problem of off-road drivers getting stuck in Colorado’s mountains is getting worse. This year has been a banner year for mountain rescues. Not only that, but rescues are also conducted by a variety of agencies including the National Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
All seem to agree that there are more people not qualified to overland pretending to be overlanders. Their vehicles are getting stuck in terrain they have no business being in. Most of it is due to a lack of knowledge – knowledge that would otherwise keep wannabe overlanders on paved roads.
