Overlanding is Dead! Is it? Finally!!

[broadicustomworks]

I though it meant “Republican”

You could really mess with peoples' minds if you did a blue D and a red R.
To make it even funnier, have a Cat-Dog license plate.

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[MadMan4BamaNATL]

The horse has officially taken additional beatings after passing on. I wanted to originally share this rig earlier but couldn’t remember the tag. It just randomly popped up again so here we go!

Those that refer to themselves as “a thing” EG bronco owning people or jeepers or sportsball team supporters or gun owners or overlanders, seem to have a need for attention to make certain everyone knows they find enjoyment with a specific hobby. So they buy their branded tshirts and hats and stickers with whatever logos or slogans to make sure you know. Bonus points for shirts with entire diatribes about how badass the wearer is and this person will definitely show you the hardcore badassery of their lineage to anyone that crosses them. If you doubt this, better read their shirt again. Maybe ask them to hold still as it will take 39 seconds to read the entire paragraph written in at least nine different fonts. I’m not immune and we have adorned Mrs. Sierra’s bronco with stickers of companies from Idiocracy. It’s just a really good movie and we want to spread the joy! People need to see it! Anyway, the overlanding movement gives people the opportunity to show to others their adventurous, rugged lifestyle and desire to just get away from it all and be with nature. Whereas the reality might be that they have no idea how to operate their winch and will likely have some teeth knocked out if they try to use the rusted out hilift jack. Assuming they have the tools to unbolt it from the permanent fixture they bolted it to. The untreated gasoline in their jerry cans has long since turned into a fuel system threat and the four hose airdown is still knotted and tangled from the first and only time it was used.

But again, this isn’t just something that’s specific to the overlanding crowd. The bronco in the picture has all the accessories that would fool you into thinking it’s a serious build, but when you dig in you’ll see that most of the carbon fiber is fixed with double sided tape and the suspension is not, in fact, capable of running through the desert at 100 mph. The faux rocks it is sitting on at the booth are the equivalent of what they encounter in the rare cases they do take it offroad. They built it for car shows, and nothing is wrong with that. They don’t try to act like they’re racing the Baja, onlookers just assume that’s the case.

Certainly there are people using their “overland” builds to truly go out for days on end and see how far they can go without needing assistance, but most are just overloading their vehicle and camping out for the night. And again, nothing wrong with that. Just recognize when you make it your whole personality and portray yourself as basically being the modern equivalent of the pioneers while just camping over night with starlink to upload to socials and driving into town for every meal, people might call you out just like some might call out those that say they’re “hardcore offroaders” with 40’s on an M190 and CV’s at 30 degrees at their normal ride height.

So do what makes you happy, rather than seeking validation from others to be part of a group. If that means bolting a tent to your roof and camping out for the night, then more power to ya. Nobody is telling you to change your pronouns, but maybe not all of us are going to go along with it by saying you’re that thing. And that’s okay too. We’re all gonna be okay

Think you may have laid down the post of the thread right here Sierra! Loved the read.

I've never understood what it truly is actually; maybe nothing to know, but the phenomenon is an interesting topic to explore and study.

My conclusion is this. That damn COVID traumatized everyone perhaps more than we'll understand for several years yet. Point is that it seems guys have been searching for community and belonging and the "trend of the overlander and adventurer" had a great deal of appeal during a time of fear, uncertainty, and isolation, which is the most damaging to the human mind.

No matter where you are, you long for connection with other humans. We only pretend we enjoy being alone and some try to wear it like a badge of strength. I've read recent studies on male isolation, lack of relationships, even true friendships with real people and the harm that causes to the human mind.

The stickers, this forum even, it's an attempt at connecting to a community. Some of us can admit that easily; I'm here for the community. Others are here for it, but pretend to sort of rise above it although they seem to post all day everyday.

My thing about all of this is that looking like something, while not being it, when it's rather easy to be or do, is weird and likely says something about character and self esteem. I, in no way want to keep people away from coming outdoors and more want more to experience it since there seems to be some interest. How to do it is up to the individual.

A siloed approach is the actual exact opposite of the outdoor and nature community, as it's all about connection. Connection to nature and each other.

 

[gbub]

That may be true for some or most people, but I have travelled with quite a few people that travel alone most of the time, whether it be on wheels or backpacking. They just want to be out with Nature and don't need to be with other people to enjoy it.

I used to travel alone with my wife but I am no longer married and am not young and stupid anymore, so I travel with others for help if needed. Usually, I am the one helping though. The comradery is a good thing too. Nothing like sitting around a campfire telling tall tales and sharing experiences.

Covid had little effect on my life. I continued to work and do most of the things I normally do while wearing a mask.. The main change in my life was restricted travel.

 

[bigdedition]

I like crap bolted outside my car!

 

[wildtrak whitey]

Every time I head into the Rockies from my home in the plains I think about the savages that saw those mountains from the seat of a wagon and thought "It's doable"

Blows my mind

 

[Snacktime]

Not sure I call "backpacking" camping, not having an ice chest with meat and beer is more like torture.

 

[EasternSierra]

Not sure I call "backpacking" camping, not having an ice chest with meat and beer is more like torture.

When I was younger and backpacking, I'd bring one can of beer and one nectarine for my first day of hiking. After that, the scenery and solitude paid for the absence of beer. YMMV.

There was also one trip where we went "beerpacking", which was fine because it was only a few downhill miles in, and the weight of all those beers was basically gone by the time we hiked back out uphill. A cold stream kept the beers chilled until we drank them. I also sneaked in a little wine for variety.

Finally, I've had a couple of backpacking trips where I brought in frozen meat, wrapped in foil and then gear to insulate it. The meat thawed (but was still cold) by the end of the first day, in time to slap it on a grill and fire. Add in the booze and I had luxury in the wilderness!

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