Overland Journal Fall 2007

Fine Publication Without question, Overland Journal is the finest publication I have ever had the pleasure of subscribing to. Wonderful articles, brilliant photos, and unique subject matter define the new standard in travel periodicals. Heck, even the advertisements are great! David Giguere, 1997 Mitsubishi Montero SR Compelled to Write I have never bothered writing to a publication before, but this time I felt compelled. After years of flipping through nonsense, Overland Journal got it right for the rest of us. From cover to cover everything counts. Great photography, knowledgeable editorials; a real class act. Congratulations on a job well-done and thank you for the inspiration to get us out there and enjoy our world. Kelly Wells, 2003 Land Rover Discovery Blown Away I just wanted to thank you for putting together such an extraordinary publication. It is…

“Imitation Destinations.” So read the headline over a one-page article in the July 2007 issue of National Geographic. The article described a new ski resort, complete with five downhill runs and apres-ski cafés. Pine trees dot the slopes, stars twinkle overhead at Ski Dubai. You read that right: This 5.5-acre resort is in the middle of the Middle Eastern desert, indoors. The pine trees are fake, as are the stars. The snow is manufactured, and the entire place is chilled to the proper temperature. Items like that make my skin crawl. I cannot comprehend what would induce a person to accept any artificial experience over any genuine one. If I lived in Dubai and wanted an alpine skiing holiday, I’d save my money for a ticket to the Alps. Sliding down a…

Over the years I’ve seen many solutions to the need for a bulk water supply on overland vehicles, from plastic jerry cans to custom frame-mounted tanks fitted with pressure pumps, built-in filtering systems, and faucets. When I decided to move up from the jerry can approach in my FJ40, my goal was to suit the solution to the characteristics of the vehicle: reliable, durable, and simple. I wanted a capacity of at least 10 gallons, which necessitated a tank anchored securely and a means to access the water without moving the tank; however, I also wanted to be able to use the tank in different vehicles, which precluded a custom-fitted frame mount. I decided to use a tank positioned on the side of the rear cargo area, over one of the…

Tom Sheppard Tom has an exploration career spanning 40 years, and totaling over 110,000 overland miles since 1960, including significant exploration in northern Africa and the first-ever lateral crossing of the Sahara from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. Tom is a freelance writer/ photographer and consultant, and author of the Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide (Desert Winds) and the new Four-by-Four Driving. From the Royal Geographic Society, Tom has received the Ness Award, and the distinction ARPS (Associate of the Royal Photographic Society). Tom Collins Tom is a consultant for Land Rover and a professional off-highway driver and trainer, with experience driving and navigating on the world’s most challenging tracks. Tom was the team director for the U.S. Camel Trophy Team and a participant in the 1987 Camel Trophy, Madagascar. Jack Dykinga Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jack…

New European diesels coming to the U.S. September’s Frankfurt Motor Show was marked by a veritable explosion of European diesel engines. As a reflection of greater consumer demand, increasing environmental concerns, and the need to compete in the market against a strong contingent of Japanese hybrids, automakers from around the world have been pushing hard to develop and introduce clean-burning diesel engines. Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen made an especially strong showing with their new diesel vehicles, of which a surprising number were said to be headed straight for U.S. shores. Even performance-oriented BMW is joining in the diesel fun, pulling out the stops with a twin-turbo setup for its sports sedans, and diesel versions of the very popular X-series of SUVs. As part of their effort to gain acceptance in the sometimes-stubborn U.S. market,…

Expedition Americas Ten months; 18 countries; 2 continents; 14,000 miles; one man; one Land Cruiser. Dave Connors will embark on an expedition running the length of the western hemisphere, with his final destination Ushuaia, Argentina. He will be traveling solo and living out of his FZJ80 Land Cruiser, with the natural world and diverse cultures of Central and South America as his classroom. Expedition Americas is sponsored by Equipt, Mule Expedition Equipment, and Overland Journal. expeditionamericas.com Baja Overland Baja Overland, a new expedition outfitter based in southern California, specializes in accessories for the 80-series Land Cruiser, including GPS units, satellite phones, HID lighting, first aid kits, personal locater beacons, AGM batteries, and other specialty components. As a launch promotion, and to test specialized components, the Baja Overland team will be racing an 80-series…