Overland Journal Gear Guide 2012

Starting Early This is my son, Levi, in front of his toolbox-inspired dresser (note the Overland Journal sticker). Even before he was born (in my wife’s belly) he has been enjoying the outdoors with us. We make our adventures a family affair; as aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents all join in the fun. Our family stable of overland vehicles has grown lately, including additions of a D90, RRC, and a Disco; we even have an Xterra and a Jeep in the group. Thanks for putting out such a quality publication and keep up the great work. Ian Lorenzana 1995 Range Rover Classic Isla de Pascua Just wanted to send a photo of your magazine at one of the more remote places that I have had the opportunity to be lately. I am fortunate to be…

Harry Wagner Harry Wagner was bombarded with outdoor opportunities from a young age. When not participating in Boy Scout activities, he was exploring the coast of Northern California and the Sierra Nevada from the back of the family’s FJ40 Land Cruiser. He earned a degree in geophysics in Colorado and was assigned to work in Venezuela shortly after graduation, where he developed an interest in travel journalism. The trend continues today, and Harry dovetails his career cleaning up old bombing ranges throughout the country (yes, really), with opportunities to explore, photograph, and document new locales. Christophe Noel Christophe Noel has been an avid backcountry traveler since he was too young to tie his own stitch-down hiking boots. As his feet have grown, so has his appetite for adventure. While bicycles are his passion,…

OVERLAND JOURNAL TEAM RESUME: 7 continents 132 countries 290 years combined experience and counting... You may have noticed that we added a new clip to the masthead of the Winter issue: Experience Matters. I had mixed emotions when the idea was initially proposed. On the pro side was the feeling that I want you, our readers and fellow overland enthusiasts, to know whom we are, the depth of our experience, and that we are not a bunch of poser wannabes with decent connections, Microsoft Spell Check, and enough money to start a magazine. My reservations were based on an old metaphor; the empty wagon rattles the loudest, and a quote from one of my favorite tough guys, Teddy Roosevelt. If Teddy’s wise words have not come to mind yet, let me help: “Speak softly…

I’ve been attending the SEMA show for a number of years, the first time in 1994. It is the central gathering of all things automotive, a who’s who for aftermarket manufacturers, OEMs, and wholesale buyers from around the world. Though I’ve always had a raised level of excitement when I walk into the stadium-sized South Hall on the first day, industry trends of the previous decades were losing ground for serious overland enthusiasts. Not being the type that gets excited about 21-inch diamond-studded wheels, multiple big-screen monitors mounted in…uh…the bed of a truck (?), or non-functional bling, day-glow valve stems and under-body LED disco lights were ebbing my faith. Fortunately, the past five years have brought change to SEMA’s skyline. Namely, there are a lot more roof racks, roof top…

We love innovative, well-engineered homegrown products, and MAXTRAX is a great example. In just five years they have transformed the world’s opinion of traction mats as recovery devices. At a filmmaker’s request for units that would hold up to the Siberian winter, MAXTRAX developed the Extreme Arctic. Molded from a special blend of low-temp nylon, they are rated at -60 ° C (tested on a 10-inch step under the weight of a 4-ton forklift). maxtrax.com.au, U.S., Viking Offroad: 818-506-9789, Sierra Expeditions: 866-507-4254…

Each year, the SEMA Award Team reviews each of the new offerings from the auto industry. The one that applies to overlanding is the Best 4x4/SUV award and Jeep was in the running with their introduction of the new Wrangler. I worked with Mopar CEO Pietro Gorlier last year in Moab, Utah, and his personal enthusiasm for the breed is reflected in significant improvements to the JK’s powertrain. He and his team were rewarded with the honor of SEMA’s Best 4x4/SUV—the 2012 Pentastar-powered Jeep Wrangler JK.…