The annual North American gathering of the overland tribe in Arizona has once again come and gone. Overland Expo West was held for the second year in a row in the freshly upgraded Fort Tuthill County Park near Flagstaff, AZ. The event saw massive growth once again.
Early estimates are that over 15,000 overland enthusiasts gathered this year. With over 350 industry vendors on location there was truly something for everyone to get excited about. Besides the vendors, there was the usual classes, demos, experiences and presentations. SO much to learn and experience from the leading experts across the overland spectrum!
Gear Junkie
This year I wrote a bunch of content for Gear Junkie. You can read about the hottest gear from around the show HERE, the latest trends in the overland space HERE and the top overland adventuremobile HERE.
I also wrote about a press event I went to with Nissan. The ‘Mountain Patrol’ Armada build and the Recon Campers Envy.
EEXP Sale
The big news for me this year was the sale of the EEXP. I delivered my adventuremobile for the past 4 years, to the day, to its new adventure partner the first morning of the show. Odd to see it drive away, to see the least. So many memories and adventures in that vehicle/home!
The rumors of me giving up the 4-wheeled adventuermobile lifestyle are false. Yes I have a KTM 950 Adv and yes I’ll be using it on a bunch of adventures. I’m also working on some big plans for the next Exploring Elements Adventuremobile, and it will have 4 wheels. More info soon, but you can expect something on the road before the end of the year.
Sleep
Sleep is something that has been elusive lately. Mostly because of massive amounts of work and travel, both great issues to have. Finding sleep at the end of long days at Overland Expo was also a challenge, especially as my home on wheels drove away with a new owner.
I’d like to send a big shout out to all that offered up sleeping arrangements at the show. Luckily for me, there was no shortage of empty beds at Overland Expo. The first night I slept in the all-new Eezi-Awn Dart composite RTT, sold in North America by Equipt Expedition Outfitters. This comfortable well-constructed tent offered up a great nights sleep. The second night I was lucky enough to score an empty Four Wheel Campers Fleet model. Hard to go wrong with a spacious and comfortable FWC! As the show wrapped up I enjoyed an Air B&B with the crew at STEP 22 Gear. Wifi, comfy bed, a hot shower and good company, can’t ask for much else in life!
More Adventure
Just before Overland Expo Nissan invited me out to play with their full line of adventure vehicles. You can find a little overview of my impressions HERE.
After Overland Expo this year I did a few commercial photo shoots. I then flew to Costa Rica for all kinds of adventure with Silversteed Adventures. Five days on a VStrom 650 on a wide variety of terrain, across a very wet Costa Rica, made for some epic times. I even snuck in my first ever scuba diving trip and offroaded around the country in a Toyota Rush.
Full story in the next issue of Tread Magazine. For now, check out the Exploring Elements Instagram for all kinds of fun shots from the adventure.
The life of adventure rolls, flies and moves on. Headed off a remote corner of Oregon later this week for the Mosko Moto Un-Rally. Super excited about the North West Overland Rally in Washington later this month, an event where I’ll once again be the field manager. Come say hi!
