For the FULL event details and best pictures check out my article on Motus:
VOT 2013: That Mud Tastes Like Maple Syrup!
This was the inaugural Vermont Overland Trophy and I was asked by Alex of Columbia Overland to join his team to help with photography, social media, navigation and physical challenges. I drove up from Maryland in the Sportsmobile and ended up on the CO team as navigator in Zach’s white Land Rover Discovery. The other half of team CO was Drew and Church in another white Disco. After day 1 we also joined forces with the FJ cruiser team of Alain, his son Alexi, and Richard, as we found them to be fun guys and knowledgable offroaders with solid rigs that moved at a similar pace to ours. We really did have a blast in a ton of different conditions offroading all across the back roads of Vermont. Great friendships and unique experiences, like driving up flash flooding creek beds, are the lasting impressions that I’ll have from the 2013 VOT. Check out the pics below to get an idea of what it was like for Team CO to complete the event.
Also check out more great VOT event photos on FaceBook:
100 More Great Shots from VOT 2013
A huge shout out and thanks to Peter and his crew at Vermont Overland for putting on such a great event. If you get the chance be sure to experience the back roads of Vermont with this super knowledgable, experienced and fun group of people.
Mandatory stop in NJ on the drive up for an awesome bagel sandwich.
Drew cooking up an amazing meal on his Conqueror trailer setup.
Yep, amazing fresh Wagyu steaks for dinner. Probably the best meal I’ve had on the road, ever!
Drew enjoying the finer things in life at camp.
We did manage to polish off 2 bottles of Dom on night 1, on top of some beer and wine.
Zach pulling our starting time for the morning.
Richard spots Alain through the first challenge obstacle of VOT. Team CO took the bypass on this one as the wait was long for an attempt.
Alexi showing off some beadlock wheel carnage from day 1.
I think the creek bed go around was a good idea;)
Winches and Maxtrax were used at VOT.
Camp on Night 1 on the road was atop the grassy knoll.
A foggy starting line on Day 2 on the road.
Zach takes a look for himself as he tackles one of the tougher challenge trails.
Do not break the maple syrup lines!
Alex and Zach enjoying a cold pint at Long Trail Brewing.
Alain having some fun with his son Alexi in the cold stream behind Long Trail Brewing.
Ready for an evening at camp. Zach approves.
The “dry” creek bed challenge trail was flash flooding, but we still managed to drive the whole thing without using any recovery gear.
One of the cruxes of the creek bed. The rock on the inside of the turn had some metal on it from other teams.
The Jungle camp for night 2 on the road. Alain had to pull winch cable for the first time while in his camp site!
Zach helping some teams navigate “mount rain more” camp after dark.
The Barnard General store cooked up some quality breakfast!
Dan from the 4×4 Podcast followed us on Day 3 on the road. His pup got lots of attention from the ladies.
Zach’s truck got a sidewall puncture on day 3 on the trail. Muddy, but quick tire change.
We might have borrowed a spare tire from this awesome family with a newborn and beautiful Defender 110.
Team CO decided to winch and preserve vehicles on the day 3 mandatory challenge trail.
Alain went the driving route and was even bold enough to try to do it without spilling a bucket of water on his hood. Drove it fine, but spilled the water.
Richard used his signature right foot down tequnique to drive right through.
I think Richard liked pulling a Jeep out of the mud with his FJ 😉
The crux move being negotiated by Alain on the way back to camp on day 3. Way harder than it looks!
Zach having some fun with his tire puncture.
The scenic day 4 drive did have some obstacles. Here Drew got hung up on this rock ledge.
We were the first team back to Lillie Brook Farms and the first team to tackle the final Challenge Course. After Zach busted a headlamp driving over this slick log on the steep hillside Church busted out the chain saw and made it way easier for everyone else.
For the FULL event details and best pictures check out my article on Motus:
VOT 2013: That Mud Tastes Like Maple Syrup!
Be sure to also check out more great VOT event photos on FaceBook:
100 More Great Shots from VOT 2013
