Northology Adventures April 2024

CAMPNORTHOLOGYAT

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NOTES FROM THE EDITOR

It feels like we got more snow in March than we did all winter but spring has finally sprung and the cabin fever is about to break.

The first real sign of the new season is the showverland events kicking off The SAVE Expo looked like a smashing success, and the MOORE Expo is gearing up for it’s fifth year, bigger and better

than ever You can find us there at Camp Northology where we will be faciitating the camp experience for the second year Stop and say hello if you get down there! Also check out our guide to getting the most of the MOORE Expo with a fun suggested itinerary

This issue promises a giant helping of adventure content, including a full course of camp cooking recipes and gear we added to a menu of favorites and new things we would like to try. There’s also a thoughtful article on personal protection while overlanding, an expose of a YouTube and video production entity evolving to find their niche, and some thoughts from the title sponsor of Overland the Red (shameless plug- tickets go on sale for that today )

As always, let us know if you have a story to share in words or photos, or want to get your message in front of this community.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Creators- Drop us a line at or submit content on our website. We love stories and photos of trips, events, gear reviews, destinations and outdoor activities Advertisers- Get in touch to learn about our current promos and how a presence here can help you tell your story to this amazing community. info.northologyadventures@gmail.com

A northology Field Guide to Camp Cook Personalities

If you pay attention and camp in groups often enough, a unique array of camp cook personalities can be identified This is not by any means an official psychoanalysis or even a theory tested by scientific methods, but rather an observation peppered with prejudice, speculation, and a sprinkle of humor leaving only an empty plate with all the evidence consumed

The Backcountry Chef

In the shadowy depths of the woods, lurks the camper who fancies themselves a culinary pioneer – the Backcountry Chef Armed with a castiron skillet, freshly dressed squirrel cutlets and a handful of foraged ingredients, they'll whip up a feast fit for a mountain man From wild game stews to dutch oven cherry pie, their creations are delicious, and their kitchen skills and equipment rival those of a frontier cook on the Oregon trail Without the risk of dysentery

The Grill Maestro

The alpha of the camp kitchen, The Grill Maestro approaches camp cooking with intensity and precision, meticulously seasoning meats and veggies with their own spice blend recipe before laying them down on the grill They bring more than they could possibly eat, and insist on sharing but then complain that they are the ones feeding everyone, on every trip

The Adventurer

Their camp kitchen is a laboratory, and every meal an experiment They hop on all the latest trends and call the tray of sausage, cheese and crackers a

“charcuterie board” and add all sorts of weird things to it that you are sure you just saw at the bait shop They are never afraid to try new things and love to use fresh, local ingredients The weirder, the better This is the camper most likely to own a Skottle, Onmia oven or a Blackstone

The Minimalist

For the Minimalist, camping is an escape from the trappings of modern life and a rebellion against cooking complexity Armed with nothing more than a single pot and a spork, they whip up Mountain House meals, dried soups and mac & cheese in minutes on their Jet Boil Efficiency and simplicity is the goal, and they love doing more with less

The Can-Opener Cook

Last but not least, we have the Can-Opener Cook – their chuck box is full of canned soups, pasta, chili, and beans, warmed over the campfire Their meals might lack the gourmet flair of some of their fellow campers, but the nostalgia of the canned meals takes them back to their childhood, where they begged mom to make sure to divide the Spaghetti-o meatballs evenly between their brother and them

Each of these camp cook personalities brings their own unique flavor and there's no shortage of culinary adventure to be had in the great outdoors

Meal time at camp is your time to do as little as possible to keep the growling quiet or to get as creative as you want Everything tastes better outdoors anyways, even that old melted Take Five bar you found in the glovebox

Presented by

YOUR NORTHOLOGY GUIDE TO THE MOORE EXPO

Y O U R G U I D E T O

G

Ok, so you got the days off and are planning the trek to Springfield, Missouri for the MOORE Expo, the Midwest’s largest consumer adventure travel and powersports show. You see that the VIP admission gives you access to exclusive in depth VIP classes, early camp check in, afterparties, live music, and HUGE giveaways. “Well, that’s a no-brainer,” you say to yourself as you click “add to cart.” You add the camping, too, so you can be close to the expo and immerse yourself in the community experience.

You’re scanning the MOORE Expo website, looking at the class schedule, the exhibitor list, and the map... and then it hits you... The MOORE Expo offers so much, it may be hard to pack it all in. Hundreds of vendors, tons of displays, and a power sports expo. There’s even a beer garden and a cocktail lounge. How will you fit it all in?

Stop stressing out, we got you! Read on for a suggested itinerary and guide on how to get the most out of your MOORE Expo and Power Sports Expo experience with the inside scoop from us, the very folks hosting camp at MOORE Expo!

D a y 1 - W E d n e s d a y 4 / 1 7

A r r i v e a t C a m p N O R T H O L O G Y

5PM- YOU GET TO CHECK IN EARLY, YOU VIP, YOU! SET UP CAMP AND GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE CAMPGROUND FACILITIES AND YOUR NEIGHBORS.

7PM- IT WAS A LONG DRIVE- JUST WHIP UP AN EASY CAMP DINNER

7:30 PM- GO FOR A SUNSET STROLL TO WALK OFF DINNER.

8PM- HAVE A COCKTAIL BY THE FIREPIT & GO THROUGH THE MOORE MOMEMTUM MAGAZINE TO READ THE ARTICLES & CHOOSE SOME EDUCATIONAL CLASSES.

11PM- TIME FOR BED. DREAM OF ALL THE COOL RIGS ROLLING IN TOMORROW...

D a y 2 - t h u r s d a y 4 / 1 7

f u n a t c a m p a n d i n s p r i n g f i e l d

7AM- COFFEE AND BREAKFAST TIME! YOU COULD STAY AND WATCH ALL THE AWESOME RIGS ROLL IN WHEN CAMP OPENS, BUT YOU’VE GOT THINGS TO DO!

10AM- NO TRIP TO THE AREA IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A STOP AT BASS PRO SHOPS OUTDOOR WORLD IN TOWN, IT IS WORTH THE TRIP.

12PM- GRAB LUNCH AT HEMINGWAY’S BLUE WATER CAFÉ AT BASS PRO OR TRY A LOCAL BBQ JOINT OR STEAKHOUSE

2PM- MORE WALKING? TAKE A TOUR OF CRYSTAL CAVE, GO AXE THROWING OR STROLL THE GROUNDS OF THE SPRINGFIELD CONSERVATION NATURE CENTER.

4PM- BACK TO CAMP FOR SOME RIG WATCHING AND MAYBE A NAP

6PM- HEAD OVER TO 4 BY 4 BREWING COMPANY FOR A DRAFT AND THEN TO BRICKTOWN BREWERY FOR DINNER

8PM- BACK TO CAMP FOR A CAMPFIRE AND A NIGHTCAP- SAY, IS THAT A PARTY AT CAMP HQ? DON’T STAY UP TOO LATE, THOUGH, TOMORROW IS A BIG DAY!

D a y 3 - 4 / 1 8 m o o r e e x p o

e a s t h a l l & o u t d o o r e x h i b i t o r s

7AM- TIME FOR COFFEE, BREKKIE AND TO PREPARE FOR AN AWESOME DAY!

9AM- DOORS ARE OPEN! CHECK OUT THE EAST HALL VENDORS & DISPLAYS.

10AM- 10AM EDUCATION TIME! THE SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN ONLINE SEMINAR BY NCMEC WILL BE AS INFORMATIVE AS IT IS IMPORTANT.

11AM- BACK TO THE EAST HALL, GOTTA SEE IT ALL!

1PM- CHECK OUT THE VIP HANDS-ON COURSES, THE OUTDOOR COURSE “OFFROAD DRIVING TECHNIQUES” BY ALEX FULLER, I4WDTA, IS A MUST.

2:30- THE TUMMY IS RUMBLING, GRAB A SNACK AT THE CONCESSION AND CATCH A PRESENTATION IN THE OVERLAND ADDICT RECOVERY ROOM LOUNGE.

3PM- GET SOME FRESH AIR, WALK THE OUTDOOR VENDOR AREA AND GRAB A COLD ONE IN THE BEER GARDEN

6PM- SCOOT BACK TO CAMP TO FRESHEN UP FOR THE EVENING ACTIVITIES

7PM- HEAD TO THE VIP GATHERING AREA- THERE WILL BE FOOD AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE, LIVE MUSIC & SOME PRETTY COOL GIVEAWAYS EACH NIGHT.

10PM- WALK BACK TO CAMP AND STOP BY HQ FOR A FIRESIDE CHAT.

11PM- TIME FOR LIGHTS OUT, YOU HAVE ANOTHER BIG DAY TOMORROW!

We are thrilled and honored to be hosting Camp Northology at MOORE Expo again this year. Our job is to make the camping experience as fun and stress-free as possible. We hope you can join us for a few minutes around the campfire each night and get to know our community

7AM- RISE & SHINE, ITS THE LAST DAY OF THE MORE EXPO, LETS GOOOOOO!

9AM- DOORS OPEN, CHECK OUT ALL THE GOOD STUFF IN THE WEST HALL.

11AM- WALK STORYTELLER ROW & MEET YOUR FAVORITE CONTENT CREATORS

12:30PM- GRAB LUNCH AT THE OZARK EMPIRE FAIR CAFE

1PM- HEAD OVER TO THE POWER SPORTS EXPO IN THE WILSON ARENA FOR A CLASS ON “TAILORING YOUR TRAILERING.”

2:30- EXPLORE THE POWER SPORTS EXPO, SEE ATVS UTVS, DIRT BIKES, ADV BIKES, BOATS AND MORE IN THIS EXCITING EXPANSION OF THE MOORE EXPO.

5:30PM- ANOTHER GREAT VIP COURSE, THIS TIME IT’S WINCHING TECHNIQUES

7PM- HEAD BACK TO THE VIP GATHERING AREA FOR A LAST NIGHT OF FUN, FOOD, MUSIC AND GIVEAWAYS WHAT A GREAT WAY TO END THE EXPERIENCE

10PM- IT’S BACK TO CAMP WITH A STOP TO CHAT WITH YOUR NEW FRIENDS AT CAMP HQ, WHICH TURNS INTO THE LONGEST MIDWEST GOODBY EVER.

11:59 PM- TIME TO TURN IN FOR THE NIGHT, GOING OVER THE LAST FEW DAY’S EVENTS IN YOUR HEAD. YOU FEEL INVIGORATED AND CONFIDENT AFTER THE CLASSES YOU ATTENDED, HAPPY WITH THE PURCHASES YOU MADE, EXCITED ABOUT THE PLANS HATCHED WITH YOUR NEW FRIENDS AND MAYBE A LITTLE SAD THAT YOU HAVE TO WAIT 364 MORE DAYS TO DO THIS AGAIN.

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AT HOME. IN THE WILD.

P R O T E C T I O N

in Overlanding

One of the more under-addressed topics in overlanding is personal protection and self defense while on the trail The reasons for this are numerous. One such reason is the limits that social media outlets place on the topic There are many big name overland channels that, rest assured, carry means of protection but don’t risk angering the Algorithm Gods who are generally biased against these topics These full time adventure travelers are managing subscribers, likes, and content for maximizing views and this directly affects their wallets. Thus, we don’t see a lot of frank discussion around personal protection while exploring

The other reason is that the topic is a divisive one

There are many who feel that protection is an everyday trouble, or a “society issue”, and when out in the wilderness exploring, these concerns should be left at home. The ‘corporate outdoors’ markets, including some high end recreational backpacking product outlets, gear manufacturers, and media outlets are firmly in this camp (yeah the pun was intended) Their corporate images of these activities include the active, care free, image that the outdoors should exhibit

The other side of the spectrum includes ‘outdoorsmen’ (and women!) who partake in hunting, and the traditionalism of self reliance, including looking after one ’ s self These folks opt not to shirk the duty of their protection onto a policy, a remote government worker, or the implied and nebulous ‘social contract’ where most people agree harming others is wrong They actively ensure the means of their own protection.

Personal protection & self defense while on the trail

By Don Alley

Disclaimer! I am not an attorney, therefore I am not YOUR attorney. I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, nor have I contacted the Attorney General of each of the 50 states for their opinions. The advice in this article is not legal advice. Go talk to your attorney about the specifics of legality.

Do we need this? A risk analysis approach.

In “risk analysis” there are a few terms needed to understand how things work:

Threat: A person, thing, scenario, condition, etc that could cause harm (bodily or financial)

Risk: The product of severity and probability

Severity: The extent that the threat will cause harm The more harm it can cause, the more severe it is A gentle breeze is not a severe thing. A tornado is.

Probability: The likelihood that the threat will actually occur

Mitigation: A means by which someone reduces severity or probability

Here’s an example. You build up that awesome overland rig You’re worried about the threat of it getting stolen You’ve dumped time and money into it It’s worth about $75k that you cannot afford to replace This is the financial severity of the situation You live in an OK neighborhood, but because of that RTT you can’t fit the truck in your garage Vehicle thefts do occasionally happen, and your rig kind of stands out

You’ve grasped the probability of the threat

The risk of it getting stolen is the severity of the event ($75k plus time) times the probability of the event (it occasionally happens)

There’s a couple mitigations at play. First is the routine patrols by law enforcement

These patrols supposedly reduce the probability of theft somewhat Next is car alarms, kill switches, etc These help to prevent the threat from occurring A few other mitigations can include surveillance (making recovery more likely), parking the vehicle somewhere less accessible, etc The biggest mitigation we tend to have is insurance By paying for insurance we are hoping to reduce the financial effect of the theft via our policy’s reimbursement

In the intro we learned of the corporate recreational mindset, as well as the self reliance mindset Neither of the above groups will be helping you with the consequence of enduring a threat So rather than just listening to people say “You dont need a gun in the outdoors!” or “I don’t trust anyone but my trusty Marlin!”, let’s look at if there’s even a risk here

Threat really comes from three sources: mankind, animal, or nature (non-animal) To keep this from becoming an all out preparedness article, we’ll leave out the nature threat Bad things could happen to you because of people or animals

Self awareness

This is being aware of your skill set, your strengths, resources, and limitations.

Situational awareness:

The awareness of your surroundings, the important elements involved, and reasonable extrapolation of those elements.

Escape:

Preventing a threat from encountering you before the threat is aware of you.

Avoidance:

Preventing a threat from encountering you after they are aware of you.

Nonphysical interaction:

This is usually talking someone down from violence (verbal deescalation), resolving a threat from escalating (aligning objectives to reduce threat), submission, or even promising to out-escalate (posturing).

Physical force:

This is shoving, grappling, punching, kicking, etc.

Less than lethal:

This category is transitionary. It involves things such as billy clubs used as grappling aids, bean bag shotgun rounds, pepper spray, Tazers, etc.

Lethal force:

The use of weapons that can reasonably be expected to inflict enough damage to kill someone.

The severity is being harmed (assault, etc) or having all our stuff stolen (and potentially exposing us to nature). The severity ranges from non-severe all the way up to ‘great bodily harm or death’ We could meet up with the wrong people on the trail The reality is there are people who prey on backpackers, offroaders, campers, etc, because of the remoteness of the scenario or their objection to the activity The severity between everyday life and overlanding stays about the same You’re interacting with people, and the scale of potential harm is the same

The probability of being harmed does indeed go down There are generally fewer people you ’ re interacting with during travel There are certainly fewer people in the remote areas we stay. However, we do tend to hit more transientpopulation places like gas stations, box box stores for last minute supplies, etc Animal threat likelihood goes up a bit, but not significantly

“Ha!!! You just proved we don't need to worry about this! Severity stayed the same and probability went down!”, we hear the rec-corporate camp proclaim. The issue they don’t see is that our mitigations changed When we were relying on a law officer’s patrols to keep threats from occurring, we are no longer able to do so Law enforcement officers are nowhere near as prevalent There are far fewer rangers spread out over far more areas Some other mitigations for harm is a reduced proximity to medical facilities, very increased EMT response access/time, reduction in the ability to even call for help Our mitigations have been highly affected, which increases our overall risks significantly

Means of protection

Means of protection

Humanity has not invented the personal forcefield where we can just sit back and let Bad Guy tire himself out trying to punch us Our methods of self defense are many, because we are tool users, but also very complicated because we are social creatures living in the bounds of laws Most of our protection involves harming Bad Guy to such an extent that he can no longer harm us What is reasonable and justifiable plays a big part in things There is a concept called the Use of Force Spectrum which specifies how interpersonal conflict engagement occurs, with increasing harm inflicted (Important! One does not need to “ go through” trying these If someone is about to point a gun at you, you do not need to try to verbally deescalate or punch/kick before bringing your own lethal force to bear ) Editor’s note- please refer to column at the left

For many people, training in some or all of these is a part of their life

Every martial arts practitioner is learning physical force. Training in firearms is obviously training in a form of lethal force We’ll look at Situational Awareness, Escape/Avoidance, Physical Force, and Lethal force in this article

Situational Awareness

Situational Awareness

For everyone, learning situational awareness is the single best thing they can do to protect themselves. What are the factors in your environment? Now look again and determine what they really are if there’s an emergency Being at the back of the grocery store looking at an Employees Only sign and a warehouse space with a fire exit with “Alarm will sound” sign, is one thing Looking at it through the lens of “ emergency ” and knowing this is a viable escape path is another. For situational awareness, it is imperative to shed your normalcy bias when interpreting your surroundings

The protection/defense industry has coalesced around the Cooper Awareness chart (see graphic) For day to day “awake hours”, we want to be in Condition Yellow Of course, we cannot maintain that 24/7 so sometimes we must be in Condition White The point is, be aware when you can! And TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! “Polite society” tries to teach us to not be judgemental, not presuppose, etc Humans have been endowed with “The Gift of Fear” It is a preservation tool, it is trusting instincts that your observation is picking up but your conscious mind is unable/unwilling to orient to. A book by Gavin DeBecker by the same title is an incredibly good book to read on the topic of observation and instinct

Escape/Avoidance

Situational Awareness

We’re in off road vehicles for this activity. If you are aware you ’ re being watched, cased, or someone has an unnatural interest in you or your stuff, it’s more than OK to pack up and head to a different campsite when the opportunity presents itself I’ve seen at least a few Youtube episodes where “unnatural interest” took place, and interestingly, the overlanders trusting their instincts worked out well for them In both cases, fellow “share the trail” people linked up with a group, and didn’t really set up camp with them Turns out this was purposeful so they could take stuff in the night and not waste time breaking down camp to make their getaway

Physical Force

Situational Awareness

Honestly, enrolling in a protection-intent martial arts program is one of the better things we can do for ourselves. The health and exercise, the discipline it instills, the respect for others it creates, the camaraderie with fellow classmates introduced, and yes, the proficiency in protection capabilities you earn The benefits of these classes are amazing

Martial styles must be protection intent Not sport Not enrichment. If you ’ re at a school with hundreds of trophies in the windows, it is most likely a sport-intent school The cops don’t give out trophies if you defend yourself

A whole bunch of people reading this have just become enraged They are about to beat their keyboard into a pulp writing the editor about how much they disagree with me. Their ‘style’ is predominantly a sport when they know darn well it has protection capability too YES! I AGREE! Leave that poor keyboard alone! They are right A proficient MMA fighter is going to be a darn good protector! A good judoka is going to be able to toss Bad Guy around like a rag doll But in all sport martial arts, they teach a subset of “all martial discipline”. Moves that are illegal in their sport are not going to get practiced This isn't to say the practice is bad, it just means the training is a subset

Out in the world and on the trail, hopefully we never have to go hands-on with another person The risk of injury is great The single best way to reduce that risk is to become extremely proficient.

Lethal Force

Situational Awareness

For most of us, this is going to mean firearms This is where the rec-corporate camp loses their minds. “Guns have no place in the outdoors and our parks!!” they cry But hey, neither do Bad Guys The rec-corporates shout their opinions on guns, but they won’t be there to help you when Bad Guy comes, nor will they heal you or compensate you Advocating for a policy of disarmament while not offering a substitute for the loss of protection isn’t a great policy to believe in.

Remember that really boring section at the beginning on risk? That comes into play here While firearms are used to mitigate risk from Bad Guy (we can neutralize him before he harms us), they introduce new risks Firearms are dangerous objects We must apply further mitigation by getting the proper training, safety awareness, and justifiable use of force training, so that the increased risk of having these things around is further mitigated

The very first thing to reconcile if you ’ re choosing a firearm is whether or not you ’ re willing to use it to protect yourself and

There is no wrong answer here; it is a deeply introspective and personal question If the answer is “No”, that’s OK Just don’t go out and get a gun and hope intimidation will carry the day If the answer is “Yes”, then it comes down to what you should get Below are some thoughts about the 3 main firearm platforms and general facts about each For the gunknowledgeable, yes I know there are exceptions to each of these generalities and I know your intellect is mighty for being able to identify them For the rest of us, these generalities can help guide our decisions.

Shotguns have some advantages but some pretty significant disadvantages The first is ‘permissibility’ A pump action shotgun, stored unloaded in its own case in the trunk, is a permissible firearm in almost every state and with paperwork can even be brought into Canada.

For protection (people and animals), buckshot and slugs are devastating choices and fully capable of neutralizing threats Unfortunately, one cannot typically have a loaded shotgun in the passenger compartment for on-road protection

Practically speaking, shotguns are slower to reload (pump action), have significant recoil, and limited ammunition capacity There is also a ton of myth around the platform such as “You don't even have to aim!” and “Bad Guy will wet his pants when he hears the pump racking!” Both of these are complete nonsense If you choose the shotgun as a self defense platform, get the training and the know-how to overcome these misconceptions.

Rifles, like shotguns, can generally be stored in the trunk in the same manner and be legal However, there are several states that distinguish an “assault weapon ” from other rifles These may have different legalities associated with them Also, be concerned about legal magazine sizes. Semiautomatic rifles are fast reloading, and there are many cartridges out there so that a balance between threat neutralization (“stopping power”) and recoil management can be found In states that permit it, and AR style rifle is one of the best options for protection there is

Handguns have some very significant advantages and a few disadvantages The biggest advantages are concealability, the ability to have them loaded and on your person, and the ability to get permits/acceptance in a vast majority of US states Some disadvantages to this are magazine size permissibility from state to state, varying laws state to state, and even varying laws within a state.

Handguns are generally underpowered for personal protection They aren’t the devastating stoppers the movies make them out to be That said, there are many cartridge types adequate for self defense Handguns generally have sufficient capacity, fast reloading, and manageable recoil

In my normal role as an instructor, I don’t usually advocate for a brand or a model, because everyone ’ s needs are different I’ll depart from that here because from an overlanding intent,

people’s user needs are similar: small enough to have about one ’ s person on the trail, holsterable, powerful enough to handle people and critters, reasonable range for outdoors In my opinion, the Glock 20 Gen5, chambered in 10mm Auto is an incredibly versatile and effective firearm for this role A moderate load is available for protection from people, and a “hardball” load is available for the deep penetration needed for last-resort wildlife protection THe full size helps manage recoil from even reasonably hot loads There are many Alaskan guides that are transitioning from the 44 Magnum and 454 Casull to the 10mm Auto With a magazine change and rechambering, the user can have very good protection for either

Conclusion

SProtection is the right of all living things There are some forms of personal protection that do not involve harming others. Situational awareness, escape, and avoidance are some of them In fact, situational awareness is the single biggest thing you can do to protect yourself Awareness equals Time equals Options

To protect against a committed attacker, we must neutralize their ability to harm us, ideally before they do harm us It is an incredibly complex subject from a psychological, physiological, technological, and legal viewpoint It’s not something we should learn about when we find ourselves in a situation; it’s something we should know about beforehand

As with all dangerous topics, safety, responsibility, training, and good decision making are all factors to ensure we keep ourselves safe while preserving the safety of those around us Take this subject seriously, and consider the safety and wellbeing of you and your circle on the trail

Keeping trails open is everyone's responsibility.

working together as one motorized community, we can keep our trails open, healthy and beautiful for generations to come. Do your part by riding responsibly, keeping trails clean and trash-free, and volunteering with organizations that are working to keep access open for everyone. Do your part, support Tread Lightly! and it's mission by becoming a member at treadlightly.org.

COMMUMITY

Dan Cummins Auto Group returns as title sponsor of Overland the Red.

Why did Dan Cummins Auto group choose to support Overland the Red in 2023?

Dan Cummins Auto Group chose to support Overland the Red in 2023 to form new relationships with the overlanding community and partner with like-minded individuals who are passionate about our Kentucky trails and the vehicles we use to explore them

We are so grateful to Dan Cummins Auto Group for continued support of the 2024 Overland the Red basecamp event hosted by Northology Adventures. Last year, Dan Cummins marketingmanagerTonyKlarakisand staff brought droves of overland gear andwarestothenewlylocatedVendor Rowandagrandprizeraffle package

valued at over $3000 with items from SteerSmarts,andXgridCampers.

As plans for the 2024 event are ramping up, we chatted with Megan Dodd, who will be overseeing events for Dan Cummins this year about their commitment to the events that supportthetrailsinKentucky.

What was the 2023 Overland the Red experiencelikeforDanCummins?

Dan Cummins began our partnership with Overland the Red in 2023. Our friends at Coddiwomple Overland were abletojoinusthispastfalltoexploreall OTR has to offer. Overland the Red has a strong sense of community with activities forall ages.From trailridesto pumpkin carving contests, there is truly something for everyone. Dan Cummins Auto Group and the other vendors benefit from participating in Overland the Red by having the opportunity to form lasting relationships with people from various states that we may not reach otherwise. Our team felt extremely welcome by the staff at OTR and are looking forward to another successful year!

How do events like this benefit Dan Cummins Auto Group, the local community and the Daniel Boone BackcountryByway?

Dan Cummins Auto Group supports the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway to aid in keeping our Kentucky trails

safe and available for all who wish to enjoy them! Events such as Overland the Red allow Dan Cummins to connect with people from across the United States as they gather to experience the beautyofthisstatewecallhome.

What is Dan Cummins Auto Group looking forward to at the 2024 Overland the Red? What are your expectations?

Dan Cummins Auto Group is looking forward to reuniting with our friends from last year and meeting all of the new faces that will attend in 2024! We expect another successful weekend of community building and showcasing all that Dan Cummins has to offer in order to best enjoy Kentucky trails and beyond.

Dan Cummins donated a wonderful grand prize at the 2023 Overland the Red... can you give us an idea what we canexpectin2024?

The 2024 Prize Package will consist of alltheessentialsforanoutdoorkitchen on-the-go. While embarking on a grand overlanding adventure or camping with the family for a weekend, nourishment and hydration are essential We are donating items that will make your meals hassle-free and enjoyable!

Tell us about Dan Cummins Auto Group, what should we know about yourbrand?

Dan Cummins Auto Group offers the best car buying experience to each and every driver in and around Central Kentucky. As a member of the community since 1956, we know that each individual has different needs from their vehicle. With options from numerous brands including Chevrolet, Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, and used vehicle inventories at each of our four dealership locations, Dan Cummins is sure to have something for everyone. Our team is dedicated to finding the perfect vehicle for you, providingfinancingandleasingoptions that best fit your budget, and fulfilling service needs for years to come. When you are looking for a new car, truck, or SUV near Georgetown or Paris, there’s no better place to go than one of our trusted dealerships. You can view our inventory of over 2000 vehicles at DanCummins.com or visit us to get yourDanCumminsDeal!

Howcanwegetintouchwithyou?

Phone:(502)287-1506IG: @dancumminscdjrgeorgetown @dancumminsoffroad

Facebook:DanCumminsChrysler DodgeJeepRamofGeorgetown

new for 2024

all roads taken badges

Keweenaw Overland

2024 title sponsor Adventure retreat

SMASH DOGS

with Brie and Jam on Pretzel Buns

We had our first smashdog on a beautiful spring day at Callie’s Campground We have shared Jeremiah’s recipes before but his 10 or Less series deserves a revisit as camping season gets into full swing and our camp cooking issue would not be complete without what was dubbed “Fancy Bastards” by our friend Nate Goodwin who was with us on that trip.

A series focusing on using 10 ingredients or less but using higher quality food to have a better overland dining experience. Subscribe to see future meals!

“Overlanding is driving somewhere remote, to eat something.” So why suffer? We show you how to eat like a king while sleeping in a tent.

-Overland Pioneers

SMASHDOGS

Ingredients

jumbo or large all beef franks

large pretzel buns

unsalted butter

brie cheese

coarse salt jam

Preparation Steps

First let's get that high heat going underneath our pan and heavily caot it with unsalted butter

Next separate the two halves of the pretzel bun and toast the insides of the pretzel bun in the butter that we laid down in the pan Cook all over your buns at one time and set aside

Next the fun part underneath your spatula or between two plates squish those dogs down and sear them in the pan.

While those are frying up cut off the rear rind of the brie cheese and cut it into small slices.

Time to assemble our smash dog sandwich, first the dog, then the brie, followed by a healthy amount of the jam, and this delicious savory salty crunchy thing of beauty is done.

CAMP FIRE TACOS AL PASTOR

CAMPFIRE TACOS AL PASTOR

Ingredients

1 pound pork shoulder, thinly sliced

1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

Preparation Steps

1 teaspoon cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Corn or flour tortillas

Fresh cilantro, chopped

Lime wedges

Salsa or hot sauce

2.

1. Thread the marinated pork slices onto skewers, alternating with pineapple, onion, and bell pepper slices.

3.

In a bowl, combine the pork slices, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the pork evenly.

Preheat your campfire grill.

Grill the skewers over the campfire, turning occasionally, until the pork is cooked through and slightly charred, about 10-15 minutes.

5.

4. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them cool slightly. Remove the pork and pineapple from the skewers and chop into smaller pieces

7

Heat the tortillas over the campfire until warm and slightly charred

6 Assemble the tacos by filling the warm tortillas with the grilled pork, pineapple, onion, and bell pepper Top with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges, salsa, or hot sauce on the side

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sour cream

Preparation Steps

CREAMY SAUSAGE & MUSHROOMS

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cooked pasta or crusty bread (for serving, optional)

1.

In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the skillet

In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onion Cook until the mushrooms are golden brown and the onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes

2 Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant

3 Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet Stir until the cheeses are melted and well combined

4 Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. If the sauce is too thick, you can add more chicken broth as needed.

5 Return the cooked Italian sausage to the skillet and stir until evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

9.

8. Serve the creamy sausage and mushrooms over cooked pasta, rice, risotto, potatoes or with crusty bread, if desired.

DUTCH OVEN CINNAMON ROLLS

Ingredients

Store-bought cinnamon roll dough (in a tube)

Cooking spray

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation Steps

Prepare your campfire and preheat a Dutch oven with coals.

1. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the Dutch oven with cooking spray.

2. Open the tube of cinnamon roll dough and place the rolls in the Dutch oven.

3. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and place it over the preheated coals.

4. Arrange additional coals on top of the lid to create an even cooking temperature.

5. Bake the cinnamon rolls in the Dutch oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown & cooked through

6 While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the icing by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract (if using) in a small bowl until smooth

7 Remove the Dutch oven from the coals and let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly

8 Drizzle the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve

9

CHICKEN & VEGGIE PACKETS

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 small potatoes, sliced

1 bell pepper, sliced

1 onion, sliced

1 zucchini, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Olive oil

Aluminum foil

Preparation Steps

1.

Preheat your campfire or grill.

Place each chicken breast on a large piece of foil.

3.

2. Divide the sliced potatoes, bell pepper, onion, zucchini, and minced garlic equally between the two foil packets. Place them on top of the chicken.

4.

Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and vegetables, and season with salt and pepper.

5.

Fold the foil packets tightly, sealing all edges.

6 Carefully open the foil packets, serve, and enjoy!

Place the foil packets on the grill or over the campfire for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender

7

EASY, ON-THE-GO MEALS & SNACKS

When you're on the go during a camping trip, simplicity is key Here are some easy camp meals that require minimal prep and are perfect for enjoying on the move:

1

Trail Mix and Jerky: Combine your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate chips to make a trail mix Pair it with some beef jerky for a quick and satisfying snack while hiking or exploring

2

Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps: Spread peanut butter on a tortilla, place a banana in the center, and roll it up like a burrito. It's a portable and energy-packed meal that requires no cooking.

3.

Instant Oatmeal: Pack individual servings of instant oatmeal packets. All you need is hot water to make a warm and hearty breakfast. You can even add nuts, dried fruits, or honey for extra flavor.

4.

Cold Sandwiches: Prepare sandwiches with your favorite fillings like deli meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Wrap them in foil or plastic wrap for easy transportation. They're perfect for a quick lunch on the trail.

5.

Tuna Salad Wraps: Mix canned tuna with mayonnaise, diced onions, and pickles. Spread the tuna salad on a tortilla, add some lettuce or spinach, and roll it up for a simple and protein-rich meal.

6.

Cheese and Crackers: Pack a variety of cheese slices or cheese spreads along with some crackers. It's a convenient and satisfying snack that requires no preparation.

7. Instant Soup Cups: Bring along instant soup cups that only require hot water to make They're lightweight, portable, and perfect for warming up on a chilly evening

Pre-Cooked Rice and Beans: Purchase pre-cooked rice and canned beans. Simply heat them up together in a pot over a camping stove or campfire for a quick and filling meal.

8 Granola Bars and Fresh Fruit: Stock up on granola bars and pack some fresh fruit like apples or oranges It's a nutritious and easy-to-eat snack that provides a quick energy boost

10

9 Instant Noodles: Bring along instant noodles that only need boiling water to cook They're a convenient option for a hot and satisfying meal while camping

Remember to pack plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and fueled throughout your camping adventures. These easy camp meals are designed to keep you satisfied without the hassle of extensive cooking or cleanup.

“Trail mix really has only two ingredients- M&Ms, and disappointment.”

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CAMP KITCHEN GEAR & GADGETS

Hungry adventurers are always on the lookout for a better way to whip up meals on the go. Here we take a look at some new items that caught our eye and some old standbys that have proven reliable over time

Kalita Stainless Steel Wave Series Coffee Dripper

“The Wave Series from Kalita is the premier coffee dripper available on the market. The flat-bottom coffee bed geometry, patented "Wave" filter, and three-hole design work together to provide an even extraction that makes brewing a perfect cup accessible and easy Available in stainless steel, glass, and ceramic ”

Helinox Café Table

Standard dining height portable, packable outdoor camping table is 27 inches high and features a hard top surface. Ideal for travel, camping and other outdoor adventures; packs down to 25.5L x 24W x 3.5H inches, and weighs 8.5 pounds

Note: some of these are affiliate links that we may earn a small commission on at no cost to you

OXO SoapDispensing Brush with Storage Case

“Whether you're at a camp cookout or frying up fresh-caught fish, the OXO Soap-Dispensing Brush can tackle any mess left behind and it comes with a convenient storage case.”

GSI Destination Kitchen Set

This 24-piece set includes four cutlery sets, folding tools, a cutting board, utility knife, spice shakers, and much more Weighing in at just under 2 pounds, this compact set included a nylon case to keep all your cooking gear securely stowed and organized in your chuck box

Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet

“The Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet is a perfect solution for those who love to travel and camp. It is portable and self-powered, which means it does not require an external power source to work ”

Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill

“Enjoy the relaxing ambiance of a real campfire without leaving a mark. The large Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill keeps hot coals away from delicate ground cover so you can truly leave no trace.”

Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle

“A global traveler's dream with fast, easy performance, the Grayl GeoPress water filter and purifier bottle helps protect you from viruses, protozoa, bacteria, particulates, chemicals and heavy metals ”

ADVENTURE STAY HOT CAMP CROCK

“Fill it, pack it, and take it on the road to Adventure. This durable camp crock is leakproof, vacuum insulated and easily perfect for soups, pasta, BBQ or whatever you need to keep piping hot Since it works with cold foods too, it also makes a great ice bucket ”

Bugaboo Griddle

you recipe options.”

Bugaboo cookware's dependable, non-stick coated, even-heating surface and light weight epitomize performance and versatility The grease collection channel keeps the mess to a minimum while it can be used over fire embers, a gas stove, or a charcoal barbecue.

“Making cooking in the elements easier with the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 camp stove Two guards shield the burners and flame from the wind and grill and griddle accessories give

Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove

THE UNCONVENTIONAL EVOLUTION OF ROGUE ELEMENT

BY JEFF COXEN SYCAN

MEDIA

Follow the journey of Rogue Element as they transition into the world of overlanding Evolving from creating cinematic conservation films to venturing into television, Rogue Element faced challenges in aligning their vision with sponsors while staying true to their passion for off-roading The team sought new avenues for revenue, ultimately embracing overlanding as a means of expanding their outdoor content. Discover the story of Rogue Element as they redefine adventure and blaze new trails.

It’s hard to put in a simple sentence what Rogue Element is because it’s a tad complex Rogue Element is not your typical “Overland” group or show, or whatever someone wants to label it so I guess you’d have to go back to the how it was started We originally started our filming and YouTube journey as a hunting and fishing group that was focused on creating cinematic films that were conservation minded We just finished with a television series on NBC Sports and Comcast Sportsnet that was for hunting and parted ways with the group we were involved in but had a list of sponsor partners we didn’t want to burn so we continued to film and make sure we had deliverables to give them That spawned into more films throughout the years from 2015 until about 2019. One of the reasons we left the group we were in is that I was always an off-roader at heart and saw that “overlanding” was becoming popular and I wanted to incorporate that into our outdoor content. Our current group had other thoughts about that and even though we had teamed up with 4Wheel Parts and Warn, I couldn’t get them on board with it. Since sponsorship dollars were extremely hard to come by in the hunting industry, we needed other avenues to create the revenue because hunting shows are a “pay to play” format which means you write a check to the network to air your content and then sell your own ad space which is the opposite of a normal television show

We slowly started shifting to just creating overland content and because filming hunting is ridiculously difficult, it made more sense We started with my 2012 fifth gen 4Runner and an older Toyota T100 owned by co-founder Steve Toms We had some fun with those but I had a ton of issues with my 4Runner that ultimately led me to trading it in on a 2015 Ram 2500 Cummins that I knew would give me a real challenge At the time, there really weren’t that many fullsize overland rigs, let alone big, three-quarter ton diesels out there in content land It took me about a year and a half to get it where I wanted it to be. At this point, it’s 2018, we are creating decent content on our Youtube channel and filming a series called Brotherhood of Brew for Amazon Prime that included a bunch of overlanding in it The show was wildly successful and allowing us to partner with some amazing industry companies and really allowing us to spread our wings By 2019 we now were growing the Rogue Element brand and brought on Christian Ramirez and his 2018 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Christian’s rig gave us two big, badass trail whales and breathed new life into the channel It wasn’t just me rolling solo most of the time and with Steve wanting to stick to hunting and being so far from us, he decided to go part time while we focused on the two productions we had going

ROGUE ELEMENTS BEGINNINGS

Going into 2020, we were full steam ahead with Brotherhood of Brew and had already scheduled filming for the second season on Amazon and had just signed on with a new channel called DrinkTV (think Food Network but for beverages) We were killing it on that channel and with an accumulation of over 74 million minutes viewed, it was setup for success and Rogue Element was going to ride the train out with it then the pandemic hit! It nearly crippled my company Sycan Media and it absolutely destroyed all hopes of accomplishing a second

season with Brotherhood of Brew We lost all of our contracts and sponsors for obvious reasons and would never recover

During the time of lockdowns, running out of things to binge watch and getting bored with video games while the kids were attending classes through remote learning, I started going through all my hard drives trying to fill my time I decided that I wanted to take our YouTube and social media more seriously At this point in time, we were creating cinematic, long form content and didn’t care much about Instagram and it was hurting us We had terrible growth and minimal followers on multiple platforms. I edited for 12 hours a day for the next few months and start churning out tons of episodes so that we could drop one per week or so on Youtube and start making reels which was just starting to become a “thing” It was at this time that we decided to go full time with making an overland youtube channel and build the brand Because it was still the pandemic and my wife and I were expecting our third kid in the fall of 2020, I was limited on what and where I could go Mind you, I literally found out about the lockdowns right when I got cell service coming out of a 3 day trip in Death Valley Was very weird seeing people with masks and everything closed while driving home which you can watch on our channel So long story long, that is how RE was formed

DIVERGENT PATHWAYS

Last summer we had the opportunity to wrap up filming on our newest series called “Divergent Pathways” which took over a year and a half to film and edit with the last installment of the series to debut in late April, early May on Amazon and Youtube We took that series and launched it in late 2022 but it was not an immediate success like we had hoped for We rushed the edit, made it too long and didn’t give it the color grading it deserved so we have re-edited the entire series and added one more film from a trip to Moab where we finally had all three of our newer rigs included I’m finishing up on the editing of that and we can’t wait to release it in it’s deserved glory It’s a full production, cinematic look at the overland industry and lifestyle The longer, director’s cut is available online but we’ve found that it’s not for everyone. We are an “edgier” band of pirates and with the films being raw and uncensored, we had mixed reactions overlanding isn’t ready for that yet and we get it but hope people can see the beauty in the cinematography and rich storylines we implemented into it We are now laser focused on growing our YouTube channel and although we still haven’t really caught that algorithm, we are still putting out new content almost weekly and now have over 220 video with over 100 hours of overland content along with our new series called “The Basement” where we review and talk about overland gear, parts, camera gear and more We will be venturing out and encompassing more outdoor adventure and motorsports in the coming months and will be starting a second channel with behind the scenes footage and a daily vlog of what goes on when we aren’t overlanding so be on the look out for that here in the next couple months

THE BUILDS

We have a few In May of 2020, I decided that I was done with my Cummins Ram and after driving a client’s second gen Ford Raptor, I fell in love I come from a racing background starting with motocross at six years old and doing that for almost fourteen years and then transitioning into some endurocross, rally racing and some drifting, I missed the speed! I wanted a driver’s rig so I instantly gravitated to the Raptor It was fast, nimble, had the best cockpit of ANY rig I had ever driven and let’s be honest for a minute, it looks badass! I was giving up a considerable amount of room with it being a half ton but gaining so much more in the way of versatility and fun Little did I know that in the year of owning this rig, it would give me thirty one check engine lights, require three flat bed tows, over twenty four thousand dollars in repairs (mostly warranty work) and ultimately lead to me selling it. It was fun while it lasted. We shot a pilot T.V. series with the Raptor that unfortunately did not get picked up but we will be releasing that episode on our YouTube channel later this summer once our contract runs out with our pitch company

After I sold the Raptor I went about 4 months without a vehicle All I had were my Lamborfeeties and enjoyed the freedom of no hassles and just hopped in other people’s rides and went back to just filming and I have to be honest, it felt great! After about three months of no rig, I found a killer deal on a classic! I flew to Oregon and bought myself a bucket list rig for me, a 1985 Jeep (AMC) Grand Wagoneer! I had big plans for it I always wanted to hemi swap a wagoneer but keep it’s classic, woodside vibe! I now had the money to transform and restore this sweet, Chet Ripley classic (if you don’t know who he his, you need some culture in your life). Little did I know that getting parts for this build would be the ultimate nightmare It is now 2024 and it’s still not done and some parts took us seventeen months to get! I was scammed by bad companies, lied to by others and as we all navigated through a post pandemic life, we did our best to figure it out We are hoping it is on the road by the end of this summer, stay tuned for updates with that on YouTube

A few months later we hired to film a tv show that happened to be at Overland Expo Mountain West in Colorado where I connected with one of best friends, Nate Classen who happened to live near Denver at that time He had never really showed interest in building an overland but we made it a mission to get him to take his lowered 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan R-line and make it an overland capable rig

2021Ram2500PowerWagon

Exterior:

Gaia Campers Truck Cap

Chassis Unlimited Diablo Front Bumper

Chassis Unlimited Octane rear dual swing out bumper

Rigid lights throughout

Rhino Rack Backbone roof rack

Rhino Rack Reconn cross bars

Rhino Rack Sunseeker Awning

Rhino Rack Stow It Shovel/Axe Mount

17” Raceline Scout Wheels & Monster

Beadlocks (Not pictured)

37” Toyo Open Country MT’s & 39”

Kanati Mudhogs (Not pictured)

Badass Mounts swivel light mounts

Rigid Adapt series ditch lights

White Knuckle Offroad Rock Sliders

RecoveryGear/Safety:

Warn Zeon12-s Winch

Factor 55 Ultra Hook

Cobb tuning rear Hitch receiver

Powerstop Extreme slotted & drilled rotors and brake pads

Powertank fire extinguisher mount

Factor55 kinetic rope and soft shackles

Compustar T13 Pro Security alarm

Maxxtrax Extremes/ Rhino Rack mount

Suspension:

Thuren Stage 3 (soon to be 5)

Suspension tune

King 3.0 shocks in front, 2.5 in rear

Thuren front springs

Carli R2 rear springs

Thuren front and rear track bars

Synergy drag link

Synergy tie rod

Thuren/king steering stabilizer

Hellwig “Big Wig” rear sway bar

Thuren Boogie Rated Bump stops

Airlift 5000 rear bags with Air Wireless compressor (not currently installed)

Daystar airbag cradles

Thuren EMF Ball Joints

Interior/Electrionics:

Pedal Commander

67 Designs Series 55 rail with phone holder and Switch Pro mounts

Garmin InReach mini

Uniden R7 radar detector

Switchpros RC12

NH Overland switchpro mount (underhood)

NH Overland second battery mount

12Voltmate battery mount

Redarc 1225 BCDC

Midland MTX500 GMRS

Kufu rear Drawer System

Builtright rear molle panels

Powertank 20 pound tank

Snomaster LP66 Fridge

Wolfbox G900 mirror dashcam/rear camera system

OptionalEquipment:

Skinny Guy Campers camper system

After he had the chance to see all the crazy rigs at the expo, he immediately got the inspiration and itch to build his rig to the polar opposite of what he currently had Within two months of leaving Expo West, he had a lifted rig, a wrap, roof top tent and was now an official member of Rogue Element He has been a huge contributor to our growth the past few years and we absolutely love seeing the Tiguan on trails it really has no business being on and conquering it, plus all the hater comments on the gram and YouTube are hilarious! More on the Tiguan later So it’s now October 2021, I have not had a daily driver since May, the Wagoneer is now under the knife and I needed to buy a new overland/offroad build and it was the hardest decision to buy a truck I’ve ever had to make I ended up landing on a 2021 Power Wagon! It check almost every box I needed and what wasn’t checked, could be added My original plan for this was to build an overland/prerunner hybrid and somehow I went from a nimble, trail runner to a big overland pig which was not my plan When you need space for camera gear and camera guys, sometimes things get out of hand and after three iterations of this build, I’m now going back to a smaller, lighter build and shedding the weight it currently has The Power Wagon is a perfect overland rig and is by far the most capable full-size offroad rig by a pretty decent margin I love it!

2021JeepGladiatorRubicon

Exterior:

Gaia Campers Camper

Warn Elite “shorty” front bumper

2021VolkswagenTiguanR-Line

Exterior:

Raceline Aero 1785 wheels

US custom wheel adaptors 5x112 to 5x 1143

Kanati Terra Comanders tires

Rigid industries 40” adapt light bar

Rigid rear chase bar

360 series 6” pod lights

Rhino rack pioneer 5 platform roof rack

Rhino Rack RTT

Custom Avery vinyl wrap

Recovery Gear/Safety”

Power stop breaks evolution package

Factor 55 soft shackles

Maxtrax Extremes

Compustar Remote Start

Drone XC Dash Cam

Suspension:

B2BFAB 15 lift with 5 lift in the rear

Bilstein B6 struts and rear shocks

Performance Mods:

Unitronic stage 1 & 2 tune

Luft technic cold air intake

DVS diverter valve

B2BFAB muffler delete

Power stop breaks evolution package

Pedal commander

Interior/Electronics

Midland Radio MXT575 GMRS

Powertank air supply with custom on board air supply

67 design rail mount with phone holder and gopro arms

Unitronic

P3 vent boost gauge

Warn Elite rear bumper

Warn front skid plate

Raceline 17” Krank Wheels (Bronze)

34” Falken AT tires

Rigid Lights

DV8 light bar mount

Rhino Rack Batwing Compact Awning

Recovery Gear/Safety:

Warn Zeon10 Platinum winch

Factor55 Ultrahook

Factor 55 Kinetic Rope

Factor 55 soft shackles

Compustar T13 Pro Security Alarm

Maxtrax Extremes

Suspension:

Hellwig Rear Sway Bar (stock otherwise)

Interior/Electronics:

Midland MTX575 GMRS

67 designs dash kit with phone holder and SPOD mount

Spod 4x4 LED Switchpanel

touchscreen

Bluetti EB70s Lithium power box

Christian is now loving the Jeep life! After succumbing to the dirty transmission issues that plagued the fourth gen Power Wagons, twice….He wanted to downsize and get into a rig that is more trail nimble so he traded the Power Wagon in for a 2021 Jeep Gladiator In his words, it’s awesome! It’s easier to navigate on the trails and although it has less cargo space, he still gets all his gear in it along with his trusty sidekick “Layla” his Dutch Shepard pup The first couple upgrades included a new Gaia Camper, set of Raceline Krank wheels in bronze, Hellwig rear sway bar and Warn Elite front and rear bumpers and now are looking to lift it to fit some thirty seven inch Kanati Mud Hog tires and finally get this rig on some serious trails including the Rubicon which we’ll be taking it and the Power Wagon on this August!

Midwest Women’s Offroad Weekend

a woman’s place is in the woods

keynote speaker,

Rally co-driver, SEMA Businesswomen Network Committee member, 4x4 instructor & involved in women’s 4x4 events nationwide. Instructors, speakers, presenters and panelists for 2024-

m o r e t r a i l r i d i n g

m o r e h a n d s - o n l e a r n i n g

c o n f i d e n c e & e x p e r i e n c e

m o r e p e r s o n a l g r o w t h m o r e f u n & f r i e n d s h i p

Katie Abraham

Alex Eschen Christina Goodwin Jill Carr Sarah Michals Cindy Pope

Rebelle

Full Disclosure I use GAIA GPS almost exclusively for the past few years I started out using the MVUMs on Avenza, then went on to OnX Hunt before diving into the GAIA app I have since downloaded OnX Offroad onto my phone but still use GAIA 99% of the time

This article is not a comparison of navigational apps. Instead, we asked the community their opinions and reactions to Gaia’s subscription increase on their premium app version. Is this increase going to affect your use of the app? Is it worth the 100% increase? What do get in the premium version that justifies the cost? Are the alternatives worth exploring? Let’s dig in

“ONCE

YOU PUT FORTH THE EFFORT... ITS A ONE STOP SHOP.”

“ITS SAVED MY BACON A FEW TIMES.”

“AT $5 A MONTH, I THINK I GET MORE THAN MY FAIR SHARE OF USE OUT OF IT.”

“IT IS A GREAT PRDUCT THAT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A LARGE MAP SET WHERE OTHER APPS DON’T.”

“THIS FEELS LIKE ANOTHER BIG CORPORATE FLEECINGIN THE OUTDOOR SPACE.”

“GAIA IS HONESTLY HARD TO USE COMPARITIVELY.”

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Storytellers Team Up to Find Missing Children

A collaboration between overland travelers, content creators, influencers and the MOORE Expo is aiding the search for missing children by inviting influencers to raise awareness and funds through Storyteller Row. The collaboration exemplifies the power of storytelling and digital platforms to inspire action. The partnership also engages in fundraising efforts for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and emphasizes the collective commitment to child safety and prevention of exploitation.

A unique partnership between overland travelers and content creators is emerging as a powerful force for change. The MOORE Expo, an event dedicated to outdoor adventure and exploration, is leveraging the influence of content creators and personalities for a noble cause. Overland travelers, known for their adventurous spirit and ability to navigate remote areas, are now being recognized for their potential role in aiding the search for missing children. Through the innovative platform of the MOORE Expo’s Storyteller Row, this year’s focus is raising awareness about the plight of missing children and the vital work of National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC.)

Storyteller Row participants will use their digital platforms to encourage their followers to join the cause and support NCMEC's mission and will attend a NCMEC training session prior to the show. "At the MOORE Expo, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire action and effect change," says Chris Holloway, the event's organizer. "Through this collaboration with NCMEC, we are able to reach a wide audience and spark meaningful conversations about issues that matter." In addition to raising awareness, the Storytellers are actively engaged in fundraising efforts for NCMEC. You can view a list of Storyteller Row participants on the MOORE Expo website.

"We have a responsibility to use our platforms for good," says Cody Eschen of Northwoods Overland Adventures. "By partnering with organizations like NCMEC through Moore Expo’s Storytellers program, we can make real a difference in the lives of missing children and their families."

The Tale of the Winter That Wasn’t

A Robert Service-esque Reflection by Cindy Pope

In the heart of the Upper Midwest, where winters reign with an iron grip, there came a season unlike any other. It was a winter of whispered wonders and quiet sadnesses, a time of rejoicing and mourning in equal measure. As the frosty breath of January gave way to the unusual warmth of February, we found ourselves treading two-track in a forest that for every winter in memory was buried in feet of snow and forgotten until spring.

Oh, how the winter whispered its secrets across the frozen beach! Gone were the bone-chilling winds that usually swept down from the north, replaced instead by gentle breezes that carried the scent of thawing earth. The snow, once piled high in great drifts, now lay thin and patchy, fading under the sun's warming glow. Agates, sea glass and other treasures lay freshly churned and untouched by the throngs of tourists that will invade this beach in just a couple of short months.

In the towns nestled amongst the unusually snow-less trees, many locals mourned that winter never truly arrived. Missing were the snowmobiles that packed the parking lots of restaurants, bars and gas stations of winters past. There were no families on skiing and snowshoe outings giggling through the grocery store isles. Nature's fiercest challenges had turned from freezing temps and feet of snow to local business folk’s doubts of survival due to the mild weather. To them, this winter was but a pale imitation and the effects have yet to be measured.

But even amidst the mourning, there were those who found cause for celebration in the unseasonable warmth and lack of snowfall. Cottage and camp owners were able to access their properties throughout the winter much easier this year. Mountain bike trail managers and campground proprietors are looking forward to opening early without the hindrance of stubborn snowdrifts. And there we were, gazing across Lake Superior’s dark waters to Canada’s far shore in the fading light. Driving along the shore, we felt like we had won a gamble, or that fate was smiling upon us. Not many have been able to make this journey in the depths of winter, and we were amazed and grateful for the experience.

This mild winter was a reminder of the ever-changing nature of the world around us. It taught us to cherish the beauty of each season, whether harsh or mild, for it is in the contrast between them that we find the true richness of life. It also taught us to take chances and seize the opportunities that set our hearts on fire, and that doing extraordinary things with the right company will always leave you with good memories.

So let us raise a toast to the end of this mild winter in the Upper Midwest, to its joys and sorrows intertwined like threads in a tapestry. For in its passing, we are reminded of our place where nature takes center stage, always unpredictable, forever awe-inspiring.

A D V D I R E C T O R Y

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MidlandUSA

GaiaGPS

CAMPING/ GEAR

Dead Miners

Rocktown Adventures

TC Gear Shop

True North Outpost

Wind Tamer

CAMPING/LODGING

Callie’s Lake & Campground

The Field

Trails End Campground

EVENTS

Big Iron Overland Rally

Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat

MOORE Expo

Overland the Red

MEDIA

Momentum Podcast

Overland Radio

SPECIALTY

All Roads Taken

Northwoods Overland Adventures

Radio Chatter Game

SJ Michals Photography

TRAILERS/CAMPERS

Athens Overland

TCTeardrops

VEHICLE MODS/OUTFITTING

All Dogs Offroad

Orbis Overlanding

New Holland Overland

Rugged Bound Supply Co

TRUKD

Momentum Podcast Podcast with MOORE Expo founder Chris Holloway, keeping you updated on all the 2024 expo developments & happenings

Northwoods Overland Adventures Building a community while we we adventure & overland in our 2020 Cement Gray Toyota Tacoma TRD off-road

Overland Radio Podcast platform with all your favorite overland personalities.

VELCRO-BACKEDLEATHER

NATIONAL FORESTPATCHES

CHEQUAMEGONNICOLET

DANIEL BOONE

HIAWATHA

HOOSIER HURON-MANISTEE

OTTAWA

SHAWNEE SUPERIOR

Protecting the Keweenaw's vast landscapes. For everyone. Forever.

April 19-20

Camp Northology at Moore Expo

May 17-19

KORC Cleanup Campout

MAY 31-6/2

Midwest Women's Offroad Weekend

August 2-4

Patreon Free Adventure Weekend

September 12-15

Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat

October 17-20

Overland the Red

4/19-20 MOORE Expo & Power Sport Expo, Springfield, MO

5/9 - 12, Spring Back the Byway, Stanton, KY

May 17-19 Overland Expo West, Flagstaff, AZ

5/31-6/2 Midwest Women’s Offroad Weekend, Polar, WI

6/ 28-30 Overland Expo PNW, Redmond, OR

8/23-25 Overland Expo Mountain West Loveland, CO

9/ 12-15 Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat, Copper Harbor, MI

9/12-15, Fall Back the Byway, Stanton, KY

9/ 13-15 Overland of America Expo, Jay, OK

10/4-6 Overland Expo East, Arrington, VA

10/10-12 Rendezvous in the Ozarks, Ozark, AR

10/19-22 Overland the Red, Stanton, KY

Big Iron Overland Rally- TBA

ILLINOIS

Rockford Ski Club

KENTUCKY

Callie's Lake & Campground

MICHIGAN

Fresh Coast Cabins Eagle Harbor

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Copper Harbor

Trails End Copper Harbor

The Outpost Big Bay

Northwinds Adventures, Atlantic Mine

MINNESOTA

Hungry Hippie Hostel, Grand Marais

The ReTreet House Two Harbors

WISCONSIN

Camp Lake Resort Mountain

The Field Pembine Pembine, WI

Bear Paw Outdoor Resort, White Lake