Where do we want to go overlanding? 

by "TysMagic" (twjeffery)
Published 01/16/2017 at 14:46

Tags: overland ; land rover
STARS: 4

Can someone share this with the overlanding kinja? You the best!

Have 3 to 4 days in April to go overlanding with a buddy. He’s providing the equipment and the car (Defender 110, hyped about that) I’m working up a plan of where we are going. Looking at somewhere in the South Eastern US.

Quick google has brought me to:

Outer Banks of North Carolina - going to be roughly a 12 hour drive just to get there though

Trans America Trail thru TN

Wildcat Ridge Loop in GA

Additional thoughts, ideas, words of caution?

Replies (15)

"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
01/16/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 0

Wildcat Ridge Loop in GA

Do you have a Purdy Mouth? Bring your Banjo

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
01/16/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 0

I see your point

"aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe" (emaxxbl)
01/16/2017 at 14:58, STARS: 1

Overland the defender to my house

"Rufant" (rufant2)
01/17/2017 at 00:59, STARS: 2

I cannot help you out with any regional advice. All I can say is the planning is half the fun.

I usually start with a large map of the area, and something for looking closer, google earth/maps is mostly fine. Pick a few definite boxes I would like to tick in terms of locations/trails/whatever, and then just fill in the rest from there.

Keep an open mind in the planning and the actual doing, if you have to (or want to) change you plan for whatever reason be relaxed about doing that. The best bits of the best trips tend to be a bit spontaneous or some gem of knowledge that a local imparts to you.

I find it’s easier to plan evening meals in advance, a ‘menu’ if you like, and then just take stuff to eat for breakfast and lunch. Everyone is different here though.

Have more fuel, water, dry clothing and food than you need. If something goes wrong this will help you have a calm approach.

I always leave my route with two people, and I am clear about when I definitely should be back in phone range and where I am likely to be when I am out of it. Consider this when changing the plan or route. There are obviously various means now for communicating/emergency coms when out of phone range. Make sure you txt/call people when you are back in civilisation.

Don’t drive down anything you are not confident of getting back up again.

It NEVER hurts to get out and walk a tough patch, see what’s over the hill, round the next bend, etc.

Make sure you both know how to drive the Defender and what it’s various levers, etc, do.

Less air in the tyres will get you out of many situations. Just remember to put it back before driving at speed.

Don’t forget though, it is supposed to be an adventure :)

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Take lots of photos. Write it up on http://overland.kinja.com/

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Also some lightweight reading here.

http://overland.kinja.com/i-love-trip-planning-1759036831

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
01/17/2017 at 09:46, STARS: 1

Have quickly found that planning is a good part of the fun! We have been tossing around the idea for some time so to finally have a date set is exciting. Tons of resources and half bits of information to sift through as well, such is living in the age of the internet I guess.

Thank you for all the tips! I like all of it. I think both of us are pretty easy going so changes to the route shouldn’t cause a major stir/panic in us. I imagine keeping a level head when rerouting is a pretty vital part of the mission.
I’ve done enough general off roading in the woods to have learned the lesson about being unsure of the path. Always worth taking the few minutes to check out the trail!
Honestly thinking about just printing off your list as a reminder when we actually get out there haha.

While it’s his truck, I’m pretty comfortable with it overall. Will have to get some more seat time to make sure I know ALL of the buttons and what not.
Thoughts on pulling an overland trailer vs using stuff attached to the truck? We are leaning towards just the truck, but it’s an option.

Checking out the links as we speak!

"benjrblant" (benjblant)
01/17/2017 at 10:52, STARS: 2

I’d add that knowing your route is great, but it’s helpful to be aware of alternates in the area in the event of a trail closure or impassible condition.

As far as trailers go, the additional space can be nice, but having all the additional weight on two non-drive tires can be a hindrance.

If you are traveling without another vehicle, be aware of single-vehicle recovery techniques. Better to know/have and not need than to need and not know/not have.

I usually enjoy lots of small details in the moment, wind up thinking about them so much that I forget to take a photo, and as soon as we return, regret not taking a photo. So, take lots of good photos! SD cards are cheap.

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
01/17/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0

true on the trailer, we’re leaning towards just having the truck. Not that big of a trip to justify the extra headache of the trailer.

I’ve got a decent couple of cameras. Definitely plan on bringing one along to get some pics.

Good point on the recovery methods/needs!

"Rufant" (rufant2)
01/17/2017 at 14:18, STARS: 1

2 guys, 4 days, if you can’t get all your gear in a LWB Defender you are taking too much!

Lists are not a bad idea. I use them for anything longer than a weekender. I also keep workshop manual, recovery gear instructions and a off-road driving booklet in the truck. For reference in sticky situations.

Anyway, more homework.

http://overland.kinja.com/exploded-view-expedition-packing-1782917514

http://expeditionportal.com/going-alone-single-vehicle-offroad-travel-safety/

http://overland.kinja.com/pack-it-up-pack-it-in-1783773033

http://overland.kinja.com/insurance-1786746348

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When you have time have a flick back through http://overland.kinja.com/tag/best-of you get to see how real guys with real world budgets go about it.

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http://overland.kinja.com/trip-report-writing-a-guide-and-some-general-rambling-1786035904

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
01/18/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 1

homework completed! :P
Definitely enjoying the reads. We got a hold of the tran american trail map through TN. Looks fun, but I could do it in my Fiat - which is not what we’re going for here

"Rufant" (rufant2)
01/18/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 1

Good work. You might just have to get some decent maps of the areas you are going to and pick some interesting looking trails. Sometimes you win, sometimes not, but again it’s all just part of the fun.

Seems like there are plenty to choose from.

http://www.alltrails.com/us/tennessee/off-road-driving

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
01/18/2017 at 14:48, STARS: 1

yes, plenty to pick from! My parents own a Cabin right on the edge of big south fork that we may utilize for a night. Though we’ve been up in that area before and we talked about trying to do somewhere out of our norm.

Will update once something is a little more concrete

"Rufant" (rufant2)
01/18/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 1

Look forward to it, cheers.

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
01/18/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 0

alltrails paid off! THANK YOU for that link.
Brought me to some recommendations of Daniel Boone National Forest.

We have the rough outline of a plan forming up!
3 days total. Looking at using the cabin next to Big South Fork as a jumping off point. Portion of this day will be just getting to the area. Then slipping thru BSF to Daniel Boone National Forest for an over night. Campground to be decided. Next day traveling up and over to the other side of the park to hit up a winery. Looking at the map there are some fun trails getting to where we would need to be. Turn back and weasel around in the park to some shooting range areas maybe squeeze in some fishing. End up either back at the Cabin that night or camp again. Get in some proper early morning fishing the next day before loading up to head home.

almost time for an update post! Want to confirm a few details and get to mapping.

"Rufant" (rufant2)
01/18/2017 at 18:00, STARS: 0

Sounds like a plan for sure.

Hit this guy up, https://kinja.com/hammerheadfistpunch he mans the tiller around here. He might give you authorship for O&E. Tell him you plans. I’m sure some sweet Defender action would go down well around these parts.

"TysMagic" (twjeffery)
01/19/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1

good idea! commented on his best of post with a little info. We shall see. Got a teaser shot of the defender in there too

http://overland.kinja.com/new-author-request-was-suggested-by-rufant-https-kin-1791378681