Before you start your overlanding trip, you should learn more about the vehicle you’ll be using. Whether you’re heading out to the desert or the mountains, you’ll need a sturdy vehicle that will survive the trip. Your vehicle doesn’t have to be custom-made. It can be a basic SUV or a more advanced truck. Besides, overlanding requires basic knowledge of communication and navigation.
Since its early days, overlanding has become a popular and safe activity among travelers. In fact, technology has made Overlanding much safer with stronger vehicles. With modern phones and the internet, you can even work from the road, making it possible to make money while you’re out on the road. Here’s a look at the benefits of overlanding:
Overlanding evolved from the utilitarian mindset of early surveyors and explorers. Its earliest pioneers set out on long, far-flung trips on motorcycles and primitive vehicles. In the 1930s, Max Reisch rode a 250cc Puch from Vienna to Mumbai, crossing unmapped swaths of Asia. Similarly, Ralph Alger Bagnold pioneered the use of sand-driving techniques in his explorer’s vehicles.
The tradition of overlanding began in Australia, where farmers had to travel long distances to move cattle. Today, it has become a popular recreational activity for travelers, with an emphasis on exploring off-the-beaten path. Although the term has a purely modern connotation, the spirit behind it is very old and steeped in history. As such, the tradition is alive and well. It is a tradition that has inspired many people to travel the world.
Overlanding is about exploring the world through the vehicle’s wheels, not just the destination. Travelers who overland consider their journey to be an adventure. They explore remote roads and venture into remote regions of state parks. Rather than rushing to a destination, overlanders stop when they’re ready. They lean into the excitement and adventure of the unknown. Some even live in a van and work from home.
Some people may mistake overlanding for off-roading. The two types of travel are similar, but off-roading takes place on unpaved or no roads. Overlanding, on the other hand, involves a more rugged terrain, and off-road trails. The primary difference is that overlanding does not prioritize climbing steep hills. In addition, overlanding can go through cities as well. So, there are benefits and disadvantages to both.