Scott Brady is the Publisher and Chairman of Overland Journal, one of the finest adventure travel publications out today. Scott and his staff of intrepid correspondents traverse the globe both on wheel and on foot, fueled by a curiosity that is equal parts anthropological, zoological, and of course, mechanical. Their field notes, journals, and pictures are compiled quarterly into a new edition of Overland Journal that is dense enough to last you through a cross-country flight, yet striking enough to lay on your coffee table. It’s a must read for any serious, modern day adventurer.
When we think of overland travel, our thoughts often wander to a Land Rover in Africa, cruising down a dusty track, the dust lifting skyward and punctuating the brilliant red of the setting sun. Having traveled by foot, motorcycle and expedition vehicle on six continents, the world has never ceased to transfix me, much like the pages of a wonderful book, each chapter revealing something special and unexpected- something exotic. As adventurers, we often seek the unknown and distant as the most appropriate of destinations, and while that is often the best course, we frequently forget the pleasures and rewards of traveling a little closer to home. This list is to remind us of the destinations accessible without a plane or without a ship; places we can access with a little determination, a sturdy vehicle and a sense of wonder. Holmul, Guatemala If dreams of Camel Trophy occupy most of your nights, the jungles of Guatemala will check every box on the adventure list. From the crossing at Belize, a dirt track parallels the border for about 50kms before turning inland. From the turnoff, the route becomes biblical with deep mud, winching, fallen trees, phosphorescent spiders, jaguar, snakes and even the occasional drug runner. Once at the Mayan site, you can camp in the temple square, surrounded by 20 meter tall pyramids and ancient stele. This Peten region is filled with Mayan structures and artifacts, most concealed by centuries of earth and flora. The city was first inhabited 800 B.C. and reached its height of power between 750 and 900 A.D. It is real Indiana Jones stuff. The route can continue (with permission from the minister of forestry) to the Mayan site of Nakum and ultimately into Tikal. Make sure your winch works – really works.
Mexican Hat to Moab, Utah, USA This route is one of the finest in the world, with stunning scenery, challenging terrain and rich aboriginal history. Starting in Mexican Hat and the San Juan River, a visit to the Goosenecks before starting on the dirt track in the Valley of the Gods. A quick stretch of pavement and the route continues up Comb Ridge (filled with Anasazi ruins). Crossing Hwy 95, the route continues north on Cottonwood Canyon Rd. The trail gains elevation, reaching over 3,000 meters before descending into Beef Basin, the Needles District and ultimately Elephant Hill. This route requires a vehicle with good tires and ground clearance. At least one locking differential will make the route easier on the driver and vehicle.
Baja, Mexico At least a month should be reserved for exploring this desert peninsula. Little time should be spent on the border cities, as the real treasures exist further south. There are two routes that rank amongst my favorites, starting with the backroad to Mike’s Sky Rancho, a dirt track that leaves from MEX3, just east of Lázaro Cárdenas and travels south towards the San Pedro Martir. The route continues towards Meling Ranch before turning east again and climbs to the tallest mountain in Baja, Picacho del Diablo. If a serious overland trek is on the schedule, then the remote and rugged route to San Evaristo is my second favorite in Baja. The route starts at MEX1 (waypoint) and winds its way east through washouts, loose climbs and narrow shelf roads. Route-finding can be difficult, so this trip is best for the prepared and experienced, but the rewards are stunning. Deep gorges and canyons extend off from this heavily eroded plateau and small ranchos and villages provide a unique experience. Several old missions can be accessed with the 4WD or by foot and the route eventually terminates at the gulf. Fuel and supplies may not be accessible (especially diesel) in San Evaristo, a small fishing village halfway through the route, so plan accordingly. There are many remote campsites and some beautiful beaches at the end of the trek. The route continues south along the coast, eventually turning to pavement and then finishing in La Paz.
Canyon de Chelly Canyon de Chelly is one of the greatest Overland Adventures in North America. Old John Wayne westerns will play in your head as you drive through this historic canyon home to the Navajo – or Diné as they refer to themselves. The trail is located in the north-east corner of Arizona, to get there, take Arizona Highway 191 to the town of Chinle, AZ. There are two primary trails that you’ll want to drive, one follows the bottom of the canyon system, the other skirts the top. If you’re interested in traveling both, first drive the perimeter (top) trail. It will help you better appreciate and understand the scale of what you’ll be driving through. The terrain can vary depending on the season you travel through the Canyon, in the dry fall, any 4WD vehicle with moderate ground clearance can pass through. However, there are times in the spring where even large, modified 4WD vehicles will have trouble. Deflating your tires will allow better traction in the soft sand found on the trail. Be sure to include a proper recovery kit, and leave the dogs and alcohol at home, as neither are allowed on Navajo land.
The Dempster Highway (in winter) Ends of the Earth; There is something about distant places, their terminus that resonates deeply within the adventurer. A mountain summit, a coastline, the end of a road; all pull at us, inspiring the commitment and sacrifice necessary to continue to the horizon, or past another false summit. The Dempster Highway and McKenzie River ice road accesses the last vehicle-accessible human outpost in Northern Canada, Tuktoyaktuk, over 230 north of the Arctic Circle, clinging to the edge of land and the start of the frozen ocean. Getting to Tuktoyaktuk was not easy, in fact it took over 3,000 miles and eight days of solid driving to just reach Whitehorse. From this outpost town, the Dempster turn due north and winds through beautiful mountains before crossing the Arctic Circle, and leading you onto the ice of the Mackenzie River, and eventually all the way up to the small Inuit town of Tuktoyaktuk.
The Trans-America Trail The concept of the Trans-America Trail (TAT) is fascinating; finding a way to traverse the US from east to west on dirt roads, two-tracks and single-track. The man credited with this project is Sam Correro, who spent 12 years piecing together the route from Tennessee to Oregon with a combination of map research and on-the-ground riding with his Kawasaki KLX. For me, the Trans-America Trail represents one of the greatest motorcycle trips available in the 48 states. It has all of the components of a grand adventure, including technical terrain, the requirement for complicated navigation, difficulty in obtaining fuel and supplies, remote and rarely visited destinations and a fantastic goal, which is to cross the US on 92% dirt, for a total of almost 5,000 miles.
The Mojave Road In 1925 the industrial revolution was building momentum, and Mr. Ford’s cars clogged the streets of Manhattan. The world was changing; leaving the “wild west” behind. However, in the Mojave Desert, a gunfight was erupting between the cattle ranchers and sheepherders of the New York Mountains. Drought had put a stranglehold on the land, forcing the homesteaders to leave and tempers to flare at Government Holes, one of the few productive wells in the area. The Cattle companies’ hired gun, and the sheepherders blazed away at each other, until all lie dead; ending a fateful chapter of Mojave history. A present day 160 mile trek along the Mojave Road occurs under considerably more peaceful conditions, but the history and arid environment of the Mojave Desert are still available to the hardy traveler. This route, which starts near Barstow, and travels all the way to the Colorado river is one of the longest continuous off-highway treks available in the West, ranging from dry lake beds to nearly 6,000 feet and Pinyon Pines. Three or more days are required to cover its distance, which provides the opportunity for excellent remote camping.
The Grand Arizona Traverse Arizona is exceptional in its geological and biological diversity, and when combined with the rich aboriginal and western history, it is a veritable playground for the adventure traveler. Developed by the Expedition Portal online community, the Grand Arizona Traverse is long (requiring nearly two weeks to complete) and challenging. This route should be undertaken with a high-clearance 4wd with good quality tires and an experienced driver. A winch and at least one locking differential is advised. Starting at the imposing and somewhat tragic Mexico/U.S. border wall, the route follows the ancient El Camino del Diablo trail before turning north and into the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Continuing to the Harquahala mountains and Wickenburg, the trail becomes even more difficult as it enters the Bradshaws and Crown King. Continuing north, the trail passes famous western towns like Prescott, Jerome and Williams before ending at a remote campsite on the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. The view from there is nothing short of breathtaking.
The McKenzie Trail 12 years before the famed Lewis and Clark expedition, the first European to cross North America and reach the pacific Ocean was Alexander MacKenzie, in 1793. The final 420 km of his route was along a traditional aboriginal trail used to transport fish grease from the coast to the interior of British Columbia for trading. So the official trail name is the Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail, but most people today still refer to it as the Alexander MacKenzie Heritage Trail. The trail starts near Quesnel BC, 641 km North of Vancouver, and travels East to Bella Coola on the coast. Although most travelers hike the trail, it is still open to vehicles, but the lack of traffic and the changing conditions can make the week-long (one-way) trip an ordeal to complete, even for the most competent trucks and drivers. Conditions vary from dry and dusty wagon tracks through ranch-land, to seemingly bottomless mud-bogs through the Canadian forests, to swamps, blowdowns, hills and technical terrain. A minimum of three very well set up trucks with winches, aggressive tires, and multiple chainsaws are required. Sat phones or Spot devices are recommended.
Punta Mariato, Panama Punta Mariato is the southernmost point in North America and is located in Panama, within the geographic region of Central America. The point is remote, nearly 100 miles south of the main highway and accessible via a spiderweb of muddy dirt tracks, river crossings and wide, boulder-strewn washes. I used a KTM640 Adventure motorcycle for my trip to that remote point and was supported by a Land Rover Defender. The road was hard work for both vehicles, made more intense by the deep mud. However, the route was stunningly beautiful and captured much of life in Panama, including cowboys, shaded from the sun by the country’s namesake, wide-brimmed hats and little cafes serving $4 lobster tails and $1 ice cold beers. You cannot drive to the very point, as that requires either a panga boat ride or a day-long trek through the jungle. I took the boat and was rewarded by a brilliant sunset as the sun sank into the Pacific.
Wanting take on an overland adventure of your own!? Swing over to into the wild expedition rentals and check out our sportsmobile rental packages!!
www.intothewildexpeditionrentals.com
Photo Credits: Holmul, Guatemala pictures are by Ben Edmonson. The Mackenzie Trail photos are by Dave Blair.
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What Boreas Owners Are Saying
Joyce K.
I love my Teardrop from Into the Wild. It is up to any adventure, large or small. We have slept comfortably in rest stops in WY and the middle of nowhere UT. We have traveled for weeks, the kitchen has been great! The...
I love my Teardrop from Into the Wild. It is up to any adventure, large or small. We have slept comfortably in rest stops in WY and the middle of nowhere UT. We have traveled for weeks, the kitchen has been great! The awning and three-sided room gives us a place to clean up after a day in the wild! Matt provides incredible support, answering questions and tweaking anything that is needed.
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Nick D.
Matt builds an absolutely first-rate trailer. After months and months of research, I am confident in saying that the Boreas XT is one of, if not the best thought-out offroad travel trailers on the market. I'm consiste...
Matt builds an absolutely first-rate trailer. After months and months of research, I am confident in saying that the Boreas XT is one of, if not the best thought-out offroad travel trailers on the market. I'm consistently amazed at how well everything functions whether it's the interior shelf-turned-bunk for our toddler, the hot water shower, or the slide out fridge, stove, and sink in the galley. It also tows very smoothly and has handled some pretty rocky Colorado trails already this season. Matt has also been great about post-sale support, answering texts and email questions right away. We're extremely happy with our choice to buy from Into the Wild Overland!
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Nicci M.
Best decision made, worth the money hands down. Matt is great to work with and always makes sure his campers are top notch and work properly.
Michael G.
If you’re looking for a way to get away, check these out. Our Boreas has been one of the best purchases we’ve made. We keep it loaded and ready to go so we can get to the mountains at moments notice. Our trailer has h...
If you’re looking for a way to get away, check these out. Our Boreas has been one of the best purchases we’ve made. We keep it loaded and ready to go so we can get to the mountains at moments notice. Our trailer has helped us get further away and to get out more frequently.
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Shan M.
Owning a Boreas XT and working with Matt has been a pleasure! Customer service runs neck and neck with producing a quality product. From campgrounds in the Sawtooths, and friendly driveways in Haden ID, weeks out in N...
Owning a Boreas XT and working with Matt has been a pleasure! Customer service runs neck and neck with producing a quality product. From campgrounds in the Sawtooths, and friendly driveways in Haden ID, weeks out in Northern B.C., way, way off road Utah, and my parent’s backyard. We have found the design to be sturdy, efficient and fun to live in. The square (as opposed to curved) kitchen cover provides shelter to cook and sit even in rainy weather. The solar power system is just the right size for long-term camping. The independent suspension, unique hitch, and trailer brakes make it a dream to handle in the roughest off-road conditions. The well-balanced design makes it solid, comfortable and safe towing at freeway speeds, even in wind and weather. Thanks Into The Wild Overland for our home away from home!
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Franklin C.
We bought our trailer in May and we couldn’t be happier. I toured the shop before I bought and I saw the dedication they took to make a quality trailer. The build quality and materials are all very impressive. We have...
We bought our trailer in May and we couldn’t be happier. I toured the shop before I bought and I saw the dedication they took to make a quality trailer. The build quality and materials are all very impressive. We have already towed it 1000 miles and slept in it six nights. We can back it into a spot and have camp completely set up, dinner started, and a beer in hand in under ten minutes. The other great thing about the trailer is it has better ground clearance than my truck and it can go anywhere my truck does with ease. We’ve already had it on some fun trails. Finally, everyone has been great after the sale. I had a minor issue and they just had me bring it by the shop and they fixed it in ten minutes while we waited. Love the trailer and love that I can rep such a great local company.
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Jake D.
Great people. Great product. Delivered when they said and what they promised. I rented a Boreas in June, and then had to have one.
Diane M.
We have had a Boreas XT for over a year and absolutely love it. Our adventures have tripled since we got it and already have several more trips planned for this year as well as a trip to Alaska for next year. We have...
We have had a Boreas XT for over a year and absolutely love it. Our adventures have tripled since we got it and already have several more trips planned for this year as well as a trip to Alaska for next year. We have had the pleasure of meeting Matt personally and have used his team for a few upgrades. You can't find a more pleasant group of people who work for Matt. They are continuously looking to make improvements and have been helpful in some of the upgrades we did on our own. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for supplying you with one of your own to take on your own adventures.
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Bill M.
We have now had our Boreas XT for a year with some 3000 miles towing (Ford F-150 4X4) on various surfaces. We very much enjoy the life style made easy by this rugged trailer with its well designed accomodations and c...
We have now had our Boreas XT for a year with some 3000 miles towing (Ford F-150 4X4) on various surfaces. We very much enjoy the life style made easy by this rugged trailer with its well designed accomodations and convencies. Truly a four season trailer. Warm and cosy in the winter. Even in the hot and humid southeast (coastal Mississippi) the trailer's roof fan and insulation make for a comfortably cool night's sleep. But even more... the support offered by Matt (the owner) is truly exceptional. His availability and eager assistance has now, and am sure will in the future, given us confidence in a long term relationship.
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Christina C.
I don't usually take the time to post reviews, but I feel compelled to do so for this product and the owner Matt. We researched diligently to find just the right camp trailer for a year before we settled on the Boreas...
I don't usually take the time to post reviews, but I feel compelled to do so for this product and the owner Matt. We researched diligently to find just the right camp trailer for a year before we settled on the Boreas XT. We were fortunate to find one used and jumped on it promptly, and do not regret our decision. It is just the right size and functionality for our needs and has made camping even more of a treat than when we had to pack half of the house up to enjoy the outdoors. We are able to store it in a regular parking spot at our home and maneuvering it is very easy. Matt did not benefit from our purchase financially since we purchased it used from someone who moved to Florida, but he has answered every question we have, provided guidance, and generally been responsive within 24 hours of every request we sent his way. He truly stands behind his product. Thank you Matt
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Matt B.
Amazing company, customer service, and product! I knew going into this trailer purchase that I was interested in the Boreas XT. After dealing some with Adam and Maggie I was very drawn to the company and product, with...
Amazing company, customer service, and product! I knew going into this trailer purchase that I was interested in the Boreas XT. After dealing some with Adam and Maggie I was very drawn to the company and product, without ever seeing one in person. I won't say that the service provided sold me on the camper entirely, but it did pursuade me to make a deposit on one and travel 10 hours to see it. Seeing the camper in person, and doing my thorough inspection, I was truthfully trying to find a reason not to buy it and continue searching for the right camper for me. I couldn't find that reason and brought the camper home happier then I could have imagined. I went over that trailer 3 times at the dealership and a dozen more since it has been home and I cannot find anything but excellent craftsmanship, which far exceeded my expectations considering the reputation travel trailers typically have. This camper is on an entire new level. It easily fits everything we need for our trips, it is self sufficient, I have no worries of reliability, and it fits in my standard garage! I will continue putting the camper through its paces, but even if an issue were to arise I know I have that amazing customer support that attracted me in the first place to lean on. Thank you guys for the killer product!
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Alexandra L.
We’ve had two trips in our new Boreas XT and absolutely love it!! It’s everything we wanted when it comes to size, weight and functionality. We have 4 more big trips planned through the rest of the year and can’t wait...
We’ve had two trips in our new Boreas XT and absolutely love it!! It’s everything we wanted when it comes to size, weight and functionality. We have 4 more big trips planned through the rest of the year and can’t wait to spend more time in it. Also we’re both tall, my husband is 6’3 and I’m 6’0 and we both fit so comfortably in the bed and under the galley door when it’s open. We couldn’t be happier!
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Michelle G.
I purchased my 2019 Boreas MXT in March of this year from Adam at B&B RV in Denver. It was a used unit. I brought it up to Alaska in May. I was able to stop by the shop in Arvada and meet Matt and Maggie. While at the...
I purchased my 2019 Boreas MXT in March of this year from Adam at B&B RV in Denver. It was a used unit. I brought it up to Alaska in May. I was able to stop by the shop in Arvada and meet Matt and Maggie. While at their shop, Matt had one of his techs come out and do a quick run through on the camper prior to the long road trip. He inspected the camper and not only installed one of their fire extinguishers, but addressed a few other minor details as nothing more than a courtesy. Matt clearly takes pride in his campers and build them with ability, functionality, comfort and longevity in mind. I can't say enough about the quality of this camper and the amazing customer service I receive (yes, receive, not just received) from both Matt and Adam! After owning and using my Boreas MXT for an entire summer up here in Alaska, I can honestly say I would buy this camper 10 times over. This is the first overland camper of its kind up here and she gets a lot of attention. I am ALWAYS happy to give people the tour and recommend it for the quality and the service!
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Ken W.
I got this trailer earlier in the year before this COVID mess and finally got to take it out. I’m so glad I got the Boreas XT compared to other tear drop trailer competitors. This is a solId, well built trailer that...
I got this trailer earlier in the year before this COVID mess and finally got to take it out. I’m so glad I got the Boreas XT compared to other tear drop trailer competitors. This is a solId, well built trailer that’s well made and durable enough to take on any trail and I’m sure it will last years to come.
Having this trailer is a great way to escape from the COVID mess and find a quiet place to relax and escape from the crowds. The components Mike chose for the camper are good quality and well thought out, allowing for a relaxing camping trip without having to worry about breaking down in some remote area.
I highly recommend this trailer if you’re looking for a top quality trailer that you can put in your garage and take it out at a moment’s notice.
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