Overlanding and Minimalism

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BikeHauler said:
I hope to have that ability soon. I want to have my cases somewhat pre-loaded so I can easily load up and head out in nothing flat. Load the cases and chuck box in the rig, fill up the rig and cans with fuel, fill the water tank, load and ice the cooler, and head on out.
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All my gear is in boxes. What I bring depends on where Im going and with who. As other people have said "minimalist" is subjective. Once you get your gear sorted (you will buy things you don't need), you will pack light or heavy. Like everyone else I have more tools and equipment then luxuries most of the time.
It's funny how I can show people a picture of me camping with my trailer and have them say "OMG that's really roughing it".

And Plano cases Rock.

Scott
 
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smritte said:
This


All my gear is in boxes. What I bring depends on where Im going and with who. As other people have said "minimalist" is subjective. Once you get your gear sorted (you will buy things you don't need), you will pack light or heavy. Like everyone else I have more tools and equipment then luxuries most of the time.
It's funny how I can show people a picture of me camping with my trailer and have them say "OMG that's really roughing it".

And Plano cases Rock.

Scott
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I love the Plano cases I have. Hoping to keep them filled with the same gear regularly. It might change depending on the kiddos but I'd rather have that ability to adjust accordingly with not having to load and unload the cases all the time. I just want to be able to get out for a weekend with minimal effort, planning, and packing. That's always the struggle. I guess as the seasons and numbers change, so will my gear to an extent, but I foresee it being minimal change. I appreciate the input
 
I grew up backpacking in boy scouts. Went to Philmont scout camp and have since done backpacking trips in Glacier and Olympic NP’s with my wife in the more recent years. I’ve always struggled with the idea of minimalism and bringing too much stuff. 3 plus complete outfit changes on a backpacking trip, multiple fixed blade and pocket knives because I like them, my gun, redundant doubled equipment my wife and I both carried for no reason. It adds up FAST.

And anybody who has done backpacking trips of over 5 miles in a day knows, weight is pain. Ounces count.

Since moving to more vehicle dependent trips I’ve noticed a few things:
1) it’s awesome. Way easier than backpacking.

2) backpacking gear works perfectly fine in a vehicle dependent trip and takes up a fraction of the space

3) I’m literally carrying a quarter of the personal belongings on an overland trip compared to what I brought on a backpacking trip. It’s weird. I think I have a tendency to want to be over prepared, so I brought tons of extra stuff. And going to a state park or some forest roads in our 4runner is less pressure than a Glacier backcountry trip. So it’s given me an opportunity to explore the idea of going somewhere with the clothes on my back, and en extra pair of underwear, my pocket knife, flashlight, and that’s it.

I see overlanding as an opportunity to really explore minimalism with WAY more safety than you can backpacking. Even a vehicle stuck someplace has days worth of food and water, and safe shelter. And you’re presumably stuck where at least an off-road capable vehicle can get to.

Comparatively, a lot of the places I’ve gone on foot are literally days away from the nearest civilization. The only options for access are foot or horse. Being 3 plus days away from the nearest help, even a simple gear failure like a tent leak that leaves your clothes wet in cold weather, could end up very badly. I just don’t feel this pressure with my vehicle around. So I carry extra spare parts, go milder places, and am enjoying carrying less stuff.


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You make a good point - I started out backpacking as well, not quite as remote as you mention, but pretty remote, and I always packed as light as I thought I could get away with, but I see your perspective on the heightened risk vs the added security of vehicle based travel.

Presently my kit is a bit of a mishmash of my old backpacking stuff and some bigger stuff like my 2 burner coleman stove. I LOVE that thing and I'm so glad I can easily take it with me in the rig.
 
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smritte said:
I have these and next size up. I think they call it the sportsman's trunk.
Plano Case

Scott
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I have the 1919 or the 108qt ones. They work great! Got mine at my local TSC for like $30 on sale. Might get a 68qt for odds and ends, but I haven't quite seen the need yet
 
I find it interesting that most of the people I meet, who like this kind of hobby have backpacking roots. You see in most of the posts about gear, someone will say, "I use some of my old back packing stuff", "my old pack stove and cook kit fits into my drawer system".
I use to explore the sierra's on foot and now I do it in a vehicle. I think the experience we got backpacking plays right into over landing. Then again, isn't overlanding the same?

Scott
 
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smritte said:
I find it interesting that most of the people I meet, who like this kind of hobby have backpacking roots. You see in most of the posts about gear, someone will say, "I use some of my old back packing stuff", "my old pack stove and cook kit fits into my drawer system".
I use to explore the sierra's on foot and now I do it in a vehicle. I think the experience we got backpacking plays right into over landing. Then again, isn't overlanding the same?

Scott
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Are you saying our vehicles are just bigger, more capable backpacks?

[emoji16][emoji106]


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I think backpackers and overlanders share the same root desire to seek the wild places and witness the untouched, or at least little touched beauty of creation. Moreso than people who just want to go camping at a campground, both backpackers and overlanders are after what you might call a more intimate experience of the wilderness.
 
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CR-Venturer said:
I think backpackers and overlanders share the same root desire to seek the wild places and witness the untouched, or at least little touched beauty of creation. Moreso than people who just want to go camping at a campground, both backpackers and overlanders are after what you might call a more intimate experience of the wilderness.
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Couldn’t agree more! Intimate wilderness... I like it.



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CR-Venturer said:
I think backpackers and overlanders share the same root desire to seek the wild places and witness the untouched, or at least little touched beauty of creation. Moreso than people who just want to go camping at a campground, both backpackers and overlanders are after what you might call a more intimate experience of the wilderness.
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SO TRUE. Theres just something about being in the untouched wild, with few or no people around. No power lines, no cell service. Honestly, the main reason my wife and I went in this direction was simply because we have a 8 month old daughter, and our life is incredibly busy. We just don't have the energy to leave friday evening, burn miles of trail friday night, saturday and sunday, then be back at work monday morning. So taking our vehicle out there gets us out, and we get to relax too! Truly untouched wild is hard to come by in Texas, but its out there, and using a vehicle makes it a lot easier.
 
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