Off-Road Ranger I
- 2,865
- First Name
- Donald
- Last Name
- Diehl
- Member #
0745
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WRPN 506
I’ve never read any of the “bashing” of inexperienced people, nor anyone making light of what type of vehicle anyone drives anywhere in these forums. I don’t think that to be an accurate thought.
Less than 10 years ago when someone used the term overlanding the definition was clearly understood. That definition has been watered down so much so, as you say, drive over the curb and pitch a tent, that the term has become nothing more than a marketing ploy used to sell merchandise. From what I have witnessed on these forums there are a whole lot more people going wheeling and car camping than there are overlanders. A whole lot more. If they want to call themselves overlanders, then fine, go for it. The only negative consequence to that attitude is that, as I mentioned before, the term gets watered down until it is meaningless. Personally I never use the term to describe to anyone what it is that my wife and I do. What I find most interesting though, is that in spite of the recent popularity of the term overlanding and those that partake in it there aren’t any more folks in the remote areas that we tour than there were a decade and a half ago. What’s crowded and somewhat becoming over run are the same old popular trails that have been popular for decades. Moab, just in the last 15 years has become a zoo. Not a zoo of overlanders, but a zoo of people going Wheelin. The overlanders stop there once, for supplies, maybe a room , a hot shower, a beer and continue on their way. Just to clarify, my wife and I camp in and tour some of the most remote areas in the US. That’s what we do.
Less than 10 years ago when someone used the term overlanding the definition was clearly understood. That definition has been watered down so much so, as you say, drive over the curb and pitch a tent, that the term has become nothing more than a marketing ploy used to sell merchandise. From what I have witnessed on these forums there are a whole lot more people going wheeling and car camping than there are overlanders. A whole lot more. If they want to call themselves overlanders, then fine, go for it. The only negative consequence to that attitude is that, as I mentioned before, the term gets watered down until it is meaningless. Personally I never use the term to describe to anyone what it is that my wife and I do. What I find most interesting though, is that in spite of the recent popularity of the term overlanding and those that partake in it there aren’t any more folks in the remote areas that we tour than there were a decade and a half ago. What’s crowded and somewhat becoming over run are the same old popular trails that have been popular for decades. Moab, just in the last 15 years has become a zoo. Not a zoo of overlanders, but a zoo of people going Wheelin. The overlanders stop there once, for supplies, maybe a room , a hot shower, a beer and continue on their way. Just to clarify, my wife and I camp in and tour some of the most remote areas in the US. That’s what we do.
