expeditionswest

A fantastic thread.

Having spent years exploring the Southwest, Mexico and Alaska, I wish to encourage all of you in your pursuit. Climbing over rocks every weekend is fun too, but nothing compares to a view like this:


White Rim Trail, Canyonlands Utah.

The trend towards vehicle dependent expedition and adventure travel is just beginning, and the magazine editors are begging for content that includes remote vehicle travel coupled with extreme sports (like mtn. biking, rock climbing, canyoneering, etc.) Many of us use our vehicles to access the remote playgrounds, climbing walls and surf spots.



Building an expedition rig is a blast too, as you will have a whole new set of requirements, like fridges, showers, water storage, camping configurations, communication systems, load bearing suspensions, etc. I have spent the last year completing my expedition vehicle, and it can still drive at 80 mph, negotiate a 3.5+ Trail (lockers, sliders, 33"+ tires). I have a 650 mile highway range, 30 gallons of water, full kitchen (fridge, etc.), roof tent, shower, etc. And it is a Toyota, which greatly improves reliability.

Fortunately for those of us on this board, we own Toyota's, which are designed to operate in extreme environment, heavily loaded, and over long distances. The motors return good fuel economy, and are very reliable, and the drivetrains are overbuilt to withstand weights in excess of GVWR.

BUT, REASON WE BUILD THESE CAPABLE VEHICLES IS SO THAT WE CAN SEE:

This sunrise over the Sea of Cortez:


This sunset over the Grand Staircase in Utah:


Meet native people (Tarahumaran woman, Baranca del Cobre, Sierra Madre Mexico)


Stand in the middle of a field of flowers (Baja Norte, Mexico):


Cross distant rivers (Urique River, Sinaloa Mexico):


And to cross deserts (Grand Desert de Altar, Sonora):


It will be fun to follow the progress of this thread. Dont hesitate to stop into www.expeditionportal.com and say hi to a few like minded explorers. We plan dozens of expeditions each year.

I leave for Baja in a few days. We will be driving the entire peninsula, from the Border to Cabo San Lucas and back. Look for a multi-part story in 4wd Toyota Owner Magazine.

van7559

This is an awesome thread. If you have an expidition setup you should post a link to your truck. I need more ideas.

photoleif

i wanted to throw in my $0.02 here since i've spent many a weekend and up to a few days living out of my truck. i set up a page on my site with info about what i've done. i've travelled extensively in colorado and have branched out into utah now and then. my wife and i are planning a couple-week traverse from colorado to yosemite and back, largely to be lived in the truck.

when i'm out, i take photos and 4-wheel. when i get to places like this, i know it's a great trip:



here's my truck page: http://www.aspen-graphics.com/truck.htm

i also have a couple pages of hints and tips on related topics like packing, gear, a to-bring list, and so on:

camping (general): http://www.aspen-graphics.com/fall-camping.htm
gear: http://www.aspen-graphics.com/gear.htm
to-bring list: http://www.aspen-graphics.com/camping-list.htm


i hope your experiences will be varied and memorable (for good reasons, haha).

rosspa75

Hey Photoleif,
Thanks for putting together such a good site. Loads of info!! I've been to the SLV several times and love it there.

pogold

photoleif, really gorgeous pictures

photoleif

thanks guys. i appreciate your kind comments. i'll shortly be releasing a big big list of colorado passes, about 492 of them +/-. i've garnered the list from numerous sources including personal observation but mostly from the USGS list. i'm slowly working on the last dozen or so, finding the lat/long for them.

rocket

iTrader: (1)

check out this 4x4 expedition beast...




Info: http://www.steelwheels4x4.com/
3 pages of specs: http://www.steelwheels4x4.com/wheels/statspage.htm

photoleif

geez. i'm in awe, though i don't think it would offroad very safely ;-)

for you colorado folks, i just posted that passes list on my site. http://www.aspen-graphics.com/colo-passes.htm