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In 2011, Bryon Dorr bought a 4WD camper van.<\/strong> A passionate kayaker, Dorr spent the next few years whitewater vagabonding with his van as home base. He\u2019d drive to bucket-list river sections, set up shop, camp \u2014 and paddle his guts out. Rinse in the river, and then repeat.<\/p>\n This lived experience chasing whitewater and living out of his rig eventually made him a leading voice in automotive and adventure journalism. His occupation these days \u2014 as GearJunkie\u2019s Motors Editor \u2014 is informed and deepened by these early exploits dirtbagging by the river. <\/p>\n This September, Dorr led Columbia Sportswear\u2019s Sea to Source overland expedition<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> in which he rallied up the heart of the Columbia River Basin. The route took him from the mouth of the Columbia near Astoria, Ore., to the tiny township of Canal Flats in Southeast British Columbia. <\/p>\n Along the way, he rendezvoused with friends (new and old) to tackle a variety of outdoor adventures and take in the majesty of the Pacific Northwest. To supplement the trip, Columbia outfitted Dorr with its new Landroamer<\/a> <\/strong>footwear and apparel for vehicle-based travel. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen planning the Sea to Source adventure up the Columbia River,\u201d Dorr recounted, \u201cmy priority was finding the outdoor adventure gems along the way, through the super-diverse landscapes the river flows through. I was able to connect with professional adventurers and experience the local adventure flavors with them.\u201d<\/p>\n With over a decade of experience behind the wheel, Dorr loves overland travel because it lets him access spectacular outdoor locales with his own top-quality gear. Coupled with a cozy spot to sleep at night, it\u2019s become his favorite way to experience the outdoors.<\/p>\n That said, tackling a multisport overland adventure with over 1,000 miles of road is no small feat. Choosing the right gear and having a good mindset are essential parts of undertaking a road trip of such magnitude. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m in the less-is-more camp,\u201d Dorr said of his packing philosophy. \u201cBut I also like to have comfort and be self-reliant while on the road. That equates to bringing a good amount of gear that\u2019s specific and purposeful for the adventures to be had.\u201d <\/p>\n He often waits until the last minute to pack \u2014 but once he gets going, Dorr is super-organized and process-oriented. He meticulously lays everything out tidily on his garage floor, double-checks his inventory, and then packs his rig, piece by piece. Adding another level of order, Dorr uses packing cubes, duffel bags, and travel boxes to secure everything inside the vehicle. <\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s really important to not only be able to easily find everything you\u2019ve packed,\u201d Dorr explained, \u201cbut also to have it secured in a way that, if you were to get in an accident, it wouldn\u2019t fly around.\u201d<\/p>\n Having the right layers is foundational to packing well for any trip. And packing well means taking into account the expected climate, weather conditions, planned activities, and challenges you\u2019re likely to face on the road. For his part, Dorr likes packing a range of layers for his overland trips \u2014 including base, mid, and outer layers as a starting point. <\/p>\n By combining street-worthy good looks with rugged outdoor utility, Columbia\u2019s Landroamer collection<\/strong><\/a> checks many of these boxes simultaneously. At home in the city, on the coast, or in the middle of nowhere, the Landroamer collection is built for exploring in style \u2014 and rugged comfort. <\/p>\n Composed of a variety of shirts, midlayer pieces, and even a super-warm jacket, the Landroamer collection has all of your road trip needs covered. <\/p>\n The Landroamer Parka<\/a> was one of Dorr\u2019s go-to pieces during his Sea to Source expedition. \u201cIt is very warm, which makes it perfect for camping and for playing with my young kid this winter,\u201d Dorr said of the jacket.<\/p>\n He was also impressed by the understated, yet full-featured Landroamer Utility Pant<\/a>. \u201cThey are flexible, comfortable, and look sharp while out in the wilderness or out on the town.\u201d Dorr took advantage of the Collection\u2019s overlanding-specific footwear options<\/a> for long days behind the wheel and extended on-foot side excursions.<\/p>\n From simple slip-ons, like the brand\u2019s Camper Shoe<\/a>, to the sturdy Explorer Waterproof Boot<\/a>, the collection integrated details like tough, road-ready construction and rounded heels for no-catch footing behind the wheel.<\/p>\n SHOP THE LANDROAMER COLLECTION<\/a><\/p>\n Beyond the threads, Dorr always turns to a few fundamental toys and tools on his overlanding missions. Some of these are for planned activities \u2014 such as a river run \u2014 and some are for serendipity, just in case something goes awry or an unexpected opportunity presents itself. <\/p>\n Kayak<\/strong>: With his background in riversports, Dorr pretty much always brings a whitewater kayak on his overland adventures. \u201cWhitewater paddling is a major passion of mine, and a great way to really experience new areas, in a way many don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Mountain bike:<\/strong> A mountain bike is a mainstay on many of Dorr’s road trips. \u201cNot only is it a good way to explore local wilderness terrain,\u201d he said, \u201cbut it\u2019s also a great bugout vehicle if your adventure rig gets stuck or breaks down. A bike is a way faster way of getting help than just a pair of running shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n Fire pit:<\/strong> While a fire isn\u2019t an absolute necessity, Dorr notes that it adds a lot to the camping experience. Fire pits add a social beacon to the campground, providing a great gathering place to unwind and reminisce over a day’s adventures. <\/p>\n “A propane fire pit is a great option these days,” said Dorr. “As forest fire danger is often high, moving firewood around can bring unwanted bugs to new areas, and unless you\u2019re at an organized campground, creating a fire pit leaves a mark on the natural world that won\u2019t soon go away.”<\/p>\n Basic recovery gear:<\/strong> Regardless of whether Dorr is traveling in a group or solo in his vehicle, basic recovery gear is essential. “I always have at least a set of Maxtrax traction boards, a recovery rope, two soft shackles, and a quality jack appropriate for the vehicle,” said Dorr. “With these tools, I can get myself, and others, out of most situations. For solo vehicle travel, I also like to equip my vehicle with a winch, and bring along a full host of winching accessories.”<\/p>\n Human essentials:<\/strong> Water, snacks, warmth (firestarting equipment and a space blanket), and a sizable first-aid kit are all things that come with Bryon on every adventure.<\/p>\n Through his van life and overlanding exploits over the past decade, Dorr has developed a philosophy of \u201cbeing adventure-ready.\u201d Having the right gear gets him halfway, but to Dorr, adventure readiness is both a physical and<\/em> mental state.<\/p>\n Part of the thrill of exploration is enjoying your favorite activities, but Dorr always tries to sprinkle in new locales and experiences. From demanding endurance slogs to motorsports sessions to off-the-map travel, he uses novelty to deepen the richness of his adventures and make them more memorable and rewarding. <\/p>\n \u201cI love trying new things all the time,\u201d he said of his adventure-readiness philosophy. \u201cIn order to perform at a high enough level to enjoy and\/or learn quickly, it\u2019s important to have a baseline physical fitness and come into it with a great attitude.\u201d <\/p>\n He cites running, yoga, meditation, weight training, and cycling as just a few ways to keep the body and mind in the right condition to tackle any adventure that presents itself. \u201cAnd,\u201d he continued, \u201cadventuring regularly. If you adventure often enough, the adventures themselves are what keep you fit, and your brain firing on all cylinders.\u201d<\/p>\n But beyond physical and mental fitness, \u201cbeing adventure-ready\u201d also includes an openness to new challenges. During Columbia\u2019s Sea to Source expedition, Dorr tapped each zone along the Columbia River by interacting with it through outdoor adventure. <\/p>\n In Wenatchee, Wash., he met up with his friend Carl Montoya, who led him down one of his favorite MTB trails. Dorr hadn\u2019t been biking in over 8 months and, by his own admission, was in no shape to ride a steep, gnarly downhill section.<\/p>\n After about a minute of warm-up in a paved parking lot, Dorr followed his friend down the \u201csuper-steep, rocky, rutted, and crazy loose singletrack trail,” while trying to look good for all the cameras that were rolling. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a solid mountain biker, but this was quite an off-the-couch moment,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI did crash a few times, but overall, I held it together on the difficult terrain. My mental focus, previous experiences, and baseline fitness made this possible, which is part of my \u2018being adventure-ready\u2019 ethos.\u201d<\/p>\n Aside from the major mainstays and hard goods, Dorr also swears by a few fundamental accessories that make life easier for him on the road. These smaller details improve the flow and organization of Dorr’s rig and have earned their place in his overall kit. <\/p>\n Quick access to clean drinking water is always an absolute essential to keeping sharp and feeling good \u2014 especially on the road. To meet that need, Dorr loves Dometic’s 11L Water Jug<\/a> due to its webbing carry handles, easy cleanability, and flow reducer for making the perfect pour.<\/p>\n For all things mobile, Dorr leans heavily on Peak Design’s Mobile Ecosystem<\/a> of mounts, cases, and accessories. “They help me keep my cellphone charged and protected,” he explained. “I use Peak Design’s handlebar mount on my mountain bike and adventure motorcycle and its powered mount in my overland rig. A cellphone is such an invaluable tool for adventure these days, as it works as a great comms, nav, and photo\/video system all-in-one.”<\/p>\n On the road, getting stuck is always top of mind, so Dorr travels equipped with a set of Maxtrax Recovery Boards<\/a>. He’s recovered himself several times, and others more times than he can count, out of mud, snow, and sand. <\/p>\n “The key to these is how light they are, how easy they are to use\/deploy, and how quickly they usually get the recovery done,” he said. “Even if I fly to the other side of the world to rent or buy a vehicle to adventure with, they’re the one piece of gear I don\u2019t leave home without.”<\/p>\n Part of keeping your kit dialed is making sure you leave nothing behind. While overlanding affords you the ability to access some of the remotest areas on the map, this privilege comes with the responsibility to Leave No Trace<\/a> (except for your tracks).\u00a0<\/p>\n During the Sea to Source \u2014 and on all of his wilderness trips \u2014 Dorr was mindful of LNT ethics<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the team’s final camp of the trip, a dispersed site near the Canadian border, had a pre-existing fire ring. Upon arriving, they found the ring overflowing with trash and discarded camping supplies \u2014 which they promptly cleaned up. <\/p>\n That\u2019s because keeping a tight rig doesn\u2019t end at the tailgate. It includes looking after the wild spaces enjoyed along the way, and being good to the communities and people that inhabit them. And, as Dorr makes a habit, that means packing one of the most important \u2014 yet unsung \u2014 pieces of overlanding gear.<\/p>\n \u201cI always have a trash bag on hand to not only pack out what I bring in, but also to clean up along the way,” said Dorr. <\/p>\n FOLLOW THE SEA TO SOURCE EXPEDITION<\/a><\/p>\n This post is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear<\/a>. Shop Columbia’s Landroamer collection at Columbia.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n The post Overlanding Is Messy: How to Keep Your Toys Ready for Action<\/a> appeared first on GearJunkie<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 2011, Bryon Dorr bought a 4WD camper van. A passionate kayaker, Dorr spent the next few years whitewater vagabonding with his van as home base. He\u2019d drive to bucket-list river sections, set up shop, camp \u2014 and paddle his guts out. Rinse in the river, and then repeat. This lived experience chasing whitewater and living […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4036"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4036"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4048,"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4036\/revisions\/4048"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/A002_A081_08123A_001.R3D.14_47_16_05.Still001-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a>Packing 101 <\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a>Having the Right Gear for Planned (and Unplanned) Adventures<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Bryon\u2019s Top 5 Pieces of Overlanding Gear<\/h2>\n
<\/a>How to Be Adventure-Ready<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Road Trip Hacks<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Leaving No Trace (Except Your Tracks)<\/h2>\n
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