Off-roader, Explorer or Overlander? Opinion, with some facts.

The more I interact with others within the community, specifically the Toyota and 4Runner community, I have noticed there is some misconception on the definition of "overlanding" and its true origins. Now I already know this post isn't going to be for everyone, and I have already stepped on some toes, but there is a heavy misconception of what "overlanding" really is, and I feel its roots have been washed out by an incorrect application of the term for those that are simply offroading or exploring.

So before I upset anyone too much, I am NOT an "overlander", nor am I partaking in actual overlanding. I have a feeling someone may argue this, but I personally feel that I do not meet the definition of what actual overlanding is and how it was defined by the Australian cattle farmers. History shows that overlanding began in the early 1900's when Australian's would push cattle across the Outback, and many times only having a destination and direction of travel planned and nothing else in between. The most famous of these routes is the Canning Stock Route which is 1,150 miles long and has been utilized since just after 1906, however, unlike the horseback driven herds through some dangerous territory, this overlanding trail now caters to everything from those exploring on bicycles to modern day 4x4's and on average takes 10 to 20 days to complete...far longer than a weekend excursion.

Being that this post is mainly my opinion, and I understand that we are not herding cattle in our 4Runners or Jeeps, where do I come off stating that a weekend excursion isn't overlanding? Well that is simple. Per the history associated with real overlanding, and removing the cattle from the equation, it is an offroad trip/journey that generally runs along a route from 50 miles in length to well over 1,000 miles with only a destination in mind and very little planning in-between the starting point and the desired destination. To me, that means the 5 hour long highway drive to a well maintained dirt road in a state park or forest service road simply isn't overlanding..thats a road trip with some of the road being dirt, not overlanding or offroading.

So again it can be argued that most of the modern world has paved roads and routes that somewhat forcefully nullify the true definition of overlanding. And while this may be true, I have found that there is almost always a way to avoid pavement, but some of these routes may not be for everyone, but isn't that the exact definition of overlanding? Plan a destination, go in that direction and tackle anything that lays ahead? That can be done, even with the numerous paved roads we have today, and to me it should be the true definition of a modern day overlander.

So who am I, or what qualifies me to say someone isn't an overlander? Nothing. You are free to think and believe what you would like, I am simply stating that the terms "overlanding" and "overlander" are horribly applied these days and I feel that the true definition of what overlanding really is, again removing the cattle herding, and it has washed out some critical history to the community and is now more of a fad term.

Well that narrows us down to two other reference terms, "offroader" and "explorer". These two I feel make up more than 99% of the current community, and only 1% of the built rigs and "#overlander" posts we see on social media today are truly overlanding. Ouch. But wait?! I use hashtags that have the terms overlanding and overlander in them, so wouldn't that make me a fake overlander even under my own opinion? It does, but in order to gain traction, build a follower base and fit in within the industry, unfortunately, I have to misapply the terms due to the heavy oversaturation of the terms.

I am NOT an overlander, I am a combination of an explorer and offroader. However, my vehicle does fit the definition of an "overlanding rig" as it can sustain me for several days in all sorts of weather and route conditions. But, I still refuse to claim to be an overlander as I am not taking routes that are traversing 50 miles or more (on poorly maintained dirt) with only a destination in mind. I know what my route is, especially when mapping for OnX Offroad, and I know what my destination is, but it can change very quickly. Although I have now covered several hundreds of miles offroad, few of them were consecutive routes and all of them had some pavement between them on highways or state roads..thus, not overlanding.

If you have made it this far without spiking your blood pressure or kicking something while cursing at me, then very possibly you are starting to realize what I am pointing out. Also note, that I do take into consideration that while we would all love to jump in our rigs and disappear for two weeks at a time, it isn't possible for everyone. Sometimes the most we can fit into our lives is loading up on a Friday after work, hitting some trails and heading home Sunday to make it back in time for the new week to begin. And that is perfectly fine, I just personally feel that the claim of overlanding on a weekend excursion to a well used destination simply doesn't fit and dilutes the history.

I generally stay out on trails for 4-6 days at at time on average, sometimes its shorter, sometimes it may be longer, but because of the pavement and highway drives that lead to a trail that's completed in less than 4 hours, I am not overlanding. I am exploring "new" destinations and trails that can be recorded and shared for others to enjoy. The constant changes in terrain from dirt, mud, snow and rocks, many of which are rarely maintained by Forest Service or county operations makes up for the offroading portion. With that said, if you stick only to well maintained trails/dirt roads like those in National Parks or campground roads, I also don't consider that "offroading", it's reduced to exploring at that point, and again, nothing wrong with that, this is just an opinionated post from information I have gathered and media I have observed.

So to close this out, I really don't care what your claim to fame is, do what you enjoy. Get out and explore, share those pictures and slap "#overlanding" all over it, and do it again the following weekend! I am not here to judge, I don't care if you drive a perfectly pristine 4Runner with $80k invested that you refuse to scratch, or an 80's sh!tbox that uses egg-crates and plywood for a sleeping platform..and no, that's not sarcasm, that's 100% truth and reality. I just enjoy history, and like to see it preserved as much as possible and with the size of this modern day community, would like to see that some can understand what overlanding really is and where it came from. While there are some out there that truly overland and know what overlanding actually is and where it came from, there is a good chance that you are not an overlander, and fit in category more in line with me as an explorer or offroader. Before blowing a fuse, read the history of overlanding, it really is fascinating how the term was born and I can only imagine the hardships faced during that time. As for me, I have decided now to include a new hashtag on my social media posts, be sure to keep an eye out for that. But get out, explore, go offroad, overland, anything! There is always an adventure to be had regardless of how its defined, go find your adventure!