Land Between the Lakes (Tennessee) Overlanding - January 2024

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#overlanding #bronco #landbetweenthelakes
The 2024 season got off to an early start, in contrast to what was a down year in 2023. With only two trips in 2023 - a May Smokies hike and a July Yellowstone hike - I was eager to get 2024 off to an early start. The opportunity came in January 2024 when Jeremy (KZbin channel 'All Things Outdoors' - / @all_things_out_doors ) invited me to tag along on a large group overlanding trip to Land Between the Lakes. The trip was a repeat of my first overlanding trip with Jeremy to LBL in April 2022.
We had no set plans, other than to meet the group on the first night at the large dispersed camping location on Clay Bay. In all, there would be 16 people and 8 vehicles ranging from Jeremy's beast of a Ford Bronco (with 38" tires) to a 1950's era authentic Willys Jeep, and every form of off-road vehicle in-between. We travelled as a pack and somehow managed to get all the vehicles through some tight, gnarly terrain, downed trees, and deep mud pits - all without injury, towing or damage to any of the vehicles.
The weather was nearly the exact opposite of our first LBL trip in 2022. On that trip we had sunshine, 80-degF temperatures, and relatively dry trails to 'play' on. This trip we had constant rain the entire drive down, the entire first night in camp, and an icy frigid rain was with us the entire last day. Fortunately, in between, on the one day the overlanding took place, was mainly rain free. But the LBL trails were generally a mess and many trails in the area were closed due to flooding. With a heavy, all-day rain falling on day #3 we decided to cut the trip one day short rather than press our luck.
For those who have watched my other videos this one is done in the same style - 40 minutes long (including slideshow), intended to bring the audience along for the 'ride', and with a still picture slide show with music at the end. If you just have a few minutes skip to the end and enjoy a five minutes of just pictures and music.
Check out the KZbin channels for the other KZbinrs on the trip:
/ allthingsoutdoors16 (Jeremy - All Things Outdoors)
/ thathikingguy (Chris - That Hiking Guy)
/ @jeremiahstringer (Jeremiah Stringer)
/ @backpackingwithjason (Backpacking with Jason)
/ @lstmate (I'm Wandering Not Lost)
/ @trailmedic911 (Trail Medic)
/ @carlsonadventures (Carlson Adventures)
/ @brianwest58 (Zone 58 Adventures)
Equipment / Gear List:
Still and Video Camera: Nikon Z6 amzn.to/3dHJvni
Lens: Nikkor 24mm f1.8 Z-mount lens amzn.to/2QZqNOo
Tripod: Sirui T-025X carbon fiber tripod amzn.to/3bH3Rvg
Camera shoulder clip: Peak Designs Capture clip system amzn.to/2wRdusp
Video Editing Software: Vegas Pro 16 amzn.to/2X5dKyu
Pack: Zpacks Arc Blast 55L
Tent: Zpacks Triplex
Sleeping Bag: Zpacks 20degF Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir X-Therm amzn.to/2yjrUlj
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite amzn.to/39zju6v
Pillow: Exped Air Pillow UL amzn.to/2WYE5hZ
Stove: JetBoil Flash amzn.to/3azKRi7
Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 amzn.to/3dPtOL5
Pot: MSR Titan titanium 0.9L kettle amzn.to/3bF1RDB
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot amzn.to/2R0JvoW
Buff: Merino wool Buff amzn.to/3dCYHSC
Recharging Battery: Anker 3500mAH ‘lipstick’ charger amzn.to/2URI7G3
Camp Chair: Helonix Chair Zero amzn.to/2xzbwgh
Camp Shoes: Xero Shoes Z-Trek amzn.to/3bA3X7I
Wet Wipes: Survivorware Wet Wipes amzn.to/2JwbQ2e

[@conniejohnson9511]

So sorry to hear about your little buddy Jaden. He was one of the luckiest dogs on this earth and definitely lived his best life!!! Hope to watch a lot more of your hikes this summer. Happy hiking. 😀💕

[@Lemi-killmister]

Miss you Dave

[@user-pn2jw6ow5c]

Good to see you. Lets go backpacking

[@user-cy8kx7zm9b]

As others have mentioned, glad you're back.

[@janetrasmussen2583]

Welcome back David! Great video. Sorry you got washed out. Sorry to hear about Jaden, Hugs!!!

[@jerriscurfield9662]

Quite an entertaining adventure to watch. Sorry to hear about Jaden.

[@jasonmears4393]

Missed seeing your videos. Was just thinking the other day that it had been a long time since a David Gray video popped up. I'm really sorry to hear about Jaden. Great hiking companion for sure. I am looking forward to your 2024 adventures. Stay safe!

[@HilltopPacks]

Appreciate the shoutout! Welcome back to making videos

[@dnmccurry]

Love your videos! So sorry to hear about Jaden. We just recently lost a fur grand who was the best hiker and camper.

[@ltanderson7916]

Good to hear from you, Sorry about Jaden!

[@colleenp9906]

So glad you are back- great video! Sorry to hear about Jayden- ❤ watching your adventures together. I love your picture and music montages at the end of your videos- so wonderful! The Bronco rocked!!😃

[@marilynwolf4439]

Great to have you back!

[@naturallyadriftphotoadvent123]

Great to see you back out again! I hope we all have a better year for adventures in 2024!

[@BrianWest58]

What a great day we had! Love your commentary through out. The stills at the end were awesome!

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you, Brian. It was great being on a trip with you and spending time around the fire. What a fantastic crew we had. I can't wait until we can all get together again.

[@bratt_116]

Great surprise at beginning of the week !

[@TuckerAdventures]

Awesome video, David!!

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Love the video David. It was so much fun seeing you again. You’re always a blast to hangout with. Good times 👍🏻👍🏻

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you, Jason, and I always love spending backcountry time with you (and all the rest of the KZbinr family). I can't wait for the next opportunity to have you guide me around on some off-trail Red River Gorge craziness!

[@TheWayOutdoors]

So great to see a new video David. Whether you are backpacking, overlanding, or simply car camping your videos are always spectacular. Its been a pleasure following along on your adventures over the last 8 years. Cheers to a successful 2024 season, and I am very much looking forward to your next video. Safe Trails!

[@markathey5329]

Welcome back and a great video

[@craigsmith6446]

Nice! Welcome back!

[@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD]

What a fun time. Those are a bunch of great folks. I’ve been lucky to meet a few of them! 👍👍

[@marksilvestro450]

Thank You David! I really enjoy your adventures.

[@ScottHolt-xn8vj]

I've been watching your videos at least once a week for the past 5 years or so. So sorry to hear about Jaden. I lost my hiking bud right before xmas this year. Its very hard. Keep on keeping on David! Get some backpacking trips in this summer!

[@Caysind]

Awesome video! Love all your content, it's great to see you back. So sorry to hear about Jaden.

[@vinnyandrocky]

Glad to see you going outside again. Keep going!

[@All_Things_Out_Doors]

Wow! What a great video! So glad to get to hit a trail (foot or bronco) with you again. Thanks for helping drive on trail also... that was a huge help. Can't wait to do it again soon!

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you, Jeremy, and especially thank you for inviting me to join you on the trip. Despite the rain it was a great adventure to start 2024 with, and a fantastic crew to share it with. Can't wait for the next one.

[@mindywong3839]

👍👍👍

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Great video David. Always a fun time sharing campfires with you!

[@buckman840]

Welcome back! Have always enjoyed your videos.

[@chriscleveland9203]

Fun off-road video! Love that bronco.

[@walterwright8926]

Sorry about your pup gonna miss him on the videos.

[@ManuelRamirez-hj2xl]

David really miss your videos hope your family is doing well 🙏 My family loves watching all your work!!

[@jenniferfisher530]

Sorry about Jayden.😢 Hey, I know you were hoping to do more backpacking in the CA Sierra. I've got permits for Cottonwood Lakes/Mt Langley (one of CA easier 14ers) 7/29-8/1. This will be my 3rd trip up to that spot. You're welcome to join.

[@chrisadventures77]

Great to see you again…do you know if you’ll be in the Smoky Mountains any this year?

[@santiagohills3997]

So after seeing a roof top tent in the rain, would you consider one? I think I would have appreciated one last year on my rainy Yosemite trip, but they seem like a lot of trouble. I was sort of hoping to see the Saab try those trails. Good to have a new DG production, we just pulled up your Goat Haunt trip last night, we’re making summer plans…

[@davidgrayin]

I would love to have a roof top tent but I don't think I would ever have a vehicle that would support one. I've always thought having the tent up high and climbing into it via a ladder was really cool, and they looked very fast and easy to set up (and tear down). They remind me of a pop-top VW camper van we rented to drive around Europe when I was growing up. I slept in the pop-up tent area and thought it was great, especially when it would rain with the sound of the rain on the tent while you were warm and dry in the sleeping bag. Maybe some day...!