Overland Route Scouting 1: Troubles on Day One...Again!

Continuing our annual tradition, I've set out along with Jason of ‪@PrimalOutdoors‬ for a multi-day expedition scouting a new leg to the overland route we have been developing for the past few years. Traveling through a normally arid part of Oregon, an unusual and ill-timed wet weather system is creating some issues and hampering our progress.
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Some of the gear I use:
Topo Toppers Mesa wedge camper:
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Alldogs Offroad/Koni 2" lift kit:
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Alldogs Offroad wheels for Frontier/Xterra:
www.alldogsoffroad.com/alldog...
ASFIR 4x4 skid plates:
www.asfir.com/skid-plate-set-...
Recovery gear from Yankum Ropes:
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(use code SOFTROADINGTHEWEST for a discount off your purchase)
Reign Outdoor 270° Awning:
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MAXTRAX MKII recovery boards:
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Viair 300p compressor:
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Tailgater tire table:
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ScanGauge 3:
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Cast iron propane burner:
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de Buyer 9½" carbon steel frying pan
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Magnetic tool holder:
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Wire basket drawers:
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Wavian NATO Jerry Can:
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Reliance Beverage Buddy 4-gallon water container
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[@BrienWood7.3]

Another wonderful video .. that mud is nothing to mess around with! Cant wait for the next video!! Well done!

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

I'm with you Donald and Jason... If someone has setup camp... I keep moving. It's the proper thing to do.

[@BackroadExploration]

Dang! What an awesome adventure. This area looks incredible. Crazy how mud can turn a slightly sloped trail, that dry you would not even think about, but wet is a near-death trap. I have experienced that more than once and totally feel the same as you about it caution-wise!

[@neilmartinsr4610]

I recently watched Jason video, but it takes away nothing from yours. Your personalities, recording styles... everything is so different that it's like two completely different stories. Very enjoyable.

[@YouTubeTyler]

You're killing it. Your setup is practical, elegant and logical. Love seeing it in use. Keep on keeping on.

[@ExploreLandandSea]

Safety in numbers.

[@Dutch1951x]

Great video! Thanks!

[@georgedevakos8444]

living vicariously through your video.

[@johndoe-lr9if]

Vicarious couch warrior here also lol

[@EdDevereaux]

A bit of advice. The contour lines on a map will help with the elevation planning.

[@michaelpellegrino3220]

I enjoy watching both of yours and Jason's video's of the same trips. It gives me a fuller picture of the day.

[@darrylk808]

They probably didn't think that you and Jason were together. "Oh look, a big open spot where two others are camped."😂

[@softroadingthewest]

I'm sure you're right, that did occur to us later. It did kinda look like we were just random, unconnected vehicles. 🙂

[@jaystewart9947]

Great video Donald. Thanks for sharing

[@Diminutive4X4]

Loving the new music selections

[@scout5634]

Very enjoyable. Thank you

[@gringo3009]

Good stuff, beautiful country.

[@marcericdavis]

A little rain keeps the dust down nicely.

[@softroadingthewest]

Haha, agreed, a LITTLE rain is nice. On this trip, I would have preferred dusty. 😆

[@zackdemundo]

That side table with custom integrated “Donald 2000” burner assembly rocks!!!

[@garretlewis4103]

Cool area and scenery.

[@nealreisner6349]

Thank you for you trips to Central and Eastern Oregon as I'm also making my way east from the Willamette Valley.

[@carolsmith7380]

Nice video and awesome dromedary shots!!

[@prolificnorthwest]

Looks like a fun trip despite the rain.

[@warrenscorner]

Oregon looks awesome! I would love to explore like that. I guess I’ll just have to settle on traveling along vicariously.

[@ChrisZBr0wn]

The other traveler probably thought you two weren’t together and therefore wouldn’t mind a third. I wouldn’t have expected you to be together with the spacing of the rigs personally. I definitely don’t try to camp near anyone ever. Whole point of the setup I built!

[@softroadingthewest]

Yeah, that did occur to us later. They parked almost precisely the same distance from Jason as I was, and obviously couldn't see us hanging out together. Ultimately was no big deal, they weren't bothersome in the least, but it just caught me by surprise as it was a weeknight and had they bothered at least looking a bit further up the road, they would have found their own campsite about 30 seconds later. 😄

[@fwdadventuresza254]

This is looking to be a very interesting trip, especially coming from two favorite channel's angles😄

[@cliffmorgan31]

North eastern Washington has big patches of slick-as-ice mud, too…. So, indeed I do believe you!

[@cherylterrien]

Donald I think you and Kenny from @KennyOfAllTrades should meet up somewhere halfway and camp together. He is based out of Minnesota and he does your kind of remote camping and exploring. I love it when two KZbinr's get together and then you get to watch both of their videos from the same trip and see the different perspectives. It also gives each of your viewers the opportunity to potentially find a new channel they can start enjoying.

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

HI DONALD 👋 I LIKE WHAT YOU DID TO YOUR TABLE THAT ATTACHES TO YOUR TIRE ! WAS THINKING MAKING A CUTTING BOARD 🤔 TO PLACE OVER TOP TOO ? LOOKS PRETTY STURDY & ADJUSTABLE LEGS . AWESOME FOOTAGE OF WHERE YOU & JASON WERE EXPLORING ! THE DRONE FOOTAGE HELPS IN MANY WAYS TOO ❤ BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

I have been following you guys along on Google Earth. Good fun! Been meaning to get into this part of Oregon for a bit now. Although just a bit farther west than where you guys are now. Pretty cool area for sure. Thanks for the video! See you on the trails. George.

[@softroadingthewest]

I was pretty surprised by how dramatically mountainous it got...I really thought it was going to be just very low rolling hills through there. Still so much of the state I need to more thoroughly explore!

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

@@softroadingthewest Yes! So much terrain to explore, so little time to do it.

[@warrenscorner]

How do you that Google earth thing?

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

@@warrenscorner I look for clues in the video. If I can find something to reference during the route then I can usually connect the dots from there. If you use the terrain feature on Google Earth you can compare the terrain on the video. In this case I figured out their first camp site so the rest was pretty easy from there. I figured out their second camp site and about where they had to turn around as well. I know where they gassed up. After that I did not work on it too hard. Figured I would get some more clues on the next videos. Now I have studied maps for most my life and things pop out at me while watching videos. I often watch out for land marks that I can locate on Google Earth. Plus, I have driven a lot of these areas and recognize, of all things, horizon lines. I can't remember lyrics to a song though.

[@warrenscorner]

@@swidahooverlanding2867 Nice! Maybe we can convince Donald to show us a GPS coordinate.

[@scottymac5174]

We have been camping in local campgrounds on the coast around here and have had euros come up and ask if they can share our site. Maybe its an accepted thing in Europe, but not here, especially if they have little kids. Personally, I think that if you do something like this at least you should have the decency to ask first.

[@savageoverland4087]

I see you adapted the wind screen on your tire table stove with magnets. I had made the suggestion on the build video when you asked for comments to improve on your abandoned hook idea. Looking back on that video, I saw many others had made the same comment. Looks like it works well. 👍🤠

[@softroadingthewest]

Yes, numerous viewers suggested magnets. I gave up on the backpacking wind screen - too floppy with too many panels - and made my own screen by welding some tiny hinges onto some sheet metal I had sitting around. I found these little bar-shaped magnets at the hardware store and just super-glued them on. It functioned nicely but apparently the super glue did not like the cycles of being heated and cooled as half of them had fallen off by the end of this trip. 😏 I hastily assembled this like two days before this trip, but have a plan to evolve the design slightly to eliminate using super glue. 🙂

[@savageoverland4087]

👍I was going to suggest epoxy. I think you can find heat resistant epoxy. If not, maybe some old cabinet hardware that may have magnets with holes that could be mechanically fastened to the sheet metal. Good luck, will be curious to see how you perfect your idea. @@softroadingthewest

[@Retired-nohurry]

I usually move out of sight, or hearing distance, of others also. But, the other vehicle looks like one of the European style overlanders. In Europe, 20 yards of distance is a lot in a camping area, or maybe they were scared and wanted safety in numbers?

[@scottymac5174]

Personally, I would be afraid to just roll up and camp next to Jason and Donald if I didn't know them.. hahaha!!!!

[@bobgiddings0]

If you don't want to keep eating dirt clods with your window down, I suggest a set of cheap aftermarket mud flaps for the front. They just screw in to the inside of the wheel well. I bought some for the rear of my 2011 Ram to keep down rock damage to my trailer, and they work, but didn't need them on the front because I kept to the factory size when I got new tires. They may look a little funny up front, but I'll bet they'll hold down paint damage to your door. And maybe your teeth Up in the hills it is much more pleasant to ride with the window down.

[@chownzi2461]

This might sound crazy but i wonder if snow chains would be good in that mud 😂

[@johnwalker3263]

They would help but they would also cause a ton of erosion to the road surface. That sort of thing gets a lot of roads closed. When the roads get muddy they’re just plain impassable. I’ve slid off the road too many times when I was younger to not respect the mud!

[@blackpearlvoyager4174]

Donald, there are a couple of new layers on Gaia. One is the overlanding layer and another is the shaded relief layer. The shaded relief layer might give you a better idea of the terrain. Give it a try. Let me know what you think.

[@duane4972]

Isn't there a topo layer ? It's not hard to learn how to use topo maps, read what the elevation layers are, ie 50', 100' etc. . Being a retired land surveyor might make it easier for me but you can figure out how it works.

[@softroadingthewest]

Sure, but for me personally, seeing the lines and the numbers doesn't translate well into visualizing what the depths of valleys or the heights of mountains will truly look like once I'm there...just too abstract and no sense of scale...at least, the way my brain works, LOL. Honestly it's fine though, I always enjoy the pleasant surprise of the topography being more interesting that I expected. :-)

[@SoccerMomOffroad]

I would feel the same as you, Donald, regarding people camping next to me when I’m dispersed camping. Unless they’re in my party or I’m purposefully using an organized campground, I prefer not to be near others in the backcountry and try real hard to avoid them. Not be judgy, but based on the type of vehicle they were in, that EarthRoamer type rig often attracts those who want to insulate themselves from the outdoors - step up from an RVer, in my estimation - and are used to being snuggled up to other parties. Course, backpackers and bushcrafters would probably say the same thing about me as a SUV camper/overlander, haha! To each his own I suppose. In the end, we don’t own Public Lands as individuals and the next guy has just as much right to a spot as I do, even if I think there should be common etiquette we all follow out there. I think it’s interesting to note that another behemoth of a rig was coming down the trail to your spot as you were pulling out. Maybe that spot is more popular than you realized? Keep it up, Donald! I’ve been following your channel for a while now and I always appreciate you taking us along on your adventures and for your humility in not covering up mistakes or mishaps on the trail. Thanks for the great content! Cheers!

[@mdhen4]

Whenever I go out in the desert, expecting things to be dry, usually get some kind of "ill-timed" rain.

[@NorthologyAdventures]

Donald, love seeing the awning on the drivers side. I wish I had checked out your Topo Topper a little more last summer but I bet there have been a lot of changes. I am wondering, are the items in the driver's side access door also accessible from inside? I can see myself not wanting to leave my truck bed to make coffee on snowy, sub zero mornings and think dual access would be beneficial.

[@softroadingthewest]

Yeah, there wasn't much to see yet back in July so you didn't really miss anything. 😄 I originally planned to make the kitchen cabinet accessible from both sides but ruled it out for a few reasons. What I did do is build in two water jugs, one with outside access, one with inside access. And in one of my interior-access drawers, I carry a little backpacking stove and fuel can so I can decide to make coffee inside (which I did at least once on this trip actually). I just put my little kettle and coffee in the camper the night before if I think I might want to use them inside. Even if I forget this step, most mornings, I have to, um, step outside as soon as I get up anyway so I can always snag the coffee-making stuff before I crawl back inside.

[@NorthologyAdventures]

@@softroadingthewest Haha, apologies, after commenting that, I went searching for the build videos and binge-watched til 2am. Then I fell asleep dreaming of how I would build mine out. Love seeing what you are doing with the Fronty platform, I am so happy with mine (will be even happier after I get the truck to All Dogs and then order my Topo Topper!)

[@waltsimonson2556]

I know almost everybody goes overlanding to get away from people , but I would have walked over and said hello . You never know they may have been the nicest people you ever met , they may have been in need of something but too embarrassed to ask , they may have just felt safer near people , they may just been jerks who don't give a crap . You just don't know unless you it lest say Hi . Some people would say that if you say Hi now you're invading their space , but I say they pulled into your camp so if it bothers them so be it , they already bothered you.

[@uritaub5441]

Wow, thats some white amazing rig!

[@Cypress1983]

Driving into someone else’s camp and setting up is feral behavior. If someone is camped at a spot I scouted I’ll drive another 20 minutes down the road. So bizarre!

[@originalname9999]

I am with you on camping away from people. Though, some weird people are the opposite. I am really curious what that vehicle is. Some kind of 4x4 cab over chassis truck with a fancy camper on the back. Looks fun. - Edit - After some looking around may be an Isuzu.

[@danielrife9869]

It's an Earth Cruiser. Made in Bend, Oregon on a 4x4 Isuzu.

[@originalname9999]

@@danielrife9869 thanks.

[@cameronb1907]

Very nice. I really want to explore out there. Did some sections of the Bend to Avoid this spring, with a mix of the new BDR. Excited to check out your additions next year. Would be great on the motorcycle, just because of the ground you can cover in less time, but the truck is ideal for the late fall and early spring. Or even winter. What the verdict on the topper in the wind and colder temps? Do you feel like it's comfortable in the winter? I don't recall if you have a heater.

[@cameronb1907]

Shout out to Jason @PrimalOutdoors for the route and waypoints on his site.

[@softroadingthewest]

The Topo Topper does fine in the wind, I've weathered some pretty serious storms in it. It's fine in the cold. I use a Mr Heater Buddy to warm up the space when I get ready for bed at night and when I get up to get dressed in the morning. I don't heat the space while I sleep, I use a 12V electric blanket inside my sleeping bag which is amazing (and I usually only run that for an hour or two and switch it off for the rest of the night). I've insulated the lower walls of the camper which helps it feel cozier; I still need to insulate the ceiling.

[@cameronb1907]

Thanks for the reply Donald. That’s great news. I’ve just been using a gazelle, based on your earlier recommendations. Or a tiny one man tent when traveling by motorcycle, but I really want to get something like the Topo Topper or Super Pacific for the truck. 👍🏻

[@pnwadventuresandgearreview8749]

In general I am the same as you don’t like it when I am car camping and Someone pulls up into camp and tries to just camp with you. It’s a bit rude unless they are running out of gas or need help.

[@scottymac5174]

Exactly! For me, one of the primary reasons to be out camping is to get away from other people and enjoy some peace and quiet.

[@nutthrower4415]

Have I missed something or is that a new cooking setup? Thanks

[@softroadingthewest]

It's all part of the new camper build. I have a video specifically about the kitchen setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5yzfKaXh9GYidU

[@kelsey809]

😊👍

[@axellness]

are you based in portland? are you able to recommend a decent suspension shop to do the lift + prinsu rack on my 2022 pro4x?

[@softroadingthewest]

I'm in Eugene, unfortunately not familiar with shops in Portland. Good luck!

[@LoveTribeOverland]

Have you tried Wanderlust in Oregon City?

[@Redial2416]

I'd be curious how your right rear quarter panel got damaged.

[@softroadingthewest]

That happened driving what turned out to be a gnarlier-than-expected trail in Utah, after dark, trying to get to a sheltered campsite out of intense spring winds. As it was dark and I was focused on navigating this baffling trail, I didn't get any footage of it happening (and when it happened, I was thinking I was just brushing against tree branches...I thought I was getting a few pinstripes, not dents all down the side of my truck. 😆) I honestly don't know exactly what happened, but I believe I sort of slipped or leaned into thick lower branches of a tree while trying to maneuver around a super tight turn that was also involved driving down a huge rock step dropoff. I am actually currently working on compiling a streamlined edit of that entire Utah trip and that video should be out probably on Wednesday.

[@MSchumacherfan]

Are you guys running all terrain or mud terrain tires?

[@softroadingthewest]

All terrain tires, just makes more sense for the wide variety of terrain I encounter.

[@jeffmatthews3798]

I spend about a month each year boondocking with small groups. A lot of campers, despite their appearance of self sufficiency are paranoid about camping alone or isolated. It’s more common with single females, somewhat with pairs, but not as uncommon as I initially believed. They will share camp with several (2 or more) other vehicles, but not as often with one other camper. Horror films have tainted the experience.

[@yooperdog]

People camping close by has happened to us also. We to camp to get away from people and give our dog space. Some people think only of themselves. Big muddy adventure.

[@scottymac5174]

It's not mud, it's wet clay..

[@zackdemundo]

I think you’re right. Silicates. Very slippery.

[@oddballcreations2491]

People are the worst part of going outdoors .

[@mrobinson57]

we want to see you guys hanging out drinking by the fire and cooking. Stop running our holes

[@billywill903]

Before you pass judgment on someone camping too close. You never know what may or may not be happening with them. It may be annoying but they may have a valid reason for stopping closer than you like.

[@softroadingthewest]

Well I wasn't really passing judgment, just telling the story, and as I said in the video, it wasn't really bothersome, I just had never had that happen. Personally if I had a valid reason for setting up that close to someone else's camp, I would at least go and explain why I've camped so close. They didn't even bother trying to drive any further up the road where they would have found their own vacant spaces to camp in less than a minute. But again, no big deal, just a little detail of that day's story. 🙂

[@dtbramwell]

Culture. Keep in mind we are a social species and many of us find safety in numbers. Also, the visiting vehicle looked new, perhaps a rental with newbies who were unsure about camping locations or etiquette and simply followed your queue. And finally, I am a loner who would it stop beside anther vehicle, would project that onto other travellers and think it was odd of them to join me in that situation.

[@wildernessrecon]

@billywill903 I don’t really care what other people’s problems or excuses are. It has nothing to do with being in my personal space when I go off grid to be away from people. If they need to feel safe they should be in a camground. I can tell you they are definitely not safer coming up and camping next to me. People are extremely inconsiderate and just oblivious to common courtesy anymore.

[@billywill903]

@@wildernessrecon hate to be the one to tell you this but if you don’t own the land and you haven’t rented the site than you really don’t have much to say about where anyone camps.

[@tracereed7457]

There is no excuse people go camping to get away from others not to have someone post up where you were