Overlanding an Obscure (and EMPTY!) National Monument

In this video I drive on 50+ miles of dirt roads through a national monument that I didn't know existed until very recently...
DATE FILMED: Early April 2024
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowh...
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
► The SUV RVing Facebook Group: / suvrving
GPS COORDINATES & LINKS
** Rio Grande Gorge Bridge: 36.476590, -105.732931
** Earthships: 36.495251, -105.753041
** Miners Trail start: 36.602344, -105.694493
** Miners Trail end: 36.60773, -105.68907
** The machine: 36.605730, -105.688190
** Confluence overlook: 36.647279, -105.700904
** Where I parked for Cerro Chiflo: 36.73468, -105.71563
** Cerro Chiflo summit: 36.74846, -105.70986
** Campsite: 37.06269, -105.81041
** My Wheeler Peak video: • This Is the Most Uniqu...
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other KZbin channel: / tenkaraaddict
#adventure #travel #camping

[@GTNLOST]

"Hungry like the wolf"...."Should I stay or should I go"...."Sunglasses at night" I got it. Love the 80's playlist sometimes. :)

[@hawkeshots]

yup! I get the references! LOL #80srock #80shairbands

[@garyjennyfrost9485]

I was finishing high school when those were on the airwaves. Sound track of my life that.

[@bellyvomit7460]

For sure!!! Got the Easter Eggs

[@RicG.]

That metal machine down by the river is an ancient overlanding vehicle! 😅 🤣 😂

[@SUVRVing]

They should've aired down! 😄

[@donmatthews7661]

Looked like an old tractor to me.

[@racebanning6390]

😂🤣😂🤣🤙🤙Thats darn Funny!!!

[@billsmith3250]

😅😅😅

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

@@racebanning6390 I've come across a thing like that. Basically, a giant spoon that they used to scrape out the "tank" for water collection. They got the pond made and left the scoop there. Just recently, they repaired the cattle pond. It's big and beautiful with a 15 ft. tall berm. They used a Cat, the scoop is still resting in place. This is way up on the ridge, it's incredible how people worked so hard in 1950.

[@lizsteilkie]

Thank you Tristan for being authentic frugal and really all about the adventure rather than the gear!

[@smarsville]

Your videos are the best in this genre, by far.

[@awanderingdream2093]

Well played!!!

[@SUVRVing]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@thecorpsofdiscovery]

ive really gravitated away from the channels with the ultra built out rigs, sponsorships, etc. these are more my style. safe travels.

[@brianwilliams3146]

ICECO is a great fridge with a great compressor at a good price. I have had one for a few years with zero problems.

[@muddeer5383]

yes, i have the same brand. it uses the famed dan foss compressor, though the company was bought out and now called something else. the more expensive fridge brands like arb and dometics use the same. iceco does have twitchy temperature control, but it costs halfway between the expensive brands and the cheap chinese brands. i recommend it as well. i also recommend putting some cushioning under the fridge feet, like pieces of foam insulation boards

[@catpatrick3838]

I'm with you there. Love my ICECO fridge. I think I've had it since early 2021. The one I have is probably too big (VL60S) but it holds two weeks worth of food so maybe not. I can load up and disappear into the forest for a couple of weeks with no worries.

[@betsyc5123]

Bob Wells did a video about fridges. He determined it’s better to get the cheap ones and replace as needed.

[@EfficientRVer]

@@betsyc5123 I agree with Bob. Paying $500-$800, much less $1200 for something that lasts MAYBE 50% longer now that the Chinese junk really isn't junk anymore, just isn't cost-effective. Even Danfoss/SECOP compressors crap out, and when they do, plunking down that sort of money more than once, might make someone cry. Worse yet is if the compressor is still fine, and the electronics die in in unrepairable way. I take a middle ground myself, by owning a 50 liter Vevor (clearly made by Alpicool) with the somewhat rare but findable LG compressor option. I paid $253 delivered, and I'll put it up against an Iceco any day. It's been running 24/7 for 3.5 years set on -4F, and runs like new despite 15K miles of road trips. Last month I drove it to pretty much dead center in Kofa NWR in Arizona on a pretty rough "road" until the offroading limits of my Prius Prime were reached in a wash. It was the first time I've had to shovel myself out of, 16 miles from pavement. Then I took it up a mining road in Nevada over an hour's drive from pavement, then left the mining road to go through some crazy terrain to get to where I camped. Then two days in a row, I left it running off a LiFePO4 battery inside a very hot car in NV desert hills, while I spent the days hiking. It's nice to return to a freezer full of frozen PowerAde bottles, water bottles, and Klondike bars. Plus a cooler bag of stuff refrigerated by having thrown frozen bottles into the bag. Even better was hiking with bottles defrosting in my backpack, so I could drink that lemon-lime icy slush on top of the destination hill when pretty tired from doing endless ups and downs to get there. Especially in November, you'll see $200+ 12V fridges dropping to $125 for a day or two. It pays to "save for later" in the Amazon cart, and check the cart for notices of price changes. Before buying anything at regular price on Amazon, also search eBay to see if the importer or a big dealer is selling hundreds of them cheaper there.

[@PittiesAndMore]

​@@betsyc5123What if you are in the middle of nowhere and your cheap refrigerator stops working? 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@KAL5370]

TY - I dont care one bit about gear. It's about the ancient lands not modern gadgets and toys.

[@magyverled]

Sure, but the gear helps you get there and/ or makes it a more comfortable journey. A 12v cooler is gear… absolute game changer… just an example of many.

[@TommyStuffNow]

Taken to its logical conclusion, a horse with a saddle on it at one time was a modern gadget with a toy on it.

[@baseballdipper111]

Don’t listen to the other above me. You are correct in disregarding gadgets

[@gcarson19]

People trying to justify their $500 action pants and $4000 rooftop tents...

[@VincenzoDeMarco-k3w]

Yes, you have The Best Adventure Channel on KZbin, and Thank You for that. No politics and No opinions other than those that make sense. You are one Good Guy. Vincenzo here.

[@SkepticalRaptor]

You’re right about overlanders. It should be about the destination, but for them, it’s about the gear and their transportation. About 90% of the videos of the KZbinrs I’ve watched is about getting new gear and upgrading their Jeeps.

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

It's called GAS in some areas. Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Some guys can actually make that clever stuff, then the rest just buy it- there''s so much money floating around these days.

[@Joanneeisle8458]

Your long explanation about overlanding machinations reminded me of my feelings about biking. I am in my 70's. During the late 60's, the 70's and 80's my main transportation was my bike, not out of necessity, but because I loved riding. I lived in Florida. I went to visit my sister in Seattle and came downstairs in my usual denim shorts and cotton shirt. My sister was surprised at my ignorance. She had her spandex shorts with the integrated pad, along with the matching bike racer top. The pad seemed to me a hilarious option for seat comfort, a great sweat collector😂. I had a sheepskin seat cover on my bike at home. She lent me an outfit so that I could do a ride with her bike group. I had to wear a helmet, which may already have been a legal requirement on the West Coast. It was a good ride, but the "outfit" was uncomfortable and it seemed ridiculous to me that a touring excursion had everyone gussied up as if they were doing the Tour de France.

[@1ACL]

The 'High Road' to/from Taos/Santa Fe is well worth the drive. The little villages along the way look like from another century, perhaps in Spain. Such an old culture in the usa.

[@jeanettecameron7530]

Indeed!

[@peaceloveandunderstanding]

I was at that bridge in April '08 and maybe 8 -10 people came and went the entire hour and a half I was there. I drove south from there down into the gorge and followed the river back to the casita I was renting in Abiquiu. I love finding places where there are few to no people, especially when I'm travelling solo. The entire journey was unforgettable. Viva New Mexico!

[@wadestear4750]

Nice pun on 80s at the end.

[@reminaya]

For your fridge, please consider increasing the gauge of 12v wire from your battery source. If you’re plugged into a standard cigarette lighter socket, it will starve the motor of any fridge. Amazon sells a dual socket outlet with much thicker wires to accommodate your needs, around 30 bucks, and run directly from the battery.

[@EfficientRVer]

Untrue and unnecessary. He is fine sticking with how Toyota engineers and Chinese fridge engineers designed it to work. Cobbling an improvement with parts off Amazon has its own risks, the main one being that you are advocating that individuals start making engineering decisions about modifying their cars, when you don't know they have the skills to understand what they're designing, how to install it safely, and how it might confuse a future owner and get them into danger. Clearly you've never watched a power meter while starting or running one of these fridges, and clearly you don't understand that car wiring is protected by fuses, or that the wire gauge on a 12V socket circuit will never be the weak link "starving" a fridge motor plugged into the socket. Maybe the socket connection itself sucks badly enough to cause a problem, but in that case, changing the wiring even to the thickness of jumper cables or your house's service entrance will not help. There is not a lighter socket in the USA that isn't good for 10A, which is over 120W. Some are good for 15A. These fridges top out at 6A even in "Max Mode". In "Eco Mode" they draw 3A. The alleged power surge you're imagining on these 12V compressor fridge motors, is not really a thing. They are computer controlled. What I've observed, is that they seem to start up in eco mode with a low draw,, even when set to max mode. It goes from 1W for the electronics, to 30W, then maybe 40W. Then they run for a few seconds to a minute at that low power, before ramping up the power up to 60W or 70W if in max mode and they feel like it. Sometimes the computer decides 35W is enough to hold the temp, so it doesn't even bother going to 60W. Probably different brands use different algorithms and control methods, but there is no way they get near the limit of the 12V socket. They know there are probably phones plugged into a charger on a Y splitter, too. Engineers aren't stupid. FUSES PROTECT WIRES. Toyota puts the right fuse on each circuit, including to the 12V lighter socket. There is NOTHING to worry about. If you hook up something that draws too much power for the lighter circuit, it blows the lighter circuit fuse. If someone has replaced the 10A fuse with a 50A fuse or a paper clip and then burns up their car, well the world would have one less stupid person, as Darwin intended. Tristan isn't stupid. What I will say in your defense, it that the lighter socket connection itself is a terribly engineered connection. Using something like XT60 connectors is a huge improvement. But replacing the car wiring when you get rid of the socket, is not necessary. And if/when you do run separate hard wiring (thicker or not) you need to really know what you're doing or you create a fire hazard that could burn up your car. You need to fuse the new wiring properly at the battery, and you need to properly protect the new wire run, especially anywhere it passes through sheet metal such as the firewall. For the average non-handy person, they are better off using the Toyota wiring in their Toyota,, until they need more power than that circuit provides. His 12V fridge is way within the power limit of the circuit. Most people run their fridge off a separate LiFePO4 battery, so as not to drain the car battery. Then the only draw on the car wiring (via 12V socket or otherwise) is whatever is used to charge the LiFePO4 while you have the car running. Often they use solar for that, though using the 12V socket is perfectly fine. If you plug in too big a charger, that is what fuses are there to deal with.

[@melburnett8102]

To clarify, the Taos Gorge is part of the Rio Grande Rift. A Rift is basically a crack in the earth where the land on either side is going or has gone in different directions. This is quite different from a canyon where the river is the mechanism for cutting the canyon. Wikipedia has a good explanation.

[@michelleharrell8452]

Much like parts of NV that I live in. Parts of Hwy 50 have valleys that are 200 miles wide. Empty. But I enjoy being far away from those noisy places. Very peaceful. Can hear the bird song.

[@sandeedobberstine5591]

Sounds lovely ❤

[@genericsomething]

I used to live near there. There's a cool trail near Questa, called the Chiflo trail, where you can hike down to the river from a picnic area at the top of the gorge. I used to go there often to get away from people. It's not too busy out there, because most people would rather be in the mountains.

[@cherylmiller-day5932]

That was fun Tristen, thanks! Beautiful unknown area. I always learn so much from your videos, thank you, and safe travels

[@ladybird975]

I love New Mexico. Lived in the Farmington area and exploring was always so exciting. Also lived in Rock Springs and have a daughter there and in Rawlings. I so enjoy seeing areas I miss and never got to see. I will return to Wyoming to fly in the wind in the end....see ya then

[@ricksantiago702]

I loved the conversation about Overlanders. I know Tristan you weren’t bashing anybody. Just your personal term to it. My opinion is if you are into your gear and vehicle and still love to be outdoors and in the elements, ( and you don’t trash the environment, and respect it) you’re not that different from the other people into the “ EXPERIENCE”. Loved the reference to 80’s songs at the end. ❤

[@SUVRVing]

It's 100% fine, it's just not what I want to watch, you know? Thanks for watching!

[@ricksantiago702]

Completely agree

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

@@ricksantiago702 When rap came out, I actually liked a little. Funky Cold Medina. It was kind of cute. Then it went all chest stuck out. Tristan is already probably learning that expressing your views on things can get things going.

[@Double0pi]

Love all the song titles sprinkled in! Great area.

[@isttra]

So many 80s lyrics worked in at the end! 😂😂 l think “Hungry like the Wolf” was my favorite. So goofy, but loved it. I loved the view from the top of the volcano with the flat plain and the gorge just slicing through it. Something so mysterious and fascinating about the suddenness of the ground opening up. You were really “Burning the ground” driving up the gorge and taking a “break from the crowd” in this one! 😉🤣

[@senatorkennedy3450]

What a hoot you are with your 80s song gaff references at the end of thus video… seriously, you’re the coolest ! keep up the good work! Your adventures and narrative are amazing.

[@joanies6778]

I have severe fear of heights. Feeling it just watching!

[@SteveEdzPainter]

Thanks for the 80's vibe, I was in my 20's in the 80's. Your music choices are always appreciated. And Earthships, wow. I believe that's a 60's early 70's thang.

[@robbiegibson4112]

Thank you for making the trip across the Red Desert Tristan. That brought back so many awesome memories. My cousin and sister were born in Rock Springs of all places. I think that was when there was a Uranium Mill close to there. 1960-61. Have a great day. Wish I were up there exploring today. Hopefully I will again soon.

[@ceetee2021]

It's probably some kind of dredger used to turn a channel upside down to uncover whatever you're mining for. ✌☮ You should let Dometic or Iceco GIVE you a fridge!!!

[@EfficientRVer]

Ooooooh nooooooo, you're advocating that he sell his body for a status overlanding fridge. I'm not against a hard-working KZbinr taking a freebie now and then, but taking a high-end one would be a clear step on a path to detaching from the reality that his viewers live in, of usually making purchasing decisions to maximize value. It's a slippery slope. If he takes an Iceco now, next he'll be having videos of the "$3000 power station of the week" variety. Then the "$1500 ebike of the month" club. Good KZbinrs of all kinds end up shilling for all sorts of stuff to keep the goodies coming. Some make more from reselling their freebies, than from their channel revenue, Patreon, Amazon links, or anything else. Then the salt/sugar drink mixes will decide it's time to own his soul and give his viewers hypertension and diabetes in exchange for him raising their profits. Where will it end? Tristan is a wholesome guy, I'd hate to see him become a snake oil salesman. KZbin has enough shills. It would be ironic if an "overlanding brand" like ARB sent an unsolicited fridge his way, maybe to try to get him to go along with the "overlanding gear is key" philosophy he disagrees with. If they do that, I'd hope he'd give it away to some struggling nomad on Social Security who just moved into their car, and spend his own $150 to $300 on a value-priced fridge that maybe in a couple of years will be still running like new, or maybe dying, but we'll learn something from it and help people figure out what's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Then he could get an update on the high-end fridge to see if it did any better. To me, for how hard he uses a fridge bouncing it around, often in dusty, dirty, hot places, getting 2 full years out of the Joy Tutus means it's not bad for its low, disposable-fridge price. Probably would have lasted the average person quite a bit longer.

[@MrCdn613]

Oh the sly 80’s lyrics inserts at the end! Clever boy

[@lindamartin2045]

Lovely 🤗. Thanks for pointing to jumping fish......like whale watching in an ocean. Take care👍👍

[@RicG.]

Are far as the fridge is concerned, I've had an Alpicool now for 2 years it it's been working great. And I know several KZbinrs that have had them for much longer than that without problems. There' not quite as cheap as the no-name fridges, but they are much less expensive than the well-know brand names like Dometic.

[@MrCdn613]

Not sure what that says about me and how much I love this channel 😂 but I believe that might be what he has in the RAV4.

[@teslah2997]

I, too, have anAlpicool….3 years now, running pretty much continuously…..does a great job. Somuch cheaper than Dometic….wellworth the money

[@EfficientRVer]

@@teslah2997 I have a Vevor which was clearly made by Alipcool. Running 24/7 for over 3 years, it is like new still. 15K miles in the car, some of it rough stuff like Tristan does. I paid extra to get the version with the LG compressor rather than Chinese compressor.

[@myjourneysinfaith]

I love the 80's music. That bridge was awesome. Crazy how they let people walk out on it without high rails on the walkway.

[@MarkRaymo-gv8nx]

Great channel Tristan. Long time subscriber, first time commenting. I graduated in 1984, so I loved all the 80's references and play it regularly. We are full time RV'ers and have owned 4, yes four of the exact brand and model fridge you have. The first two Joytutus' lasted 18 months- the last one died at 10 months. All of them had the same symptoms as yours. This was not because of lack of wire size or voltage. This last one was still under warranty and the company (and my contact Kate) was awesome. I'm going to sell that replacement. We decided to go with Dometic CFx 3 this time. We've only had it a month so it's longevity is unknown but love our big 8cuft 12v Dometic and our propane one lasted 20 years. The Joy tutus worked great until they didn't. If I had to do it over, I'd go for one of the high dollar units in the beginning.

[@kellyjohnson3617]

I didn’t realize the Red River flowed into the Rio Grande. Makes me think of that old cowboy song The Red River Valley: from this valley they say you are going. I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile. They say you are taking the sunshine that has brightened our pathway awhile……

[@kellyjohnson3617]

That song was written around 1880. A different 80s genre. lol 😂

[@timaugustine3856]

And different Red River. That song is about the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma.

[@MegaGo68]

@@timaugustine3856 Right, the one featured in the Howard Hawks/John Wayne movie of the same name. A classic film.

[@sandeedobberstine5591]

@@timaugustine3856 thanks for the info👍

[@sandeedobberstine5591]

The song entered my head too😊

[@lynnnorthrup8914]

That was an interesting tour. I love the arial drone shot with the dust being kicked up behind the vehicle. Thanks for sharing!😀👍

[@jmpattillo]

Love the random 80’s music jokes 😂

[@bah5310]

I was in high school in the 80s. The good ole days now. Another great video

[@mollyhennerty3960]

It’s exciting to see you in New Mexico! Love your channel, thanks for sharing our beautiful state! 💛

[@natlovell122]

Those drone shots were amazing man! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful spot.

[@juanitagreenspan5412]

Thanks for another enjoyable video. Your channel is definitely one of my favorites.

[@falconsooner]

Tristan...when you are at the confluence and looking across, that is the Wild Rivers area near Questa. Really nice area with paved parking, restrooms and established trails that go into the gorge and few people. There is some rock art as well. You can also hike to the confluence. It is an underrated gem.

[@lifeincorncountry8423]

Looks like another day in paradise!

[@lifeincorncountry8423]

But then I was thinking, might as well jump!

[@dpmccutcheon]

Love the earthships!

[@phaedruscj3330]

Who knew earthships all come with pickup trucks.

[@frankwern8784]

Enjoyed this video, thanks for posting. Gives a great orientation to this wonderful but lightly visited region. I toured Northwestern NM in May for 3 weeks, all around this area. Really enjoyed Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Taos and the BLM and National Forests in the area. My initial plan was to also hit Southern CO...I never got there as I was just loving this part of NM.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Frank

[@wanderlust62]

I appreciate your brief insight on overlanding. I watch channels and get frustrated, "Get on with your journey already", but they can't hear me and keep yakking about gear and rig upgrades for most of the video. I love the scope of the Rio Grande, beautiful.

[@susans8539]

Cool place, love the two mini hikes. I’ve never seen this area before, but now I have thanks to you. As for the refrigerator, better to pay for quality than quantity. Thanks Tristan! BTW- you’re funny! “Should I Stay or Should I Go “ and “Hungry Like A Wolf”! 80’s!!!!!!!

[@roynielsen1911]

You missed "Sunglasses At Night"

[@ArisaemaDracontium]

You’re killing me man!… all those 80’s references at the end there.

[@cheeseborger2]

So true about the "overlanders". I have a 2003 f150 with a truck topper that I bought for 2k 4 years ago. installed solar power and fixed the back up for comfort . Been on trips the last four years through the west from south Texas. all the way up to Glacier. Many of the places you have been. Pass many crowded campgrounds full of "overlanders" prefer in the middle of no where camping with no people.

[@thetommantom]

Food safety is extremely important can not take the chance especially if you break down in the summer with bad food

[@deanbrown3763]

Tristan, I have an IceCo frig also. It has a German made compressor. Works very well!

[@gerritschouten637]

The Dometic in my van lasted about six years. The replacement model had different dimensions and I had to get an adapter so it would fit!

[@ednapuckett1042]

I’ve been watching enough of these videos I knew exactly where you were without ever getting out there. It’s time for me to use the information I’ve gleaned and get out there. Wish me luck!

[@scubaval08]

Good luck, Edna! I just got on the road myself but my adventures are not as riveting as Tristan’s. I am in Colorado rn so maybe I’ll run into him!

[@jeffreymorris7827]

You have given me so many reasons to explore the west in my retirement. I can't thank you enough for what you do.

[@Ravendale9]

3 points; 1. Earth ships. Very interesting, never heard of them before. 2. Please get a Dometic frig, why waste $ on a cheap one. 3. Favorite part; the amazing volcanic area and volcanos, so vast and uninhabitted! Thank you for taking us on another unique trip .

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Enjoyed this one! The Rio Grande Gorge is great! I enjoyed your trek up the Volcano The views were great!😀🚙

[@carlflynn9962]

Looks like a great place to fish. Love that area. I did some geology projects there when I was in college in the 80s.

[@ceceliaroberts1475]

Desolate but beautiful! Love the 80's references at the end. 😂Hungry, like the wolf.😂

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Rip Grande is fantastic! Love that steel bridge! I think you should get a GOOD fridge! You travel far and wipe and you NEED a good, dependable one Tristan! ❤️😀🇺🇸🚙🌏

[@MO_Lives]

Just got back from a mtn bike ride... could not get "Rio" out of my head

[@1234dvarela]

Thanks for sharing this monument. I’ve been curious since visiting Costilla and Taos last summer.

[@Caterina29]

Fantastic. Thank You, Tristan ♥

[@RoadHuntr]

Nice subtle 80's music references at the end

[@SUVRVing]

😁

[@ArisaemaDracontium]

Subtle?

[@TheSanjuanworm]

Not so subtle.

[@Solo-Road]

You nailed it @4:00, "overlanders" are all about how much gear they have on their ride.

[@bspenn]

Excellent view of the Servilleta basalt (that underlies all of the Taos plateau) from the Rio grande bridge.

[@jasonmears4393]

I'm always excited when a new video of your pops up on my phone. Tristan, your videos are always excellent with great videography and content. I'm right with you on the 80s music. I absolutely love taking a road trip while listening to my favorite tunes. Be safe out there!!!

[@bethcook1576]

Thank you for this very obscure area

[@philwatson3646]

Love your channel! Nice work on the 80’s theme.

[@zopi9]

This is my neck of the woods since 2002. Couldn't have landed in a better place!

[@LesaMonster]

I enjoyed all your 80s music puns when you were debated about going into town for food.

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍🤩💝I loved watching. I always love your videos. Thank you.

[@cchoi108]

I love the spot Thank you for showing.b

[@janinthe80s]

Haha!! Love the 80s lyrics! We went to see a Duran Duran concert in Southern Oklahoma last week!! It was awesome! I’m glad you visited this National Monument. We’ve been to Taos several times and have roamed all over that area.

[@magicalmysterytour-ce3nh]

loved this adventure "vast" ~ thank you

[@josephdonnaway5755]

Another excellent video. You’re getting close to my home, and I’ve never visited this National Monument. It’s on my list now.

[@michaelnickels9518]

I have been using an Engel 12V fridge/freezer for 16 years. It works perfectly and is completely reliable. The only disadvantage is its heavy weight.

[@robertmclean3117]

I have a Dometic CFX. Works great, very reliable and barely sips any energy from my Jackery 1000 when I bring it on trips. Highly recommend.

[@jburnett8152]

Congratulations on 200K 🎉.

[@LloydFassett]

I wonder if the steel device was a tractor from the 20's or 30's used for farming that had been replaced with an updated tractor for farming in the 40s or 50s; then driven down there as a power source for mining. A lot of tractors have a Power Take Off, which is frequently an extension of the crank shaft. It creates rotational power with incredible torque and can be attached to devices, like a pump, to pull ore carts, or power a ferris wheel for miner entertainment. I'd think if you asked some lifers in the area that are 80+ years old their would be a fair chance of getting some stories about it....the mining power, probably not about the ferris wheel.

[@kenbaker4528]

It is definitely a tractor. Most from that era were use as stationary power units. They have a power take off on the side of the transmission which is a small diameter wheel roughly 12 inches and you throw a large strap belt on it and power equipment.

[@paean109]

I don't live in the US, but learning of these volcanic areas is so interesting. Hope your lens is okay after it fell. The shots still looked great, and it focused well. The snow-covered mountains were beautiful to see. And yes, I did indeed enjoy the video.

[@brianwagner4918]

I loved the drone shots! Nice job.

[@genekied]

Great experience today, easily my favorite area of N.M. Great hiking, awesome fishing, mountain biking, and some of the best mountains around. Usually based near Questa when I visited. Thanks for bringing it to us. I have had good luck with Bodega fridges.

[@richarscott]

I've had a domestic cfx since 2021, lots of east coast trips, road tripped to Colorado, and up the rough Dempster highway to the Arctic ocean before some equally rocky roads in Alaska, still going strong after all that abuse

[@richarscott]

Buy once cry once

[@alessandrobeargryll1230]

Thank You Tristan For Your Videos I'm Your Fan And I Follow U Since Long Time Ago Just Keep Going Thats Amazing Places You Visit And I Love Every Video U Post On Ur Channel 💖

[@dddoda]

Love it. Thanks for sharing! 😎

[@stevecarlson2346]

I've had an Engel 40 quart fridge for over 15 years, still going strong. That swing compressor (unique to Engel) is pretty much bulletproof.

[@timaugustine3856]

Agreed.

[@CheeseLayong]

I agree with your sentiment about overlanding.

[@stillkicking8693]

I have had my Iceco refrigerator for three years and all been great , they have the best compressors on them and very quiet.

[@phannagan1able]

You might try a BougeRV one I had mine for 3 years with no problem..

[@sharondavis8003]

Learned something new today. An earth ship ?? 😮 Never heard that term before but they are interesting structures. I always think of overlanding as exploring done in Africa which I like to see because of the animals. Loved the vast no mans land & the national monument being uninhabited. Great trip, Tristan. 👍🏻🙋🏼‍♀️

[@jeffreyriedenauer9052]

Hi Tristan, great video! I feel the same way about the use of the word “overlander”, I feel it more of a sales point than anything(example being “overland tax” for pricey gear). It’s not all about mods, but just getting out there to places less traveled. I was on the Mojave Road (popular overland route I know) and helped a gal in a jeep with a broken part on her vehicle. We talked and she ended up interviewing me for a podcast. She asked me about being an overlander and my answer was striking similar to your explanation in the beginning of the video. Safe travels my friend.

[@RicsBag]

Thank you...❤

[@josedelarosa8835]

I've been to the RGDN national monument several times. Some areas within it are well known. For those who prefer a little more develop camping experience in it I recommend the wild rivers recreation area. The are is the mesa above the confluence between the Rio Grande and the Red River. It is accessible from the town of Questa on the east side of the monument. At about 14:05 in your your video you show part of it from the western side of the canyon. Many developed campgrounds at the top of the mesa. I camped there multiple times. Is as quiet and secluded as it can be and still have facilities near by. The trails to the bottom will take you to a few magical camp spots by the river. Those were the buildings and structures you were seeing at the confluence. It would be a backpackers paradise if it was not for the steep climb out. When I was there was not a soul to be seen at the bottom of the canyon.

[@JohnGetchel]

Dude as a guy who graduated in 1983 I loved the 80s music vibe! And the music puns at the end? Perfection! Bravo Tristan!

[@racebanning6390]

Wild Open spaces, great Vid. And totally agree on every word defining Overlanding. 😁😁👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸Happy Travels🙏🙏

[@wildeone1636]

Gotta love the 80's🎶🎶🎶😀

[@ohizkimmie]

I just drove through NM and had no idea this was here! Going to add it to my list! 💚💚💚

[@nomaderic]

It's right outside of Taos and the enchanted circle. Tons to see in the area

[@RovelynLorenzo]

❤❤❤ absolutely beautiful views

[@bettyvanwhite6745]

I've toured the earthsip visitor center. It's interesting and some of the homes in that area are beautiful!

[@anndebaldo7381]

LOVE the vast open and empty country! Wow! Thanks and ATB

[@carolineray2155]

Had good luck with my SetPower fridge for the last few years. Not the cheapest but also not as expensive as a Dometic.I did make a cover for it out of Easycool insulation which helps on really hot days. Since it has 2 compartments I have also frozen blocks while driving and then used them to cool the fridge side to save power.

[@richard_n]

So happy that you are doing this New Mexico trip. So many people overlook a beautiful state.

[@llorylloyd]

How wonderously beautiful nature is? Thanks for taking us along.