Keys to Solo Overlanding - Exploring the Colorado Flat Tops

[@cramias1]

I'd be a sad man if I couldn't take solo trips. There's nothing else quite like having a wild place truly to yourself. The big key is being risk adverse, whether you're backpacking or paddling or driving, you have to scale down your stoke appropriately to the level of risk that you're actually capable of managing on your own. I don't think there's a definitive answer, it really depends on your experience. I'm a baby about the challenges I'll tackle offroad, but backpacking I'll tackle things solo that some people would find outrageous. But I've been backpacking hard routes since a thruhike 25 years ago, while I'm a relative newb to offroading. It all depends. Just don't let fear talk you out of something you are otherwise fully capable of handling

[@moretoliving2236]

Video clips around 28:00 are just pure visual poetry. I mean we all know you are a master when it comes to your cinematography but these little touches of knowing how to frame your shots just omg add that spice with little bluff things and road just going left right switchback... just wow!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Wow, thank you!

[@possum-outdoors]

I mounted my Starlink to Trailrax roof rack. Works fantastic. You will love it!

[@Soul-driven]

Solo is the way to go for me. While I’ve enjoyed trips with others, there is nothing like being out there alone and being able to experience the silence, stillness, and myself in ways I just can’t do any other way. As for safety, I agree with your take on it. For me it was learning to also know my limits. A little fear is always welcome, and to know when to turn around is huge. I’ve always appreciated and agree with the difference between a trip and an adventure. A trip is when everything goes according to plan. An adventure happens when the unexpected happens. Knowing myself enough as to how I respond to the unexpected is important.

[@SimonSaysyo]

When you’re truly grateful for the small things in life, you definitely call water delicious 😂 🙌🏽 I fricking love your take on solo outings, I couldn’t agree more.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

THANKS!!!

[@rexhua4833]

Sound of Music indeed. The place is like calling out. Thank you.

[@jamesami6825]

I appreciate your channel and all the adventure videos, specially the solo overlanding. I hope I could do this on my own journey someday. Keep doing what you’re doing cause you serve as an inspiration to all of us that still dreaming of that overlanding life. Stay humble 👍

[@nocogarden]

FYI, if you see a spring popping out a pipe anywhere in the high country, you don’t need to filter it. They are all over the place.

[@maniacalscience]

Yay! We're sherpa sisters now! I love mine, super awesome company. I love that you installed yours out in the bush.

[@xavierviajero1420]

Matt, you saved my day on the Flat Tops, once again a big thanks for the recovery. It was a pleasure to meet you in real! Hope to see you again somewhere, or in Mexico!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Great meeting you. You’re in this Fridays video. Lol.

[@xavierviajero1420]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures LOL

[@castironbackroads1447]

Thank you for adding to my bucket list!! Solo travel is something I have not done enough of. I am very happy exploring with my wife but am certainly not averse to being by myself. My work schedule means that we cherish the weekends together. There may come a time when I can do a trip or two solo. Best wishes to you and safe travels! Looking forward to seeing the scenery in the coming episodes!!

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

Two things to survive in the wild alone. Wear a surgical mask so as to not get Covid. Wear a bubble wrap suit so as to not get injured all by yourself.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

😂😂

[@TrailwayDesigns]

Enjoyed watching this one! This area of the state looks amazing to explore, and best of all its not one of those "go to" tourist trails that have tons of users on them. Sometimes solo trips are great, and finding places like this one can actually enjoy the backcountry to the fullest.

[@aaronlynch3055]

As I prepare for my next chapter in my life, nomadic overlanding, I love seeing this. Thank you Matt for your channel. I enjoy it more than you know.

[@melissaparks5947]

Your music selection for this video and your others are on point. Love watching as I sit in my cubicle ☹️

[@buckeyejeeper9996]

We came out the exact way you went in this time. Absolutely beautiful everywhere !

[@brettknauf9029]

Hi matt , I saw you leavingexpo loveland last week we were headed north on I-25 u were going south to the flattops as i am watching this video. We received our first dusting of snow on some of the 14ers here in colorado yesterday. love watching you videos keep up the good work

[@JendellOverland]

I really enjoyed this one Matt. I love going on solo trips, I am actually heading out this weekend coming on a solo trip. All of your points were spot on, great advice for the beginner

[@tommoffa4732]

Nice to see you started fishing alot of nice lakes and streams

[@Buzzyfuzz]

I love my wife always adventure touring with me but.....solo is a must once in awhile!

[@newlifeadventures3632]

WOW another great looking solo trip! I absolutely love Colorado.

[@mattmentzer8610]

I’ve camped just after the parking lot on your way in at that single spot numerous times (including a week ago), but never went all the way up. I was planning to do a two week trip up there this year, but looks like I’ll have to wait till next. Great video. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@justhere8417]

This is amazing and beautifully shot. Proud of you dude!!🎉

[@FUNNYMONEY2-m1y]

This channel makes me feel okay with life..

[@DefiantOffroad]

Awesome video, man! I'm happy for you that you're getting to go on adventures full time these days. I hope to get there myself one day!

[@overlandv10]

I have yet to make it out to the flattops, but I want to at some point. It looks like a beautiful area every time I see someone sharing it!

[@GATORADDAM]

Yep. You're good. Really enjoy these episodes.

[@tylerhunter7272]

Great video Matt - narration, music and location, which I’m considering visiting early October (weather permitting).

[@WanderlustAdventureCompany]

I'm fortunate to call the Flat Tops my back yard. I really enjoyed the video. Headed up that way next week. I have several videos from the Flat Tops on my channel. Take care and enjoy!

[@justkillintime7554]

We have natural spring water coming out of the ground just like that up here in northern Minnesota. My guess is that one is like ours… no filtration needed. People here fill large jugs of water with it and that’s their drinking/cooking water. Thanks for the scenery and great video

[@Gzus]

To go along with #3, a First Aid + Trauma Kit is also a MUST for solo trips.

[@markperza384]

That’s some beautiful land!!

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Hi Matt, another amazing video. Thank you so much for sharing. Your rig is looking good. 🚙

[@briannichols1586]

Saw you at the Expo and now you're hanging out in my backyard! Welcome to the neighborhood and hope you had a great few days!!

[@InGratitudeIam]

Great advice, Matt. I used to work in Post-Production for Lucasfilm. Your video and editing skills are impressive. Thanks!

[@EricPosey-g5i]

If that's coffee pot road. It's a great little trip in. It meets up with the transfer trail. It's definitely gorgeous

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Yeps that’s it.

[@patricksullivan9713]

Amazing views! Excellent video

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Many thanks!

[@Mlpojnnb1234]

Several years ago in summer i was living on the Colorado off-road trails it was my home away from home. I really got my overland camping dialed in that summer. 😂

[@MountainMan677]

I love taking solo trips! As you know I was on the west side of Colorado and just happen to run into Craig and a few others. Good times. Will definitely add this to my list of places to go when I go back. You had fish and I had bobcats lol oh and lots of mountain cows on some trails 😂

[@Derek-OverwaterOverland]

While we were working through our situation we were using the Zoleo, same idea as the spot. We were communicating with folks in Florida who were scrambling to find somebody to come up and get us. Fortunately a few locals came by and helped us out. But it was hours and hours of slow roll down to civilization.

[@ZR2BIZON]

There is a Jeep that went off the trail in the general area around 10:00. Was still there when we ran it a few weeks before the Expo

[@Raver_S_Thompson]

I don’t have nearly any experience with multi night camping out of a large vehicle, I have a lot of experience with weeks long tips off atv traveling. It’s very primitive. White River is a nice place. The filter bottle works a bit faster opening or cracking the cap a little.

[@jamieeakin1383]

Good drone skills!

[@thisismetravels]

Re: emergency mobile communications, whenever I am solo on a trip I tend to loop my inReach onto my belt loop whenever I step outside of my rig. When I am in my rig, I attach it to a hard point so it will not fly out the window should I roll. When I go to bed, it sits in arm's reach. Communication is key!

[@TheCAPTturbo]

Awesome video, I'm heading to glenwood springs tonight

[@GIGrandpa]

I wish my Sherpa rack went together that quick 😉 actually wheeling in the Flat Tops tomorrow 😀

[@710Overland]

So much good information

[@spidersj12]

I have the same ignik 10lb growler that I bought for my genesis cooking system with a 6ft steel weave propane adapter hose.

[@bluecruiser2019]

Love the flat tops! Heading back up there in a few days! Just got back from the Alvord Desert and Owyhee Canyon-lands, why stop now😂😃😊

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Heck yeah!!!

[@hryhorysakdan]

We apparently took the same route…more or less. I stopped at the arch/ cave as well on my way to coffee pot road. I sent the drone to check it out. Sorry I missed you. Saw you at the expo but you were zipping by on the one wheel.

[@MoviesSam]

Damn, I want to do that. Buying a Gladiator soon and this is part of the reason. Its a shame I have to wait until retirement to do this. ugh.

[@jimskatr103]

One of my best friends lives right there in yampa. I’d stay with him for work in Craig and Hayden and hit strawberry park hot springs to r&r.

[@JoshuaSeward]

Just passed your epic camp site Blair mtn overlook. Passed it up for some right down below.

[@rachelhughes8951]

50 year old female that will only travel solo. Love a dirt road. (I don’t do rock crawling stuff though.) I do wear my seatbelt, always though- hint. 😊

[@gamerscircle]

Hi there! I have watch a couple of your camping adventures and I really enjoy your production value. Thank you for that! I was curious if you have a video that had pointers or tips for filming? In this video, I like how we can see you driving, but cannot feel the bumps, do you have your camera on a gimble or something, again thanks for sharing.

[@wanderlandxperience]

In the Bend area. If you are ever looking for someone to head out with I would join you anytime. I am new to the KZbin thing but wouldn’t mind helping you film also.

[@g2t]

Awesome! 4 days? I discovered the flat tops last year but only had one day and want to go back.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I explored every part I could up there.

[@g2t]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures I expect nothing less, sir!

[@mikesters3532]

Random question: Have you upgraded your differential covers and/or added skid plates for them? If so, what brand(s)? Great video and thank you!

[@northamericannomad7822]

Awesome adventure! What are you filtering out of the spring water?

[@jerryjohnson7954]

Love it!!! Where do yall get your topo map decals for the hood scoops?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Stickyvinylz.com

[@jerryjohnson7954]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures thank you

[@Stevensms-bv6wq]

How is your Fire Extinguisher mounted? I need that for my JT. Perfect spot IMO

[@GreddysGarage]

@ 16:53 what mount is that for your gopro? Footage looks freaking great. What setting do you use?

[@Cbockhoff]

22:50 tip number one when traveling by yourself: don’t try taking a selfie when tickling the nuts of a bull elk. 😂

[@ohnoadventures]

👍👍😃

[@matthewnighthawkcolson1109]

Not sure if you noticed the volcano you passed on the right as you came out of the trees before the Deep creek canyon overlook?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I did not.

[@matthewnighthawkcolson1109]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures if you go back up coffee pot in the future, it's called Willow Peak volcanic cinder cone on Google maps.

[@kathleen1621]

Hey, you mentioned around minute 13 that if you roll off and get stuck in a ditch, there are no trees around to winch yourself out of on. I’ve been trying to learn a lot about vehicle recovery over the past year or so, and hearing you say that, I wondered if off roaders ever build anchors? I have never seen that done in what I’ve been learning about vehicle recovery. I ask, because I use to do a lot of mountain/ rock/ ice climbing, and we built anchors in all sorts of situations… and would sometimes set up pulley system off of them. And some of these anchors would be stronger than trees or boulders, depending on how rigged. Curious if you know if anyone does that in the wheeling or off road community.

[@kentonseydellaolcp4785]

A couple of steel stakes like for horseshoes work well for anchor points and don't take up much space.

[@kathleen1621]

@@kentonseydellaolcp4785 Sweet, thanks, that’s exactly what I was wondering. My immediate thought looking at treeless landscape was that I’d hammer in what we used in snow - big t-stakes and aluminum flutes. And then rig them together with webbing.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

If needed I could dig a hole and drop my spare in it as an anchor.

[@JTube571]

I also watch the Trailmater offroad recovery channel and they featured something like that a while ago that could be used in sand or loose dirt. Can't remember the name of it, but they do exist.

[@scottstw]

The Trail Traveler channel once mentioned something called a Pull Pal. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYK2nY2ma6Zlpq8feature=shared Costs a few hundred $ though.

[@ccwstraightshooter9761]

Matt, how many nights can you get out of that 10lbs Ignik tank using your Tripod Torch on medium?

[@FUNNYMONEY2-m1y]

It looks like your hair chop aerodynamically inclined lol sweet rig

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

It is. lol.

[@AdventuresInMyBronco]

About to pull the trigger on ordering the Bluetti AC70 and was wondering if you think it will be able to handle my Setpower 35 and the Joulle kettle like you have? I do have the Bluetti EB3A already so is the upgrade worth it?

[@tonyglover1393]

How fast do you normally travel on some of the trails that are not difficult? Seems like you are moving fast on some trails. Are you in 4x4 all of the time? Just wondering....

[@keniaflores8881]

When you go state to state do you buy an OHV tag for each one? Or is one state valid for all of them?

[@carlpickins106]

I went to have a seat and realized....wheres the pup?

[@fraser405]

Do you have a gun holster in your jeep? If so, do you have a link?

[@lowfarmracing6296]

Genuine question - with you being solo on this trip how are you getting the drone shots while driving? I'd love to know for my own adventures.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@lowfarmracing6296 lots of practice. lol

[@andymeresse6930]

When did you switch GMRS antennas? I just noticed the whip in this video vs. the ghost. Have you always switched based on location and ive just never noticed?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Back in May I think. I kept hitting my ghost on tree limbs so I relocated my mount and that allowed me to switch antennas too.

[@MSchumacherfan]

What highway MPG do you get?

[@carriebarrick2073]

Curious what psi you air down to?

[@markratliff1407]

Hey Matt! I run the same wheel and tire combo as you. What do you find as the best psi for highway use?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

38

[@markratliff1407]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures awesome. Keep up the good work btw! Love your channel

[@vinboughton4751]

Matt, who makes the roofrack you put on top of the freedom panels?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Sherpa

[@TylerP-vo6gg]

If you get gored by an elk, you're just like every other tourist that comes here!!

[@velocity800]

Matt did you do swaybar delete both front and rear?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Nope. Still have them.

[@710Overland]

Leeches feed exclusively on a host. Blood is everything to them. Some are actually predatory.

[@kentonseydellaolcp4785]

The best backroads and trails go nowhere or connect nothing to nothing. William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways.

[@ChaseElliott530]

what type of battery would you recommend for running lights and a winch

[@kentonseydellaolcp4785]

Optima DH7 "Yellow Top " AGM for our Gladiator .

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Your winch needs to run off your starter battery. Lights could be run off a lithium aux battery.

[@ChaseElliott530]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures ok thanks for the info

[@bigtime6837]

11:46 is that Mickey Mouse in the clouds?

[@DonHensley-i3g]

You are in my backyard

[@weloy1610]

What is the tire size and model?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Milestar Patagonia MT02s in 38 13.50 17

[@Nicholaspulcher]

About how much was it for the color body armor?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

My Jeep is factory paint.

[@Nicholaspulcher]

I'm sorry I thought I typed this on your newest video about Poppy. I didn't realize I was on this video. How much did it cost to do what you did to Poppy.

[@Clintshandpainted]

iPhone, later this year will be able to send satellite messages. A new law passed. It’ll be available on iPhone 14 and later