August already? Somehow summer is flying by, but we've packed this issue with stories and ideas to keep you inspired to get out and explore while the season is still in full swing Inside, you'll find an insightful article from a BlueRibbon Coalition executive, another installment from the Trans-US overlanding journey, and the debut of a new gear review feature that we hope becomes a regular favorite. And if you've been on the fence about joining us in the Keweenaw, I hope you'll take a few minutes to read my plea to come experience KOAR More than trails and scenery, it's about reconnecting with the outdoors and with a community that simply can't be replicated through a screen or generated by artificial intelligence.
Thanks, as always, for being part of Northology Adventures
you on the trail!
Cindy
Creators- Drop us a line at or submit content on our website. We love stories and photos of trips, events, gear reviews, destinations and outdoor activities. Advertisers- Get in touch to learn about our current promos and how a presence here can help you tell your story to this amazing community and grow your business info northologyadventures@gmail com
Front cover, Back Cover: Cindy Pope
HEXNGONE
KEWEENAW OVERLAND ADVENTURE RETREAT
REAL CONNECTION WHERE THE CELL SIGNAL DOESN’T REACH
By Cindy Pope @NorthologyAdventures
If you're anything like me, you've probably spent more time than you'd like staring at a screen this year. We scroll through trip reports instead of taking trips We watch videos of places we'd rather be exploring ourselves We keep telling ourselves, "Maybe next month "
I'm here to tell you it's time to stop waiting KOAR isn't about putting on a show It isn't about the biggest build, the newest gear, or trying to impress anyone It's about getting out there, pointing your rig toward the Keweenaw Peninsula, and remembering why you fell in love with this lifestyle in the first place
The Keweenaw has a way of slowing you down The trails wind through towering forests, climb to rocky overlooks, and lead to places where Lake Superior stretches to the horizon. You'll drive roads that feel forgotten by time, discover old mining history, and experience some of the most scenic terrain the Midwest has to offer.
But if I'm being honest, the trails are only half the story What makes KOAR special happens when the engines are off
It's the conversations around the campfire The shared meals The stories of trips gone right and wrong It's meeting people who understand why you spend weekends chasing dirt roads instead of hotel reservations It's discovering that the people you've chatted with online are even better in person
In a world that keeps pushing us toward digital connections, there's something refreshing about spending a weekend where nobody cares how many followers you have The friendships you build over coffee at camp or while helping someone change a tire on the trail are the ones that last.
That's the community we've been building
Whether you're coming alone, bringing your family, or rolling in with a convoy of friends, you'll find people who are glad you came No egos No gatekeeping Just people who love exploring the outdoors and are happy to share the experience
If you've been thinking about joining us but haven't committed yet, consider this your invitation.
Come for the trails. Come for the scenery. Come for Lake Superior and the history and the fresh air. Stay for the people.
I think you'll head home with more than great photos you'll leave with new friends, new stories, and a reminder that the best adventures have never happened through a screen
We'll save you a spot around the campfire
Tickets are running low, get yours here
THE MOORE EXPO
MAKES
A BIG MOVE AND WE ARE
HERE FOR IT
By Cindy Pope
I sat down with Chris Holloway to catch up and learn the motives behind the move.
What prompted the move, and what made Sedalia the right fit for the future of the expo?
This wasn't a decision we made overnight. We spent a lot of time asking ourselves one simple question: What's best for the future of MOORE Expo?
Springfield has been home for seven incredible years, and we're grateful for everything the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and the city have done for us. They helped us grow from a small regional event into something much bigger than we ever imagined.
But every event reaches a point where you have to decide whether you're going to stay comfortable or keep growing.
When we visited the Missouri State Fairgrounds, it was immediately obvious that this wasn't just another venue, it was an opportunity. It gives us room to think bigger, create experiences we simply couldn't before, and continue building an event that our attendees, exhibitors, and partners can be proud of for years to come.
What advantages does the new venue offer that simply weren't possible in Springfield?
The biggest advantage is flexibility.
The new Governor Michael L. Parson Arena at the Missouri State Fairgrounds gives us roughly 150,000 square feet of modern indoor exhibit space, which immediately elevates the experience for both vendors and attendees. Beyond that, the Missouri State Fairgrounds offers an incredible amount of outdoor space that allows us to expand demonstrations, displays, education, and interactive experiences in ways we've wanted to do for years.
The camping facilities are also on another level, and the overall layout makes it much easier to navigate the event.
Most importantly, we're no longer designing MOORE Expo around the limitations of the venue. Now we can design the event around the experience we want people to have.
What does this move mean for attendees? What can they expect to be different—or better—when they arrive in Sedalia?
I think the first thing people are going to notice is how much more polished everything feels.
The indoor building is beautiful. The grounds are clean, easy to navigate, and built to handle large events. Camping is closer and more accommodating, there are better food options, and we'll have more room to spread things out without losing the community feel.
WE'RE NO LONGER DESIGNING MOORE EXPO AROUND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE VENUE. NOW WE CAN DESIGN
THE EVENT AROUND THE EXPERIENCE WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE.
But the biggest difference won't be the building itself, It will be the experience.
More hands-on activities, more interactive exhibits, more room for vendors to showcase products, and more opportunities for people to connect with each other. That's always been what MOORE is really about.
Camping has always been a big part of the MOORE Expo experience. How will camping work at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, and what improvements or opportunities will campers enjoy?
Camping has always been one of my favorite parts of MOORE Expo because it's where strangers become friends.
The Missouri State Fairgrounds gives us better infrastructure for campers, including more developed campsites on flat level ground, improved amenities, and an overall better camping experience.
We're also excited about how the layout allows campers to stay connected to everything happening throughout the weekend while still having a comfortable place to relax after the show.
We want camping to feel like an extension of the expo-not just a place to park for the night. This move allows just that, and we are again working with Northology Adventures to continue that vibe.
WE WANT CAMPING TO FEEL LIKE AN EXTENSION OF THE EXPO-NOT JUST A PLACE TO PARK FOR THE NIGHT.
What should exhibitors and vendors know about the new venue? Are there new opportunities, better logistics, or expanded options for displaying products and engaging with attendees?
Absolutely.
Our exhibitors are making a significant investment to be at MOORE Expo, and we want that investment to pay off.
The larger indoor arena gives vendors a much more professional environment to display products, while the expanded outdoor space opens the door for larger exhibits, demonstrations, and experiences that simply weren't practical before.
Move-in and setup are also going to be more efficient, and the venue gives us more flexibility as we continue growing.
Every venue has its own personality. How do you see the Missouri State Fairgrounds shaping the future of MOORE Expo over the next several years?
I think the Missouri State Fairgrounds matches who we've become.
MOORE has never been about being the biggest event. It's about building a community where people feel welcome, inspired, and excited to chase their next adventure.
This venue gives us the space to continue evolving without losing what makes MOORE special.
Five or ten years from now, I think people will look back and realize this move was the beginning of an entirely new chapter.
For someone who has never attended MOORE Expo before, why is 2027 the perfect year to make the trip?
Because this isn't just another expo.
Whether you're driving a fully built overland rig, pulling a camper, traveling with your family, or just dreaming about your first adventure, you'll find people here who are excited to help you get there.
2027 is the start of something new.New venue. New experiences. More exhibitors. More education. More opportunities to get inspired. If you've been thinking about coming, I honestly believe this is the year to do it.
THIS MOVE ISN'T
ABOUT LEAVING SOMETHING BEHIND...IT'S ABOUT HONORING EVERYTHING WE'VE BUILT TOGETHER...
Is there anything else you'd like the overland and off-road community to know about the move or about what's ahead for MOORE Expo?
I'd just like to say thank you.
MOORE Expo exists because this community believed in us long before we ever had a big building or thousands of attendees. Every exhibitor, sponsor, volunteer, speaker, storyteller, and attendee has helped build what this event has become.
This move isn't about leaving something behind. It's about honoring everything we've built together by creating a place where MOORE Expo can continue growing for the next decade and beyond.
We're incredibly excited for what's ahead, and I can't wait to welcome everyone to Sedalia in April 2027. I think you're going to love what we're building.
Tickets for the MOORE Expo 2027 are on sale now at MOOREEXPO.COM. Vendors can also book a call there with Chris to lock in space for 2027.
DID YOU KNOW?
The new arena offers 150,000 square feet of climate-controlled exhibit space. The Missouri State Fairgrounds provides significantly more room for outdoor demonstrations and training.
The new venue allows camping to be integrated more closely with the expo experience.
SEDALIA, MO HIGHLIGHTS
�� Katy Trail State Park – One of America's longest rail-trails.
�� Historic Downtown Sedalia – Home to locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, boutiques, and beautifully preserved historic architecture.
�� Daum Museum of Contemporary Art
– A nationally recognized art museum with free admission.
�� Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site –A unique 31-room hilltop lodge surrounded by hiking trails and panoramic views just outside the city.
TERRAIN
TCTeardrops LLC Custom Camping Trailers are built, one at a time, by our family for yours! Whether you travel on road or off, our trailers are up to the task. Manufactured using only quality materials and skilled craftsmanship, TCTeardrop campers can haul your boats, bikes, bed AND breakfast all in one eye-catching, affordable package!
P IS FOR...
PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND PROBABLY FORGETTING SOMETHING
By Jarrod Nobbe
A trip like Pisgah to the Rockies starts long before the first dirt road. At first, it looks simple enough: load the 4Runner, leave North Carolina, and point the hood toward Colorado. Then the map starts asking harder questions. Where can I get off-grid without having to guess? How far can I push a travel day before camp becomes a problem? What gear needs a shakedown before I trust it in the middle of nowhere?
The last piece in this series covered the nerves that showed up before departure. This one is about what came next, when the idea had to turn into a route, a packed rig, and a setup that could handle long miles, rough access roads, and nights away from easy backup.
That changed the way I looked at preparation. I didn’t need every mile scripted before leaving the driveway—the realization that the plan would change, most likely on the daily, was already present. I just needed a plan with enough structure to get me west and enough flexibility to handle whatever changed once the pavement ended. The real work lived in that space between being prepared and knowing I was probably still forgetting something.
FROM A LINE ON THE MAP TO A REAL ROUTE
The first version, keyword here: “first,” of the trip was easy to explain. I needed to be in Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals by a certain date, and driving the 4Runner sounded a lot better than flying over everything I wanted to see. That was the clean version. Once I started building the route and turning the idea into a game plan, clean disappeared pretty quickly.
Pisgah gave the trip a better starting point than my driveway. I mean, Durham, NC, isn’t much to see, let alone write home about. Pisgah added a true eastern edge to the story and gave the route more substance than a simple push west. From there, the map started filling in with dirt roads, publicland options, mountain bike stops, and possible places to camp once the day’s miles ran out.
“I JUST NEEDED A PLAN WITH ENOUGH STRUCTURE TO GET ME WEST AND ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY TO HANDLE WHATEVER CHANGED ONCE THE PAVEMENT ENDED.”
The planning started to feel different once the route had to support the way I wanted to travel. The game plan had to account for a loaded rig, off-grid nights, long travel days, and the chance that the best turn might show up later in the day than expected.
The line on the map gave me a direction. Turning it into a route meant building enough structure to keep moving west without squeezing all the life out of the trip.
PLANNING FOR DIRT ROADS AND SECOND OPTIONS
Once the route had a spine, the next job was figuring out where I could get off pavement without turning every night into a guessing game. There’s no worse feeling than not being settled into camp by the time the sun especially if this is your first rodeo in the area you’re looking to camp. That’s where onX Offroad started doing a lot of the heavy
lifting. I used it to save multiple waypoints for possible dispersed sites along each stretch of the route. One option wasn’t enough, though. Overlanding has taught me to always build out a Plan A, followed by a B, D & most likely, a C. If the first spot was occupied, blocked, or harder to reach than expected, I wanted another place already saved before daylight became a problem.
The map layers helped make those waypoints more useful. Satellite view gave me a better sense of how a spot might actually work once I got there, especially when I could see signs of established use like a pullout or possible fire ring (pro tip!). It still didn’t guarantee a good camp, but it gave me a better starting point than picking a random patch of green on the map. That became the goal: build enough options to keep the day from unraveling when the first idea didn’t work. A route can look good from home, but it has to stay flexible once tires hit the dirt and the sun starts dropping behind the tree line.
Part Two of an Adventure Series
NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES SPECIAL SERIES
BUILDING THE 4RUNNER FOR NOMAD, I MEAN, CAMP LIFE
Once the route started to take shape, the next question was whether the 4Runner could support how the trip would actually unfold. A loaded rig looks impressive in the driveway, but that doesn’t mean much if the first night out turns into digging through bins with a headlamp in your mouth while dinner is still buried somewhere under a bike helmet.
The drawer setup from Solid Wood Worx helped bring some order to the back of the truck. I started thinking through what needed to be within reach during a quick stop, what could stay tucked away until camp, and what I’d probably regret bringing the second I had to move it for the fifth time. The Gregory Alpaca Gear Boxes fit into that same mindset. Loose gear has a way of spreading out fast once the tailgate drops, and I wanted fewer mystery piles every time I pulled into a spot for the night.
The Yakima SkyPeak HD and OverNOut awning became a big part of the camp plan. The tent added weight up top, so it had to justify its place. For this trip, it did. There was enough room for my wife and me to spread out, the integrated LED light bars made the inside feel more dialed after dark, and the setup time was quick enough that arriving late didn’t feel like a punishment. The 180-degree awning gave the truck a bigger footprint at camp, with enough shade and rain cover to keep the lounging area and kitchen under one setup. That mattered because efficiency is the name of the game when you’re moving often. I wanted the tent and awning to work together from setup through breakdown without turning camp into a nightly puzzle.
That became the standard for the whole build: make the truck easier to live in after a long day on the road. The gear had to stay put on rough access roads, make sense when daylight was fading, and help the next morning start without tearing the whole rig apart.
SHAKING DOWN THE SETUP AT UWHARRIE
New gear can feel dialed in the driveway because the driveway is forgiving There’s room to spread out, time to adjust, and no pressure from fading daylight A loaded 4Runner on dirt gives a much more honest answer
Uwharrie National Forest became the first real test before heading west It was close enough to home to keep the stakes low, but the roads still gave the setup a chance to prove itself I wanted to know what shifted, what rattled, what slowed me down, and what needed to move before the trip got bigger
Every new setup needs a few reps before it gets trusted. The rooftop tent, awning, drawers, and gear boxes all looked fine sitting still. Uwharrie showed how they worked once the 4Runner was moving, stopping, and being used on the road.
The only catch was that the rig still wasn’t carrying the full weight of the trip. A shakedown can tell you a lot, but it can’t fully copy what happens when the truck is packed for days of camping, biking, writing, recovery gear, food, water, and long miles west. Uwharrie helped me fix the obvious issues close to home. The real test would come later, once the 4Runner was loaded and the road stopped being familiar.
EVERY NEW SETUP NEEDS A FEW REPS BEFORE IT GETS TRUSTED.
Vehicle
and Recovery
Check tires, fluids, lights, and the spare. Make sure recovery gear is reachable. Tighten roof-mounted gear, hitch accessories, and anything that can rattle loose.
Keep basic tools somewhere that doesn’t require unloading half the truck. Do one slow walkaround before pulling out.
Camp Setup
Test the tent and awning before leaving. Keep lighting easy to grab after dark. Pack cooking gear where it can come out without a full tailgate explosion. Make sure sleep gear stays dry and protected.
THE FINAL WALKAROUND BEFORE THE FIRST MILE
By the end of the prep, I had reached the point where staring at the truck wasn’t making me any more prepared. It was just giving me new reasons to move the same item to a different place and call it progress.
That’s when a checklist actually starts to help. Not the overly perfect kind that makes you feel like you’re prepping for a moon landing. More like a final sweep before the first mile: the stuff that keeps a small mistake from becoming the thing you’re thinking about two states later.
Route and Navigation
Download offline maps before cell service disappears.
Save more than one camp option for each major stretch.
Check land boundaries and access roads.
Mark fuel stops before the longer rural sections.
Share the general route with someone at home.
Know where the first-night essentials are packed.
Food, Water, and Power
Test the cooler or fridge setup before the trip.
Charge power stations, camera batteries, headlamps, and small electronics.
Pack more water than the perfect version of the plan says you’ll need. Keep snacks and travel-day food within reach.
Make sure charging cables aren’t buried in a mystery bag.
Final Rig Check
Check straps, latches, drawers, and loose gear. Confirm bikes and hitch-mounted gear are secure.
Open and close anything that’ll get used daily.
Look for the one item sitting in the garage that somehow waited until now to become important.
The checklist gave me one more chance to catch the obvious stuff before the 4Runner left the driveway. Once the truck was pointed west, every loose strap, buried cable, forgotten layer, or skipped step had a much better chance of becoming a road problem.
Jarrod Nobbe is a North Carolina–based outdoor writer drawn to the long way around. He writes about overland travel, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and the unexpected moments that come with building a route, chasing new terrain, and spending time beyond the pavement. From quick weekends close to home to bigger trips built around unfamiliar places, Jarrod brings a practical, first-hand perspective to the adventures, gear, and planning that make the experience worth chasing.
LEAVE IT BETTER SUMMER: KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING
Our Leave It Better Summer campaign is off to a fantastic start, and we're grateful to everyone who has taken the time to clean up public lands and share photos of their efforts. From campsites to trailheads and dispersed camping areas, your submissions prove that a few extra minutes can make a real difference
Congratulations to Adam Wolfgram, whose submission was selected as this month's winner in a random drawing! Adam will receive a Lynx Levelers 10-Pack Interlocking Leveling Blocks with Storage Bag
The campaign isn't over. Keep sending us your photos, locations, and a brief description of the cleanup you completed. Every submission helps inspire others to care for the places we all love.
And don't miss out September's prize drawing will feature something amazing, so get out there, leave it better, and show us how you're making a difference
“Went trail riding on the Langlade County trails and fire roads picking up beer bottles pop cans and worm boxes as well as marking locations for larger items for later in the fall ” -Jacob Letcher
“It’s one thing to throw your mattress on the side of the road, but to set it on fire and leave it on the trail? Do better ”
-Adam Wolfgram
“Honestly the camp site was pretty clean but any little clean up helps!”
-Adam Wolfgram from sites on Knowles Creek and Turtle Lake
One of Jacob Letcher’s recent trash hauls
THE SCARS LEFT BEHIND
HOW SMALL ACTS OF VANDALISM CREATE LASTING DAMAGE.
BY RENZA THOMPSON
@ramblinwithrenza
Recently, we were camping in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest with some friends from Illinois. They were amazed by the sheer amount of forestland available for public use something they simply don’t have access to where they live
As we settled in and enjoyed our campsite, my husband drew our attention to the extensive damage inflicted on the trees surrounding us. The scars and carvings were visible from several feet away, and upon closer inspection, he discovered bullet holes, nails, and screws embedded in the trunks of the trees that were at least 50 years old.
He immediately went to work, carefully removing as much of the metal as he could from the trees What began as a peaceful camping trip quickly became a reminder of the lasting damage people can cause when they fail to respect the natural spaces we are fortunate enough to enjoy.
When we talk about Leave No Trace, many people think about picking up garbage, carrying out camp waste, and leaving a campsite clean.
But responsible outdoor recreation goes further than that.
It means not damaging trees.
It means not carving names into bark.
It means not driving nails or screws into trunks
It means not using trees as targets.
It means not chopping into living trees for entertainment or convenience
It means treating the forest as a place we are visiting—not a place we own.
LEAVE IT BETTER THIS SUMMER
Join the Northology Adventures Leave It Better campaign by leaving every trail, campsite, and public space a little better than you found it. Pick up extra litter, remove hazards when it's safe to do so, and help protect the places we all enjoy. Small actions add up to a lasting impact. Learn more here.
TheNorthology“LeaveitBetter”SummerChallengeisacommunity-drivenstewardshipinitiativerunning through September.Participantsareencouragedtocleanuptrails,campsites,publiclands,shorelines,andrecreationareas wherevertheyadventure,thensubmitphotosoftheireffortsforentriesintomonthlyandseason-endingprizedrawings
ADVOCACY VS. STEWARDSHIP?
WHAT IS THE ONE QUESTION YOU LIVE BY?
By Shannon Welch Vice President of the Board of Directors Blue Ribbon Coalition
Twenty years ago mine was simple.
Will it get me closer to racing? (Paris to Dakar, specifically)
That was my whole filter. And it worked. In five years I went from a girl who didn't know public lands were a thing to owning a dual sport, then a Jeep, then managing an Ultra4 team, then running King of the Hammers. Every yes got me one step closer. Every no fell away.
Somewhere in there it changed. From something self-serving to something bigger than myself.
Will it help Save the Hammers?
Johnson Valley had become my favorite place on earth before King of the Hammers was even an idea. And then the Marines wanted it. I watched the off-road community I loved start to understand what was actually at stake. King of the Hammers became how we fought back. If the answer was yes, I was all in. Whatever it took to grow KOH into a name known across the country and the world, so the Marines couldn't just take it quietly.
That worked too.
After the Hammers seemed mostly saved, the question changed again.
Will it help protect motorized recreation on public lands?
If the answer is yes, I'm all in.
That's where I live now. People ask what I do these days and I usually say two things. One: I don't make money for assholes. Two: I do whatever I want.
That second one is more complicated than it sounds. Whatever I want means I fight for motorized recreation without being paid by anyone to do it. No sponsors. No employer with a stake in what I say.
I am not beholden to anyone.
That didn't happen by accident. At the peak of KOH I had more visibility in this world than almost anyone, and more to lose by saying the wrong thing. Sponsorship at that level comes with a leash, even when nobody's holding it. And it wasn't just sponsors. It was BLM. It was the Marines. It was every agency relationship that had to stay intact for that event to exist on public land year after year. You can't bite any hand in that room and still have an event. You feel all of it.
So I quit. With no idea what came next. But the worthy cause that had driven me for years was mostly won. And I've learned enough about myself to know I work best when I have a worthy cause. Without one I'm just spinning.
“I'VE LEARNED ENOUGH ABOUT MYSELF TO KNOW I WORK BEST WHEN I HAVE A WORTHY CAUSE. WITHOUT ONE I'M JUST SPINNING.” -SHANNON WELCH
NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES SPECIAL
Then two things happened at the same time. My best friend Kevin asked me to build a business with him. And BRC asked me to join their board. I said yes to both. Because both answers were yes.
I got to make money with my best friend. And I got back something I hadn't realized I'd been slowly losing. The freedom to say exactly what I think about the off-road world I love, with nobody's sponsorship dollars on the line.
BRC asks the same question I do. Does it protect motorized recreation on public lands? If yes, we support it. Our values are so aligned it creates the same kind of momentum I felt at KOH when we had hockey stick growth. Simon Sinek writes about this in The Infinite Game. He says when there is a Just Cause, a reason to come to work that is bigger than any particular win, our days take on more meaning and feel more fulfilling. That's what this feels like. When your group has a worthy cause and a collective of people who share the same vision and values, you can move mountains.
I did it with KOH. I did it building our cold storage facility in eighteen months. We're doing it at BRC right now. And I never do it alone. It always takes a team rowing in the same direction with a shared set of skills and a cause worth fighting for.
We have that at BRC right now.
STEWARDSHIP AND ADVOCACY
When Ben Burr and Simone told me we were going after Roadless Rule rescission, minimization criteria, national monuments, the Antiquities Act... every single one of those fights lives inside the same framework. Will it protect motorized access on public lands? Yes. We are all in.
That doesn't come without enemies.
There are dozens of groups doing this work alongside us. But if I've learned one thing in my career, it's this: show your work. Tell your story. Because if you don't, nobody else is going to do it for you.
So we do. And it has made us enemy number one among the anti-access groups that hate this administration. Fine. We expected that. What I didn't expect was becoming enemy number one among a subset of our own community.
Before I get into that, I need to explain something our community doesn't talk about enough. There is a difference between stewardship groups and advocacy groups. And that difference matters enormously right now.
“...WHEN THIS ADMINISTRATION OPENED A DOOR WE'VE BEEN KNOCKING ON FOR DECADES, WE WALKED THROUGH IT. AND SOME PEOPLE LOST THEIR MINDS.”
Stewardship groups do the work you can see. Trash cleanups. Education. Responsible recreation. Off-road events that show our community at its best. Groups like Tread Lightly and Sons of Smokey have spent years teaching people how to use the land responsibly, making sure motorized users aren't seen as the bad guys. Sons of Smokey in particular is full of young people doing genuinely good work, getting out on our public lands, cleaning up after people who don't share our values, building goodwill for a community that needs it. I respect that work. I mean that.
Groups like BRC, SEMA, ORBA and UPLA fight legislatively and legally. We file lawsuits. We write legislation. We oppose legislation. We mobilize our members to contact elected officials about what we support and what we don't. Some groups like Cal4Wheel, CORVA and UPLA do both stewardship and advocacy, and we're grateful for every one of them. But the two functions are not interchangeable, and confusing them is costing us.
Here's the part people miss. Advocacy groups have to work with whoever is currently in office. Whether we like them or not isn't even a luxury we get. You do not get to represent a national motorized community by refusing to speak to the people currently holding the pen. That's not selling out. That is the entire job.
Which means when this administration opened a door we've been knocking on for decades, we walked through it.
And some people lost their minds.
CAUSE BLINDNESS
I had a conversation with a leader in this community not long ago. Someone who does real work getting people outdoors and cleaning up public lands. Someone I respect. He told me directly that he hates this administration. And that hatred has become the lens through which he sees every land use decision. When monument boundaries were reduced, he saw it as handing land to extractive industries. He couldn't see it as also, simultaneously, a win for motorized access. Both things are true. But he could only see one of them.
Sinek calls this Cause Blindness. When you become so wrapped up in the wrongness of the other side that you can no longer see your own weaknesses. I watched it happen in real time in that conversation. This person loves the land. He rides it. He cleans it up. And his politics have made him unable to recognize a win for his own community when it's right in front of him.
That's what we're up against inside our own ranks.
Then there's Jonathon Klein. Editor-in-Chief of RideApart. Two wheels, side by sides, he's been riding since he was seventeen and by his own account he loves the land he rides on in Utah. I don't doubt it.
Here's what I do doubt. His consistency.
In the fall of 2024, Klein supported BRC. He supported the Outdoor ADA, the disability access bill BRC helped write. Then Trump took office. And by 2025 he had reversed course entirely, using his platform to attack the very organizations he'd previously supported.
What changed? Not our positions. Not our work. Not the bill. The only thing that changed was the name of the person sitting in the Oval Office.
That's not a principled position on motorized access. That's politics wearing our jersey.
Here is what Klein published, under his own byline, about the motorized advocacy organizations fighting to keep that land open.
He told his readers BRC was "acting in truly bad faith." Spreading "idiotic talking points" to get people "riled up and donating." Then he said the quiet part: "Please stop supporting them." The Editor-in-Chief of a commercial off-road publication, openly calling on his readers to defund a decadesold motorized advocacy organization.
On the Roadless Rule, he wrote that anyone supporting rescission was "lying to their audiences for more nefarious gains." Then added, "cough, cough, Blue Ribbon Coalition." No evidence. No sourcing. Just the smear and the wink.
On SEMA and ORBA, two national organizations that have fought for motorized access longer than most of our critics have been riding, he wrote that they played a "role in this coup upon the American people." A coup. Because they backed a regulatory change that reopened access.
FREEDOM MULTIPLIED
On BRC and UPLA, he wrote that we aren't "real advocacy groups." That we're "selfinterested parties who use disabled Americans as pawns."
I want to pause on that last one. Because Klein wrote those words about a disability access bill BRC helped draft, a bill built around a man in a wheelchair being told by a Utah official that he had no rights on public land. The same bill Klein supported just months earlier, before Trump took office.
And in that same piece, he held up SUWA as one of the "real advocacy groups."
SUWA. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. The organization that has spent decades in federal court fighting to close the trails Klein rides on in Utah. The trails all of us ride on.
I sat there and read that twice.
UNLOCKING THE LAYERS
Now I want to address the extraction argument directly. Because I hear it constantly, and I understand where it comes from.
“OUR COMMUNITY IS BEING ASKED TO REFUSE A REAL WIN TODAY BECAUSE OF A HYPOTHETICAL TOMORROW THAT MAY NEVER COME.”
Yes, this is a drill baby drill administration. I'm not going to pretend otherwise. And I understand why people who love public land look at monument reductions and see open season for oil and gas.
But here's what that argument gets wrong.
The land didn't go anywhere. Not one acre was sold. Not one acre was transferred out of federal ownership. Those canyon walls are still right where they were yesterday and the day before. What changed is that the most extreme layer of restriction was lifted. That's not a loss. That's an unlock. You can explore more of it now, not less.
And on extraction: lease approvals, environmental review, legal challenges, production timelines. That's years of process across multiple administrations before a single drill bit touches anything. The extraction future is a hypothetical. The motorized losses under wilderness and roadless designations are happening right now, today, one travel plan at a time, one administrative decision at a time.
Our community is being asked to refuse a real win today because of a hypothetical tomorrow that may never come. Meanwhile the closures are compounding in real time.
The policies that keep mining and drilling out also keep e-bikes and Jeep meetups and off-road races off the land. That's just a fact. The monument boundaries that lock out the drill rigs lock out the dual sports too. The Roadless Rule that stops the logging roads stops the trail access. We are on the same side of these particular policy fights not because we support extraction but because the land use designations work the same way for all of us.
That's not a political endorsement. That's geography.
A FIGHT TO BELIEVE IN
Now let me tell you about BRC's funding. Because this is where the "licking Trump's toes" and "oil and mining money" accusations fall completely apart.
BRC is funded by grassroots. The Red Rock 4 Wheelers. UPLA. TDS. Jeep clubs. Passionate off-roaders who write checks because they believe in this fight.
I said earlier that I don't make money for assholes. That includes our small nonprofit doing the heavy lifting of multi-billion dollar extractive industries. They have entire departments of funded PR. They don't need us.
So when anti-access groups, and even promotorized groups blinded by their hatred of this administration, accuse us of being yesmen to Trump or to oil, here's what they're missing.
So when people ask how BRC can support any of this, the answer is the same one it's always been. Does it protect motorized access on public lands?
Yes. We are all in.
That doesn't make us Trump lackeys. It makes us consistent. We asked the same question under Obama. We'll ask it under whoever comes next.
A mentor of mine once sat across from a member of the Sierra Club. And that person told him exactly what their strategy was. We just let you fight amongst yourselves.
That's it. That's the whole plan. They don't have to beat us. They just have to wait.
And right now, across every major off-road platform, in comment sections and published editorials and stewardship group newsletters, we are handing them exactly what they asked for.
Every time a motorized rider calls BRC a fraud, SEMA a traitor, ORBA a sellout... somewhere someone is watching. And they are not worried. They are patient. And they are filing the next lawsuit while we argue.
Jonathon Klein rides the trails SUWA is trying to close. So does the stewardship leader I spoke with. So do you. So do I. We are all on the same side of this fight whether we want to admit it or not.
The question is whether we act like it. We can't keep giving them the win by turning on our own.
“WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME SIDE OF THIS FIGHT WHETHER WE WANT TO ADMIT IT OR NOT.”
GEAR OF THE MONTH
AUGUST: FIELD-TESTED FAVORITES FOR CAMPING, OVERLANDING, AND ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Gear of the Month highlights field-tested products built for camping, overlanding, trail days, and life on the road. Each month, Northology takes a closer look at gear that has been used, researched, packed, or put through real-world trip prep to see how it performs beyond the product page.
From camp setups and truck storage to trail gear, tools, and outdoor essentials, these are the pieces worth knowing about before the next trip.
By Jarrod Nobbe
TRAVOCA RIGEL+ DUAL ZONE ECOOLER
Specifications:
Price: $929.99
Capacity: 45L
Dimensions: 29.8 x 19.3 x 16.3 inches
Weight: 58 pounds
Temperature range: -4°F to 50°F
Zones: Two independently controlled compartments
Best use: Overlanding, camping, road trips, and vehicle-based travel
Pros:
Dual-zone design keeps frozen and fresh items separated. No ice means more usable food space, less cooler-water mess. MOLLE grid and side shelf add useful camp functionality. Removable basket makes loading and unloading easier. Bluetooth app control helps when the cooler is packed in the truck.
Cons: At 58 pounds empty, it takes some planning to move and pack. Longer trips require a reliable power source. It’s built for vehicle travel, so casual campers may not need this much of a cooler.
YAKIMA STEPUP SWING 2
Specifications:
Price: $999
Bike capacity: Two bikes
Weight capacity: Up to 65 pounds per bike on-road
Off-road rating: Up to 43.5 pounds per bike
Rack weight: 70 pounds
Hitch fit: 2-inch hitch receiver
Bike fit: 16-inch to 29-inch/700c wheels, tires up to 4.5 inches wide
Best use: Mountain bike travel, road trips, overlanding, and vehicle-based adventure
Pros: Swing-away design keeps rear cargo access usable with or without bikes.
Holds mountain, road, hybrid, BMX, youth, fat-tire, and ebikes.
StadiumSeating design helps reduce bike-to-bike interference. Included locks secure the bikes and rack. Off-road rating makes it more useful for overland travel than a basic hitch rack.
Cons: At 70 pounds, it’s a heavy rack to install, remove, or move around the garage.
The off-road weight rating drops to 43.5 pounds per bike. It only fits 2-inch hitch receivers.
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
The Travoca Rigel+ Dual Zone eCooler stands out because it tackles one of the most annoying parts of longer camp travel: keeping food cold without building the whole day around ice. The 45L size gives it enough room for a real road-trip food setup, while the dual-zone layout makes it easier to keep frozen items on one side and fresh food or drinks on the other.
The extra camp-focused features give it more utility than a basic powered cooler. The MOLLE grid, side shelf, and removable basket make the Rigel+ feel like part of the camp system, especially when the tailgate turns into the kitchen. It takes up space and requires
are part of the trip, not just something hanging off the back for a short drive to the trailhead. The swing-away design is a big advantage for overlanding and road trips because it keeps the back of the vehicle accessible without having to unload bikes every time you need gear, food, or camp equipment.
That matters quickly when the truck is packed and on the road for several days. A standard hitch rack can make rear cargo stops a minor chore, especially when the drawers, cooler, or camp bins are stored behind the hatch. The StepUp Swing 2 is heavy and expensive, but the access it preserves makes it a strong fit for mountain bikers, overlanders, and anyone trying to keep bikes in the plan without making the rest of the vehicle harder to use.
NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES
KILOS GEAR ROVER CAMPING LIGHT X
Specifications:
Price: $109.95
Max output: 600 lumens
Battery: 10,400 mAh
Battery life: 8 to 40 hours
Height: Extends from 0.9 to 2.97 feet
Weight: 1.3 pounds
Charging: USB-C
Water resistance: IPX5
Best use: Camp lighting, truck camping, overlanding, tailgate setups, and emergency backup light
Pros:
Adjustable flip panels make it easy to aim light around camp. Built-in tripod gives it more reach than a standard lantern.
Magnetic base works well around a vehicle or tailgate setup. 10,400 mAh battery doubles as backup power for small devices.
Packs down small enough to keep in the truck or camp bin.
Cons:
It won’t replace a headlamp for hiking or hands-free trail use. The tripod height is useful, but it’s still a compact camp light. The feature set may be more than casual campers need.
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
The Kilos Gear Rover Camping Light X stands out because camp lighting gets annoying fast when one lantern has to do every job. The flip panels make it easier to aim light where it’s needed, whether that’s over a camp table, near the tailgate, inside a tent, or around a cooking area. The built-in tripod and magnetic base also offer more setup options than a basic lantern set on a table.
WHY TRUST US?
Northology’s gear coverage comes from real use, close research, and firsthand experience from people who spend their time outside. Products are evaluated for how they perform during actual trips and how well they fit the way outdoor travelers pack, drive, camp, ride, and move through rough conditions. A product needs to make sense in the field. It needs to hold up after setup. It needs to solve a clear problem when space, time, weather, and access matter.
Our recommendations are shaped by practical details that show up through use. We look at how easy the gear is to pack, how quickly it sets up, how durable it feels, and whether it continues to prove its value after the first impression wears off. When a product earns a place in Gear of the Month, it’s because it offers something useful for the trip and deserves a closer look from readers planning their next trip.
Its size and battery setup make it a strong fit for vehicle-based travel. At 1.3 pounds, it’s easy to keep packed, and the 10,400 mAh battery adds utility as a backup when a phone, headlamp, or small device needs a quick charge. It’s the kind of small camp item that can get overlooked during packing, only to become one of the first things grabbed once the sun drops.
KELTY LOW LOVESEAT
Specifications:
Price: $149.95
Weight capacity: 400 pounds
Product weight: 15.38 pounds
Dimensions: 44 x 23.5 x 31.5 inches
Packed size: 34.5 x 11 x 11 inches
Seat height: 13.5 inches
Materials: Steel frame and 600D polyester
Best use: Car camping, overlanding, tailgating, festivals, and relaxed camp setups
Pros:
Two-person design makes camp seating more comfortable. A low, slightly reclined position feels relaxed around camp. Insulated beverage holders fit cans and larger bottles. Carry wrap doubles as a gear hauler or padded dog mat. Durable frame and fabric feel built for repeated camp use.
Cons:
The low seat may not be ideal for everyone. Takes up more cargo space than a single camp chair.
WHY IT STANDS OUT:
The Kelty Low Loveseat is the kind of camp chair that makes sense when the goal is to actually settle in for a while. The low seat height and slightly reclined position give it a relaxed feel around the fire, at camp, or outside the truck after a long travel day. It’s bigger than a standard chair, but the extra space is the point.
This is a strong fit for overlanders and car campers who prioritize comfort over saving every inch of cargo space. The two-person setup works well for hanging around camp, stretching out solo, or giving the dog a place to crash. It’s not the chair you bring when space is tight, but when camp comfort matters, it earns its room in the truck.
October 15-18
Callie’s lake and campground, stanton, ky
NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES EVENT NEWS
KEWEENAW OVERLAND ADVENTURE RETREAT
September 17-20, Trails End Campground, Copper Harbor, MI
GEAR SWAP IS BACK!
Have gear collecting dust in your garage? Bring it to the KOAR Gear Swap and turn it into cash while helping support the trails we all enjoy. Buy, sell, or trade recovery gear, camping equipment, overland accessories, tools, and more with fellow attendees throughout the weekend. As part of the event, 10% of all sales will be donated to the Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat (KORC) to help support trail stewardship and continued access in the Keweenaw. It's a great way to clear out your gear, score a deal, and give back at the same time.
Huge thanks to Austin and Michelle from True North Outpost who will be running the swap this fall.
WISCONSIN FALL 4X4 FEST
WEST EVERGREEN OHMV TRAILS IN LANGLADE COUNTY
October 2-4, River Forest Campground, White Lake, WI
Celebrate fall in the Northwoods at the Wisconsin Fall 4x4 Fest! Spend the weekend camping, exploring the Langlade County West Evergreen OHMV Trail System, enjoying fall colors, great food, raffles, educational programming, and connecting with fellow offroad enthusiasts. Best of all, the event helps support the Wolf River Fire Department, making it truly a weekend of adventure with a purpose.
RIVER FOREST CAMGROUND LEVELING UP FOR 4X4
If you haven't been to River Forest Campground lately, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Amy and Raf have been hard at work making improvements throughout the property, with upgraded campsites and ongoing enhancements that continue to make one of Wisconsin's favorite off-road destinations even better. Their dedication to creating a welcoming, comfortable campground is one more reason we're excited to return for the Wisconsin Fall 4x4 Fest this October.
PRESENTED BY
PRESENTED BY
TECH OVERLAND KRAWLER KOURSE
The Tech Overland Club is bringing the fanfavorite RC Course back to KOAR! Originally designed and donated by Nate of the GoGo Goodwins, the course has become a hit with kids and adults alike. Bring your RC rig if you have one, or stop by to watch the action and cheer on fellow drivers as they tackle the miniature obstacles.
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
For the latest announcements, schedule updates, trail information, and last-minute event details, be sure to follow the KOAR Facebook Page and mark yourself Going on the official KOAR Facebook Event It's the best way to stay informed before and during the weekend.
OVERLAND THE RED PRESENTED BY
Campground, Stanton, KY
Experience one of the country's premier overlanding destinations at Overland the Red presented by Dan Cummins Auto. Set in Kentucky's breathtaking Red River Gorge, this three-day gathering brings together overlanders for camping, trail rides, educational sessions, vendors, evening programming, and unforgettable adventures on and off the trail.
Stay up to date on everything happening at Overland the Red by marking yourself Going on the official OTR Facebook Event.
Thanks to the advertisers that support the Midwest overland and adventure travel community.
ADV EXPERIENCES
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COMMS & NAVIGATION
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The DYRT
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Inspired Overland
North Star Overlanding
Rocktown Adventures
Travoca
CAMPING/LODGING
Callie’s Lake & Campground
The Field
River Forest Campground
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EVENTS
Big Iron Overland Rally
Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat
MOORE Expo
Overland the Red
Rendezvous in the Ozarks
Wisconsin Fall 4x4 Fest
MEDIA
SPECIALTY
All Roads Taken
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Radio Chatter Game
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MEMBERSHIP PERKS
There's something special about belonging to a community that actually gets together Our Northology Adventures Patreon members enjoy exclusive content throughout the year, but some of the best moments happen away from the keyboard. This month, we're looking forward to our Free ADV Weekend, where patrons can gather around the campfire, swap stories, explore, and simply enjoy good company in the Northwoods.
Membership also includes our Trail Mail Snail Mail Club at certain levels, bringing a little adventure to your mailbox with exclusive stickers, patches, postcards, prints, and other surprises throughout the year If you've been looking for a way to support Northology Adventures while becoming part of a growing community of like-minded explorers, we'd love to have you join us
