{"id":404,"date":"2012-07-20T12:28:04","date_gmt":"2012-07-20T18:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/?p=404"},"modified":"2017-09-21T04:19:13","modified_gmt":"2017-09-21T10:19:13","slug":"overlanding-car-camping-in-utahs-canyon-country-and-deserts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/overlanding-car-camping-in-utahs-canyon-country-and-deserts\/","title":{"rendered":"“Overlanding” (Car Camping) in Utah’s Canyon Country and Deserts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring Utah’s Desert Canyons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I used to be a backpacking snob. \u00a0I felt that backpackers that explore the wilderness walking around on their own two feet, carrying everything on their back were morally superior to folks who drove into the backcountry in a vehicle.<\/p>\n

However, after spending a fair amount of time in Utah’s deserts and canyons, I’ve become a convert to a hybrid form of backcountry travel that involves both driving and hiking. \u00a0The hard fact is that it’s kind of difficult to do a whole lot of desert travel without a vehicle. \u00a0The first issue is lack of water. \u00a0While traveling in the mountains, you’re often near a stream, lake, or other water source, the desert is typically pretty dry, which means that you need to carry all of your water with you. \u00a0The second issue is the sheer size and\u00a0inhospitable nature of the terrain. \u00a0Having a vehicle makes it feasible to access places that would be very difficult to reach on foot. \u00a0The third issue is that Utah’s deserts tend to be criss-crossed with dirt roads and 4-wheel drive tracks. \u00a0There seem to be a lot more 4×4 trails than hiking trails.<\/p>\n

So, my typical desert exploration practice has been to use my vehicle as a mobile base camp. \u00a0I drive to interesting places, then head out on day trips or the occasional overnighter with a light pack. \u00a0 The luxury and convenience of a vehicle has given me a different outlook on “camping” compared with my backpacking or climbing trips. \u00a0When I’m climbing or backpacking, I tend to go as light as possible. \u00a0I sacrifice comfort, food quality, and take only the essentials.<\/p>\n

When I’m using my vehicle as my mobile base, however, I have a completely different paradigm. \u00a0When car camping, my exemplar is the Colonial British officer on campaign. \u00a0Just because I’m in the backcountry, I don’t have to give up comfort.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
My camping isn’t quite this luxurious.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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My camping isn’t quite this glamorous either (but I kind of wish it were.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here are some of the things that have become my car camping necessities:<\/p>\n

Toyota Landcruiser (1995, 80 Series, Factory Locking Differentials) \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Landcruiser is my overlanding vehicle of choice. \u00a0I also have a Landrover Discovery, and while it is in many ways a great car, I prefer the legendary reliability of the Landcruiser.<\/p>\n

The Landcruiser model I drive is the 80 series, which was sold in the US from 1990 through 1997. \u00a0Mine is a 1995 model that I bought used with just under 140,000 miles on the odometer. \u00a0(For an 80 series, that’s just getting broken in.) \u00a0Some 80 series Cruisers came from the factory with front and rear locking differentials, and mine is one of those. \u00a0All of the 80 series Cruisers have solid axles (the last model Landcruiser with this feature) and are extremely robust. \u00a0The straight-6 cylinder engine is durable, but not particularly powerful, so the 80 series isn’t a speed demon, especially on long uphill sections of highway. \u00a0However, drop the transfer case into low range, and the 80 has plenty of torque and grunt to take you (slowly) up steep grades and over obstacles.<\/p>\n

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80 Series Landcruiser makes a great overlanding vehicle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My Landcruiser has a long list of modifications to make it even more capable off-road, including a 3 inch lift, Old Man Emu J-Springs and shocks, a Front Runner 40 gallon auxiliary fuel tank<\/a>, front bumper with TDS winch<\/a>, rear bumper with swing-out tire carrier, rock sliders, snorkel and diff breather hoses. \u00a0I also installed an on-board, 5 gallon water tank<\/a> in the inside rear quarter panel, and a Helton hot water system<\/a> for showers, cleaning, etc. \u00a0\u00a0It has a second battery installed for running the winch, fridge and other electric accessories. \u00a0One of the most useful modifications was lowering the gearing with 4.56 gears. \u00a0This gives the truck a bit more grunt, and makes up for the larger tires. \u00a0I can still cruise all day at 75mph, but going up hills is a lot easier now.<\/p>\n

As modified, my 80 series Landcruiser is pretty much the perfect overlanding vehicle for my needs.\u00a0 It\u2019s tough, dependable, and can take me just about anywhere I need to go. \u00a0I don\u2019t do extreme rock crawling with it, but it\u2019s capable of going up and down some pretty rugged 4×4 trails.\u00a0Much of the work on my cruiser was done by Cruiser Outfitters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Autohome Columbus Carbon<\/a> roof top tent <\/strong><\/p>\n

Roof top tents aren\u2019t all that popular here in the United States.\u00a0 They were originally developed for use in Africa, where their roof-top location provided some protection from lions, hyenas, rhinos, and other wild life.\u00a0 Even without the need for separating yourself from hungry lions, I have found that a roof top tent provides a lot of convenience and comfort when compared with a traditional ground tent.\u00a0 The Autohome Columbus<\/a> model I chose for my tent is a carbon-fiber, clamshell design which weighs about 85 pounds.\u00a0 (The fiberglass version weighs about 115.)\u00a0 \u00a0It is super easy to deploy, and takes about 15 seconds.\u00a0 Just unlatch the latch, give it a push, and it pops up on its own.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to worry about muddy ground or clearing a tent site of rocks or brush.\u00a0 Just make sure that the vehicle is parked on reasonably level ground, and you\u2019re done.\u00a0 Stowing the tent when you\u2019re ready to go takes about 4 or 5 minutes. \u00a0\u00a0It has a very comfortable 3-inch thick foam mattress that has plenty of room for two adults (slightly larger than a typical queen mattress.) The tent is weather tight and sturdy.\u00a0 The only real downside of the roof top configuration is that if you have to pee in the middle of the night, you\u2019re going to have to climb down a ladder to do so.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had the Autohome tent for several years now, and have used it a lot in all seasons.\u00a0 It\u2019s secure, convenient, and has provided me with many nights of comfortable sleep.<\/p>\n

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Autohome Columbus Tent and Foxwing Awning deployed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Foxwing Awning<\/strong><\/p>\n

An awning provides much needed shade and protection from rain when you\u2019re hanging out in camp.\u00a0 \u00a0I use a Foxwing awning<\/a> because it provides almost 270 degree protection, covering the entire right side and rear of the vehicle.\u00a0 It takes about 5 minutes to set up or take down, and it has sheltered me from hot desert sun, rain, and sleet.\u00a0 It\u2019s not made to resist high winds, but mine has survived some strong gusts.<\/p>\n

Kermit Chair:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Standard folding chairs take less time to set up, but the Kermit Chair<\/a> folds down smaller, and its beautiful hardwood construction has a touch of class that simply can\u2019t be equaled by something you bought at Wal-Mart.\u00a0 I recommend buying the add-on feet for additional height and for use on sand or soft ground.<\/p>\n

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Kermit Chairs set up for lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bundu Boxes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

These heavy duty plastic boxes are the best storage solutions I\u2019ve found for keeping my gear organized in the back of my vehicle.\u00a0 I use three of these boxes to hold stuff that I regularly bring on trips.\u00a0 They are strong, light weight, and they stack nicely.\u00a0 I strap them to tie-down points to keep them from tipping over.<\/p>\n

Bushranger X Jack<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Bushranger X Jack<\/a> is an inflatable jack that is more versatile than the ubiquitous high-lift jack.\u00a0 It uses the vehicle exhaust to inflate, and can be used in soft dirt or sand because of the large surface area of the contact point.\u00a0 There are more placement options for the vehicle jacking point as well.<\/p>\n

Trasheroo<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Trasheroo<\/a> is a simple but ingenious solution to how to take care of your trash. \u00a0Storing trash inside your vehicle is stinky and messy. \u00a0The Trasheroo is a nylon bag that attaches to your rear-mounted spare tire with buckles and straps. \u00a0It holds a garbage bag inside it. \u00a0This provides you with a secure place to put your trash outside of the vehicle. \u00a0Brilliant!<\/p>\n

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Trasheroo mounted on spare tire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cooking \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I enjoy cooking great food when I’m camping. \u00a0In contrast to the rather plain food I eat on my backpacking and climbing trips, when I’m base-camping out of my Land Cruiser, I tend to eat things like goat cheese stuffed peppers, marinated steaks, home made lamb curry, Cantonese stir fry with fresh vegetables, berry cobblers, and other tasty things. \u00a0 Having used a number of different kitchen items to aid me in achieving my culinary goals, here are some things I’ve found particularly useful:<\/p>\n

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ARB Fridge and Bundu Boxes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ARB Fridge\/Freezer\u00a0 (50 Quart)<\/strong><\/p>\n

A proper fridge is a lot better than a cooler full of ice.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to worry about refilling the ice and it doesn\u2019t get your food wet with melted ice water.\u00a0 There are a number of fridges on the market, and the ARB<\/a>\u00a0is one of the least expensive options that still has a good reputation for quality.\u00a0 The ARB works as either a fridge or a freezer.\u00a0 There isn\u2019t a separate\u00a0 freezer compartment, so you have to use the whole unit as either a fridge or freezer.\u00a0 \u00a0My first ARB fridge was dead on arrival, and wouldn\u2019t cool.\u00a0 It was replaced under warranty, and the replacement has worked pretty\u00a0 well.\u00a0\u00a0 It cools well, but unevenly.\u00a0 Stuff on the bottom tends to be colder than stuff on top, so that you have to be careful not to put anything on the bottom that might freeze.\u00a0 I\u2019ve also found that the thermostat isn\u2019t particularly accurate.\u00a0 For my particular fridge, I\u2019ve found that I need to set it about 10 degrees colder than my target temperature.\u00a0 A setting of 26 degrees seems to be about right for an actual temperature of about 36 degrees.\u00a0 The fridge plugs into a car 12 volt outlet with either a Hella plug or a regular \u201ccigarette lighter\u201d plug.\u00a0 I\u2019ve found that with either plug, the connection can sometimes wiggle loose, cutting off electricity to my fridge.\u00a0 I\u2019ve taken to checking the fridge at rest stops to make sure it\u2019s still running.\u00a0 \u00a0Power draw is pretty small, and I can run it for a couple of days without depleting my battery.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In spite of a few imperfections, I really like my fridge.\u00a0 Having a real refrigerator has allowed me to carry a nice variety of food on my trips, from cheese to steaks to seafood.<\/p>\n

Kamp Kitchn<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Kamp Kitchn is an aluminum kitchen box that was made back in the 1950\u2019s. \u00a0I got mine off of eBay for less than $100. \u00a0 It\u2019s a two sided box that opens on both sides. One half of the box contains storage space for plates, cooking gadgets, pots, and supplies.\u00a0 \u00a0The other half of the box has a propane powered stove.\u00a0\u00a0 I like the lightweight aluminum construction of the Kamp Kitchn.\u00a0 Similar boxes made from stainless steel weigh a lot more than this aluminum design.\u00a0 The size is about right too:\u00a0 big enough to contain a useful amount of kitchen gear, but not so big it eats up all the available space in your vehicle.\u00a0 \u00a0I don\u2019t really like the stove.\u00a0 The 1950\u2019s stove burner design doesn\u2019t work as well as modern propane stoves, and it\u2019s more susceptible to wind than modern designs.\u00a0 Still, it\u2019s the best kitchen kit I know of, and significantly better than any modern kitchen kit I\u2019ve found.<\/p>\n

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1950’s Kamp Kitchn holds my kitchen supplies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Happy Camper folding charcoal starter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This gadget works well for getting your charcoal going.\u00a0 The characteristic that sets it apart from other charcoal starters is that it folds flat when not in use, which means it takes up a lot less space than similar products.<\/p>\n

Rome mini folding grill<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Rome mini folding grill<\/a> is inexpensive, light weight, and compact.\u00a0 It\u2019s a simple design, without any bells and whistles, but it works ok for grilling things.<\/p>\n

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Rome Mini Folding Grill and cedar plank salmon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Volcano Grill<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Volcano Grill<\/a> is much larger and heavier than the Rome mini grill, but works better for big grilling tasks.\u00a0 I recommend the addition of the heat resistant fabric hood for times when you want even, all-around heating.\u00a0 It works great in conjunction with a Dutch oven or Potjie too.<\/p>\n

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Volcano grill and Happy Camper folding charcoal starter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cast Iron\u00a0Dutch oven and Potjie<\/strong><\/p>\n

I love cooking in cast iron.\u00a0 In addition to the traditional American Style camp Dutch Oven such as those sold by Lodge<\/a>, I use a South African style \u201cPotjie<\/a>\u201d which has a rounded bottom.\u00a0 I\u2019ve found that the rounded bottom of the Potjie makes it less prone to burning stuff on the bottom than the flat-bottomed American style.\u00a0\u00a0 In addition to using the Potjie for traditional Dutch oven tasks such as baking cobblers, etc, the Potjie also makes a great all around cooking pot for stews, curries, and other camp dishes.<\/p>\n

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Cast Iron Potjie simmering some curry on the Kamp Kitchn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dutch Oven Strawberry Shortcake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The pay-off for having a capable, well equipped vehicle, is that you can easily access some really beautiful places like these:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Canyon Country<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Desert Sky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slot Canyon<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Desert Pictographs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Slot Canyon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I used to be a backpacking snob. \u00a0I felt that backpackers that explore the wilderness walking around on their own two feet, carrying everything on their back were morally superior to folks who drove into the backcountry in a vehicle. However, after spending a fair amount of time in Utah’s deserts and canyons, I’ve become […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,144],"tags":[149,141,151,146,152,150,153,147,145,148],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=404"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1597,"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404\/revisions\/1597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/larsonweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}