Cerocahui to El Fuerte on the Old Road

By Scott Brady

Introducing Stories from the Vault: Just like everyone, we get busy and sometimes a great trip gets pushed to the back burner or lost with the passing of time. The images are older and lower quality, but the adventure is still worth sharing. They will emphasize images with captions over text.  This is mostly because our memory gets a little fuzzy on the details and places. . .  

In 2004, a few friends and I decided to explore Copper Canyon, crossing the region from east to west.  Our goal was to take the most obscure route possible, including the goat tracks from the Lost Cathedral to the Rio Fuerte and ultimately to Cerocahui.  The region is stunning in its beauty, but overshadowed by the sense of danger related to the drug cultivation and transportation there.  Traveling to this region should be done with some caution and attempted after the fall 'harvest'.  When we traveled there in 2004, tourist traffic was almost non-existent and there were no GPS tracks or reliable maps.  I found GPS waypoints for the little towns and a few of the rivers and then with a hand-sketched map from a guy in Creel, we set-off into the canyons.

Segment One: US border to Creel

Segment Two: Satevo to Casa Colorado

Segment Three: Tubares to Cerocahui

 
The Lost Cathedral at Satevo

After the Canon 5D MKII was released over three years ago, it has been often credited with making cinematic HD video much more accessible to the general public. A flood of independent film makers could now afford the tools required to create a professional looking film without the need to spend tens of thousands of dollars. The camera used for a good portion of the photos you see on Expedition Portal and in Overland Journal have been taken with a 5D MKII that has been to all seven continents. 

Twenty-five years after the release of the first Canon EOS camera, they've unveiled the successor to the highly praised 5D MKII, inventively named, the 5D MKIII. 

The Millionth Land Rover Discovery

Since it's inception in 1989, the Discovery has been an incredibly popular SUV worldwide. Priced between the Range Rover, and the Defender, the Discovery created an interesting platform in which capability and creature comforts became weighed hand and hand. Land Rover has recently produced the 1,000,000th Discovery, with world renowned explorers Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ray Mears, Monty Hall, and Ben Saunders were present for the grand unveil. Faux-adventure-hipster Bear Grylls was also present.

Every time I see an EarthRoamer - I can't help but feel as if my vehicle is a member of the proletariat. Why? Because they're completely over the top in the best way possible. Of course I want a customizable living room, and dining room - inside my expedition vehicle. Sorry Ralph, you're great and all, but I think I'd rather travel around the world in a land yacht. The problem? EarthRoamers have always been a bit small, yes, that's the word I'm looking for, small. Luckily, they've just announced the EarthRoamer XV-HD, which makes the huge existing XV-LT look like a toy.

Have you ever found yourself on a steep slippery slope where your hiking boots just aren’t quite cutting it, yet you definitely can’t slap on your climbing shoes yet? What you needed was an approach shoe.

I recently checked out the Evolve Cruzer, an approach shoe. It has a Trax rubber sole - a special rubber that provides good friction as well as grip, which is just what you want in a good approach shoe. It features a soft fabric construction that makes it conveniently light and easy to pack, not to mention comfortable. Although an approach shoe is designed for both hiking and climbing, it can't really do either perfectly; so it's best used for those times when the terrain is steep, but not quite climbing shoe worthy. It does have a smooth area on the toe that is very useful for the occasional climb you may encounter on the way up.

As the first solid axle model vehicle ARB Engineers tackled for skid plates, the Jeep Wrangler JK presented many new issues that needed to be overcome. Among those, the skid plates panel had to mount in such a way that it allowed full movement of the front axle and all of its locating components during suspension cycling. Next it had to allow for the many different suspension systems and aftermarket control arms available on the market for this popular vehicle.

2011 Expedition Portal Overland Awards

Overland motorcycles are one of the only growing markets in the motorcycle industry. The reason for this is best compared to the popularity of SUVs, where a single vehicle can serve many purposes. Much like the SUV, the adventure motorcycle market is beginning to fracture and segment, some bikes serving more as highway cruisers than anything worthy of the Road of Bones. For the team at Expedition Portal, we like to use the following list for minimum requirements of an adventure motorcycle:

1.     200 mile cruising range (minimum)
Travel in developing countries or on remote tracks requires a sufficient fuel range. 200 mile improved road range (300 preferred) and 150 mile dirt track range (200 preferred) minimum.

2.     19” minimum front wheel diameter
The front wheel of a motorcycle (typical) is not driven. As a result, leverage and ability to roll-over a rock, ledge or pothole is critical. Consider a 21” front wheel in the really rough stuff.

3.     3,000 mile minimum service interval
Changing your oil every 1,000 miles just isn’t practical on a long trip.

4.     Ability to run on 87 octane fuel
Many parts of the world still have fuel served from crusty drums and plastic containers.  Finding premium fuel, even in Mexico can be a challenge at times. The bike needs to be able to run on low octane fuel, if even for a few tanks. 

5.     7.5” Suspension travel (minimum)
Suspension travel helps cushion the bike and occupants from impact and assist in maintaining traction and control in the dirt.  Look for 8”+ for any prolonged dirt use. 

6.     300 watt power supply (minimum)
Travel often includes gadgets like GPS units and important comfort items like heated vests, etc. If traveling in really cold conditions, consider 500 watts a minimum with a solo rider.

7.     Frame designed for luggage fitment and payload
A proper adventure motorcycle is designed to support equipment loads. As a result, the frame needs to be strong enough to handle panniers, water, dry bags and other equipment.

8.     Ergonomics that allow for standing riding position
Riding on corrugated roads, in sand and mud and on remote tracks requires a standing position for visibility and control.  A cramped cockpit or low bars makes standing impossible for extended periods.

Last week we featured 5 American Trucks we felt could be suitable for overland travel - this week we're continuing that patriotic American theme by talking about some SUV's. By no preference what-so-ever, Jeep is taking all the glory in this article, and for good reason. Arguably their vehicles are the most capable they've ever been; The Rubicon with it's locking cross-axle differentials, and the Grand Cherokee with it's air suspension that provides a nearly instant 4 inch lift are clear indicators that Jeep keeps their roots in mind when designing a new vehicle. It's unfortunate that the other American manufacturers can't offer more SUV's with capable off-highway performance.