Pathfinder III
Not really, but yes, it is. I am heading into retirement and have a love of wilderness since growing up in New Zealand to be a forester, with a forester dad. I used to hike everywhere but since I recently discovered I actually did break my ankle back in 1976, which is why it is all arthritic and won't hike like I remember, maybe I can get there on wheels?
As a forester in New Zealand we ran around in 2WD Toymotas. I remember as a junior forester chauffeuring the District Ranger very delicately till it pissed him off and within 30 minutes he had me doing 4 wheel drifts on the dirt roads as he was in a hurry, so he taught me the ropes. I mostly worked alone, and got stuck many times, but NEVER radioed for help. The whole forest was on the same channel and I would never hear the end of it. But wee 2WD Toymotas are easy peasy to unstick - a shovel and some brush stuffed under the wheels worked great. I never heard of max trax or whatever. Armor? I would have laughed. Winches? They were for hauling logs. Sometimes I had a chainsaw.
Then I married an American, moved here, had a kid, worked as a landscaper, kid moved back to NZ 10 years ago, wife died (that was a bummer), and I was left looking after my father in law the last 8 years till he died recently. It has been a full life, but lots of obligations that have all gone away. Now it is just me, and I am about to join the Everyday is Saturday club.
So. I have deep knowledge of New Zealand wilderness with no bears, and no knowledge of overlanding. First step was join this here fine looking forum.
I plan to buy a 4x4 truck in a little while, one I will use for work as I have become friends with my clients, and I like the idea of those Four Wheel Camper toppers - the project M. I could work out of one of those and not have to remove it. Since the idea of living live on the road for months at a time is very appealing I will probably get a travel trailer eventually so I can putter about and explore wilderness areas in the US and maybe Canada.
I am thinking a 3/4 ton diesel. Now that is a bit heavier than those wee toymotas - if that gets stuck it will need some help, and if it needs help I probably will too.
This seemed like a good group to join. If nothing else maybe I can amuse you with my stumbling.
As a forester in New Zealand we ran around in 2WD Toymotas. I remember as a junior forester chauffeuring the District Ranger very delicately till it pissed him off and within 30 minutes he had me doing 4 wheel drifts on the dirt roads as he was in a hurry, so he taught me the ropes. I mostly worked alone, and got stuck many times, but NEVER radioed for help. The whole forest was on the same channel and I would never hear the end of it. But wee 2WD Toymotas are easy peasy to unstick - a shovel and some brush stuffed under the wheels worked great. I never heard of max trax or whatever. Armor? I would have laughed. Winches? They were for hauling logs. Sometimes I had a chainsaw.
Then I married an American, moved here, had a kid, worked as a landscaper, kid moved back to NZ 10 years ago, wife died (that was a bummer), and I was left looking after my father in law the last 8 years till he died recently. It has been a full life, but lots of obligations that have all gone away. Now it is just me, and I am about to join the Everyday is Saturday club.
So. I have deep knowledge of New Zealand wilderness with no bears, and no knowledge of overlanding. First step was join this here fine looking forum.
I plan to buy a 4x4 truck in a little while, one I will use for work as I have become friends with my clients, and I like the idea of those Four Wheel Camper toppers - the project M. I could work out of one of those and not have to remove it. Since the idea of living live on the road for months at a time is very appealing I will probably get a travel trailer eventually so I can putter about and explore wilderness areas in the US and maybe Canada.
I am thinking a 3/4 ton diesel. Now that is a bit heavier than those wee toymotas - if that gets stuck it will need some help, and if it needs help I probably will too.
This seemed like a good group to join. If nothing else maybe I can amuse you with my stumbling.
