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View Full Version : PA Overlanding, Not Vehicle Specific



cshontz
12-19-2006, 03:46 PM
Hello, folks. I'm Chris - this is my first post, and I'm the former owner of a stock, white, 98 Disco. Heh heh heh ... :o Please don't hold my lack of Land Rover ownership against me, as I remain an enthusiast. :)

Anyway, I'm here not because of the vehicles but because of the lifestyle. I'm located in Lancaster County, and would like to network with individuals interested in off-highway touring, overlanding, or vehicle dependent expeditions. I personally do little more than weekend touring (my status is a little better than "poser"), but I do have grand visions of cross-country adventure. Its been difficult to find like-minded individuals (locally, at least) which is why I've decided to try the Land Rover channels.

Does anyone here go on regular exploratory outings (not 4x4 park) that are open to other vehicle makes, not only Land Rovers? Are there any existing, local (central PA) organizations with a skew toward overlanding and outdoorsmanship?

Thanks in advance - its a pleasure to meet you guys! :D

galen211
12-19-2006, 04:58 PM
Chris,

Is the website on your sig line yours? I live near the Bald Eagle State Forest and regularly travel there to go hiking with the dog.

I have traveled the roads throughout there and love to find new ones all the time. Here on the East Coast the concept of expedition offroading is hard to pull off. With little to no public land (unlike out West) to traverse. I like the State Forests but for the most part they are dirt roads and even the drivable trails I have come across aren't that difficult (yet.)

But if you ever head to Bald Eagle I'll gladly be a second vehicle.

galen211
12-19-2006, 05:13 PM
I just read over your report and I stay more North of where you were (although I have been down that way too.)

Most of the area that I frequent these days is near R. B. Winter State Park. Sunday I was up on a drivable trail called Nittany View Trail that was a 4-mile dead-end. I hiked a good portion of it for the dog's sake but didn't want to go back by myself over some of the mud holes (no winch).

cshontz
12-19-2006, 07:41 PM
Thanks for your reply, Galen. Yup, that is my web site - its still pretty new, but I'm using it as a detailed journal for my travels, and I write about overlanding-themed topics and equipment. I'm hoping to diversify beyond my own experiences, and not limit subject-matter to a particular vehicle make.

Bald Eagle is convenient, beautiful, and offers a maze of forest roads and drivable trails that are alot of fun to explore. I've been up there five times as of this post - and I'm just going through every trail on their forest map, one-by-one, whether its a dead end or not. It has been great fun, and once I run out of trails there, I'll move on to Sproul. :)

I recall passing the Nittany Mountain Trail - I sat there at the intersection trying to decide whether or not to run it ... ended up saving it for another day.

http://static.flickr.com/102/250993017_f86ccf0aaf_m.jpg

Although the northeast isn't adequate for expeditionary off-roading, there is still a wealth of forest roads, legal drivable trails, and gray areas well-suited for day trips and weekend explorations. Granted many of these destinations are low-impact compared to the tailored 4x4 trails at Rausch Creek and PAP, but I greatly prefer exploration and discovery over technical off-roading and hope to find others with similar interests.

I'll gladly post here next time I head out. I should be equipped with a winch after the holidays. :)

87xj95disco
12-21-2006, 09:52 AM
im just a stone throw away from you
im in columbia i have a stock 95 disco
maybe we could get together sometime i thinking
of getting a small group to head to robesonia for a day
of free running. welcome to our club

cshontz
12-21-2006, 11:27 PM
im just a stone throw away from you
im in columbia i have a stock 95 disco
maybe we could get together sometime i thinking
of getting a small group to head to robesonia for a day
of free running. welcome to our club

I know you, Mike! Thanks for the welcome! :D

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/197590622_05b95ee3eb.jpg

This was my 98 Discovery. I didn't have it too long - my wife and I desperately needed something more practical, but I would've loved to keep it as a toy. :(

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/70892671_3d591bb5be.jpg

87xj95disco
12-26-2006, 09:22 AM
i think everyone knows my jeep lol

rvrsrvc
12-26-2006, 03:39 PM
Hi Chris, I'm Trevor!
I've got a little shop in Elizabethtown specialising in Land Rovers. Trying to cater more to the enthusiasts who use their Rovers as intended and aren't too concerned about a little mud on the tyres.
I have been eager to expand on our off-roading to include trips more than a day or weekend at an off road park. I'd be very interested to hearing more!
My wife has a conference in Utah during the summer of 2008, and we're planning to expand that into a trip to Moab etc.. I have done nearly nothing as far as planning this trip, so I don't have much more than a concept, but i'm sure that will change soon.
Cheers!
Trevor

87xj95disco
12-31-2006, 04:36 PM
not sure what im doing this sat but would you mind if we got together
or we could later next week.
im trying to get a part i need for my rover.
let me know if you are doing anything

thanks
mike

cshontz
12-31-2006, 06:34 PM
Hi Chris, I'm Trevor!
I've got a little shop in Elizabethtown specialising in Land Rovers. Trying to cater more to the enthusiasts who use their Rovers as intended and aren't too concerned about a little mud on the tyres.
I have been eager to expand on our off-roading to include trips more than a day or weekend at an off road park. I'd be very interested to hearing more!
My wife has a conference in Utah during the summer of 2008, and we're planning to expand that into a trip to Moab etc.. I have done nearly nothing as far as planning this trip, so I don't have much more than a concept, but i'm sure that will change soon.

Good to meet you, Trevor. I'd enjoy visiting your shop sometime. Rausch Creek and Paragon (i think) have off-trail primitive camping accommodations. Don't look past state forests, either. What they lack in technical terrain, they typically make up for in variety and scenery.

A few months ago I went on a weekend trip to Monongahela National Forest (http://ixplor.us/index.php?/expedition_portal_trip_to_monongahela_national_for est/) in West Virginia with friends from the Expedition Portal forum. It was a very memorable excursion, and a great place for off-highway touring. I'm excited to go back. It was roughly 4 hours from the Harrisburg area.

Speaking of Expedition Portal (http://expeditionportal.com/), that is an invaluable resource and discussion forum (much like this one) for overlanding. I highly recommend it if you're interested in the topic, especially for trip planning - great online community. :)


i think everyone knows my jeep lol

Mike,
I passed you on Prospect today (12/31) earlier in the afternoon. You weren't far from your house heading toward Columbia. I think you were on your phone. I waved, but you probably didn't see me. :)

87xj95disco
01-01-2007, 10:16 AM
what were you driving i think i did see you and yes i was on the phone
so i could get my hands off the wheel. now thats funny

cshontz
01-01-2007, 10:33 AM
what were you driving i think i did see you and yes i was on the phone so i could get my hands off the wheel. now thats funny

We were in a gray Cherokee w/ a bull bar on the front. We were heading home on 30 from Toys R Us, but decided to hit Taco Bell in Etown at the last minute, so we cut across taking Prospect to 283. Yo quiero Taco Bell! :D

87xj95disco
01-01-2007, 06:02 PM
ok i do remember seeing you then sorry didnt get a chance to wave
will keep a look out for you jeep in the future.
what part of maytown do you live