Overland Expo – particularly the female director of programming – is thrilled with the success of our launch of the “Women Who Wander” Pavilion at Overland Expo PNW, and we can’t wait to share this event-within-an-event with our attendees at Overland Expo Mountain West. Honoring and catering to one of the fastest growing communities in the Overland Space, “Women Who Wander” will feature female-specific education during the days throughout the weekend at the Women Who Wonder Pavillion sponsored by Bushwakka Adventure Gear and a fun, engaging fireside chat on Saturday afternoon from 5 pm-7 pm. For more information about what you’ll find in this exciting new space, please continue reading.
Daytime Education
Misti Tokarsky with Lady Overlander Radio will host and teach classes tailored to women in the Women Who Wander classroom space every day throughout the weekend. Misti, “Barefoot Overlander,” is a podcaster, mother, overlander, and military veteran. She and her husband and three children traveled full-time for five years straight, overlanding full-time for three of those five years. She and her podcast partner, Arla Cress, run the Lady Overlander Radio podcast. Attendees can expect Misti and other instructors to teach classes like:
- Safety Hacks for Female Travelers – Misti Tokarsky
- Empowering Women in Overlanding: Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence – Deedra Murrieta
- Overlanding 101: The Basics for Women – Misti Tokarsky
- Find Your Tribe: Building an Overland Community of Women – Misti Tokarsky
- Hygiene While Overlanding – Misti Tokarsky
- Go Bag or Go Home: Be the Boss Preparedness – Jess Caldwell
- The Basics of Map & Compass Navigation – Avis Cook
- Planning Your Stays as a Solo Female Traveler – Amy Wong
- The Survival Rule of 3’s: Leadership Mindset, Situational Awareness, and Intuition Training – Jess Caldwell
- Ladies, Let’s Talk Poop – Deb Lee
- Way of the Wildkind: A Holistic Approach to Thriving in a Modern World – Jess Caldwell
And much more!
(Note: all are welcome to attend these sessions – while the classes are tailored towards women, we guarantee that anyone in attendance will come away with valuable new insights and knowledge.)
Evening Fireside Chats Series for Women Who Wander
On Saturday evening from 5 pm to 7 pm, all ladies are welcome to join us in a special area adjacent to the Oasis Food Court & Bar sponsored by Toyo Tires. Harkening back to the “good old days” of Overland Expo Ladies’ Nights, we invite everyone to grab their happy hour drink, head into the Women Who Wander lounge, enjoy some snacks, and gather around a “campfire.” While guests are welcome to simply mingle and network, we’ll have a few more structured Q&As and community conversations:
Q & A: How Not to Die in the Desert as a Rookie Rebelle
The Rebelle Rally is an eight day, women-only, traditional navigation rally that stretches 1500+ miles through California and Nevada. Connie Rodman, from the prospective Rebelle Rally Team “Tried and True – TNT” will get all of the dirt from 2023 Rebelle (and Overland Expo’s director of programming) Azure O’Neil. When Azure and Eva Rupert competed in the Rebelle last year, their goals were: 1. To get as many checkpoints as possible before noon. 2. Not to die in the desert. 3. To be good teammates to one another and all Rebelles. While rookie-to-be Connie will surely have several questions of her own, everyone around the fire pit is welcome to ask Azure their most burning questions about how to Rebelle.
Meet the Most BadA$$ Adventurer at Overland Expo
Before the invention of GPS technology, Patty Upton and her late husband, Loren, took their 1966 CJ-5 through the Darien Gap and around the world. She has always been fascinated by maps, exotic places, and different cultures. After meeting Loren, she stepped through the Looking Glass and into the world of overland expeditions and a lifetime of adventure. Patty will be giving a can’t-miss presentation about her travels during the day in the Storytelling Pavilion sponsored by CVT. (those who have heard her speak before say it is one of the most captivating and inspiring stories they have ever heard). This fireside chat is an incredible opportunity to ask a true living legend questions about her wild and phenomenally interesting life.
You can learn more about Loren and Patty here.
Network and Plan New Adventures with Other Lady Overlanders
We’ll wrap up the evening with an open-format Q&A about all things overlanding. This is your opportunity to ask any questions you have about overlanding (that you haven’t already posed in the Women Who Wander Pavilion sponsored by Bushwakka Adventure Gear during the day). Find new friends to head out camping with. Or hear new tips and tricks for gear, safety, and thriving as a female overlander.
