Heat can't crush the spirit of a team work

20250810-go-southern — Peter Vollers repairs his leaky transmission on his vintage Volkswagen bus during day one of the Southern Cross Xpedition.

Donn Friedman Donn Friedman Donn Friedman Go New Mexico

Published August 25, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. Modified August 25, 2025 - 2:06 p.m.

Well, the worst did not happen.

If you remember, I wrote about seven teams driving vintage vehicles that started the Southern Cross Xpedition adventure in May. I checked in to see how the journey went.

All the vintage vehicles made it off the Arizona Backcountry Trail and back to civilization. Some made it to New Mexico. The others made it to far-flung homes from Baja to Utah. No one made it all the way on the planned route.

“No one said it was going to be easy,” said Michael Ladden, in an interview shared on the Drive the Globe YouTube channel, youtube.com/drivetheglobe.

When we last left this intrepid group, they were heading out after displaying and working on their vehicles in a corner at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff.

The low-tech adventurers encountered obstacles while attempting the route .

Temperatures reaching 100 degrees caused engine lock-ups, since the vehicles did not have modern engine cooling systems. Even the high-country near Globe, Arizona, at 3,510 feet, was too hot. The teams did repairs along the route, when they could, and made stops at auto parts stores. A few rented Motel 6 rooms during the heat of one day for showers and air conditioning. The heat also caused plans to change. Rather than driving on dirt for 100 miles per day and relaxing at camp in the evenings, some nights were spent driving across the cooler, dark desert.

“What’s great about doing an adventure with friends: everything turns into an adventure memory, the good, the bad and the questionable choices,” said Daniel Brewer, the videographer who rode a newer motorcycle and also served as the support team.

The teams split up after Globe because of the heat’s effects on the vehicles and the people .

You can watch more about the Southern Cross Xpedition at youtube.com/drivetheglobe.

Heat can't crush the spirit of a team work

Episode Two | The End | Just Too Hot

The journey continues. Day two & three become increasingly difficult for the trucks due to hot weather conditions. After completing much of the Arizona Back Country Discovery Route we make the difficult decision to complete the trip early.

May 2025 we embarked on the Southern Cross Xpedition, an unforgettable adventure that promises to push both vintage off-road trucks and their drivers to the limit across the breathtaking backcountry discovery routes of New Mexico and Arizona. Originally conceived by Michael Ladden to return his 1965 Land Rover to adventure that it has not undertaken since completing a Trans Africa Expedition in 2001. He teamed up with Peter Vollers of Vermont Overland fame and now an active overland enthusiast in the Southwestern US who designed the route and logistics for this new adventure. The journey invites participants and their seven vintage vehicles to navigate rugged terrains, stunning vistas, and hidden gems, fostering camaraderie and resilience among fellow adventurers. Each mile offers the chance to reconnect with nature while experiencing the nostalgia of classic vehicles tackling challenging landscapes. An exhilarating expedition filled with exploration, teamwork, and memories that will last a lifetime!

Enjoy viewing this video in 4K Ultra High Definition

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

02:10 Day 2

06:38 Mogollon Rim

08:49 The Break Downs Begin

11:59 Lunch

15:12 On The Road Again

19:55 Day 3

25:53 Globe Arizona, The End Of The Road

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MY NAME IS MICHAEL LADDEN:

After visiting more than 120 countries on five continents I made the bold decision to sell all of my possessions and become a full time nomad more than four years ago. Currently, I am traveling in my self built, ex-army overland expedition truck, complete with a KTM motorbike, bicycles, kayak, a Onewheel and all of the essentials needed to explore this incredible planet we call home. Join me, as I share my adventures and stories from around the world.

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DRIVE THE GLOBE | Overland Adventures

The Adventure is not the Destination... It is the Journey.

MUSIC:

First To Strike By Moments

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Astonish By Shimmer

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Shattered Skies By Moments

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Persona By Lone Canyon

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Gridlock By Cody Martin

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Retribution By Wicked Cinema

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Fallen By Michael Briguglio

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The Sky Will Fall By Moments

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Heroes Are Back By Adam Saban

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We Will Last By Alsever Lake

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Video footage courtesy of: Michael Ladden, @chasingadventurenow & Todd Stewart ( @outdoormtnman )

#vintagetrucks #landrover #vwbus

By Donn Friedman/Journal Outside

Episode One | The Beginning | Unexpected Surprises

We set out from Flagstaff AZ on Day one and things quickly get spicy with some rough roads and rugged terrain. The vintage vehicles perform well until late in the day when the VW bus suffers a potentially catastrophic gear box leak.

Enjoy viewing this video in 4K Ultra High Definition

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

03:41 Day 1 hitting the Back Country Discovery Route

06:19 The Challenges Begin

07:11 Introducing The Crew

10:27 Fantastic Scenery

13:13 Lunch Break

14:16 Afternoon Adventure

19:32 Disaster Strikes

23:34 Back On The Road & Thoughts On The Day

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