Thank you guys for your opinion, it does speak volumes. Many of you are very knowledgeable and your well spoken advice doesn't fall on deaf ears. I wouldn't expect some of you to understand our intentions as you don't know anything further than my requests for your opinion. Fair enough, however, Dave (auminer) and Difflock, please keep your judgement to yourself as I do not pass on my judgement of you. I am quite aware you are undoubtedly more knowlegable and capable in these areas of vehicle expertise, that is why I'm here. That being said, a pop concert, are you kidding? I don't want to point any fingers, but my guess is you have never set out on an expedition to bike the longest road in the world. We WILL be biking farther than the circumference of the earth to spread awareness of global issues because clearly far too many people don't understand them. Dave, I would like you to acknowledge something. Every day, over 32,000 orphans die from preventable illness as simple as dehydration from diarrhea. In case you can't grasp that, from a 2005 census, 2,579 people live in your home town there in Haines, Alaska. Imagine every person you know there dying, multiply that by 12, and you still fall short. I would love for you to know what it is like to walk the streets of the largest slum in the world and look an orphan in the eyes, knowing he's sick with malnourishment, possibly tb, a stomach full of worms, and both his parents dead from aids.
This expedition isn't some joyride through alaska, if it were, we wouldn't take anything more than mosquito nets, and we wouldn't need a unimog. This is an investigation to spread education about human rights and why people aren't given a fair chance to life. Many of these issues are common sense, AND some are politically based. There can a threat to asking why, not to mention carrying expensive film equipment and 2 female researchers through drug running territories like Colombia.
Believe me, I would love to use something as large and capable as a unimog with ample room for living and storage. However, when the purpose is to build schools and orphanages, I cannot deny the future of those orphans to buy our ultimate vehicle. I would love your help in this, as my whole team and I fully understand we cannot accomplish this alone. I appreciate your criticism, and I would appreciate your assistance much more. Thank you.
Right on J! I completely respect your plan. More people need to wake up to the plight of the needy. Here is a site you might get some more truck info on:
In that three years time that your trapsing around; you will find your bringing attention to something we all already know! You'll find some will send money.. by stoping to send it somewhere else who needs the funds just as much.
In those three years you can educate a young "man or woman" to be, how to read and do math. How to grow Jatropha trees and farm their own fuel. How to husk and press the fuel from the nuts. How to ready it to run in tractors and generators.... truly emPOWER them, teach them to stand on their own be thinking productive people.
With this emPOWERment they gain the ability to transform THEMSELVES. Nothing will ever work better than empowering these people (and offering guidance to help them avoid the greed that every civilization plunders thru as they find empowerment).
Hold on here Jlit...you are mistaken on my passing judgment in my first reply to ya, it was advice! You are correct, I don't know exactly what you are doing, but it sure smacks like a few college boys and a couple of girls out to make their mark and to save humanity all in the guise of mother earth and the environment.
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...to spread awareness of global issues...
Yada Yada we see and hear this stuff every breakup and see a few econuts going through doing practically the same thing. Its a shame that some actually stay... Sure would benefit our humanity if you would start your trip several thousand miles south of your initial goal.
Oh cool, you are a clicking scientist and have researched our 2005 census for Haines, congrats. About knowledge of slums and death and such...you and your team have certainly seen and physically helped those through your missionary years while in training (right???), if you have, I commend you. I haven't seen these issues in the Philippines, Mexico, nor Vietnam (ya right...) and am completely out of touch with the world. We really need your guidance...gosh aids??? what's that? must be gov't help of some kind... BTW, got your grant $$ for this earth saving venture? Bet you have your web site ready so we can follow your progress too. Ya you can post the URL here, we don't mind.
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This is an investigation to spread education about human rights and why people aren't given a fair chance to life. Many of these issues are common sense, AND some are politically based.
Yup that nailed it! SPAM
My comments are on behalf of the Alaska portion of your trip and of course differ in relation to the S. American portion.
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However, when the purpose is to build schools and orphanages...
First I've heard of this and yes it does make a difference. But why Alaska? May I suggest that you read up (er, I mean research) on Alaska and a good place to start would be checking out the $8 billion state surplus? We don't need any more researching teams, save it for those that do. Now if you just need a vacation, come on up, but not under the pretense of saving our hides with your professors opinions and mother earth ideas.
I like your spunk, we could really use an asset like you. Are you sure you don't want to join our trip? We could sure use an additional researcher, plus you've already got a sweet ride. . And truly, I do want to thank you for your humbling praise. You are more right than you know in many regards.
I don't come anywhere close to considering myself a scientist, but thank you, it is one of my aspirations. The reason we're starting in Alaska is because we are traveling the Pan-American Highway, which extends all the way north, to all the way south. I know these ideas are big, but I can't tell you how fulfilling it is to work a 16 hour day researching, writing, emailing, training, researching, and researching, and then be rewarded with the smallest bit of progress. It's great, and please don't confuse my enthusiasm with sarcasm.
Please let me be the first to apologize if I offended you in my previous letter. Though I knew I should have waited a night before sending my reply, I was a little on the defensive side from being called a F****** wanker, or whichever it was. It's water under the bridge though, and I hope we can keep up this conversation because I still do have much to learn. What I wouldn't give to have the knowledge you all possess. I am trying, which hopefully accounts for something.
Join you? I'm honored, I think...but actually, no thank you. You are more than welcome to a little R&R here in Haines when you make it this far though.
As I thought, the PanAm makes it a "grand slam" and looks great in the books.
I love Alaska and am a little put out by outsiders thinking we need help and instructions with living and "common sense". Most comes from the green and their mostly unfounded or twisted opinions without ever setting foot on terra firma. Hey all they have to do is ask and we'll help with any real issues...again we Alaskan's love the land/sea and don't want to see it wasted.
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...and please don't confuse my enthusiasm with sarcasm.
I don't and I admire your enthusiasm!
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I am trying, which hopefully accounts for something.
Sure does in my book and like I stated above, "we'll help with any real issues".
Vehicle: 1984 300GD "G" Wagen, and 1998 Steyr Puch 290GD "G" Van & a 1988 MB Trac 1000
Location: Co Antrim, Norn Ireland
Posts: 591
jilt
I know very very little about Unimogs and have rarely left N Ireland
However I watch documentary programmes on TV and buy a proper newspaper.
We know enough about this shit already
you will achieve zilch except some personal satisfaction
I presume you will be drinking bottled water ? ?
try working with the deprived nearer home first
Refer Al Gore flying 100 odd people to the far side of the world to publise Carbon Dioxode issues.
to my knowledge all men are wankers at some stage.
Locally here in N Ireland Ok a few years ago but after Communism collapsed and the Romanian orphanages became "the issue"
Gosh all the schools organised trips to visit them
Just like the Victorians visiting Bedlam lunitic ayslum.
Sending one person and ALL the money raised and buying locally would have made a LOT more sense.
I know its tough but if it was not for AIDs and other diseases
the world population would be totally out of control
Campaing for a limit to population growth instead.
Middle aged moderate
I accept you are well intentioned
Toyota are good trucks, no problems whatsover with that
Re the Armour, are you for hiding in the vehicle 24/7 ?
Cheers
M
PS
Perhaps we should switch this post to the off topic section
I think Difflock has a point here Jlit. WE really have quite enough info already. And, your dogs will eat about as much as 4 worm-filled urchins. And for what? So the ladies will sleep wolf-free?
For my part, I took a little humor at you expense (very little) and for that I offer no apology. Anyone that can write the sappy drivel that you have deserves a little ribbing from time to time from on old fart like me. I suppose it was the thought of armored Tundra campers that set me off. I mean you can barely move an E350 van that has been armored for bank pick ups against a 38 revolver or equivalent, much less an armored camper on a Tundra against armed militants. It just showed me that you are not a serious person and gave me what I felt was the license to not treat your comments seriously.
If others want to respect your plan, good for them. I gave at the office.
Howdy Jlit,
I meant to slightly rib the aspects of using Dumbdras. I have a buddy that works here and he initially got 10.53mpg empty. He now gets 11.80mpg. I think with the weight you're thinking of carrying you'd really need a better vehicle for that portion. If you feel strongly about your trip then take it. I would personally love to hear how it is going and what vehicles you outfit. I've had Landcruisers and think they are amazing. The weight will be the killer. The roof top tents I think would be a great idea. I also think the dogs might be more hassle than help. You have my email or PM so keep my up to date with your progress. I'll be heading to Venezuala in June with one of my daughters, so I'm all about plugging in. Go luck,
Chas
. And truly, I do want to thank you for your humbling praise. You are more right than you know in many regards. 
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