Overlanding West Virginia with Jason Specht

Overland Journal podcast host Scott Brady talks with Jason Speck of Mountain State Overland at historic Camp Cheat in West Virginia about his outdoors origins in scouting, preparedness, and the importance of training with gear before it’s needed. They compare overlanding in the East versus the West, including narrower trails, frequent downed trees, and incorporating history and multi-sport activities into trips. Speck shares route highlights like Canaan Loop, Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, the Mid-Atlantic BDR, and the Trans America Trail, emphasizing discovery and responsible travel through micro-groups and Tread Lightly principles. The episode explores Camp Cheat’s connection to “The Vagabonds”—Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs—who stayed there during a 1918 motor-camping trip. Speck also discusses his Tacoma/Modcap setup, community events like Adventure XFest, and the need for guide standards and safety.
 
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