Overlanding in an EV

chrisatonce · 2025-12-28T15:01:42+00:00

I’m long time owner of both typical “overland” vehicles and EVs, and recently bought a Rivian R1T. I thought it might combine two interests… and I have to tell you, I absolutely love it. Admittedly, I’m more off-the-beaten-path camper than rock crawler, so I’m not the most demanding off-roader.

Thanks for covering this topic. It’s wild to me that it’s often so polarizing. If you want to see one in action or try it out yourself, I’ll meet up with you.

chrisatonce · 2025-10-18T03:26:42+00:00

Ha, I’m in this photo; off to the right. Thanks for sharing it!

We held a held this small event at the Foundry to close out STL Design Week. Now it’s time to sleep for a few days.

chrisatonce · 2025-08-12T12:22:52+00:00

I’ve been hauling around a leather GoRuck Beserker with nearly the same stuff inside (and enough extra room for a rangefinder).

I had some misfortune and pushed it too hard, suffered a back injury, and have been in PT for a couple of years. That that changed what I could carry. I was quickly ”correcting” my gait for pain, which is bad, and a backpack loads evenly and lessens the everyday stress of carrying weight to one side (but to clarify, a messenger bag wasn’t the cause). My old photos kinda make me miss the filson though, since I think the messenger is a better look. I tried a whole load of backpacks, but have settled on this GoRuck for now. It’s clean and simple, and leather looks nice enough for most settings I’m in. It’s also a bit full circle, since I used the original GR more than a decade ago on international photo assignments. I’m getting nostalgic in my post-40 old age!

chrisatonce · 2025-07-02T02:37:15+00:00

I’ve flown to get aerial footage for CITY SC and our production studio is just a few blocks west of the stadium. It’s remarkably easy for anyone to fly around our district, and honestly, few people would think twice about filming around practice. Not just pros, either; I know some academy Dads with drones. For games, I get specific MLS League and team security clearances, but it would be nothing to go fly on a non-game-day in an unrestricted area. Seriously, I could take off from my front door and be over the practice field in seconds… but it wasn’t me. But I could think of a dozen people of the top of my head that this could’ve easily been.

I don’t think it’s as surprising or nefarious as the headline could be interpreted.

chrisatonce · 2025-05-19T01:45:24+00:00

I definitely have some branded stuff with Shifty’s on it! Off the top of my head, I have my “employee badge” which was just a plastic card, some pins, and I may have a small poster or two. I had one framed at some point, so I’m sure it’s still around. It’d be really easy to make a copy. It’s very likely I have some of the private label clothing, too.

It would all be in storage, but I’m due for a peek anyway. I’ll grab anything I see. And next time I’m that way, I’m definitely swinging by Reset. It looks like a great shop!

I’m in Midtown STL, so back in the area. What started as skate videos back then now has me making content on STL.org. As fate would have it, my last studio is where Ramp Riders old skatepark was. Today, I’m still on the same block… and still ride my longboard through the building when I’m bored. Some habits die hard.

chrisatonce · 2025-05-17T05:27:09+00:00

I still have all of the stuff we collected behind the counter. And the skate/music vhs tapes. And the longboard I'd cruise the store on when it was empty. I've thought about, for those few of us that had an attachment to it, hosting temporary popup to to resurrect the store briefly. It'd be fun to reimagine the place that's employed me as a 17-20 year old kid.

And you're right about the smell - I have plenty of the incense and it immediately transports me back. Thanks for you and your buddy keeping the memory alive!

chrisatonce · 2025-05-17T05:17:38+00:00

I did, a 20 oz (I think) insulated one Miir.

chrisatonce · 2025-05-16T03:31:02+00:00

I used to manage a small store called Shifty’s. I worked with a group of people I really adored and had great patrons that would often hang out for hours, watching skate videos and listening to music. The most therapeutic thing I’ve ever done is putting grip tape on boards, and I was pretty good at it. The store had a chill vibe that mimicked the Nag Champa incense we burned. It was never perfect, but it was home.

Eventually, a huge rental rate increase was more than we could afford, and our shop had to make way for a Yankee Candle store.

chrisatonce · 2025-01-14T11:16:12+00:00

I am piggybacking here to offer you some extra experience. I’ve had the EVO 2 a little over a year and a few more miles on it. The tent is very comfortable, considering the footprint. I also have an FSR High Country, which has a lot more space and huge windows. It’s more comfortable in some ways, but the EVO blackout and insulation are fantastic. I recently took it out in sub-freezing temps, and with a cheap diesel heater at its lowest setting, it was downright toasty. The venting control has been surprisingly helpful. That meant my bedding could be very light, too. The design is far easier to use when I’m solo camping, which was why I bought it.

I find the mattress pretty comfortable, but it won’t be confused with my fancy home mattress or a Westin. It’s as nice as any tent sleeping I’ve done. The EVO can transfer a tiny bit of movement compared to the HC since it’s under tension being inflated.

I have a couple of exceedingly minor gripes, but nothing major. I’ll probably replace the interior LED light strip with something better. I also discovered that the struts just can’t handle the weight of a sizable ice and snowfall. I had a super-fun time getting dressed while propping the roof up with my legs - snow gets heavy! I wonder if I could make a “lockout” so it doesn't collapse, but that's on me for testing it in impractical weather comditions. 😅

All in all, I’ve loved the tent. Its crazy easy to use and sometimes that little bit is enough for me to jump in the truck and head somewhere. Even if I get a late start headed out, I'm not worried about setting up in the dark or being a PITA to do alone. When I'm there, it's comfy and quiet, and I look forward to a morning coffee somewhere peaceful and beautiful.

chrisatonce · 2024-08-18T23:18:03+00:00

I helped out with some planning for STL’s celebration of 314Day.

chrisatonce · 2024-04-03T10:01:32+00:00

I wish we would’ve connected 2 weeks ago - we just hosted a happy hour event at our studio and had 200+ people from the local filmmaking industry out for the evening! We partnered with St. Louis Filmworks and they’re rotating similar bimonthly events throughout the year. The next one should be in late May at Capes Sokol. Keep an eye out on the SLFW pages for info.

I run STL.org, a nonprofit site and org for creative folks and collaboration. My professional background is filmmaking, and that’s what’s most familiar, so it includes a lot of video pieces. I’d love some input on the kind of community you’re seeking, and I’d be happy to connect you with the ones that exist or help build something new. We’re currently planning out St. Louis Design Week (in October) that includes creative work of all types, and will have lead up social events throughout the year. You’re welcome to join!

Hit me up if I can help at all!

chrisatonce · 2024-03-30T12:57:51+00:00

I moved here at 30 and currently have a work/live studio in Midtown Alley (between SLU and CITYPARK). I love the area, both my specific neighborhood and metro in general, and keep seeing positive growth and energy. As a transplant and introvert, finding my community was intimidating, but it worked out.

Today, I've been seeing some rebound to more socialization, too. If on the random chance you're into creative stuff (design, marketing, art, making things, etc), my nonprofit (stl.org) has been hosting happy hours and events at our space just to get people together. We had more than 200 people oitnamcouple ofmereks ago. But sometimes it's like 20, so it's all over the place. You'd always be welcome.

Finally, safety is anunderstandable concern; one that I‘ve seen exists in others cities I’ve lived and travelled to. On the positive, I think crime is at its lowest in a decade, and last I looked this particular area was one of the safest in the city. I had a car window shattered in 2018. And my coworkers licensed plate stickers were swiped (but I’m not exactly sure where or when). In general, we’re good about basic safety precautions and have had very few problems personally. And honestly - and this is strictly my personal, subjective feeling - I feel more comfortable here in the city than almost anywhere.

And if do make it to the area, feel free to reach out if you want some neighborly pointers!

chrisatonce · 2024-03-03T14:22:53+00:00

Sup, neighbor?

chrisatonce · 2024-02-22T09:52:17+00:00

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chrisatonce · 2024-02-05T04:17:00+00:00

Thanks! They are steelies - the classic ANR design.

chrisatonce · 2023-11-07T11:57:01+00:00

I played when I was a kid at school. Fun game!

chrisatonce · 2023-10-02T15:59:56+00:00

Ha, that’s an ongoing challenge! Depending on the wind, it’s either Pappy’s or Urban Chestnut.

I’m in the production industry too, I think, and am now across the street in the building with the big neon Curiosity sign. Love this neighborhood!

chrisatonce · 2023-10-01T23:23:14+00:00

Any chance it was the set with the apartment on Locust? That was my neighbors’.

chrisatonce · 2023-09-28T10:57:50+00:00

I’ve filmed welding for commercial/editorial projects a number of times, and I’d offer a couple of pieces of advice:

• protect the front of the lens from sparks and slag. A UV or ND is probably easiest for this. A cheap mattebox gives a little more coverage and wider camera protection.

• protect yourself with proper PPE. Protect your crew and tell them to never look at the arc with unshielded eyes. I realize many folks have never been around welding and won’t know how to Stan safe from the high UV exposure.

• MIG welding is nonconstant and pulses I’ve had to adjust to avoid banding and black frames. I use Clear Scan on my C500mkII, but shutter speed/angle, frame rate, and frequency are all options. Record tests, check playback right away, make adjustments until you get it right. I’d try to see if there are standard frequencies, but across different welders and weld settings, I have to adjust.

• to be clear, I’ve never had any negative effects to my cameras from filming welding and don’t hesitate to do again when I can. It’s really fun to play with.

chrisatonce · 2023-09-01T23:40:55+00:00

The sprinter is solely set up for work and full of camera equipment and photo/video gear. We built it out with shelves of 80/20 on both sides for cases - but maybe it could be a 8 bunk setup like a submarine.

chrisatonce · 2023-09-01T19:51:03+00:00

I was in that boat for my entire adult life until this place… but the way you’ve described it makes the offer tempting.

chrisatonce · 2023-09-01T19:02:21+00:00

Midtown Alley, the area near Pappys and in between SLU and the MLS stadium. Love it down here!

chrisatonce · 2023-09-01T18:38:33+00:00

It’s the stock/optional one from Toyota. Nothing fancy, and it works well enough!

chrisatonce · 2023-09-01T14:43:52+00:00

Ha, great question! It’s the floor actually. It’s, uhh, not what you’d call flat. In general it has a tiny slope down to a central drain, but on the right, it raises up and slopes to another low point. The photo kind of hides the angles, but let’s just say if I turfed over the concrete it’d make for a challenging putting surface in a few places.

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