Jonathan Hanson

Jonathan Hanson’s exploration experience encompasses six continents, and modes of transportation from Land Cruisers and Land Rovers to sea kayaks, sailboats, bicycles, and boots.

In 35 years of freelance writing he has contributed to over two dozen magazines and published over a dozen books. He was a correspondent for Outside magazine for five years and was the founding editor of Overland Journal. In 2015 Tom Sheppard brought him onboard as the co-author of the Vehicle-dependent Expedition Guide, the bible of overland and expedition travel.

Jonathan and his wife, Roseann, created the Overland Expo and ran it for 10 years. They have worked together extensively on many community and wildlife conservation projects in the U.S. and East Africa, particularly with the Olkirimatian Maasai in the South Rift Valley, where they have also led safaris.

Jonathan has taught four-wheel-drive technique, wildlife tracking, natural history writing, and photography for many conservation and governmental organizations. He is a Fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical society.

Location: Tucson, AZ

Expertise

• Topics of Expertise: Overland Travel, Expedition Driving and Vehicle Preparation, Sea Kayaking, Photography, Bicycle Touring, Hunting, Southwestern Natural History, Outdoor Equipment
• Years in Expertise: 40+

Education & Certifications

• Education: University of Arizona, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Years of Writing: 40+
• Club/Association Memberships: Fellow of the Explorers Club, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
• Awards/Recognitions: National Outdoor Book Award, Arizona Press Club Award, Texas Auto Writers Award, National Park Service Award for Interpretive Excellence, Southwest Book of the Year Award
• Previous Publications: Overland Journal (founding editor), Outside (correspondent), National Geographic Adventure, Global Adventure, Nature Conservancy, Backpacker, Sea Kayaker, Double Gun Journal, Petersen’s Hunting, Wheels Afield, OVR, Tread, OutdoorX4, Sunset, Bugle, Excellence
• Books: Vehicle-dependent Expedition Guide (co-author), Complete Sea Kayak Touring, Outside Adventure Travel: Sea Kayaking, 50 Common Reptiles and Amphibians of the Southwest (co-author), A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert (co-author), Southern Arizona Nature Almanac (co-author)

A Word From Jonathan Hanson

Since undertaking my first solo backpacking trip at age nine, I’ve spent as much time outdoors as possible, on land and sea ranging over six continents. My overriding passion is promoting the appreciation and protection of the wild, and engagement with it. You can follow me at exploringoverland.com.