Hidden Gems, Off-Roading & Backcountry Exploration: Epic Van Life Adventures – Living The Van Life
Hidden Gems, Off-Roading & Backcountry Exploration: Epic Van Life Adventures – Living The Van Life
This adventure unfolds in my custom 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 4×4, purpose-built to take on the challenges of rugged backcountry exploration. In this episode, I dive deep into the heart of Colorado, starting with a stroll through a charming mountain town that feels like stepping back in time. The rich history comes alive as I venture into abandoned mining districts, exploring remnants of a bygone era tucked away in the mountains.
But the real test of van life—and my Sprinter—comes when I leave the paved roads behind. I tackle some of the most intense off-road trails I’ve encountered yet, winding through towering peaks, dense forests, and unspoiled wilderness that seems to stretch forever. Each turn brings new challenges and unforgettable views, reminding me why I chose this life on the road.
This is more than a journey—it’s a story of discovery, resilience, and the beauty of living life on your own terms. So join me for an epic ride through the backcountry, where the spirit of adventure is alive and thriving. This is van life at its most raw and authentic.
Support The LTVL Channel:
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Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/livingthevanlife
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LivingTheVanLife
Follow me:
Van Life Instagram: @LivingTheVanLife
https://www.instagram.com/livingthevanlife/
Personal Instagram: @chad_derosa
https://www.instagram.com/chad_derosa/
My Current Film Production – “Rockets and Titans”:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaekVy98pF50VoCwWHwl2ZA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocketsandtitans/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocketsandtitans/
The gear I use while Living The Van Life:
Battle Born Off-Grid Battery System:
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Battle Born GC2 LiFePo4 Batteries: https://bit.ly/3t24Gaj
Victron Inverter/Charger: https://bit.ly/3eTNuif
Victron Distributor: https://bit.ly/3vjPuqu
Victron Solar Controller: https://bit.ly/3t0YLCm
Secondary Alternator: https://bit.ly/32XIFPc
Wakespeed Alternator Regulator: https://bit.ly/3xGeUkf
Battle Born Batteries Affiliate Link: http://battlebornbatteries.com?afmc=Living+The+Van+Life
FlareSpace Flares:
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Full Flare/Bed Package: https://bit.ly/3nCAQYH
Agile Offroad Lift, Suspension, Skid Plates
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Agile Offroad RIP Kit: https://shorturl.at/fnrFK
Agile Offroad Rear Locker: https://shorturl.at/tHZ09
Rear Diff Skid Plate: https://bit.ly/3nxtHcb
Engine Skid Plate: https://shorturl.at/cyBG9
Wheels & Tires:
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Agile Offroad: https://shorturl.at/amvx8
285/70r17 BFGoodrich KO2 All Terrain Tires: https://bit.ly/3xx91ph
ARB Air Compressor: https://amzn.to/3u4QOgB
Off-Road Recovery Gear:
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Warn Winch: https://amzn.to/3dZ6rkc
Snatch Block: https://amzn.to/3dZcqFu
8’ Tree Saver: https://amzn.to/3u1clXu
MaxTrax Recovery Boards: https://amzn.to/2PvqcGw
Off-Road Lighting:
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Baja Designs LP9 Pro LED: https://amzn.to/3gRG5lV
Baja Designs XL Pro LED: https://amzn.to/3nwxcQ1
Rigid Industries Scene Lights: https://amzn.to/3FuSckW
Camp Fire & Cooking Equipment:
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NEW: Matthew Paul Ankou Knife: https://www.mpknives.com
Chef Knife: https://amzn.to/3F3jYDy
Esee 5 Surival Knife: https://amzn.to/3fnQSkQ
Solo Stove Ranger – Portable Fire Pit: https://amzn.to/36JD28f
Lodge Dutch Oven Tripod: https://amzn.to/3gnqgjy
8″ Dutch Oven: https://amzn.to/3ilGFH7
Cooking Gloves: https://amzn.to/2BXdIjU
Jetboil Cooking System: https://amzn.to/2TH3yrF
Bottle Top Propane Stove: https://amzn.to/2SS82P0
Solo Stove Titan – Twig Stove: https://amzn.to/3cbYAeZ
Solo Stove Pot 1800: https://amzn.to/3gxNioK
Forestry Tools:
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Trayvax Trek Field Knife – 10% Coupon Code: VANLIFE – https://bit.ly/2BpqaJh
Esee 5 Surival Knife: https://amzn.to/3fnQSkQ
Schrade SCHF9 Camp Knife: https://amzn.to/2Mwr7Ru
21″ Folding Saw: https://amzn.to/2RQjFmO
Campcraft Canvas Sheath: https://amzn.to/2T4aJMr
Gransfors Bruk Hand Hatchet: https://amzn.to/2SFqLMg
Hults Bruk Akka Foresters Axe: https://amzn.to/2tQx6LD
BareBones Living – Japanese Nata Tool: https://bit.ly/2yHBXRL
Winter Van Equipment:
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5KW 12V Diesel Heater: https://amzn.to/2OSFrGC
Personal Wear:
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Oakley Sunglasses: https://amzn.to/2Y7URcu
Carhartt Pants: https://amzn.to/2CvdbTM
My Camera Gear
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Canon EOS R5 Camera: https://amzn.to/3t8czLq
Canon EOS RCamera (Backup): https://amzn.to/3u1dUVm
Canon RF 24-105 f/4L Lens: https://amzn.to/3e30UJa
Rode VideoMic Pro Plus: https://amzn.to/2PfKTjC
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom Drone: https://amzn.to/3nuaBnc
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Your fuel tank is not protected
Great video, but please just get the volume of your voice as high or higher than the music. You can do that quite quickly in whichever video editing program you use by enabling "Normalize volume" when exporting (you won’t be able to put background music when you’re speaking tho).
It would be nice to be able to hear you without needing to raise or decrease the volume every time
Sorry if i am asking a dumb question. But did you not have a dog? Cheers from Norway
My husband & I always enjoy your posts. We have visited Creede also and found it to be an amazing scenic area. We stayed at the Creede Hotel and it was like going back in time . We look forward to more of your adventures!
I love Creede! We spent three months work camping there. I miss it! Great capture!
Bad day to be a bug
Great video as usual !
Great vids but what ever happened to the dog you picked up near Shiprock?
Bro! If u ever say you might get brunch again I’m outta here😂
Another epic video Chad. Great cinematography along with great music selection always makes for an enjoyable video. As always Keep on trucking.
Good to see you back bro, Stay humble and stay blessed!!!
You’re the reason I wanna pack up & go ….just go
Man these new videos just seem so souless. Joined when it was a van life channel about camping and cooking, now it’s just editing, royalty free music, and Wikipedia facts. Bummer to have lost another good channel.
since you change your camping style i dont watch anymore man offroud is not something that people want to wathc we need snow camping
Just wow…. that mercedes van is an absolute beast of a vehicle, its incredible what a simple mod can improve its capabilities.
Chad amazing video! I want to say this one was shot right before you got the bike? I love the different perspective of the trail from your van. The drone work is next level. Awaiting more adventures. God Bless
I’m so glad I’m not the only one looking for the blizzard vids. Call me when the snow falls. 🥶🥶🥶
The roads out there a beautiful and sketchy in a full semi, delivered to a Polaris dealer several times.
Amazing video work and scary backroad trails. I drive a Jeep but wouldn’t have done that trail !😳 Exciting
That hill was insane. The best frame of reference for the height was when you were on top of the hill and the van was below…
We have a 4 wheel drive transit and i think my wife would kill me if I tried that. Rightfully so. Great Vid!!!
Awesome video mate, love your drone shots and low angle offroad footage
Keep traveling mate.🤙
Great video Chad
Spacticular please super driving fantastic vehicle performance very beautiful 😊.
Love treks like that one, we’re in B.C. and it reminded of our trip ( loop ) Granite park in Montana we came down the not so travelled back side not as gnarly as your trek and in a jeep. Love the videos ! Almost lost us when u retired the Vanagon but we’re over it now 🤣
have you ever encountered any Cryptids in your travels into the wilderness. Just curious.
Congratulation, I love your videos.
Glad to see you again chad.Need more videos like these and winter series also bro
Steepness : you can record your camber, incline with a few digital recorders and using gps your location and speed, then in post digitally impose little meters on the video. You sync the two with gps time stamps so while it adds to the production time, it’s not the worst. It definitely adds perspective.
Great vid!!
Thanks Chad ,for sharing another adventure, this was once again incredible cinematography . were always inspired by this channel for our own LTVL exploring. .
Great video! I haven’t watched in a bit as the Alaskan blizzard thing wasn’t for me. Colorado though has my heart.
Chad, you got to stop using OnX as their trail info is not accurate. They offered me a big deal and I wouldn’t take it as I didn’t want my community to have bad info. TrailsOffroad has pics of the obstacles with waypoints of where they are on the trail. It’d be great for you so you can see the obstacles before getting on something. Also, I’m two hours away, I could give you backup if you needed.
When is artic series coming again?
Fantastic chad I know your feelings from time to time, and lucky enough to have very much the same equipment as yourself at my disposal,we have to do what makes you happy ❤ would love to see a bit bike content as the last one was epic, keep on keeping on
Great video! You really go on amazing trails with that Sprinter Van! Has it ever tipped over on you?
Quintessential San Juan wilderness scene with jagged peaks, mine ruins, and quick thunder storms. I can almost smell it. Great stuff as usual
Another great video! Thanks.
We were in Creede the last week of September and we wanted to check out the canyon but ran out of time. Thank you for continuing down the road.
The road from Gunnison to Wolf Creek is now one of our favorite drives in Colorado (I guess should include from Carbondale too). Cant wait to go back and explore with more time.
But Chad u don’t make many YouTubes anymore!
Scenery and video footage are so amazing and high quality. Just wow!
Have you updated engine power? Sounds like a free flow exhaust to me 😀
Hi Chad, I’m from India. I love your content, it’s full of emotions, adventures and beautiful scenery. Love from India, keep going, keep growing my friend.
Great vid. Driving your bedroom, kitchen, living room, garage, up those rocky cow paths. As you say – frickin’ cool! 👍🙌😁
Chad you can try a remote camera on the roof of your van.
You’re right and I’ve noticed it too. Whenever I film or photograph a steep hill, the resultant imagery always makes it look way flatter than it really is. It doesn’t do it justice. Other than it being a 2D image of a 3D space, not sure why it always comes out that way or how to correct for it.
you doing well buddy and just continue what you doing, blizzard or not, all are well executed videos.
The Sprinter continues to impress! Chad you really need to publish a LTVL cook book bro!
Keep on trucking dude. Thanks for another great video.
Always take the time to grab a coffee and watch these mini films as opposed being on in the background. Cracking scenery
Thank you so much for this amazing video! I need some advice: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). How can I transfer them to Binance?
Amazing video! In addition to the storytelling, you capture precise shots beautifully, and the B-roll is spot on. It’s great to see how much you’ve improved in editing and multi-camera filming.
That rock garden was insane! Amazing you were able to make it that far. We need to get to Colorado asap to explore. Excellent showcase of the landscape and loving every bit of this video!
Every time I watch one of your videos, I find myself feeling fulfilled and grateful, yet wanting more. Keep these videos coming! Thanks for inspiring us and taking us along for the journey.