Author: intrepidrover
K2 Base Camp: 15 Days in the Karakoram
Four years ago, I trekked to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in the Himalayas. This time, I was heading into the Karakoram, home to K2—the world’s second-highest mountain. I expected the two treks to be different but I underestimated just how different they would feel. Everest Base Camp is a well-established trek, with villages, teahouses and… Read more →
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Build Journal #4: Reassembly
MID-MAY – AUGUST 2026 After months of teardown, restoration, and work across multiple workshops, the Defender was finally ready to come back together. The chassis had been restored, the mechanical components rebuilt, and the body panels finished. Now the process shifted from restoring individual pieces to assembling them into a vehicle that would be sufficiently… Read more →
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Designing the Interior: How We Plan to Live in It
Restraint versus comfort. What we’re building into the Defender — and what we’re deliberately leaving out. Read more →
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A Return to Mexico City
Three years after our first visit, we returned to Mexico City for a long weekend with friends, trading sightseeing checklists for leisurely mornings, memorable meals, and a chance to experience the city through local eyes. Read more →
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A Day in Puebla: Layers of History, Culture, and Cuisine
A day trip from Mexico City brought us to Puebla, where we climbed ancient pyramids, explored colonial streets, and sampled five distinct moles in the city famous for this iconic Mexican dish. Read more →
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Dinner at Quintonil: A Celebration of Modern Mexican Cuisine
Some meals are memorable because of a single unforgettable dish. Others stand out because of the entire experience—the setting, the pacing, the people you share them with, and the feeling that you are somewhere truly special. Our dinner at Quintonil in Mexico City was one of those experiences. Three years after our first visit to… Read more →
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Build Journal #3: Paint, Panels & Protection
After months of disassembly and mechanical restoration, attention turned to the bodywork. Read more →
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Build Journal #2: Rebuilding the Foundations
After months of teardown, inspection, and refurbishment, the first restored components began returning to the workshop in April. Read more →
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Build Journal #1: Stripped to the Frame
The first stage of the rebuild: dismantling the donor Defender, cataloging its components, and preparing each system for restoration across South Africa. Read more →
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Designing for Distance: The Big Decisions
From engine choice to electrical systems, here’s how we built a classic Defender to handle whatever the road throws at it. Read more →
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