OEX PNW: Dust, Tacos & Base Camp Subaru
Updated: Sep 14
By Carey Lando, Founder of MtnSubi Consulting & Adventures
Overland Expo PNW brought together exactly the kind of weekend we love: Subaru owners, dusty trails, good food, thoughtful education, and a whole lot of community.
This year, MtnSubi supported the Subaru experience at OEX PNW, both on the trail and in the booth. The weekend kicked off with a guided trail run that gave owners a chance to get their vehicles out of the show environment and onto real terrain. We found dusty roads, scenic views, cave stops, and plenty of moments to talk through vehicle awareness, trail etiquette, communication, and smart decision-making.
The trail run was built to be approachable, but still meaningful. The goal was not to make the day intimidating or overly technical. It was to give Subaru owners a chance to learn what their vehicles can do, build confidence, ask questions, and spend time with other people who are excited about using their Subarus for adventure.
And because no good trail day should run on vibes alone, we cooked burrito bowls for everyone at lunch on the Oris skottles. Dusty trails, cave exploring, Subaru people, and trail lunches made for a pretty solid day out.
Back at Overland Expo, the Subaru community came together in Base Camp Subaru. Camping with Subaru owners throughout the weekend gave the event a different kind of energy. It was not just a booth people walked by during the day. It became a place to gather, talk vehicles, compare setups, share trail stories, and settle into the rhythm of a full weekend outdoors.
MtnSubi also joined Subaru in the booth for educational seminars focused on AWD capability, trail preparation, vehicle confidence, and responsible adventure. These conversations are always a highlight because people come in with real questions. Some are brand new to getting off pavement. Some are building their vehicles. Some are trying to understand what gear they actually need, what skills matter most, and how to take that first or next step with more confidence. And of course there was the rock-paper-scissors tournament for a set of Diode Dynamics off-road lights!
That is where MtnSubi fits best. We help bridge the gap between owning a capable AWD vehicle and feeling ready to use it.
Saturday evening brought one of the best moments of the weekend: a Subaru gathering in camp with tacos, music, s’mores, dancing, and lots of great giveaways. The DJ kept things moving, the fire pits became the place to gather, and the Rumpl blankets came in clutch with the unseasonably cool evening temps.
It was one of those nights that reminded us why these events matter. Yes, the vehicles are fun. The gear is fun. The trails are fun. But the people are what make it stick.
From the guided trail run to the booth seminars to the dust-covered camp chairs at the end of the day, OEX PNW was a reminder that Subaru adventure does not have to look one specific way. It can be a first trail run, a well-used daily driver, a fully built rig, a weekend camp setup, or a conversation that gives someone the confidence to try something new.
Huge thanks to Subaru, G7, Rune Management, and the Overland Expo event team for bringing this weekend together, and to every owner who joined us on the trail, stopped by the booth, camped at Base Camp Subaru, danced by the DJ, competed in rock-paper-scissors, ate tacos, made s’mores, asked questions, shared stories, and helped make the weekend what it was.
More confidence. More capability. More adventure.
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