In October 2025, a committed team of overlanders and volunteers returned to Tank Hollow Road—with purpose, experience, and a refined plan—to tackle decades of illegal dumping. Thanks to a $2,175 grant from the Overland Expo Foundation, Tread Lightly! led a third cleanup effort in this remote section of the forest—and this time, they made significant progress.
Persistence Pays Off
They say the third time’s the charm—and for Tank Hollow, it absolutely rang true. Previous cleanups in 2022 and spring 2025 had made dents in the trash problem, but the hill remained treacherous. Volunteers faced steep terrain, large appliances, and difficult logistics.
For this round, the team made a critical shift: instead of relying solely on winches, they deployed a technical rigging system using a 500-foot static rope and pulley blocks. This “2-to-1” mechanical advantage system allowed teams to safely haul bulky items uphill with better control, greater speed, and less strain.
With this setup, the crew retrieved:
29 tires
A refrigerator & freezer
Two bags of micro-trash
The work was physically demanding—volunteers rappelled down cliffs hundreds of feet high, managed high-tension ropes at the top, and then repeated the process load after load. But their teamwork and planning paid off in a way that would have been nearly impossible in previous attempts.
A Stewardship Model in Action
This project wasn’t just about cleaning up litter. It was also about demonstrating how overlanders can work safely and effectively alongside land managers to restore public lands.
Under the leadership of Walt Middleton (M4 Expeditions), vehicle logistics from Dean Shirley (East Coast Overland Adventures) rigging support from John Jacobs (New Horizons Overland), and Rodney Dewson (Overland Medic), the group’s structure mirrored the principles the Overland Expo Foundation supports: safety, stewardship, and collaboration.
Equipping the team with reliable communication gear was also a key piece of the puzzle. The Foundation’s grant funded four chest rigs for radios—making coordination smoother—and the long static rope from Freedom Recovery Gear, which will continue to serve for future cleanups.
This cleanup is a powerful example of how even modest funding can unlock big impact—especially when directed at projects that restore wild spaces, reduce environmental harm, and strengthen community bonds.
How You Can Get Involved
Want to make a difference? Here’s how you can help:
Support Tread Lightly! at their website to join future cleanups or donate: treadlightly.org.
Become a member of the Overland Expo Foundation to help fund similar on-the-ground projects. Visit our News & Projects page to learn more about past projects.
Join us in protecting public lands through action—not just awareness.