About

About the Pursuit

Prelude

All these wonders in one world and you a man upon it.
— The Land of the Blue Flower

The expedition to travel the earth’s seven continents, covering more than 58,000 miles, and spanning three years began quite simply: Two dreamers sat down to breakfast. One had a passion for Land Cruisers – a passion he has had since he was tall enough to clamber into one on his own. The other had made overland adventure a lifelong pursuit and career.

Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, and Scott Brady, publisher and chairman of Overland Journal and ExpeditionPortal.com, were drawn together by a common vision: to travel the earth’s seven continents, touching each one in the same vehicle. It took nearly a year of intense planning, preparation and gear acquisition, but in April 2012, Expeditions7 was ready to get underway. The vehicle of choice was the 78 Series Toyota Land Cruiser. By the time the expedition rolled to its final stop in Tooele, Utah, in 2014, the fleet of vehicles would include five Land Cruisers and one AT44 Hilux – each chosen to fill a specific role.

While setting wheels down on all seven continents was the primary goal, the E7 team wanted to drive some of the world’s most iconic routes as well. In North America, it was the Dalton Highway out of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. In Europe, the destination was the northernmost vehicle-accessible road in the world – Nordkapp, Norway. Crossing the Asian continent through Siberia would include the infamous M56 Kolyma Highway, known better as the Road of Bones. In Australia, the choice was the Canning Stock Route. The Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast would be the focal points of Africa. The last leg of the expedition would see the team completing the Pan-American Highway— the world’s longest “motorable road”—spanning North and South America.

Antarctica presented its own unique challenges for Greg, Scott and the E7 team. The journey to the southernmost point on the globe required the expedition to scale back to just two specialized vehicles and a much smaller crew, which now needed to include a skilled mechanic—an absolute necessity on the remote and dangerous terrain famous for wreaking havoc on anything mechanical. It also added new words to the team’s vocabulary: Katabatic winds, to describe the relentless downslope gales; and Sastrugi, the Russian name for the jagged waves of ice blanketing the arctic plains.

For the leaders of the team, the three-year journey was epic. It was a dream turned reality, the opportunity to explore the world with good friends, talented cinematographers, and in the most exceptional of vehicles. Greg Miller expressed the discovery learned by many adventurers and explorers: “When it comes to dealing with other cultures, very little separates us. Whether we were in Africa, South America, Siberia, Australia or the United States, people just want to provide for their families. They all want food, comfort, friendship and a bit of fun. The lessons you learn interacting with other cultures, and perhaps reaching just a bit beyond your normal comfort zone, are lessons you can’t learn in school.”

The remarkable people involved in the expedition comprised a core team of six individuals, but also included a group of about 47 people who spent time on the journey and added to the richness of the adventure.

Expeditions7 wasn’t a trek intended to land in the record books, but one to make connections, cementing bonds with family and friends, of finding new stories and inspiring others to look at the horizon and seek out their own adventures.

The E7 Adventurers

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Greg Miller

Lead Adventurer / Expedition Underwriter / Philanthropist

Greg is a passionate Land Cruiser collector and overland traveler with over 40 years of global adventuring. He brings a wealth of experience in technical terrain and precision driving to the E7 team. Greg Miller is available for group speaking events upon request.

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Bryce Miller

Adventurer

Bryce recently spent two years living in and around Santiago, Chile as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He currently works for Miller Family Real Estate and is attending Salt Lake Community College.

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Josh Miller

Adventurer / Cook

Josh is a trained driver on race and off-road courses, as well as a FJ40 Land Cruiser owner, and serves as one of the team’s photographers. He’s also taken an interest in outdoor cooking. Josh is currently attending the University of Utah.

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Oakley Miller

Adventurer

Oakley is passionate about adventuring and photographing the varied landscapes of the world, especially his home state of Utah. He has been driving off-road since the age of 12 and owns his own FJ40.

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Scott Brady

Expedition Leader / Logistics

Scott is the publisher and chairman of Overland Journal and expeditionportal.com. He has spent the past 30 years exploring and photographing the world while exploring on motorcycles and expedition-worthy 4-wheel drives.

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Kurt Williams

Adventurer / Driver

Kurt has been a Land Cruiser owner since the time he was 15 and has traveled all over the globe in Land Cruisers. Kurt’s vast experience with 4x4s makes him the go-to guy for just about every aspect of the E7 journey, EXCEPT for cooking.

Participants

  • Ray Hyland
  • Bruce Dorn
  • Heidi Miller
  • Jason Hawks
  • Tyler Wardle
  • Matthew Scott
  • Jeremiah Proffitt
  • Courtney Hawks
  • Sinuhe Xavier
  • Gail Miller
  • Bryan Miller
  • Kim Wilson
  • Sabrina Miller
  • Kyle Patten
  • Earl Black
  • Clay Croft
  • Andery Sudbin
  • Aron Johnsson
  • Clark Hill
  • Steve Miller
  • Josef Holmjamm
  • Paul May
  • Chris Collard
  • Volker Jahnke

Outfitting an Adventure

For the team members of Expeditions 7, a breakfast meeting in 2011 would lay the groundwork for an ambitious expedition; to drive a Toyota Land Cruiser around the world. An ambitious goal by any expedition standard, Expeditions 7 (E7) would bring two different adventurers’ dreams onto the world’s stage.

Back in 2007, Scott Brady had started dreaming about a seven continent journey across the globe on his motorcycle. To some, this might be an extreme version of a road trip, but for Scott, who is the publisher and chairman of Overland Journal and ExpeditionPortal.com, crisscrossing the globe in search of adventure has been his passion and career for the past 30 years. It would take the next few years to document nearly every stage of the journey including logistics, costs and potential roadblocks to his dream ride.

“As with many of life’s goals,” Scott stated, “I needed to wait for the best timing, or in this case, the best partner.”

Fast forward to the summer of 2011, where Scott Brady and Greg Miller would discover their shared dream of a global expedition. Greg, the CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group (whose companies include professional sports teams, a world-class race track, a chain of movie theatres, a top-ten auto dealership group and a host of other businesses), is no stranger to travel or adventure. In fact, Greg has one of the most complete and rare collections of Land Cruiser vehicles in the world, and his driving experience ranges from the extreme terrain in Moab, Utah to high-performance driving in the Gumball 3000. It was his passion for Land Cruisers which lead him to dream about driving one around the world.

Over breakfast, as Greg and Scott discussed their shared love of overland adventures, the idea of a seven-continent journey began to take shape. As Scott shared a few details of his planned trip and they each discussed their personal goals for such an undertaking, by the time breakfast was over, they agreed the timing was perfect to set their shared dream into motion.

Greg and Scott, as well as the team that would eventually make up Expeditions 7, wanted the journey to be purely about adventure without the constraints of third-party promises or commitments. If they were going to do it their way it would mean they would hit the road without sponsorships.

For the leaders of the team, the three-year journey is epic. “Expeditions 7 is a dream turned reality, the opportunity to explore the world with good friends and talented cinematographers, and in the most exceptional of vehicles.” Greg expressed the hope shared by many adventurers and explorers; “I am looking forward to being able to observe and immerse myself in many of the world’s most fascinating cultures, and travel across its most beautiful and challenging landscapes.”

The Vehicles

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78 Series Land Cruisers
Vehicle Specs
  • LX Package: power locks and windows, carpet
  • 4.5-liter turbo-diesel V8
  • 5-speed manual transmission
  • Air intake snorkel
  • Air conditioning
  • Dual airbags and side impact protection
  • High country pack (front and rear differential locks)
  • Factory sub tank with twin fuel gages, 48 gallon (180 liter) total capacity
  • Twin bucket seats with center console
  • Espar heater
Dimensions:
  • Overall length: 205 in (5,210 mm)
  • Overall width: 70.5 in (1,790 mm)
  • Overall height: 83.2 in (2,115 mm)
  • Gross vehicle weight: 7,255 lb (3,300 kg)
  • Payload: 2,064 lb (945 kg)
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79 Series Land Cruiser (Retired)

AKA “Sherpa I”

This pickup was enlisted to haul all the camera and support equipment for the team. Powered by a 1HZ diesel with an aftermarket low-pressure turbo, the 79 Series also boasts an ARB bull bar and front and rear ARB locking differentials. A custom canvas top includes drop-down sleeping “wings” and a secure storage drawer.

Vehicle Specs
  • 79 series body on 62 series chassis
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Land Cruiser 70 Double Cab

AKA “Sherpa II”

Vehicle Specs
  • 4.5-liter turbo-diesel V8
  • 5-speed manual transmission
  • Air intake snorkel
  • Air conditioning
  • Dual airbags and side impact protection
  • Front and rear differential locks
  • Long range fuel tank with 180 liter capacity
  • Custom Bosston Canopy/Utility Box
  • ARB Front Bumper, Side Rails/Steps & Roof Rack
  • Old Man Emu Suspension
  • BFGoodrich 255/85 R16 Mud-Terrain KM2 Tires
  • Warn HS9.5 Winch
Dimensions:
  • Wheelbase: 125.2 in (3,180 mm)
  • Overall length: 205.5 in (5,220 mm)
  • Overall width: 70.5 in (1,790 mm)
  • Overall height: 77.55 in (1,970 mm)
  • Gross vehicle weight: 7,275 lb (3,300 kg)
  • Payload: 2,414 lb (1095 kg)
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AT-44 Hilux
Differences from a normal Toyota Hilux:
  • Larger tires, lift and suspension create different handling characteristics
  • The modifications add weight to the vehicle (7,716 lbs vs 6,129 lbs)
  • Higher center of gravity
  • Larger tires: 44×18.50-15
  • Wider and higher by over 20%
  • Larger, lockable rear differential
  • Heavy duty suspension system
  • Rear coil suspension system
  • Bigger fender flares to cover the larger wheels/tires
  • Inside roll bar (crevasse protection)
  • Bed roll bar (crevasse protection)
  • Front crevasse bar
  • Detachable winch with synthetic cable
  • Side steps
Dimension:
  • Wheelbase: 129.3 in (3,285 mm)
  • Overall length: 206.9 in (5,255 mm)
  • Overall width: 92.52 in (2,350 mm)
  • Overall height: 84.45 in (2,145 mm)
  • Gross vehicle weight: 7,716 lb (3,500 kg)
  • Ground clearance: 21.65 in (550 mm)
  • Load capacity: 3,307 lb (1,500 kg)
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VDJ76 Land Cruiser
Vehicle Specs
  • 4.5-liter turbo-diesel V8
  • 5-speed manual transmission
  • Air intake snorkel with Donaldson air filter top
  • Front & rear differential locks
  • Fuel tank capacity 34.3 gal (130 L)
  • BFGoodrich 255/85 R16 Mud-Terrain KM2 Tires
  • Eezi Awn Steel rims
  • Old Man Emu Suspension
  • ARB front bumper
  • Warn 9.5 XP winch
  • Eezi Awn K9 roof rack
  • Warn Bat 270 side awning
  • Rear twin drawer system
Dimension:
  • Wheelbase 107.5 in (2730 mm)
  • Overall Length 193.3 in (4910 mm)
  • Overall Width 73.6 in (1870 mm)
  • Overall Height 76.4 in(1940 mm)
  • Gross Vehicle Weight 6746 lbs (3060 Kg)
  • Payload 1686 lbs (765 KG)
Share your thoughts
Speaking Request

Speaking Request

Greg Miller is open to speaking engagements upon request and availability. Topics range from Greg’s Expeditions 7 overland trek to successful business ideologies to spiritual principles and lifestyle practices. Greg’s discussions are suitable for executive meetings, employee gatherings, as well as youth and church groups. His presentations are accompanied by both audio and visual supplements. He is available for 45-, 60-, or 90-minute presentations, with custom times available upon request.

Please fill out the form below and an Expeditions 7 representative will contact you with further information regarding your request.

In lieu of a speaking fee, donations to LHM Charities are appropriate.