The First Woman to Drive Around the World: Aloha Wanderwell

One hundred years ago, in 1924, there was a remarkable woman: Aloha Wanderwell, who, at the age of 18, embarked on a solo driving journey around the world in a Ford Model T.

Early Life

Aloha Wanderwell was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and grew up on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Her father was a British Army reservist, and her mother was a hardworking housewife. She also had a lovely younger sister. However, their happy days did not last long. When World War I broke out, her father was conscripted into the army, leaving her mother, the young Aloha, and her newborn sister behind. The war's cruelty soon claimed her father's life. In 1917, to survive, Aloha's mother took her and her sister away from their hometown and moved to Europe, where they attended a convent school in France. The world was in turmoil, and without her father's protection, the mother and her two daughters faced an extremely difficult life.

Starting the Adventure

In 1922, at the age of 16, Aloha saw an advertisement in a small town in southern France: a young woman was needed to join a global expedition team, requiring courage and an adventurous spirit. Below the advertisement was a hand-drawn map of the expedition route, spanning continents and oceans, as if calling out to Aloha's soul that yearned for exploration. Aloha's heart raced. She had never imagined that her ordinary life would be turned upside down by this advertisement. Aloha decided to leave school and join the expedition team led by "Captain Wanderwell." She was appointed as the team's secretary and driver, responsible for keeping the expedition log and driving a modified Ford Model T.

Major Achievements

The Adventure in South America: 1924-1925

The Amazon Rainforest

Aloha Wanderwell and her expedition team set foot on the land of South America. Their first destination was the Amazon Rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest in the world, teeming with life and danger. The dense canopy blocked out the sky, and the air was filled with the dampness of the jungle. The sounds of insects and birds filled the air. Aloha drove the modified Ford Model T along the muddy trails, struggling to move forward. The wheels often got stuck in the soft mud, and she and her team members had to get out and push the car, even using machetes to clear the vines and branches blocking their way. 

In the rainforest, Aroha experienced for the first time the majesty and ruthlessness of nature. Venomous snakes slithered silently through the grass, the roars of jaguars echoed in the distance, and the bites of mosquitoes were unbearable. However, Aroha was not intimidated by these difficulties. She learned how to identify dangerous plants and animals, how to find clean water sources in the jungle, and even how to build temporary shelters with simple tools. Her bravery and wisdom impressed her teammates.

The Test of the Andes

After leaving the Amazon rainforest, Aroha Vanderveer and her expedition team headed west and arrived at the backbone of South America - the Andes Mountains. This mountain range stretches across the western part of South America for thousands of kilometers, with towering peaks, steep cliffs, and deep canyons forming one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. However, behind this magnificent scenery lies countless dangers and challenges. For Aroha and her team, the Andes Mountains were not only a geographical crossing but also an extreme test of physical strength, willpower, and teamwork. 

As the expedition team gradually entered the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains, the air became thin and the temperature dropped sharply. The team members began to feel short of breath, dizzy, and even showed symptoms of altitude sickness. Aroha was no exception. Her lips turned purple due to lack of oxygen, and it felt as if a huge rock was pressing on her chest. Every step became extremely difficult. However, she never complained and never showed any sign of retreat.

To cope with altitude sickness, Aroha and the team members took various measures. They slowed down their pace, reduced intense physical activities, and drank coca tea recommended by local residents to alleviate the discomfort caused by altitude sickness. Aroha also constantly monitored the physical conditions of the team members to ensure that no one fell behind or had serious health problems. Her tenacity and meticulousness made the team members feel at ease and strengthened their determination to continue moving forward. 

During the climb in the Andes, the expedition team was caught in a sudden snowstorm. The fierce wind, carrying snowflakes, slashed at their faces like knives, and visibility rapidly dropped to almost zero. The team members had to feel their way forward in the wind and snow. The snow under their feet grew thicker and thicker, and every step was full of uncertainty. Aroha held the steering wheel tightly and drove the Ford Model T car very carefully, fearing that the wheels would slip or get stuck in a snow pit. 

The blizzard lasted for a whole day and night, forcing the expedition team to set up a temporary camp on the way. They built a simple shelter with canvas and branches and lit a bonfire to keep warm. Aroha and the team members sat around the fire, sharing the remaining dry food and hot water. Despite the harsh environment, Aroha remained optimistic. She told the team about her adventures in the Amazon rainforest, making everyone laugh. Her humor and strength kept the team's morale high in the difficult situation. 

The Andes Mountains' test was the most challenging experience in Aroha Vandewalle's adventurous career. Not only did she overcome the harsh natural environment's trials such as high altitude, blizzards and landslides, but she also inspired her team members to move forward together with her tenacity, wisdom and leadership. 

The Challenges of North America: 1925-1926

The Grand Canyon

In 1925, Aroha and her expedition team concluded their adventure in South America and returned to the land of North America. Although this vast continent was her familiar homeland, it still held countless unknown challenges and surprises. From the west coast to the east coast, from the Grand Canyon to the Rocky Mountains, Aroha's journey through North America was not only a conquest of nature but also a profound exploration of culture and history.

The first stop of the expedition team was the Grand Canyon in the southwestern United States. This is one of the most spectacular natural wonders on Earth, with its deep canyon, steep cliffs, and the meandering Colorado River forming a breathtaking scene. Standing at the edge of the canyon, Aroha looked down at the bottomless depths below her feet, filled with awe. 

The climate in the Grand Canyon is unpredictable. During the day, it's scorching hot under the sun, but at night, it's freezing cold. Aroha and her team had to set up camp, find water and food in such an environment. She learned how to navigate in the desert and how to find precious springs in the crevices of rocks. Despite the harsh conditions, the magnificent scenery of the Grand Canyon left her in awe. She used her camera to record this natural wonder. 

Communication with Native American Tribes

During her journey in North America, Aloha not only faced the challenges of nature but also established a deep connection with the local Native American tribes. Fascinated by their culture and way of life, she decided to delve into their communities to learn about their traditions and beliefs. 

In Arizona and New Mexico, Aloha visited several Native American tribes, including the Navajo and Hopi. She talked with the tribal elders, learned their languages and customs. She participated in tribal ceremonies, watched traditional dance and music performances, and even tried their food and handicrafts. These experiences deepened Aloha's understanding of Native American cultures and made her aware of the crisis that these cultures are gradually disappearing. 

Aloha recorded these precious moments with her camera and notebook. Her photos and notes later became important materials for studying Indian culture and preserved these vanishing traditions for future generations.

Completion time of the global voyage: 1926

In 1926, Aloha Vanderveer and her expedition team finally completed their years-long global voyage and returned to the starting point of their journey. This moment was not only the end of their adventurous journey but also the peak of Aloha's personal legend. Her bravery, tenacity, and endless curiosity about the unknown world made her a landmark figure in the history of exploration, earning her worldwide praise and respect.

Aloha's global voyage attracted widespread attention from the global media. Newspapers and magazines published her story one after another, calling her the "Queen of Modern Exploration". Her bravery and tenacity became role models for countless people, especially women who longed to break free from traditional constraints. Aloha proved with her actions that gender has never been a limitation; the only true limitation lies within one's own heart. 

This International Women's Day, OPENROAD is honoring fearless women adventurers everywhere!

For the next 24 hours only, share your best outdoor adventure stories or tell us about your trusted gear—like a sleeping bag that's traveled miles with you—using #SheOverlands and tagging us #openroad4wd_official. The most inspiring story or photo wins our brand-new Spring Outdoor Sleeping Bag! All other participants receive an exclusive 10% off discount code valid sitewide. Let’s celebrate your adventures together!