Biggest fear on the trail????
- Thread starter Taz.beast
- Start date
Going by myself I have several things that bother me. Being 20+ miles from any highway and breaking down or putting a rock through the oil pan...I always carry enough food and water for a few days and make sure I have enough gasoline. But here lately with temps in the teens I need one of those fancy Garmin gps where I can text someone my coordinates for help instead of having to spend hours walking over rough terrain just to be able to flag someone down for help in freezing temps. For my wife it's different. She is scared of Bigfoot and Bears. She believes both were created to eat her. She always keeps the doors locked. I kid her and say, "Yes because Bigfoot and Bears will try the door handle first to get into the vehicle." lol
My biggest concern is a mechanical injury that will prevent me from being able to return to the vehicle or base camp when I'm exploring on foot. But you can't let stuff like that stop you. My family knows my plans and the area I will be in, which Ranger District to contact, what the nearest fire department/rescue squad is, and when to expect a check-in. Last year we were able to add a DeLorme inReach to our gear. Any time I exit the vehicle, it's on my belt. In the vehicle, it's placed within reach.
I have a genetic heart condition and had two stents installed at 35. A few sleepless nights in the hospital gave me time to prioritize my life. Since then, I've been making sure I get to the things that I want to do. Do what you can to mitigate risk, but don't let the "what-ifs" keep you from living your adventure.
I have a genetic heart condition and had two stents installed at 35. A few sleepless nights in the hospital gave me time to prioritize my life. Since then, I've been making sure I get to the things that I want to do. Do what you can to mitigate risk, but don't let the "what-ifs" keep you from living your adventure.
Pathfinder III
- 5,200
- First Name
- Kent
- Last Name
- Reynolds
- Member #
-
1632
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- K6KNT
- Service Branch
- Retired Firefighter
Even though our club has worked hard to Educate, Outfit & Explore Im always afraid that there will be that one person on the trip! If you know what I mean.
Member III
Forgetting to bring coffee , this really happend and it's very frightening.
If I had a fear exploring it would be slipping of the edge of the road and rolling down a hill . Extremely unlikely but things can happen
If I had a fear exploring it would be slipping of the edge of the road and rolling down a hill . Extremely unlikely but things can happen
Running out of coffee is for sure one and running out of gas.
I have limited exterior storage (still working on building a bumper) so I can only carry a small fuel can.
It's all live and learn tho. When I'm out in the bush I learn as I go with what I need so I don't ever have to fear not having something.
I have limited exterior storage (still working on building a bumper) so I can only carry a small fuel can.
It's all live and learn tho. When I'm out in the bush I learn as I go with what I need so I don't ever have to fear not having something.
Dammit, beat me to it!
Beyond that, my fear is mechanical failure of some kind. My vehicle knowledge is sadly limited, so my ability to do trail repairs is almost non-existent (I can change tires, and I've got plenty of zipties and duct tape). I'm trying to expand my knowledge by reading up and watching youtube videos and whatnot, but there's only so much to be gained that way. I've looked into community college courses, but there doesn't seem to be much, and the stuff I've found is mostly for aspiring pros. There was a local shop in Portland that used to offer basic mechanic courses to the community, but it seems like they've stopped doing that. I'd love to get some formal training, somehow.
I really wish I'd spent more time with the gearheads in high school...
Great replies except for the running out of beer - for me it is breaking a bolt of wine and running out of it!
Next would be as others have stated mechanical break downs and being miles in on a trail. AAA will not leave the pavement.
So I carry a lot of parts and tools - might be 30% of our payload at times.
Next would be as others have stated mechanical break downs and being miles in on a trail. AAA will not leave the pavement.
So I carry a lot of parts and tools - might be 30% of our payload at times.
Enthusiast III
I have 2 young boys, and I am doing more with them. Been building up slowly to more adventurous camping. My biggest fear is getting sick or otherwise incapacitated and putting all of us at risk. Right now we are mostly "family" camping with the popup at a campground, so low risk. But as I push towards more remote and isolated adventures, I worry about that. The risk is GREATLY reduced if I could find some dads or friends that want to share the experience with us. But I'm starting to think that is hopeless.
I've got a little girl, and pretty much all of my fears are amplified because of her. I'm gonna invest in a Spot or InReach before my next trip, I think. Most of my trips are solo w/ the fam, so I can't rely on other folks either. We prefer the solitude anyway (despite the risks) and frankly, I'm just not that likeable, so I don't expect company!
We do not like trail driving and camping with large groups, as for us the whole idea is to get away from crowds. I believe solo rig camping is ok but we usually go with a least one over rig. And if you have younger children going with at least two other adults is just wise to me.
This is why this forum/group is so great, as you meet more people and go to locale meet and greets you will find like minded people you will enjoy getting out there with.
Member III
Enthusiast III
I'm hopeful that OB might lead to a few new contacts. But since you are a member, take a look at Syracuse, NY on the member map and bask in the black-hole that is Central New York when it comes to outdoor adventure. Which is ironic, because there is quite a bit of opportunity to do it here, but the interest level seems to be very low. I've been checking meetup, facebook, google search, etc., to see if I can find any pockets of like minded folks. No dice yet. Even basic 4x4 clubs (not really my thing, but might find like minded people there) have a hard time staying relevant/active here.
Beside the fears already said I would say mine is more of a worry. It is that I'll spend all day heading out to a certain spot only to get there and find 30 other people already there in my place of calm and quiet nature.
I'm with you on that worry. Seems as if every time I come up with a great trip plan with a secluded camp site - seems like (on rare occasions) 2000 other people had the same idea for the same date and same spot!
My wife and I engage in "solo" travel 99% of the time and find it fantastic. To go to sleep with only the sound of the wind, calls of owls, yelps of coyotes in the distance is more than any camper/overlander can ask for. We just got back from a month plus trip to deserts of Arizona and California. During the trip we had to (chose to) spend 3 different nights in Forest Service or Nat. Park campgrounds and both of us HATED it. But in reality those few days did give us time to engage with other people and we actually had a great time talking to a few of the folks. So I wonder if it is as dreadful as I think it will be or am I just becoming an "elitist" solo geek, which is also a bummer....
Eric I really believe it all depends on the mind set of those around you. We have camped many times in Anza Borrego near us and even in the height of blooming season the space between camps and quiet out there has been ok. Not as good in as in the winter when it is too cold for the lite heights - but ok.
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