Solo Overlanding

[CR-Venturer]

I’d love to hear everyone’s opinions on solo overlanding. I’m planning a trip from Florida to Utah and back through Colorado and will hopefully include as many trails as possible, like Hurricane pass, California Pass, Rimrocker, and White Rim (I have permits and reservation for WR). As of now I have scratched Imogene from the list as from what I have read it is not for solo travel. I’ll be heading up the first 2 weeks of June so there is a chance some of the passes might be closed.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on driving and camping these roads alone.

Pretty confident in my rig which is a Jeep JKU with Metalcloak lift, winch and more.

If it wasn't for solo travel I would pretty much never go. Unfortunately my wife isn't so much into the kind of deep bush, off grid adventures I enjoy and she has some medical struggles that all but preclude it even if she wanted to go, and my kiddos are all a bit too young for it yet, although the oldest is getting there.

Fortunately, I'm pretty strongly introverted and enjoy solitude, so solo overlanding suits me fine most of the time.

When traveling solo, there are a few principles that have served me very well. First and foremost is a healthy respect for how fast and how thoroughly nature can kill you. I'm not overly fearful when deep in the wilds alone, but always I go with the understanding that things can go badly wrong very fast, and I guard against this possibility at every step. Carrying a 12 gauge shotgun is just one of many aspects of this vigilance, as is proper preparation with extra food, water, med kit, etc.

Telling someone your planned routes and itinerary is also key.

Others have touched on it, but the second principle is that "discretion is the better part of valor." Many times I have passed on an obstacle or track because I was alone when I would surely have tried it if someone was right there to pull me out if things went pear shaped. I'm not saying avoid all risks, just carefully consider risks vs rewards when considering a track or route.

More later perhaps, gotta run because a thunderstorm is coming in and I gotta clean up the yard! Lol

 

[Billiebob]

First time out with another? Millions of questions, why? what for? are you sure? To the point that I started second guessing myself.

yep, this is why I go solo, why I am my only employee, why one woman is plenty......

 

[Tommys]

Being calculated is wise, Inreach and other devices are best, don't take unnecessary risk. Solo camping, solo exploration, solo overlanding, means all the same... alone. Solo camp

Yeah, this post is timeless. I wrote on the subject and now offering some concrete eLearning on solo camping tidbits.
T

 

[The Deputy]

Interesting topic...and comments.

To me, the biggest difference between a camping trip/4X4 outing and overlanding is...while overlanding...you have absolutely no schedule or itinerary. When l leave, typically, l have no idea, besides general area, of where l will end up that night/day, and then that's never a hundred percent and can change based on how l feel. When l left for Alaska my wife wanted to know "more" than she usually gets, being that l was planning on being gone for nine or ten weeks. But, l gave her the same answers...l'll know and tell you when l get there.

Traveling solo, one must know his vehicle inside and out, be self reliant, have a good head on their shoulders/good common sense and never or only take chances as a last resort. Not for the thrill of it. You're looking to avoid danger or injury or damaging your vehicle...not heightening. You're trying to go as far as you can without issue(s)...because they will come knocking without going out and looking for them. Plus, getting stuck...means getting dirty. Washing and especially drying clothes on the road...is a pain in the b-u-t-t.

Going solo allows you to do exactly what you planned, or decide to change it into, or whatever it turns into...without inconvencing anyone. No worrying about if they're having a good time, hungry, tired, bored, etc. One day, l drove fifteen hours in the Defender...my wife would have been insane(r)...if she was along. But me, was fine with it.

Solo, probably isn't for everyone. You have to be good with being alone in remote areas and good at problem solving.

But, throwing together a quick lunch at the Yukon river, just off the Dalton hwy, late in the season, while heading for the arctic circle, all by your lonesome is mind bending...and comes with a sense of accomplishment.



After l was home for a few hours, after being gone five weeks and 10,000 miles, l was looking out the window wishing l was on the road, still...but then my wife cooked me dinner, probably the best meal l'd had in a month...and l decided to stay home for awhile and fatten up some...lol

 

[The Deputy]

Getting started solo...take baby steps.

 

[ml9245]

I would have no issue going on a mega journey with my rig. I was a mechanic professionally for 39 years so no problems there. It's all about logistics. Your vehicle has a maximum capacity so taking everything is impossible. Spare parts, lubes, fluids, tents, racks, etc., it all adds up. But you figure it out. In May of 2022 I left on a perimeter tour of the US solo. On a bicycle. 10,520-miles, 323-days, and 34 states. Truly f-ing amazing. You learn fast, and you have miserable days. I went through every environment in the country, from plains, mountains, swamps, and deserts. Solo makes you find out who you are and what you can take. The biggest thing with solo is you have to be comfortable in your own skin and take fears head on. Sleeping alone in the middle of the desert can be unnerving, with coyotes circling and snakes looking for a warm place. I won't talk about grizzlies or mountain lions, but these are things you may encounter and have a plan for.

 

[The Deputy]

I would have no issue going on a mega journey with my rig. I was a mechanic professionally for 39 years so no problems there. It's all about logistics. Your vehicle has a maximum capacity so taking everything is impossible. Spare parts, lubes, fluids, tents, racks, etc., it all adds up. But you figure it out. In May of 2022 I left on a perimeter tour of the US solo. On a bicycle. 10,520-miles, 323-days, and 34 states. Truly f-ing amazing. You learn fast, and you have miserable days. I went through every environment in the country, from plains, mountains, swamps, and deserts. Solo makes you find out who you are and what you can take. The biggest thing with solo is you have to be comfortable in your own skin and take fears head on. Sleeping alone in the middle of the desert can be unnerving, with coyotes circling and snakes looking for a warm place. I won't talk about grizzlies or mountain lions, but these are things you may encounter and have a plan for.


View attachment 287678

Sick bike, did you ever feel like you needed another cog up front (smaller)?...and a taller gear? Sometimes, my diverge carbon just feels like l can never get the correct gearing with a 1X12...plus top speed is about 24mph. Would be nice to bump that up sometimes, when a tail wind or grade offers it. Anyhow, congratulations on a great achievement!!!

 

[ml9245]

Sick bike, did you ever feel like you needed another cog up front (smaller)?...and a taller gear? Sometimes, my diverge carbon just feels like l can never get the correct gearing with a 1X12...plus top speed is about 24mph. Would be nice to bump that up sometimes, when a tail wind or grade offers it. Anyhow, congratulations on a great achievement!!!

Thanks Deputy. Diverge is a nice sled too. I went with a 38-tooth chainring and an 11-42 cassette. 11-speed on 47mm tires with 650b rims. Worked fantastic for me. Thought the Rockies and Cascades would be an issue but the gearing I think was spot on. I wasn't worried about top speed, more for climbing. Hauling about 70lbs of gear I averaged about 19-21on the flats, depending on the wind.

 

[The Deputy]

It's funny, you'd see the motorcycle overlanders on the Alcan, raining to beat the band...and l'd think...that must suck. Then l'd pass a couple folks on pedal bikes...all of a sudden, and just like that...the motorcycles didn't seem so bad.

 

[The Deputy]

Thanks Deputy. Diverge is a nice sled too. I went with a 38-tooth chainring and an 11-42 cassette. 11-speed on 47mm tires with 650b rims. Worked fantastic for me. Thought the Rockies and Cascades would be an issue but the gearing I think was spot on. I wasn't worried about top speed, more for climbing. Hauling about 70lbs of gear I averaged about 19-21on the flats, depending on the wind.

Yeah, after l posted that...figured you probably weren't trying for max speed with all that extra weight to control.

 

[ml9245]

Been there too! Both on the bicycle and motorcycle. When I finished my bicycle tour I said I'd never go again unless I had a cab around me. Now I'm in the middle of planning the last fourteen states. It's funny, I don't know if we're gluttons for punishment or just figured out the meaning of life.

Rain on this is no bueno.

 

[The Deputy]

Thanks Deputy. Diverge is a nice sled too. I went with a 38-tooth chainring and an 11-42 cassette. 11-speed on 47mm tires with 650b rims. Worked fantastic for me. Thought the Rockies and Cascades would be an issue but the gearing I think was spot on. I wasn't worried about top speed, more for climbing. Hauling about 70lbs of gear I averaged about 19-21on the flats, depending on the wind.

Did you chronicle your trip here? Would like to read it, if you did. Retired after being a diesel mechanic for 46 years, too. Maybe that's why we push pedals in our spare time...peace and quiet. Try to get 25/40 miles in each evening...well, weather permitting.

 

[ml9245]

Funny that you ask Deputy. I kept a journal and did self-publish it. It's called "Keep the Lonely Places Lonely" and is available at Bookbaby.com. Coupon code "E8U8RR" gives 10% off through Christmas. It's 732 pages long and has over 1,000 photos. Something I'm pretty proud about.

 

[ml9245]

Did you chronicle your trip here? Would like to read it, if you did. Retired after being a diesel mechanic for 46 years, too. Maybe that's why we push pedals in our spare time...peace and quiet. Try to get 25/40 miles in each evening...well, weather permitting.

I've got 14 states left to do to say I rode in all the lower 48. Michigan is one of them. I'll reach out to you when I head out again, we can spin a few miles