Field guide · Planning
Great overland trips don't happen by accident. The difference between a trip that's effortless and one that's a recovery-mission is almost always the planning that happened before the wheels started rolling.
Start with the 'why' and the 'who'
Before picking a map pin, be honest about your group's skill, your rig's capability, and everyone's comfort level. A route that's fun for a well-built crew can be terrifying for a first-timer in a stock rig. Write down a trip statement — what you want out of it — and filter every decision through it.
Build the route, then build it again
Draft your ideal route, then add a realistic Plan B. For every day, note bailout points, fuel availability, water sources, and towns with actual services. Ask yourself: if this road is closed or this river is high, where do we go?
The non-negotiables checklist
- Fuel range: calculate a 20% buffer beyond your measured worst-case range.
- Water: a gallon per person per day, plus a 3-day reserve.
- Permits and land rules: know them before you cross the district line.
- Communications: satellite messenger or HAM, plus a paper map backup.
- Window for weather: check 10-day outlooks at elevation.
- Leave an itinerary with someone at home, with check-in times.
Plan the trip home too
A trip isn't over until your gear is dry and your rig is back to daily-driver shape. Budget a recovery day: laundry, a mechanical once-over, tire pressures back up, and notes on what to fix or carry differently next time. Then start planning the next one.
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