Don't Wheel Alone

Wildman

Wildman

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Here's a story to remind people about wheeling alone... I know there's folks who do go out alone and if you're going to bring survival gear & let others know where you're going...


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macleanflood said:
Or at least bring a Garmin Inreach or something...

-Mac
Click to expand...

Many people don't have one or anything like it. My sis who is a horse person has a Spot and uses it when she goes on rides and my BIL uses it when he hunts. They want me to get one to use when I start traveling.

IMO you shouldn't wheel alone but I also know people are going to.
 
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Wildman said:
Many people don't have one or anything like it. My sis who is a horse person has a Spot and uses it when she goes on rides and my BIL uses it when he hunts. They want me to get one to use when I start traveling.

IMO you shouldn't wheel alone but I also know people are going to.
Click to expand...

iPhone 14 or newer can use satellites for emergencies.

Still take my Inreach with me.
 
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Apparition said:
iPhone 14 or newer can use satellites for emergencies.

Still take my Inreach with me.
Click to expand...

Not being able to call for help is only one reason not to wheel alone. And like that discussion in the communication thread I think the new Samsungs are doing the same thing. The point is if this guy had been with someone else he'd been OK. And he was driving a Grand Cherokee too BTW.
 
I wheel alone more often than not. I also travel across the country solo. I carry a Garmin InReach. I also tell someone usually the Wife, unless she’s with me, where I’m going, when I’m expected back and call them when I return.
They were smart and waited with the vehicle for help to arrive. I did SAR when I lived in Az people who stayed with the vehicle were found easily those that tried to go on foot were usually found dead of exposure to the heat within a mile of their rig. Many were idiots from Phoenix with new 4x4s and had no water or survival skills or gear.
 
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I bought a used gen 1 in reach mini for $200. Cheap insurance. And as much as techie as I am, I’m not ready to trust my life to iPhone satellite messaging.
 
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I've got all the local Forest Service repeater frequencies programmed into my Baofengs. I use FS radios when doing trail maintenance and an familiar with their radio protocols and procedures. And I'm sure I'd get in huge trouble radioing dispatch...but it's an option.

All the Forest Service radio frequencies and repeater triggers are all public knowledge...so it's not hard to use CHIRP to program a radio for a just in case situation.

I like primary, secondary and teriatiary plans.

-Mac
 
I have found two vehicles abandoned in very rough terrain. The first was a Volkswagon of some sort and the oil sump was torn up and I think the gas tank too. There was no note or any indication of who or how many people there were or where they went. We reported this to the forest service but never heard anything further. This was probably within walking distance of a town but just barely.

The second was in a much more remote and desolate place near the Black rock desert. It was a Toyota Camry or similar. The car was torn up pretty badly on the underside and it was obvious that it wasn’t going any farther. It was locked but there was a cell phone on the seat and some empty water bottles. But no notes or any indication of where they went. The car was quite dusty so I think it had been there for a while. It was spooky because we halfway suspected we would come across bodies somewhere. It was hot with no water anywhere, and a long way (50miles?) to any town. We reported this one also, but never heard anything more about it.

Then, there were the Death Valley Germans. Look it up.
 
bucky said:
I wheel alone more often than not. I also travel across the country solo. I carry a Garmin InReach. I also tell someone usually the Wife, unless she’s with me, where I’m going, when I’m expected back and call them when I return.
They were smart and waited with the vehicle for help to arrive. I did SAR when I lived in Az people who stayed with the vehicle were found easily those that tried to go on foot were usually found dead of exposure to the heat within a mile of their rig. Many were idiots from Phoenix with new 4x4s and had no water or survival skills or gear.
Click to expand...

As I said I know some will wheel alone but some are more prepared to do so than others. And yes it sounds like they stayed with their vehicle. It also sounds like he wasn't very prepared or experienced.

macleanflood said:
I've got all the local Forest Service repeater frequencies programmed into my Baofengs. I use FS radios when doing trail maintenance and an familiar with their radio protocols and procedures. And I'm sure I'd get in huge trouble radioing dispatch...but it's an option.

All the Forest Service radio frequencies and repeater triggers are all public knowledge...so it's not hard to use CHIRP to program a radio for a just in case situation.

I like primary, secondary and teriatiary plans.

-Mac
Click to expand...

I'll have to start carrying one of my Baofeng radios but I've got the GMRS mounted already too. But I've also got close to a mobile repair shop in my Jeep.
That old GO Prepared moto is important.
 
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TurboTJ said:
I carry HF/VHF/UHF amateur radios along with a CB (which is worthless). I also have an Inreach tracker. I am seriously considering putting a mount for our Starlink mini on also.
Click to expand...

Heck I haven't unboxed my Starlink yet & it's a Gen 2. The new mini with their 50GB plan is nice for stuff like this. Up here in the PNW I'd wonder how often you'd not get a clear line of sight to the sky & not have service?

Things have gotten a lot better in the last 10-15 years to be able to stay in touch.
 
I'd say 4 out of 5 times I'm riding alone, and most of that time I have the kids with me. I always pack as if we will be spending the night in the woods, and the wife always knows our general area and when we will be back. Just have to have some basic plans in place.
 
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Wildman said:
Heck I haven't unboxed my Starlink yet & it's a Gen 2. The new mini with their 50GB plan is nice for stuff like this. Up here in the PNW I'd wonder how often you'd not get a clear line of sight to the sky & not have service?

Things have gotten a lot better in the last 10-15 years to be able to stay in touch.
Click to expand...

We have a mount for the Starlink on our truck camper. It has worked flawlessly, even driving up through narrow mountain passes or camping under some tree cover. Starlink works fabulously well for what seems like a reasonable cost.
 
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TurboTJ said:
We have a mount for the Starlink on our truck camper. It has worked flawlessly, even driving up through narrow mountain passes or camping under some tree cover. Starlink works fabulously well for what seems like a reasonable cost.
Click to expand...

I'm planning on mounting my Gen2 at my house and then getting a Gen3 for my motorhome...
 
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