Preps when traveling

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Why Prepare

stub Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Pre-Trip Mental Rehearsal Checklist

Preparation for overland travel is as much about psychology as it is about gear. Use this checklist to "pre-visualize" common challenges so that your response is muscle memory rather than panic.

1. The "What If" Scenarios

• Mechanical Failure: If your engine stops in a remote area, do you have a 48-hour water supply? Who is your first point of contact via satellite?
• Medical Emergency: Do you know your blood type and any allergies of your travel partners? Is your first aid kit accessible within 5 seconds?
• Bureaucratic Friction: If a border guard denies your carnet or visa, do you have the "polite persistence" mindset and a backup route mapped out?
• Theft or Loss: If your primary bag is stolen, do you have a "go-bag" with your passport and emergency cash hidden elsewhere?

2. Environmental Anchoring

• Terrain Familiarization: Have you studied the topography of your route using satellite imagery (Google Earth) to identify potential washouts or steep gradients?
• Climate Prep: Have you checked the "extreme lows" for your destination? Gear rated for "average" temperatures often fails during freak weather events.

3. Communication Protocol

• Check-in Schedule: Does someone back home know that if they don't hear from you for X days, they should trigger an emergency response?
• Emergency Phrases: Have you memorized (or written down) "I need a doctor" and "I need a mechanic" in the local language?

Guide: Gathering Local Intelligence

In the shifting landscape of international travel, "static" guides are often outdated before they are printed. Use these methods to get "live" intel.

1. Digital Crowdsourcing

• iOverlander & Park4Night: These apps are the gold standard for overlanders. Read the comments from the last 14 days; they often contain warnings about bridge washouts, new tolls, or aggressive local wildlife.
• Facebook Groups & WhatsApp Communities: Join region-specific groups (e.g., "Overlanding Africa" or "Pan-American Travelers"). These are where the most current "boots on the ground" reports live.
• Horizons Unlimited (HUBB): The ultimate forum for long-term travelers. Use the search function for specific border crossings or technical requirements.

2. On-the-Ground Intelligence

• The "Trucker" Rule: Long-haul truck drivers are the masters of the road. If you see them stopped at a cafe, ask about road conditions ahead. They know where the potholes, police checkpoints, and best fuel stops are.
• Hotel/Campsite Logbooks: Many overland-friendly campsites keep physical logbooks. These are goldmines for "off-the-grid" tips that never make it onto the internet.
• Local Shopkeepers: Buying a small item and asking "How is the road to [Destination]?" can reveal local news about protests, construction, or weather that hasn't hit the news yet.

3. Official & Geopolitical Intel

• Government Travel Advisories: Use these as a baseline, but remember they are often overly cautious. Cross-reference them with the advisories of other countries (e.g., check both US State Dept and UK FCDO) for a balanced view.
• Live Weather & Conflict Maps: Use apps like Windy.com for weather and Liveuamap for areas with potential civil unrest to see real-time developments.