Overlanding alone
 

Hi All,

I'm interested to know what practical issues anyone has come against when travelling alone?

Things I can think of;

Reading a map while driving.
Watching the vehicle while parked.
Doing all the driving.
Not having anyone else to blame if things go wrong.

Cheers

Mike,

Also, look at the brighter side:

Not reading a map while driving = getting no hassle while lost

Not watching the vehicle while parked = not worrying too much about worldly possessions

Doing all the driving = not needing to answer the question "are we there yet?"

Not having anyone else to blame if things go wrong = not having anyone to make a claim to success if things go right.

On reflection, I think your last point is actually the valid one :-)

I like driving so no problem doing all the driving. If driving gets tiresome then probably you want to cover too much in a day anyway. ;)

Problems I see when going alone:

1) Driving alone a big car in 3rd world while locals are overloading theirs to the sky with people and cargo is not good feeling. Rich white man syndrome.

2) Emissions and wasted fuel. It is difficult to justify burning of fuel just to move 1 person and his big car, to satify his ego. I especially dislike idea of people who buy full size trucks, even 6x6, for their travel. It is very irresponsible, I think.

Ok these are perhaps pseudo problems, at least for some, but in the process of transforming into better person I'm considering doing my next long solo trip on a motorbike insead. ;)

The biggest issue for me when going alone is feeling of insecurity when bushcamping, but that is probably associated with personal state of mind not actual insecurity.

Travelling alone gives you some scope to pick up backpackers/local guides etc on route - at your discretion for company if you like.....

My preference if travelling solo - is by motorbike - I think it is a waste of room and money to travel in a 4x4 alone too - though I do not see the problem with using a full size truck - if that is what people choose to travel in -that is there decision - and there freedom of choice- and a big difference in costs for them.

In the big scheme of things - people overlanding in Trucks is a very small combributer to global emissions compared to the Industrial output of China/Asia/Americas/Europe - these are the areas that need addressing IMO (vehicles produce 10% of greenhouse gasses globally)

You can travel for 1/3 - 1/4 or less - of the money on a bike as opposed to a 4x4 and its much easier to meet people and blag accomodation/food/help etc - especially if its raining !!!

Just my Thoughts....

Cheers
Grif

Some good points there, especially the rich white man syndrome. I have encountered that feeling before and it can alienate you. Having said that, in some countries, wearing a T shirt less than 3 yrs old makes you rich.

I like to travel alone because if Im bored of my own company its easy to meet up with people who want lifts/company etc.

Prob I have is Im photrgrapher and tend to carry a lot of kit. If it wasnt for that my preference would be to go by motor bike.

The greatest thing about going alone is the total freedom to just wander. Sometimes I stay in one place a week and other times I just drive right through a town thinking naaaaaahhhhhh don't like it here.

Main disadvantage for me is navigation, Im terrible at it.

Cheers
Mike

If you are doing it alone, if you get stuck or break down, then you haven't got anyone else to get out and help you push. Just a thought...



Lone Wolf
_________________________
Lone Wolf Transglobal Expedition

How much is a lot of photo kit?

We were two up on a bike rtw, and carried two 35mm bodies and a p&s, 20-35 2.8L, 28-105 3.5/4.5, 70-200 2.8L, 1.4 and 2x extenders, 45mm Tilt / shift, 35-80 4.5, 70-300 4.5/5.6, a dozen or so filters, half a dozen grad filters and holder, lens cleaners and the usual junk, and 300 rolls of film. Also a Gitzo carbon fibre 4 section tripod that extends to full height, with big Linhof ball head. As a former pro, it was enough!

Course I couldn't take my 4x5, but we have to make some sacrifices! :)

Today that kit would be less - with digital, no film, so that makes a big difference. And yes we had a laptop too.

For some of our photos see the link top left, "Johnson's trip"

Grant,

I'm amazed! Give or take some flash guns and leads, that's what I carry with me. All my kit weighs nearly 20kg (batteries and stuff the worst offenders).

The idea of a bike for rtw is really growing on me, damn, its been a while since I rode a bike.

Somehow, travelling alone on a bike seems more natural than in a car. Does anyone else feel that?

Cheers
Mike

Although not a pro photographer I early noticed that one does not need a lot of gear to take pictures and the less you have the better, especially when travelling. Unless you are a real pro who shoots for living then take one camera with one lens and save yourself a lot of trouble.

Roman, brilliant positive angles. ;-)

'Main disadvantage for me is navigation, I'm terrible at it.'

Ditto. However, I've found it does mean you can end up in some very cool places if you go with your intuition as opposed to the more logical map routes. ;-)

I'm not completely alone, as I travel with my two dogs. Will be heading from Central to South America at the end of this month. Can't do the sidecar with TWO animals. The HUGE plus about being accompanied by dogs is not being pulled over by police wanting a bribe. With two gargoyles hanging out the passenger window, it just doesn't happen. (I've got the mixed breed mutts, not frou-frou pedigrees.) From Texas down to Costa Rica, I got pulled over once in Honduras. And I didn't pay.

I'm a professional photographer/writer and I too need the equipment, but will be leaving printer/scanner in Costa Rica. Just isn't worth carrying.

I am forced to get myself out of getting stuck and since I'm not in a 4 wheel drive, that happens more than I'd care to admit because I'm a bit of a risk taker. But I always seem to get myself out, or there's always someone around eventually to help. And that can lead to some wonderful exchanges.

It is hugely wasteful on gas. But I figure I'm using way less than if I had a 9-5 job in the West. :-)

Mike777, can you email me off line at LC at LorraineChittock.com about a project I'm working on? I'm needing photos from Africa.

Lorraine

The only disadvantage I've found to going solo is that you have to hold your own rubber hose in the jerry on the roof to get a shower.And even then,depending on your luck in the bar the night before you may get some help!!

Just do it.

They've invented something called a solar shower which could make your life easier, but perhaps not nearly as fun. ;-)
Lorraine

You've peeled away more insulation when traveling alone.
Insulation reduces a person's depth of field, so to speak. :)

shower
 

I shower reguarly, at least once a year and sometimes twice. Your luck in the bar is not likely to be too good if you havent showered first though.

Also, your thought on the emissions footprint thing. While its true that if you are roaming around in a car/bike then you are selfishly burning up fossil fuel, at the same time you are not living in a house with heating/air con, freezer, TV etc and commuting to work in traffic. Im sure someone cleverer than me could work out the offset. Although from a personal perspective, its not something that concerns me. There is an element in society that if you are nomadic you are in some way selfish. As in 'you cannot just please yourself'. Strangley ( to me) no one finds it selfish to have a house with 3 tv's on at the same time.

I'm sticking with the land rover for Africa because it suits my needs, but have decided to do my trip in Sth America in 2009 on a motor bike. I'll buy it in the US as they seem to be half the price there than in Europe or Sth Afr.

Cheers
Mike

I was actually hoping this thread got transferred to the Travellers Meeting Travellers section as I think it could be a great use to some. A year ago a thread was started about travelling alone as opposed to with a mate. Or something like that. This is a bit different. And interesting.
Lorraine