Sometimes, experienced off-roaders want to try traveling on their own. People who know how to do their own car repairs think that they won’t need help, especially on a short trip, but off-roading isn’t like other road trips. It’s much more difficult to get help, and you are more likely to experience some sort of car trouble: off-road climates and terrain just aren’t as hospitable to motor vehicles. Even if you’re a fantastic motorist, don’t go off-road alone.
First thing’s first: you shouldn’t go off-roading alone because, as you probably already know, you’re stuck with your car no matter what happens. Even off-roading beginners know that if your car breaks down or your stranded, you need to stick with the car, not wander off. If you’re an amateur or professional auto mechanic, you also know that some car problems require more than two hands: if your car breaks down and you’re off-roading alone, it might be almost impossible for you to find help, especially if you can’t leave your car.
More importantly, you shouldn’t go off-roading alone because accidents happen. You might crash your car or it might break down, and it’s always best to have a friend or partner with you who can get help. But car trouble isn’t the only risk of off-roading alone. Even the healthiest people can injure themselves or fall ill in some way. Especially if you’re off-roading in the desert, traveling alone exposes you to health problems, such as heat exhaustion. Snake or inset bites can also make it difficult for you to move, and hiking injuries happen to the best of us. If being sick or injured and alone in the wild doesn’t sound too safe or fun to you, bring someone along when you go off-road.
You don’t even have to travel in the same vehicle as your companion does: as fun as group road trips can be, you can go off-roading with someone who has his or her own vehicle. Just stay within an easy visible range of the other vehicle, and alternate leading and following. In the desert, your line of sight can span several kilometers, so you can still feel that sense of aloneness and peace while traveling with a partner who can help out in a pinch. Having two cars is also useful in case one breaks down: your partner can always tow you to the nearest service area. Off-roading is a great experience; don’t turn it into a nightmare by going out on your own.