How To - 4XPEDITION Team 4X Community Forum https://4xpedition.com/community/how-to/ Private forum for 4XPEDITION Team 4X Community Members en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 20:40:21 +0000 wpForo 60 Emergency Planning: What Would You Do If You Had Two Flat Tires in the Middle of Nowhere? https://4xpedition.com/community/how-to/emergency-planning-what-would-you-do-if-you-had-two-flat-tires-in-the-middle-of-nowhere/ Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:04:37 +0000 Last week, I learned the sad news that a Tucson, Arizona couple had found themselves stranded with two flat tires in the middle of Death Valley. According to friends, they were "experienced campers", but regardless of their experience, the sad story is that one of them passed away and the other is still recovering from a serious injury. It turns out they tried to hike their way to a nearby road for help, but didn't realize they were hiking through an impassable canyon with steep cliffs at one end. The rescue team found them high up on a ledge, where the boyfriend had passed away from injuries I'm assuming he suffered while trying to climb, and the girlfriend had a serious foot injury requiring surgery. My heart goes out to the survivor and to the grieving friends and families of the one who did not make it. A GoFundMe page has been set up by the brother of the survivor in case you're interested: https://gofund.me/dc8ad3f7

Don't let this be you. There are basic emergency items that we should all consider having with us when venturing out, whether it is a remote destination or a national park.

The following list highlights at a minimum, six things you can do to prepare yourself prior to any trip:

  1. Check your spare tire and make sure you have the necessary hardware to change that tire and to remove the lug nuts.
  2. Carry a tire repair kit for fixing punctures and plugging flats.
  3. Carry an air pump for inflating tires (a hand-powered bike pump also works).
  4. Have an emergency satellite-based messenger device with you at all times (i.e., Garmin inReach or SPOT). Cell service isn't always available even when you may only be a few miles from a town. The small monthly fee far outweighs the value of your life or that of another in an emergency situation. In addition to assisting in an emergency, should you have vehicle-related troubles, you can easily text someone for help.
  5. Carry emergency supplies such as jumper cables, an emergency blanket, a "call for help" sign, a container for water (which should be full upon leaving on your trip especially in arid areas), and some food that keeps well.
  6. Consider adding long-distance towing coverage if you have an emergency assistance plan such as AAA.

 

I know this topic contains content that is a bit sobering, but bad things do happen despite our best intent and being as prepared as possible can make all the difference in being able to venture out another day.

]]> How To Debra Duane https://4xpedition.com/community/how-to/emergency-planning-what-would-you-do-if-you-had-two-flat-tires-in-the-middle-of-nowhere/ How to Find Recreation Sites and Campsites https://4xpedition.com/community/how-to/how-to-find-recreation-sites-and-campsites/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 18:03:10 +0000 This may be old news to some of you, but I know there are those who may not have this information or know where to start, so I'm posting it here.
 
How to Find Recreation/Camping Sites
There is literally a plethora of resources out there to assist, but unless you know what to look for, it can be difficult to find places. In my opinion, the two best resources are Google Maps and Gaia GPS. 
 
Google Maps is a good place to start to determine where recreation areas exist, such as National Forests, Parks, and State Parks. For example, you can simply type "camping near me" in the search box to find what is local to you while at home or traveling to begin researching potential places to recreate or camp.
 
Gaia GPS takes it a step further by allowing you to view areas using "layers" that can be used to identify exactly where BLM, State Trust Land, State and National Parks, National Monuments, Native American Reservations, Military Reserves, etc. (see the sections below for an explanation of BLM and State Trust Land) are located. You can also use waypoints (like dropping a pin in Google Maps) and tracks that show where you've traveled. The big plus to Gaia GPS is that you can use it without having Internet or cell service, as it utilizes the GPS capabilities of your phone or device (if equipped). Gaia GPS is free, but to take advantage of the extra layers and features, a paid subscription, which is very inexpensive, is recommended.
 
Resources
Here is a list of the resources I have consulted and found to be useful in finding recreation area and campsites:
This is a small list, as there are others available, but these are the ones I prefer to use. For example, Freecampsites.net can be a starting point to find something local to where I am. Once I identify a few potential sites, I can further investigate with Google Maps and Gaia GPS to determine whether the site would suit my needs.
 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
As you may know, BLM is a federal entity that manages our public lands. BLM consists of many "Field Offices" that monitor different areas within the country. For example, the Tucson Field Office monitors the public lands within the Ironwood Forest National Monument. I always consult the BLM website for information on any area I am considering visiting to understand their rules and regulations, as they can differ from area to area. For example, some BLM areas only allow camping for 14 consecutive days, after which time you must relocate 25 miles away. Other BLM lands are considered "long-term" usage that are free, while others require payment for 6-month usage. This is the common type of BLM land near Quartzsite, AZ. Typically, permits are not required to use most BLM areas, but I learned through research that BLM does require permits if you are planning on coordinating group use where payment to attend an event that occurs on BLM land is involved.
 
As I mentioned earlier, I always consult the BLM website to understand what I can and cannot do in a particular area. You can also call or visit a local field office and they are more than willing to help with information and maps.
 
Bureau of Land Management website
 
Arizona State Trust Land (AZSTL)
(I am only familiar with my home state, as there may be similar lands in other states as well)
 
AZSTL are public lands owned by the state of Arizona that can be accessed only by permit for individuals, families, and groups. The permits are inexpensive and can be obtained online and include a parking permit when accessing State Trust Land. These lands are typically utilized by hunters and come with restrictions regarding camping. A permit is good for one year, but only allows a total of 14 days for overnight camping. So, if you go out and camp for two weeks straight somewhere on State Trust Land, you can't camp anywhere else that year until your permit expires and you obtain a new one.
 
Arizona State Land Department website
 
I hope this helps. Basically, my best advice is get on your computer and search out these resources and this is how you learn. 😀 
 
Debaru
]]> How To Debra Duane https://4xpedition.com/community/how-to/how-to-find-recreation-sites-and-campsites/