how-to-explore-challenging-terrain-with-confidence

The reason we spend so much time and effort gearing up our rides is so that we can use them to explore remote and stunning landscapes. Getting this overland fix can take one along and through all terrain forms, from rocky desert tracks to waterlogged, muddy trails. This poses a significant and risky challenge, especially if the sand is very soft or the mud deep and or extremely slippery. Knowing what to do in these situations can make all the difference between a happy and successful overland journey or a stressful and costly one. Here are our six essential tips for handling challenging terrain when overlanding: ​

Where are you going, and what will the terrain and weather be like? If you’re planning a summer trip to Iceland, you can still get away with summer or regular tires instead of winter ones, which are compulsory in the winter as they make a massive difference in the snow and ice. However, it can still get very cold there in the summer, especially if you’re camping in the Highlands, so something like a diesel heater will come in handy to keep you and your passengers nice and warm. The tracks in Iceland are very rocky, and these can be sharp, so a tire repair kit and compressor are a must-have. As the glacial waters melt in the summer, they flow into the valleys you drive through, forming legal water crossings, so if you plan on driving through them, you’ll need a vehicle that’s capable or has been set up to deal with these deep water crossings. Chat with others who have done your route in the summer and find out what gear they took with them and what the conditions were like. We do research so that when we get there, we don’t have to say to ourselves: “If only I’d known…” ​

Have you ever been on an adventure and found yourself wishing you owned or packed a specific piece of gear? A basic recovery set including straps, ropes, shackles, tree protector and gloves is a good start. That means if your vehicle and another vehicle have recovery points, you can, at the very least, tow or recover each other. If you’re traveling solo, then a MAXTRAX set for self-recovery is an excellent idea. Get essential recovery gear plus any specialist gear for a specific trip or area you are visiting. You need gear that’s suitable for the type of terrain and situations you expect to encounter. A set of snow chains is useless in the Arizona desert but a godsend in the Alps snow season. Many people will slap on an expensive winch but only take their rides to shows or along easy trails. If you’ve purchased the gear, then don’t be afraid of putting yourself in situation where you will have to use it. ​

We all start our overlanding journey as rookies, and the road to becoming an experienced overland driver takes time, miles, and exposure to different types of tracks and terrains. Everything you tackle or take on along your overland journey should be done with sound knowledge and acceptance of your limitations and capabilities. Kingsley Holgate and Ronny Dahl are overland and 4x4 gurus, and they’ve driven millions of miles to get there. In that time, they’ve probably been exposed to hairy situations you’ll never encounter in your overland journey. If you encounter tricky terrain, the main thing is to protect yourself, your passengers, and your ride, even if it means taking a 200-mile detour. That way, you live to drive another day.

When you buy a new Land Rover, they offer you a free training course at one of the Land Rover Experience centers. The reason for this is not only so that you know how to get the best out of the 4WD and its various systems but also so that you drive it in the most mechanically sympathetic fashion possible so that it won’t let you down when you need it most. Get training from a reputable 4x4 or overland instructor; it’s a good start to your overlanding journey. Also, chat with other overlanders who’ve been where you’re planning your next adventure; they’ll be able to give you many tips and tricks that’ll save you time and unnecessary hassles. Knowledge about your vehicle equals power when out and about in it. Practice the driving techniques they teach you repeatedly in a safe and controlled environment, such as a reputable 4x4 training center. ​

Having the latest 4x4 and all the necessary gear is one thing, but when did you last use a winch or snatch strap? Are you comfortable plugging or changing a tire on technical terrains such as deep mud or sand? The great thing about knowing how to get the best out of your vehicle, gear, and yourself is that it gives you confidence when faced with a specific obstacle or challenge. There’s no such thing as a go-everywhere vehicle; there will be times when you need to drive around an obstacle, build a bridge, or turn around. The key is identifying when that is. ​

You can have all the gear, experience, and training in the world, but there are certain things you cannot plan for, such as flash floods, a closed border post, or a pandemic. The key in these situations is to stay calm and minimize the risk to you, your passengers, and your vehicle. That’s the result or outcome you want when the unexpected occurs. Have an emergency exit plan, and if needed, execute it. This could include putting your vehicle in storage and flying out, as many overlanders had to do during the COVID pandemic, or if allowed, sit tight where you are. Hopefully, this is somewhere beautiful, like Botswana or Namibia. These things happen, and you need to deal with them in the best way possible. ​

Overcoming challenges using your knowledge, experience, gear, and vehicle is undoubtedly one of the most satisfying parts of overlanding in remote places. The experience will stay with you forever, even when the memories of the journey start to fade.