Group Size: What do you prefer?

[Craig M]

With all of this discussion surrounding the growth of OB and Overlanding in general, I figure this is a good time to open another topic that I have seen mentioned in those other conversations.

I joined Expo Portal ~8 years ago, and nearly right away I noticed the draw that events like Overland Expo bring and always thought it was an interesting incongruity with what I perceived as the draw to remote / dispersed camping, which is to get away from the masses. At least that has always been one of the main draws to me.

Obviously we aren't all 'in it' for the same reasons, and I'm interetsed in hearing what some others prefer, as far as group size, and even your take on events.

More often than not, my wife and I camp and go on trips alone. I like the freedom of not having to worry about others, setting our own schedule, and changing it as often or little as we like. I do prefer small groups to any, and really like to keep it to around 3 vehicles. I like the idea of big events for seeing products and ideas, and would like to attend one just to see all of the new stuff in person, but have little to no interest in camping at one with hordes of other people.

So, how many people / vehicles do you usually travel with and what is your preferred group size? And how do you feel about the big events (like Overland Expo)?

 

[Road]

Good questions, @Chili.

Most of my travel and camping is solo, and though sometimes with a passenger like my kid or a friend, not very often.

If going with others to investigate a new off-road area or back country trail such as along the border or in the mountains, I can see having a couple vehicles to share duties, recovery gear, and make it more possible to get out of a jam if stuck somewhere. It's just smarter and safer to not go alone into some back country situations.

Personally, I would not want more than three or four other vehicles for that sort of trip. I have absolutely NO interest, myself, in being part of a long caravan of vehicles for the day or weekend in some spot a lot of people go to to test vehicles, skill, or try out gear. Holds no appeal to me at all, and I think probably has more impact on the trail and trail environment, and public perception, than most are willing to admit.

I posted in Overland Trip Planning for a Maritime Canada Expedition. I'm planning to learn more about trail possibilities in the Maritimes, with another possible trip to Newfoundland and Labrador if this one works out. I said four-five vehicles, max. I will be surprised if it garners much interest. Though if I suggested a two day rally for wheeling up well-known trails in the woods, all vehicles welcome, I bet it would get a lot of interest. That just doesn't interest me, personally.

I am not a fan of big rallies and long caravans meant just for 'wheeling' or getting out in the woods/hills/desert to see how dirty or stuck one can get their vehicle. I've been shot down even in these forums for speaking out against "could be an epic gathering!" because of the harm it could do. I understand the appeal it has for some folk, but I have no desire for it myself. I get away from the city to avoid being in a line or stuck in traffic. I don't see it as enjoying or appreciating solitude or nature.

As for large events like Overland Expo, I'm all for them. They do it right, Overland Expo, and have their events in places that are set up for that sort of crowd, like the Biltmore in Asheville or the big farm they're going to this year for East. edit: I never felt crowded at this Expo, or lacking in privacy, or had to wait in long lines. All felt quite expected and normal, even light, for the size of the crowd.

Expos are different than big rallies, in that their primary goal is much more about education, workshops, presentations from experienced travelers, and vendors sharing new products. The bonus is the wonderful camaraderie and several days camping together that occurs in that environment.

So, I don't see the Expo style gatherings as incongruous. The well-organized Expos are kinda of the opposite, really. I see a good Expo as being like the original mountain men rendezvous, or the way the Calgary Stampede was in the beginning; a yearly get together over several days to trade, catch up, party a little, then get back out there doing it on your own.


.

 

[nickburt]

Most of our trips are either solo, or two or three vehicles. A lot depends on the circumstances and how the idea of the trip was born.

There's is a safety consideration. In certain circumstances, safety in numbers (2, 3 or maybe 4 vehicles) is worth considering.

Here in the UK, there is a "Code of Conduct" for Green Laning. this recommends max 4 in a group to help reduce the impact on the environment and help keep wear and tear down on the tracks and help towards sustainability. Having led numerous groups in the past, the less the number, the easier to maintain the group and keep progress going.

I enjoy going to some of the shows (expos as they're becoming more widely known as), but do get frustrated with crowds and queues.

I'd much rather be out on the trail, miles from anywhere, in a solo vehicle. No-one else (or their truck) to worry about and to enjoy the peace and quiet and our own company, to do what we want, when we want.
Having said that, we do quite enjoy a trip with good friends, good food and good scenery.

 

[Kent R]

Just did a trip with 15 rigs on the Mojave Road and it was not problem at all. But I think my favorite is 5 rigs.

 

[HappyOurOverlanding]

Minimum of two but not more than five is my choice. It makes it easier to find campsites a bit easier in certain places.

Sent from my SM-G920V using OB Talk mobile app

 

[Craig M]

Thanks @Road, great input! I like your distinction of Expo type events vs just "big 'ole" gatherings, and is probably a better way to delineate them. I have a friend that wanted me to meet him in Moab for the Jeep Safari and I just couldn't wrap my head around why he wanted to go then when we could push the dates a couple weeks eaither direction and have much more freedom and less waiting in lines.

It's kind of like all of the new shopping and entertainment areas they're building here around DFW. They're developing small parcels of land and cramming as many businesses and restaurants as they can into their small footprints, with too little parking (mostly garages) and not nearly enough surrounding infrastructure (roads / exits / lanes) to support the traffic they are bringing in. And once 2 or 3 places open, dozens soon follow. When I look at similar developments coimpleted 10 or so years ago, those places are absolute nightmares to get anywhere near. Even just passing freeway traffic has to slow due to all of the congestion. Always crowded all hours of every day. No thanks..

 

[Steve]

Just us. I don't like schedules, or needing to meet other people's expectations of when, where, or how to do things. (In everything I do, not just adventuring.) I haven't been anywhere yet where I might break down or need assistance. And if I don't get that remote, that's fine with us. As long as we can get somewhere with plenty of solitude, that's all I need.

I have never been to a rendezvous or expo, so I have no input. From comments and reports I've read, I don't think I'd like them. "Camping like sardines" and "long lines" does not sound fun.

We did show up at the PNW event camp ground last year, and it was fun to sit around the non-campfire (ban) and chat with the dozen people there. But that was as many people as I'd be comfortable with.

I'd make a great hermit...

 

[Road]

*organizes a group rally of just over a dozen vehicles to caravan to @Steve 's house without notice*

 

[Steve]

caravan to @Steve 's house without notice

Find me! My location on the map is intentionally wrong, and my adventuring persona is carefully separated from my real identity. ;)

 

[Road]

Find me! My location on the map is intentionally wrong, and my adventuring persona is carefully separated from my real identity. ;)

Oooh, a cross-country human geocache challenge! I like it!

I can appreciate wanting to be obscure in location, even name, after having family bothered, even threatened, in the past. I often put down on a profile "reclusive roustabout" as title, and almost always "on the road in America" for location. I'll be able to update OB location as I travel, which will be fun to watch on the map.

So...keep an eye over your shoulder, bucko, I may just show up down the street or see you at the neighborhood gas station sometime.

 

[Steve]

I can appreciate wanting to be obscure in location

I have several online personas. One even has a map to my house. Others show photos of expensive toys, cameras, guns, collectibles, etc. I don't want folks from one group to know the me from another. On adventuring forums and social media, I post photos from all over the country. I don't want people knowing that my home is unoccupied for weeks at a time, ripe for the picking.

I know this goes without saying, but if by chance someone here does take this as a challenge, please keep your results in private conversation. ;)

 

[Road]

I have several online personas. One even has a map to my house. Others show photos of expensive toys, cameras, guns, collectibles, etc. I don't want folks from one group to know the me from another. On adventuring forums and social media, I post photos from all over the country. I don't want people knowing that my home is unoccupied for weeks at a time, ripe for the picking.

I know this goes without saying, but if by chance someone here does take this as a challenge, please keep your results in private conversation. ;)

Heh, of course. Same here.

I know of a man who was tending his father's store while the parents went to Florida for a couple weeks. The son put out a big ad in the local paper announcing "DAD'S AWAY, BIG SALE!"

Dad's house got broken into and a ton of stuff went missing.

 

[nickburt]

*organizes a group rally of just over a dozen vehicles to caravan to @Steve 's house without notice*

If someone can ship my truck, I'll be there

 

[nickburt]

Oooh, a cross-country human geocache challenge! I like it!

I can appreciate wanting to be obscure in location, even name, after having family bothered, even threatened, in the past. I often put down on a profile "reclusive roustabout" as title, and almost always "on the road in America" for location. I'll be able to update OB location as I travel, which will be fun to watch on the map.

So...keep an eye over your shoulder, bucko, I may just show up down the street or see you at the neighborhood gas station sometime.

What was the comment about CSI or NCIS, or whatever, in another topic. I'm sure if put heads together we can solve the mystery

 

[vegasjeepguy]

I prefer to travel with no more than 3-4 vehicles with no more than two per vehicle.