Baja - Solo Overland

TRIP INFO for vehicle "Captains"

Each vehicle has a "captain" -- the vehicle captain is FULLY RESPONSIBLE AT ALL TIMES for the safety of their whole party (incl. kids and dogs), their vehicle, contact/communications, safe driving, obeying all laws, and ensuring the following:

ALL passport(s) are valid and current (visas if necessary)
ALL car documents are valid and current (registration, Mexico insurance, etc.). No Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) is required for Baja. (For car insurance, try BajaBound.com)
Travel/medical insurance for all parties
Special medications, prescriptions, vaccinations, and First Aid kit are available and current
Parents/Guardians are fully responsible for their childrens' safety, actions, good behavior, and supervision at all times
Dog documents, medications, and their safe behavior
Vehicle is suited for the trip, mechanically sound and ready. A professional multi-point inspection is highly recommended
ALL equipment is tested (especially safety, recovery, and critical systems!)
ALL necessary funds for the trip (gas, food, lodging, etc.). Gas is about US$4/gallon in Mexico
NO firearms or narcotics - they are illegal! There are numerous military and police checkpoints along our route looking for this stuff - I suspect Mexican jails are not much fun
Fresh fruit/vegetables and extra gas are not allowed to cross the US-MEX border either way, and will be confiscated. Don't stock up before the border, it's a waste
We encourage legal, responsible alcohol consumption
We will operate in a collaborative, supportive, flexible way
We will watch out for each other's safety, our vehicles, and all our belongings. Situational awareness is a priority!
We will strive to Start/Stay/End together as a team, as much as possible
We will share pertinent information helpful to our expedition and collaborate about points of interest and scheduling
Recovery/maintenance gear and tools will be shared as needed - please have some with your vehicle
Notify SoloOverland and others of changing your plans in the middle of our expedition (stopping, turning back, branching away from the group, dropping out, etc.)
Carry extra color copies of all documents (+email to self!)
We will have rendez-vous points to regroup for food/gas/bathroom, update trip details, etc.
We will perform vehicle checks/maintenance and gear reset as needed, preferably in the evening, in camp
For safety, we will avoid driving after dusk (due to road conditions, livestock, vehicles with no lights, etc.)
A LifeStraw water filtration system is very highly recommended, as drinking or washing fruit/veggies with local tap water is not advisable. There may be affordable water filtration stations occasionally along the way
A proper container for extra gas (jerry can, Rotopax, etc.) is recommended. Don't fill it up before the border crossing!
For safety, our trip details are NOT to be posted/shared online until AFTER the completion of specific stops of our trip
We will organize a message tree
Please download iOverlander, Gaia GPS and Google Earth/Maps/Translate on your phone/tablet
Check your wireless plan for Mexico phone coverage and add if needed
For Spanish, the Nemo Spanish app is highly recommended
For reference: US$1 = 20MXN (pesos), 1MXN = US$0.05 Regular gas is around US$4/gallon in Mexico
Usual Baja temperatures are 80s during the day and 60s at night (F). Don't forget your swimming gear (the Gulf of California/Sea of Cortez is warmer than the Pacific)
You will provide your emergency contact later, in December
"Baja2020" all-weather car stickers will be available
We will Leave No Trace Behind (tread lightly; pack it in - pack it out; reduce/reuse/recycle whenever possible)
We will keep music and noise at a personal level
Please familiarize all parties in your vehicle with this info

BAJA 2020 Overland Expedition

Join us for BAJA2020!