Submitted by walkingtheghost t3_1070ofl in Washington
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I’m still getting adjusted to driving and visiting remote WA areas. Obviously, lack of cell service and fewer people around can be an issue if your car breaks down. There are probably other scenarios I’m not aware of yet as well. Any suggestions or experiences are appreciated- Thank you
Thank you. A friend recommended I keep an impact wrench in the car as well for flats. I’m still looking into options for mapping my location without cell service. I’ve lived in a city most of my life so I’m just trying to prepare. Much prefer being in nature more! Thanks again
If you are familiar with google maps you can actually download an area on the map and use navigation offline.
Yes I was hoping if I got off track on a hike the offline map could give me an idea of where I was
Don't go alone.
If you find yourself entering a new area and hear suspenseful music, depart at once with haste.
Especially if you hear banjos
Check the weather before you go if it’s winter time, and check for wildfires in the summer.
ETA: it’s ok to ask locals for directions or help. Rural people are used to us dumb city slickers stumbling around like fools. Just respect private property, as others have said.
Don’t mention politics
Why
Everybody gets their panties in a twist if you have a different opinion
That’s why I do. Wa reddit is not only elementary but very fragile. Best of luck
Be aware your GPS may take you on entirely imaginary routes. I've been directed to go down locked timber trails or drive directly through a forest.
Download offline maps ahead of time, and it's not a bad idea to get a print atlas as well.
In the winter, bring a blanket in your car and maybe a small shovel if you get stuck in the snow or mud after a downpour.
Don't be afraid to ask for help at a country store or a small town shop. I live in a very rural place and we don't bite. I'm a rare Democrat in a republican county but no one's going to see you and not be willing to help you.
Even if you're the stereotypical Seattle Boogeyman, most are happy to answer questions about best places to camp, fish, or roads to avoid.
Oh and please follow the speed limit in tiny towns because you will get pulled over. We will watch from our blinds in that case and it happens almost nightly as we live on US 12 in SE WA.
Thank you for your helpful and encouraging comment. It’s nice to hear there’s still some good people out there willing to help others
As far as experience goes, don’t accidentally down shift three gears while going up old vantage highway or your engine will blow into small pieces. Other than that I’d keep a 20 around for fuel or other small emergencies and I always leave the house with a liter of water just in case you have to walk somewhere to find cell service. I take a lot of dirt roads and drive slow and careful but tire blowouts do happen around here especially with all the potholes, make sure you have a little jack and stand as well as a tire iron and a spare tire. Personally I carry a tourniquet and Quik clot but unless you know how to use those things I’d just get a small first aid kit (which I also have they are never bad to have around). I’m not sure where you’re planning on going but it’s fairly hard to be somewhere in this state and go days without seeing another human, worst comes to worse just make sure you’re letting other people know where you are going before you leave and if a major emergency happens stay where you are and wait for people to come to you.
Thank you. I was concerned if people stop and lend a hand because I’m wary of stopping for strangers myself. Wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t but don’t know how common that is out there. Definitely will look into quik clot
We have a emergency kit in the car. It has a first aid kit, jumper cables, a mini air compressor that plugs into the car, a blanket, snacks, water, flash light, scissors, map, baby wipes and I think that’s it. lol
Map your path ahead of time and mark where the gas stations and rest stops are.
Thank you for your suggestions
If you're going to do a lot of exploring in areas without cell service, and you can afford it, a Garmin device with an SOS button is handy.
I’ll look into it. The subscription sounds worth it too
Watch out for the Squatches.
Use google 😂
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Everybody talking about rural roads like they're goat trails. Come on they are paved for the most part. Once you get into forest roads or REMOTE roads then yes you may run into dirt roads and bad cell service.
Depending on where OP is planning to go, some of the forest roads are essentially goat roads and they can be almost impossible to turn around on. OP is unlikely to end up on one unless they're going to visit someone's homestead, but I've taken a wrong turn at dusk and been legitimately terrified.
True. I am looking to do dispersed camping off of forest roads eventually and want to prepare accordingly. Still learning
Cool just wanted to point out that rural and remote mean something different.
just dont go dont need no dam yuppies out here stay in the city boy
Lol how did people travel the state before asking the internet where the meanies are? Such a sad time
Not worried about meanies. Worried about breaking down an hour from anything with no service
thejanuaryfallen t1_j3k2j22 wrote
Don't go into any areas marked as private property.
Always have toilet paper, wet wipes, and water in your vehicle.
Always have a first aid kit in your car.
Make sure you know how to change a flat tire with your spare. Make sure you have the proper tools to change a flat tire. (Not likely, but wouldn't hurt).
If you can, map stuff ahead of time while you are connected to the Internet and for safe measure, have an analog map in your car.
Make sure all your fluids are full, if you can, before you go exploring.