I have some questions, and I’m hoping that some of the more experienced here can help me out. I’m thinking of joining an upcoming expedition-type trip, but I see some potential concerns, and I don’t have any personal experience in these matters.
This trip will take place in an area that is known to have huge amounts of mosquitos. Big-ass mosquitos. I’m very concerned about this, not only because of the general discomfort, but also because of potential for Malaria or Zika. I figure that at my age Malaria could kill me; and with Zika, that could seriously hamper my ability to attract a younger mate in the future, because, face it, no girl wants to have a baby with a shrunken head. It sounds like a full-body bug suit is a must, but I’m wondering, how does one safely relieve oneself in the outdoors in this situation. Won’t there be some exposed (and rather sensitive) skin for the mosquitos to attack? Or, do the full-body bug suits have some sort of provision for this? I’ve only seen one picture of the bug suit, and can’t tell from looking at it.
Another concern for this particular trip, is that it apparently goes through an area known to have lots of large carnivorous land mammals roaming freely (as in free-range big-ass grizzly bears). I think that one of the equipment requirements for the trip is to have an equally big-ass rifle, which I can certainly understand. Leaving aside the fact that the recoil of the suggested 45-70 will likely knock me flat on my ass if I have to use it (I’m not a very big guy), my question is a more practical one. I just can’t figure out how one can urinate, swat away mosquitos and shoot a bear all at the same time. I’m reluctant to ask this question to the trip leader for fear of being laughed at, but I really wonder if perhaps a part of the trip rules should be a required “buddy system” for times like this, at least for the shooting the bear part.
A last concern has to do with gas mileage. As we all know, gas mileage in an Xterra is not all that great. I’m thinking of instead using my daily driver, which is a Prius. The route is a combination of pavement and graded dirt. I figure I should be able to make it the entire way without stopping for fuel, even with a rooftop tent installed. It’s the Touring model, so it should be up to the demands of the trip, or they would not have named it “Touring”.
Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.