Glovebox Essentials

1. Emergency Contact Information

In the event of an accident or medical emergency on the trail, first responders or trip leads need immediate access to your emergency contact info and any critical medical details (allergies, conditions).

• Write down names, relationships, and phone numbers on a physical card.
• Include medical info that first responders should know.

2. Car Insurance & DMV Registration

It’s a legal requirement to carry registration and proof of insurance on public roads, which includes National Forest and BLM trails. If you get stopped by a ranger or local law enforcement, you must produce these.

• Keep current printed cards in your glovebox.
• Do not rely on mobile apps – you will not have internet access on the trail.
• If you drive a modified rig, keep a copy of your vehicle build sheet / modification receipts. This can help if you need a specialized tow or need to document upgrades in an accident.

3. California Campfire Permit

If you are dispersed camping, cooking on a camp stove, running a gas lantern, or building a campfire on public lands in California (USFS, BLM), you MUST carry a valid California Campfire Permit.

• Permits are entirely free and valid for the calendar year.
• Get your permit online in under 2 minutes by taking a brief fire safety quiz at Ready for Wildfire.
• Print a physical copy and keep it in your glovebox – cell service is rarely available when rangers ask to inspect your permit.

4. Fishing License

Many of our trail runs pass by pristine high-altitude lakes and streams. If you plan to wet a line, make sure you carry your sport fishing license.

• Purchase your license online via the California Department of Fish and Wildlife CDFW Online License Sales & Service portal.
• Ensure you have the appropriate stamps (e.g., second-rod validation, steel-head report card if applicable).
• In California, the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) allows you to display your license digitally via their mobile app, but a printed copy in the glovebox is a bulletproof backup when your phone battery dies.

5. HAM Radio License & Programming Cheat Sheet

Reliable communications keep the group safe. Since EBO requires HAM radio communications for group convoys, you should carry the proper documentation and quick guides.

• Amateur Radio License: Keep a photocopy of your FCC HAM Radio license. Under FCC rules, you must be licensed to transmit on amateur bands (except in immediate life-safety emergencies).
• EBO Frequency: We program our radios to 146.460 MHz (simplex).
• Programming Cheat Sheet: Frequencies and menu settings can be tricky to program on the fly. Keep our Baofeng manual quick-reference handy: Baofeng Radio Programming Guide.

6. AAA Roadside Assistance

Standard car insurance towing limits might not cover remote off-road recovery. Carrying a AAA card is highly recommended, but you must ensure you have the right tier.

• Verify you have **AAA Premier** or **AAA Plus** with RV/Trailer towing add-ons if you are towing a trailer.
• Standard AAA roadside service does **not** cover towing on unpaved roads or remote trails. If you get stuck off-road, you may need to arrange specialized off-road recovery, but AAA can help once the rig is pulled to a maintained public dirt or paved road.
• Keep local dispatch numbers and your member card in the glovebox.

7. Medical Evacuation & Recovery Insurance

If you have a serious medical emergency deep in the backcountry, transport to a trauma center can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Specialized medical evacuation insurance protects you from massive out-of-pocket bills.

• Consider carrying a membership with services like the AirMedCare Network Fly-U-Home program, which provides hospital-to-hospital medical transport back to your home region if you are hospitalized more than 150 miles from home.
• Keep your membership cards, policy numbers, and emergency activation hotlines organized with your other vehicle documents.