Chase style
Solo chasing vs partner
Some chasers wouldn't chase without a partner. Others insist solo is the only real chase. Here are the actual trade-offs.
The case for solo
- Complete decision autonomy.
- No arguments about targets.
- Faster reactions to conditions.
- No sync overhead.
- Pure focus on the storm.
- Cheaper — no shared expenses.
- Full photography credit.
- Some chasers work best alone.
The case for partner
- Second pair of eyes.
- Rotate driving = less fatigue.
- Split forecasting workload.
- Camera + driver simultaneously.
- Split fuel and hotel costs.
- Debrief companion.
- Emergency support.
- Post-trauma processing.
The specific safety differences
Vehicle recovery
Partner: 2x more likely to get unstuck. Solo: you're on your own.
Medical
Partner: can render aid. Solo: helpless if incapacitated.
Fatigue
Partner: rotation. Solo: increasingly impaired.
Decisions
Partner: sanity check. Solo: no backup.
Emergencies
Partner: split roles. Solo: everything on you.
The psychological differences
Solo intensity
Some prefer immersive focus. Others find it isolating.
Partner intensity
Some love shared adrenaline. Others find distractions.
Post-storm
Solo: quiet processing. Partner: shared debrief.
Fatigue
Solo: alone with tired mind. Partner: talk keeps alertness.
Trauma exposure
Solo: absorb it alone. Partner: shared reality check.
The cost differences
- Solo: $2,000-$5,000 per DIY season.
- Partner: $1,000-$2,500 per person (split).
- Vehicle wear split.
- Gear investment doubled or shared.
- Photography output roughly equivalent.
The famous solo chasers
Skip Talbot
Predominantly solo. Excellent analytical work.
Pecos Hank
Solo chase and photography.
Chris Kridler
Solo often, sometimes with others.
Warren Faidley
Solo career for decades.
Roger Hill
Solo when leading tours.
The famous chase teams
Reed Timmer + team
Dominator + support vehicles.
TWISTEX (Tim Samaras)
Research team. Tragically ended 2013.
Vortex projects
Multi-team research.
Sean Casey + TIV crew
Custom vehicle plus support.
Live streamer teams
Driver + camera + producer.
Reed Timmer + Sean Casey (past)
Discovery-era collaborations.
How to be a good partner
- Know the atmosphere.
- Contribute to forecasting.
- Drive when needed.
- Handle cameras.
- Communicate clearly.
- Recognize when you're fatigued.
- Don't argue on the roadside.
- Have compatible pace and safety tolerance.
- Debrief afterward.
- Support in and out of chase.
How to solo chase safely
- Full check-in protocol with someone at home.
- Regular text updates.
- Do not livestream while driving.
- Do not push exhaustion.
- Extra safety margin (larger distance from tornado).
- Backup vehicle systems.
- Emergency medical kit.
- Emergency communication (Garmin inReach).
- Log location and target with home base.
- Set turn-around time.
The chase group middle ground
Some chasers convoy with others without being formal partners.
- Zello or ham radio for communication.
- Independent vehicles.
- Meet at target zones.
- Rotate positions.
- Support each other.
- Chase groups form annually.
- Some more formal (chaser tour teams).
- Some casual (Facebook chase groups).
Chase groups gone wrong
- Convergence problem — too many chasers at one target.
- Following a group into danger.
- Livestream competition pushing risk.
- Group pressure to stay when you should leave.
- Distracted photography by group presence.
- Traffic chokepoints at target zones.
- Post-2013 El Reno community focus on individual accountability.
What works for most
Most successful chasers use both modes.
- Solo when want deep immersion.
- Partnered when high-risk day.
- Group convergence when target obvious.
- Home base contact always.
- Flexibility.
- Adjustment to conditions.
- No dogma.