I think "it depends". I would not consider 1800 miles on HF to be NVIS - it's more like one or two hop F Layer skip, depending upon the freq/time. If you are confined to one freq, I'd go with a half-wave dipole, one half wave above "ground" to get the low takeoff angle you need for that shot. You might have to cut several dipole legs depending upon your freq plan. As noted above, use insulated wire - and clear away any nearby wet foliage - if you can. String the dipole at right-angles to your target azimuth of course. If you have some "lift" to help with weight, here is the portable kit I use for field expedient antennas. You should find what you would need in a pile like this! VOACAP is really pretty good too, if that's all you can get. Given your path and freq, it will tell you the optimum time, etc.
http://www.n6cc.com/field-antenna-kit
AR