TM

Some of my background and philosophy.

I keep the classes small and I conduct them as a "team-in-training", meaning that we work together as a team to solve various issues. This comes from my years as a leader and trainer in Search and Rescue from -100ft to 12,000+ft, (and yes, you read that correctly, I was also on the Sheriffs Dive Team).

I believe that team work should be standard practice any time you are on the trail with more than one person or vehicle. I also believe that if you plan on overlanding with a partner, that you are both equally trained, this greatly improves the enjoyment for both of you, since you will now have an understanding of what each role (driver/navigator/spotter) entails and what to expect from the other person. This also makes planning your next adventure together much more enjoyable. Each vehicle that comes on a training (or tour) is provided with a radio so we can keep in touch along the trail, and so that you can learn some basic radio functions and etiquette too.

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Death Valley, CA. 3 Day Training​

DVNP Day 1 - We start with understanding your vehicles capabilities, which is key to knowing what obstacles you can tackle. We'll look at the critical points on your vehicle and the other 4x4 vehicles in our group and what limitations they might have. We will go through recovery gear and understanding the basics for tackling a variety of terrain that you may encounter. Additionally we will have a demo of the famous high lift jack and some of its variety of uses. That night we'll spend time around the fire talking about overland set-ups and camping, telling stories and getting more acquainted.

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DVNP Day 2 - We get on the trail right away today, where there will be opportunities to learn spotting skills and safe winching techniques. This will take up most of the morning and into midday. Once we have finished the winching and spotting skills, we will spend the afternoon driving to some amazing hot springs. This will be a fairly long day, and finishing it in the hot springs is a great way to end it!

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DVNP Day 3 - This morning we finish up with any last questions and demos, and then get on our way back to our starting point by mid-afternoon.

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Ellensburg, WA. 2 Day Training

We'll meet up just outside of Ellensburg (TBD) and drive up into the Table Mountain area, where there are good trainings locations and great views!

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Day 1 - We start with understanding your vehicles capabilities, which is key to knowing what obstacles you can tackle. We'll look at the critical points on your vehicle and the other 4x4 vehicles in our group and what limitations they might have. We will go through recovery gear and understanding the basics for tackling a variety of terrain that you may encounter. Additionally we will have a demo of the famous high lift jack and some of its variety of uses. That night we'll spend time around the fire talking about overland set-ups and camping, telling stories and getting more acquainted.

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Day 2 - Once we get on the trail right today, we will drive to locations where there are opportunities to learn spotting skills and safe winching techniques. This will take up most of the morning and into midday. Once we have finished the winching and spotting skills we will spend the afternoon working our way back to "civilization".

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Included:

Professional 4x4 guidance and training, overland camping tips n' tricks, a warm campfire at night, and strong French Press coffee in the morning.

 

Options:

1. Drive your own 4x4 vehicle. 9 inches of ground clearance are needed for the Mojave class, and 10 inches of ground clearance are needed for the Death Valley class, low range transfer-case and minimum 31 inch "All Terrain" or "Mud Terrain" tires required.

2. For the Death Valley route, rock sliders and skid plates are highly suggested but not required.

3. Rental options available.

 

For this training you must provide:

Your own meals, tent, sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, camp clothes, a warm clothing for the evening, sturdy closed toed shoes, a headlamp, a thirst for knowledge and a good community attitude.

A full gear list will be sent to you once you have signed up for the training.