After nearly three months of living in near seclusion, many four-wheelers are anxious to get back on the trails. But this gap in 4WD activity may have caused more than just automobile parts to go rusty. It’s possible that various safety skills need to be jump started to bring the… Continue reading
Last month I impressed upon you the importance of storing the winch controller near the driver’s seat. (Read the article here.) This month I offer an even more important reminder: Buy at least two additional copies of the ignition key. Carry an extra copy when you’re out. Whether four-wheeling or… Continue reading
Mt. Patterson was our destination that beautiful autumn day. Part of the Sweetwater Range and located on the western edge of the Great Basin, Mt. Patterson’s summit offers a commanding view of that area. The drive entails a slow climb on a one-lane shelf road. I was leading a group… Continue reading
Summer has arrived, which means the four-wheeling season is kicking into high gear. Now is a good time to inspect all your gear, including first-aid kits. First-aid kits are easy to overlook. They’re usually tucked away and tend not to get used often. But when you did need one…well, it’s… Continue reading
Bob said he had to get back. We were two days into a three day trip through the Mojave Desert. He assured me that he knew the way back. At one-point Bob arrived at a river crossing. He had crossed it several times in the past. Normally it was only… Continue reading
Something just didn’t seem right. We were westbound on the Red Rock Randsburg highway late one Sunday afternoon in July. Another hot day in the Mojave Desert – about 100 degrees. Just as I crested the top of a hill, I could see a disabled vehicle on the right shoulder about a… Continue reading
We were returning from the Easter Safari at Moab. It was a nice drive that Saturday: sunny and warm but gusty. Soon after turning onto I-15, my radio crackled. Tim, one of my friends, excitedly reported a “major accident” involving a vehicle that had just passed him in the fast… Continue reading
Four wheeling, especially when multiple vehicles are involved, requires teamwork to be successful. Everyone must be on the same page for the trip to come off without a hitch—or as flawlessly as possible. Something as basic as vehicle spacing can affect parts of a trip. They were strung out in… Continue reading
Jim and his buddy Tim were doing a pre-run on permitted but seldom-used trails in the vicinity of Tonopah, Nev. back in August. They stopped to check the map and both noticed the smell of burning grass. They did a 360 inspection and found nothing. Wildfires blazed in the Sierras,… Continue reading
Four wheelers who drive throughout the desert southwest are quite accustomed to tough conditions. Not just terrain, either: The heat can be brutal. Encountering a flash flood is probably the last thing on your mind. But it can happen, and the results can be tragic. A deadly flood in Zion… Continue reading
A recent act of vandalism serves as a reminder to have diverse communications capability with you while four wheeling. Vandals cut a major fiber optic cable in Arizona on Feb. 25, disrupting communications throughout the northern part of the state. Cellphone, internet and telephone services were affected, along with ATMs,… Continue reading
Driving off road presents a host of challenges for any driver. Four wheeling can be especially intimidating for new drivers. Those initial concerns are understandable. It takes off-road experience to build skill set and confidence. If you’ve considered going off road but are reluctant to do so, relax. The following… Continue reading
