4x4Wire

Have you ever wondered about being a Trail Leader? Ever imagined yourself guiding a group of four-wheelers down historic trails and through scenic landscapes?

What has stopped you?

Most likely a lack of confidence. Understandable. Leading a group of four-wheelers is quite a bit different from being just another participant.

Even the best-planned excursion experiences a hiccup or two. Heaven knows I’ve seen a bunch in my time. By making and overcoming mistakes you learn and grow.

We constantly stress the need for preparation before a 4WD trip. Even so, something is bound to come up.

Here are my Top 10 fears a Trail Leader could face, and what to do about them. (Don’t worry, though: You’re not likely to see more than a few during any one trip.)

It was the second day of a three-day excursion to the Sweetwater Mountains, just north of Bridgeport, California. We stopped for some sightseeing high on the peak of Mt. Patterson. At 11,674 feet, we marveled at the incredible views. East looking into Nevada are the Bodie Hills and Corey Peak and looking west provides an extensive view of the Sierra Range.

Unfortunately, not everyone enjoyed the stop. One guest complained of a headache and brief spell of dizziness when making a quick move to exit the vehicle. Talking with the others, I learned that everyone experienced shortness of breath while setting up camp the night before.

It seems like just about every activity requires some sort of essentials list – hiking, running, mountain biking. Camping is no different. While you might not use every single item on this list, you’ll appreciate their value when you really need them. The following are the top five items that need to be on your camping packing list:

1.  Navigation – The top item on any camping essentials list is the proper navigation, and your best bet is to bring a variety. First and foremost, a topographic map will be helpful for those campsites that are off the beaten path, such as that one waterfall next to that fallen tree by the weirdly shaped rock.

What makes the perfect 4WD trip? Close your eyes and think about that for a moment. Picture the ideal off-road adventure. What does it look like? 

I got to thinking about this the other day. I had just returned from a couple days off road. I was sitting in my favorite chair, with my feet up and my left hand occupied with some of nature’s golden nectar. While relaxing (meaning, the tequila was kicking in), I had the chance to reflect. It dawned on me that, yeah, this is a pretty neat hobby. Four wheeling allows us to escape the grind of urban life for a few hours and become immersed in Mother Nature. Just can’t beat it. 

We were in a real jam. Two days into a 10-day trip in Monument Valley, mechanical problems forced two vehicles to head home. We hated to lose our the four-wheeling friends, but more importantly, we ran into a minor food crisis: How do we account for the meals those individuals were scheduled to prepare?

Each of us brought food for our designated meals, but we were counting on those individuals to contribute on their assigned days. Suddenly we were scrambling to account for their departure.

This incident, while not typical of a 4WD experience, does happen. A good Trail Master understands and accepts this, and factors it into trip planning. Of all the myriad decisions you make, one is how to handle meals.