Outdoor Adventure USA

ssc wrote:Dave and Larry,
Thanks so much for the info. Can you tell me what happens, as you understand, when you hit the help button?

Regards, Steve

OLLIE wrote:We've taken this thread completely off topic... I am doing a write up on the SPOT and its capabilities and almost have it complete. I should have it up tomorrow some time. We can hash this out there.

There's your answer...patience, grasshopper !!

Is that up around Motino Wash trail?

Yup it sure is. I had heard that the rock stackers had been very busy on it, but mother nature did a good job unstacking. Was a fun ride through the wash

This thread, has taken an interesting turn.
I still feel that 4 wheeling presents less danger than driving on a busy freeway during rush hour.
4 wheeling, you have a fair amount of control of where you place your wheels and plenty of time to assess a situation when it looks difficult. On the freeway you have no control over the fools doing their makeup, drinking coffee, eating breakfast while reading the paper and talking on the phone, add to that truckers over exhausted and on to much pharmaceuticals to make it to their destinations and we call that a safe drive. I rather head to the mountains or desert.
This is somewhat in jest, but think about it from a risk assessment point of view.
Some risks we take for granted and others get over blown, bad things happen to good people all the time, is no reason to stop living or stop doing the things we enjoy.
Granted, do think about what you are doing before you get in over your head.

aw12345 wrote:I still feel that 4 wheeling presents less danger than driving on a busy freeway during rush hour.

Some risks we take for granted and others get over blown, bad things happen to good people all the time, is no reason to stop living or stop doing the things we enjoy.
Granted, do think about what you are doing before you get in over your head.

While this is true to a point, it is moot - whether good or bad, likely or unlikely, it always makes sense to be prepared.

Certain risks are unavoidable: Example, the other drivers on the freeway. But, a prepared, skilled driver will fare better than one who is not, even in unavoidable situations. Same for off-road. The big difference is you are in easy reach of notice or assistance on virtually any freeway, while you could be alone for weeks or months if stranded in a wilderness area.

What's the harm in having a Spot (or some communication device) with you just in case ? Sometimes you don't realize your "over your head" until it's too late...

I agree to a point that a spot or something similar might be a good thing to have for longer treks even on on road trips or longer hiking trips. I generally just do day trips and for that it seems to me a waist of money. That is just me, for people that are in somewhat less physical shape or due to age concerns are more limited in what they can do to get out in case of trouble, a spot and any other useful devise that they can come up with to survive, will be an excellent choice.
It all starts with a reliable vehicle, you keep breaking on the trail, do everybody a favor and fix it right before you head out. See to many vehicles on trails with street tires, poor maintenance, etcetera. That should be the very first thing to consider.
Second know what your vehicle is capable off, especially the limits in climbing and descending as well as how far you can go off camber. Then know what to do without a moments hesitation when things start to go wrong like sliding back down a hill, or when the rear wheels come off the ground when going down hills, same goes for when things get tippy to the point of flopping on its side, the right decision at the right moment, makes all the difference between a good and a very bad day. For a lot of people starting out in our source of entertainment an offroad driving course might just be a better investment than a spot or something similar, since they would not have gotten in trouble in the first place. What ya think Larry?

aw12345 wrote:. For a lot of people starting out in our source of entertainment an offroad driving course might just be a better investment than a spot or something similar, since they would not have gotten in trouble in the first place. What ya think Larry?

I think taking an off road driving course is an excellent way to build up your vehicle skills. I would agree that vehicle maintenance, along with proper outfitting for the type of driving you do, is mandatory. But these are unrelated to disaster preparation; from Cub Scouts to Navy Seals, no one goes into the wilderness without a backup plan, in case of unforeseen problems. As far as maintenance goes, even the best vehicles break. Professional builders sink millions of dollars into trophy trucks to go 1000 km only once, yet fewer than half finish the trek.

So, I think together, we have a good start:

1) Learn about proper technique, and know your limits
2) Properly equip and maintain your vehicle
3) Make sure someone knows where you are going, and when you should be back
4) Have an emergency plan, including a means of communication, in case #1, #2, and #3 aren't enough

How's that ?

Ya got it all sorted out lol, but hee if it helps keeping somebody out of trouble I am all for it