Expedition Course

Conquer difficult trails while safely touring the backcountry.

(This is Our Advanced Course)

Off-Road Teach & Tour Adventures™

Offered by Blue Sky Adventures, Inc.

Course Overview

Want to learn more about your 4-Wheel Drive SUV, SUT or truck? Want to improve your off-road driving skills? Interested in keeping you and your loved ones safe while off-roading? Offroad Teach & Tour Adventures™ will safely teach you in one day what it takes most people years and years to learn on their own.

Our courses are more than education - they're ADVENTURES! While you learn how to safely operate your vehicle off-road, you will be given a personalized tour of the area. You'll learn some history, geology, biology and lore. Most of all you'll experience the fun and adventure off-road driving. Off-Road Teach & Tour Adventures makes it easy to turn your 4-Wheel Drive training into a vacation!

Off-Road Teach & Tour Adventures™ offers two distinctly different driving courses, Discovery and Expedition. This page provides you with an overview of our Expedition Course

Expedition Course Specifics

Course Goal

As a continuation of the Discovery Course, the goal of this course is to further allow you to safely and ecologically off-road alone. Although it is always best to off-road with other vehicles, this is not always possible or desired. Upon completion of this course you will fully understand the limitations of your vehicle and your driving skills allowing you to intelligently choose excursions and trails to match your capabilities.

Prerequisite

Completion of Discovery Course or proven basic off-roading experience.

Length of Course

Two days. NOTE: Depending on the length of the particular tour provided with the course, the objectives may be spread over more days.

Target Audience

Those individuals that have either completed the Discovery course or can demonstrate basic off-roading knowledge and skills (see objectives for Discovery course). This course is for the owners of any new or used 4WD SUV, SUT or light truck (e.g., Jeeps, Explorers, Hummers, Land Rovers, Xterras, Land Cruisers, Pathfinders, Toyota trucks, etc.). Although experienced owners of highly modified off-road vehicles are very welcome at this course, the curriculum is primarily designed for moderately experienced off-road drivers owning stock or slightly modified 4WD vehicles.

Vehicle Requirements

Any reliable 4WD SUV, SUT or trucks with:

• 2-speed transfer case
• Frame-mounted recovery points
• Tow strap without metal hooks
• Full-size spare tire with suitable jack and tools to change a tire (HiLift Jack preferred)
• Full tank of gas
• Roll bar or hard top
• CB radio (HAM or FRS radios are NOT acceptable substitutes)
• Fire extinguisher
• Seat belts for all passengers
• Air compressor, tire gauge
• Vehicle in excellent working condition, no fluid leaks

Vehicle "Nice-to-Haves"

This is a list of equipment that will help you take full advantage of the training in this course. However, you are not required to have any or all of this equipment to enroll in the course. The Instructor's vehicle will have all of this equipment, allowing you hands-on training.

• GPS – Global Positioning System device
• HiLift Jack with JackMate and HiLift Jack accessories
• 20' chain with chain hooks at each end
• Tow Strap
• Tree Strap
• Extra off-road lights
• Winch with remote control, heavy gloves, small blanket or carpet strips, eye protection
• Synthetic winch line extension (Amsteel Blue, 3/8" 50' is best)
• 4 D-shackles - 3/4 ton
• Snatch block(s)
• Traction Aiding Device (TAD). A TAD may be: 1) limited slip (positraction differential), 2) full time or selectable locker, 3) Tru-trac, 4) any other mechanism that prevents wheel spin when one wheel loses traction.

Course Objectives

By the end of this one-day course, you will be able to:

• Outline the type of 4WD vehicle you own, list its various strengths and weaknesses to understand its limitations.
• List important safety items needed when off-roading during multiple-day excursions and differing environments and situations.
• Prepare and pack your vehicle for advanced off-road driving.
• Find your way off-road through the use of maps, a compass and specifically a GPS device.
• Safely free your stuck vehicle from mud, rocks, dirt and snow* using a tow strap and basic winching techniques.
• Navigate your vehicle over advanced (Black Diamond level**) rock fields and hills.
• Identify modifications needed by your vehicle for enhanced off-road adventuring (expedition style camping).
• Drive safely and successfully off-road at night.

*Obviously these objectives cannot be practiced when certain environmental conditions are not available at an off-roading venue.

**Black Diamond level off-road trails are listed as most difficult and some drivers may experience body damage to their vehicles. Of course, every attempt will be made by the instructor to keep all drivers safe and their vehicles free of body damage. However, no guarantees can be made that some body damage, minor scrapes and dents will not occur.

bob.wohlers@discoveroffroading.com

Or Call - 949.872.3022

PO Box 3175
Running Springs, California 92382