Nevada Backroaders

Nevada 4-Wheel Drive Club
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:26 pm

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Trail Etiquette
PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:54 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 11:00 am
Posts: 791
Location: Las Vegas again
While these are very important, they could each be an article by
themselves, so it will be a given that all drivers are well equipped and
safety-minded. The intent here is to establish some guidelines to insure
that everyone has a good time. And that is the point of going off road,
right?
So with that in mind, read on...

1) Be on time
If it has been agreed to meet at a certain time, don't be late! The last
thing everybody wants to do is wait "just a little bit longer" while you
sign in, air down and get disconnected. We all know that it is sometimes
unavoidable, but don't make everyone wait just because you decided at the last minute to stop at McDonald's for breakfast!

2) Driver's meeting
It is always a good idea to make sure that all drivers are well informed.
Everyone should know what to expect on the trail, what CB channel to be on, who they will be driving with, etc...
Besides, it's a good way to kill time while you're all waiting on the
knucklehead who's late!

3) Communication
Everyone likes to joke around on the CB once in a while, but there is a time and place for it. While a group is attempting an obstacle, is NOT the right time! Just because you finished it already, doesn't mean that the person a few vehicles back isn't waiting to hear "all clear". And it's hard to warn someone of potential danger while someone has decided that everyone on the channel just MUST hear the song that he's listening to!

4) Watch your back
Always, always, always keep the vehicle behind you in your sight! If you
don't see the person behind you... STOP! This way no one gets lost. It is
very easy for a group to get separated out in the woods and it's not a good feeling to come up over an obstacle and find that your friends have left you. If you are about to round a corner or cross a hill, take a few seconds to make sure the person behind you knows where you're going. If you stop to wait for them, the driver in front of you will stop, and so on up the line.

5) Be patient
We all know that this is not a fast paced hobby. Be prepared to wait! Wait
on that newbie to struggle with a mud pit. Wait on the "big dogs" who want to take a few minutes and climb on those boulders. Give the newbie some advice if you can, and watch those big dogs for a while. You might just learn something!

6) Give everybody some room
Don't follow too closely to the vehicle in front of you. It is to your
advantage to stay far enough back that you can see under the vehicle in
front of you. Watch the tires and diffs. It will help you decide what line
to take over the obstacles. (And what lines NOT to take!) You will also
avoid being splattered by mud and a possible cracked windshield!

7) Give everybody some room (Part 2)
If you have already passed an obstacle and want to get out and help others through (or just laugh when they get stuck), make sure that you park far enough ahead that ALL the vehicles in the group will have a room to park. It really sucks to finally make it to the top of that steep hill (or whatever) and find that you have nowhere to go!

8) Getting strapped
Everyone gets stuck sometime. If you haven't, you're not trying hard enough! When it happens, it is common courtesy that YOUR towstrap should be the one to get muddy while pulling you out. Also, if possible, get out and hook it up yourself. If not, you owe the person with the muddy shoes a beer after the run!

9) Only one spotter please
Sometimes when a crowd is gathered around to watch someone attempt an obstacle, it is tempting to yell out advice. Unfortunately, it can be very
confusing to the driver to have several people yelling out at once! Select
just ONE (experienced) person to be the spotter. The rest of the crowd can handle the "oohs" and "ahs". (and take pictures.)

10) Tread lightly
Respect the environment! For most of us, part of going off road is
experiencing nature. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but tracks. If you bring food and drinks in with you, make sure that it all comes out with you. (including your cigarette butts!) And if you see trash on the trail, take a minute to pick it up. Trashing the environment reflects poorly on all of us!


The list could go on, but the gist of it is: "treat everyone the way you
expect to be treated".

Copied with permisson from the winter issue of the UFWDA Voice Magazine. Original author - Todd Zeiss/Indiana Four Wheel Drive Association

Here's a link to another good article on Trail Etiquette everyone shoud read
http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/etiquette.htm

_________________
1994 jeep yj wrangler-"d.d." []lllllll[]
Retired Trail Boss and Website Director
Founder of Uncle Brad's Misguided Children
NVBROFC
Re-located from my beloved Mojave to Texas. Where did all the mountains go???


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 1 post ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group