Friday Aug 31st - Free ARB Offroad Driver Training

[craig]

The Northwest Overland Society organized an offroad driver training session with Chris Wood of ARB this Friday. Do to broken vehicles and scheduling conflicts we have 2, possibly 3, spots open. If anyone is interested in attending, please contact me and I'll slot you in on a first come first serve basis. Chris has 23 years of offroad experience, has been teaching this class for many years, and is a certified member of the International 4WD Trainers Association (E.g. certified by Bill Burke).

In addition to Chris' description below, most of us are camping the night before (Thursday night) and the night after (Friday night), and running a few trails on Saturday.

Any make of vehicle is welcome, although all of the currently registered attendees are driving Land Rovers. If you are driving a Land Rover, note that there is a requirement that the vehicles don't leak. ;-)

Craig


Event Description:

- Preparation and Training with Chris Wood of ARB -

Chris is a certified member of the International 4WD Trainers Association


1. What

a. In-field 4WD training class focusing on pre-trip preparation, driving, recovery and survival skills.

2. When

a. Friday August 31st, 2007
b. 7:30 a.m. check in for vehicle inspection
c. Class conclusion time will likely be around 6:00 p.m., but that time may vary.

3. Where

a. Rendezvous at Whislin’ Jack Lodge at 20800 State Route 410, Naches, WA 98937 (509 658-2433)
b. Whistlin’ Jack’s will be the last fuel available before class. They have a general store with basic foods, water and supplies.
c. Class to be held on the Mud Springs/Clover Springs trail system, south of highway 410, adjacent to the William Douglas Wilderness.

4. Class Prerequisites

a. Ensure that you and your passengers are healthy and able to tolerate physical exertion…. at altitude.
b. No minors or pets allowed.
c. Pack supplies (food/water/shelter/medications) for two days and nights. One gallon of water per day, per person.
d. Ensure that your vehicle is healthy and able to tolerate physical exertion. We will check for equipment, function and/or flaws in the following areas:
· lighting
· brakes w/e-brake
· engine operating condition
· tires w/spare
· seat belts
· steering components
· leaks
· fire extinguisher
· first-aid kit
· tool kit
· vehicle recovery kit
· leather gloves
· shovel
· toilet kit (see WagBag, below)
· food/water/shelter supplies
· proper lashing/storage of cargo.
e. Pressure-wash the underside of your vehicle to help prevent the spread of noxious weeds to the forest. Our permit with the Naches Ranger District requires this step. Millions are spent annually by the Forestry to fight such weeds… please do your part to help!!
f. Purchase WagBag portable toilets, or equivalent… (REI stocks the WagBag). Our permit requires that all human waste be packed out.
g. Signed copy of ARB’s release of liability form (to be provided on class day).

5. Recommended items

a. Folding chairs. 2.5 hours of this class will be lecture-based.
b. Pen or pencil for taking notes.
c. CB Radio
d. Bug spray, sunscreen, sun-glasses.
e. Cell phone

6. Emergency information

a. Memorial Hospital (Yakima) – (509) 575-8000 b. Yakima Country Sheriff – (509) 574-2500 c. The nearest pay phone to our in-field location will be Whistlin’ Jack Lodge.
d. ARB – 425 264-1391

7. Notes/disclaimers

a. ARB’s first priorities will be the overall safety and wellbeing of its employees and class participants and protection of the environment. For this reason, ARB will reserve the right to turn away any would-be participant who does not meet the prerequisites expressed in this outline.
b. ARB also reserves the right to turn away any would-be participant for consumption of alcohol, drug usage and/or dangerous or objectionable behavior.
c. Although ARB’s class has been designed with safety in mind, all would-be participants are reminded that off-highway driving is inherently dangerous. ARB can make no guarantees of safety for the participants/passengers in its class and encourages those who are uncomfortable with the knowledge of this fact to opt out of the class.

[craig]

I will be leaving on Thursday at 1:30 to camp the night before. If you are interested, I'll need to know before then. Please don't show up unless you have contacted me first as there are only a few spots available and I would feel awful if anyone drove all the way from BC and wasn't able to join in.

Thanks.
Craig