Sea to Summit, the global adventure equipment brand from Perth, Western Australia, has innovated rugged camp kitchen products built for the road. Sigma Pots and Sigma cook sets are intended to ignite the outdoor adventurer’s inner gourmet.
The Sigma Pot Series are made of marine-grade stainless steel, the pots are designed for the long haul. They are as practical as they are tough.
Each pot has its own PivotLock™ handle (no need for sketchy pot lifters)
The silicone rubber grip on the lid features a LidKeep™ which allows you to clip the lid to the side of the pot (no more wondering where to put a hot, clean lid…)
The transition from side walls to base features a large radius, allowing you to fit a spoon right into the edge
A strainer lid allows you to safely pour or drain boiling water from the pots
The base has a thermal coating which spreads heat and helps the pot grip on a camping stove
Measuring lines are included on the inside of each pot.
The Sigma Pot Series come in four sizes, from 1.2 Liters to 3.7 Liters cater to cooking needs – and groups – from small to large. With select sizes nesting inside others for more compact packing. The PivotLock™ handle holds the lids in place when the pots are stowed, minimizing components rattling during transit. The stainless-steel handle with its silicone rubber grip then locks into place for cooking, providing safe, secure handling.
Those who travel far from the beaten track will appreciate that the polished stainless-steel surface of the pots can be cleaned with sand if water is scarce – there is no inner coating which could become damaged.
Several Cookware and Tableware sets are available in this line of products. Featuring bowls and mugs made of strong but light glass-reinforced polypropylene, with measuring increments molded in – perfect as part of your food preparation system. Designed down to the smallest detail, insulated mugs and bowls are ergonomically shaped, making them easy to eat and drink from once your culinary creation is complete. All Sea to Summit cookware and tableware is BPA-free, and certified to EU food-grade standards.
The Sigma Pot Series is part of a comprehensive Camp Kitchen lineup from Sea to Summit that includes everything from water storage, through cookware and tableware to Leave No Trace cleanup solutions.
We’ve been using the Sea to Summit Sigma Series Pots for over a year and are thoroughly impressed by their rugged durability, lightness and practical design. After giving them heavy use over 12 months, they’re definitively holding up well. The only slight negative we have found, is that if you use too high a flame, the bottom of the pot does not cook food uniformly. Not a big deal if you’re careful and keep an eye on what you’re cooking, but an in-field experience worth noting. We give them a Highly Recommended for people wanting a rugged and lightweight cookware set.
Of course our trips are fun, but one of their prime purposes is overland gear testing. Here’s a selection of products we used over our 6 day, 1400 mile adventure through S Utah and N Arizona.
TAP Disclosure: We are provided each item of overland gear for free, but we are not paid for reviews and do not receive commission on sales resulting from this article.
Weather conditions in the desert can be rough and this trip was no exception. 6 days of bright sun and high winds wears you down and having the right overland gear can help tremendously. A sun hat was important and one that had a “non flop” brim was essential. Designed to stand up to the incessant wind without flapping it worked perfectly. Made from breathable materials and very comfortable to wear, we give The Osprey a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
We’ve worn Shelta hats a lot in the past few years, but their Technical Sun Apparel was new for us. The Assault Hoodie took a beating being worn 24 hrs a day for 6 days (yes, I definitely needed a shower!) Some of the features I loved were the thumb holes, arm pit mesh vents, it’s loose fit and the moisture wicking UPF 50+ fabric. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Just like apparel, a good pair of sunnies in the desert is an essential part of your overland gear. The Fantail Pro with green polarized lenses may not be on trend, but when I’m protecting my eyes in the backcountry, that’s the least of my concerns. These glasses performed excellently, keeping my eyes rested and protected from blown sand and dirt. If you’re rough on glasses like me, then the glass lens is definitely a must. My only slight gripe was that after all day use, they pinched behind my ears a little. RECOMMENDED
Tread Lightly is something we’re passionate about and with the increase in backcountry camping since the start of the pandemic, we’re beginning to see the impact on the land we all love. This being said, it’s great to see Kelty launch into the Overlanding market with a product that helps promote the “Pack in and Pack out” principles. We’ve used utility bags for years and the Trash Pak is a great rendition. It’s construction appears durable using 600D poly and Vinyl for UV and water resistance. We’ll test this piece of overland gear over the next 6 months and report back on how it stood up. The straps are thankfully extra long, as we’re using 35″ tires and the spare is located up against our AEV 10 gallon spare fuel tank. All the way released, the straps made it around and remained tight throughout the 1400 miles. One last extra feature that I appreciated, was the extra attachment system for Adventure Vans. This was well thought through. Currently RECOMMENDED but we may add “Highly” after the 6 month durability test.
This piece of overland gear was not provided to TAP and was recently purchased by my wingman on this trip, Explore CaliforniaTAP has been using a single hose to air up for years and this 4x system from Speedflate put it to shame. Simple to use, highly efficient and I love that as it pumps, it equalizes pressure in each tire! Comes in a 2x or 4x configuration. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
When a beer company calls and says they’d like to send you some beers to try on your trip, well you simply thank them profusely and give out a Whoop! For us, one of the joys of an overlanding adventure, is sitting around camp after a long day in the saddle, relaxing with a brew! 10 Barrel provided us with three varieties, all mellow and extremely drinkable. In order of personal preference, Hazy Trail, Nature Calls and Profuse Juice. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I’m hard on shoes and seem to wear a pair out in about 6 months, so it was great to receive a new pair of Danner Trail 2650 Campo kicks to put through their paces. My first test is comfort straight out of the box and are they true to size? These received 5 stars. We did a lot of rock scrambling on this trip and the Vibram Megagrip sole performed flawlessly. Designed for warm-weather hiking, they’re built with a lightweight and breathable upper and dust-gaiter, so were comfortable in the sand and warm desert conditions. RECOMMENDED
A warm and comfortable sleeping bag is just so important for a good trip, so I was excited to try out this 20 degree bag. I’m broad shouldered and suffer in typical Mummy Bags, so I was pleased with the roomy design that allows for natural sleep positions. A particular annoyance of mine with inexpensive sleeping bags is zip snagging. The full length zipper draft and snag free zipper solved this completely. The heat trapping draft collar was also particularly comfortable. Overall, good materials, well made and comfortable. One caveat: I would have expected a 20 degree bag to be almost “too warm” at 36 degrees, which it wasn’t. This is probably due to the fact that roomier cuts have a tendency to sleep colder than their stated ratings. RECOMMENDED
If you’re like us, the idea of being able to remove our Awning or Maxtrax for daily driving is appealing. It allows for less road noise/windage on the freeway and security in general. I also like the ability to change out either accessory depending on what type of terrain/trip I’ll be going on. The system is extremely easy to install/use and also lockable. This trip we took the recovery boards using the RacksBraxHD Accessory Bars and Hitch Quick Release Mount combo to secure them to the roof rack. After 1400 miles total and a few hundred off-road, they’re as secure and rigid as when first mounted. No notable extra road noise either. Next month we’ll test the system with our awning and report back. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Simply put, I love the Helinox Sunset Chair and Table One Hardtop! They’re well made, comfortable, light, easy to put up/down and very importantly for us JKU owners, they pack down very small. Two chairs and the table actually fit in one of our Goose Gear floor storage cubbies. One downside of being so light, they were often ready to take off in the high desert winds we experienced. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
On this trip we experienced a fairly wide temperature range (34-81F) and high winds. This lightweight shell became invaluable at times when the wind howled or when the early evening temps dropped. It’s a fairly athletic fit (I’m 5’9″ and 190 lbs and I fit a L Regular) which I like and the attention to detail in its design is obvious. Stretchy, moisture wicking, wind resistant fabricand with lots of vents and pockets, made it an ideal adventure photographers jacket. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Generally speaking when I’m on an adventure photography Trip, I’m also looking for some solitude, far away from the madding crowd. Because of this, gear and rig preparation is really important and my upcoming overlanding week in the SW backcountry demanded extra care. TAP1, one of our 2014 JKU’s, had recently turned the corner on 100k, so I decided to change all the fluids, flush the engine, replace the spark plugs and generally give it a solid look over from bumper to bumper. Everything checked out just fine and I confidently left on the offroad adventure.
So, what do you do when you’re 170 miles into a 1400 mile trip and the check engine light comes on? Well, you curse profusely, spend the next hour worrying about it and then settle into a state of blind hope, ignorance and the zen like thought of, “It’ll be just fine as my wingman can always tow me out”.
Day 1:
The plan was to drive from San Diego, CA to Hurricane, UT and camp at Gooseberry Mesa. The scenery and terrain is dramatic and world renowned due to the Red Bull Rampage held there each year. It was early Sunday night when myself and my wingman for this trip, David Griffith from Explore California Pics , finally arrived. Most people had left after the weekend and we found a quiet and hidden away little dispersed camp site. Despite the engine light hiccup, this adventure photography trip was starting off well.
View from our campsite
Even though we had driven 7 hrs and 450 miles, we were eager to start some Astro Photography, as the Milky Way was back in the Northern Hemisphere after its long winter absence. Adventure Photography and especially Astro can be tiring and we awoke at 2.30am. Unfortunately to be greeted by significant cloud cover and no visible stars, so back to bed as the local coyote crew yipped and howled for our entertainment.
Golden Hour sunset over camp
Day 2 – 3:
Leaving Gooseberry Mesa, we headed out on our 3 hr and 140 mile journey to Big Water, where we were to leave the pavement and head into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Our ultimate overland destination for the next 2 days was Alstom Point, which has a renowned view of Lake Powell, UT. The road to the point is an easy, bumpy and dusty trail, and only on the last 3 miles after the first viewpoint did we to need to engage 4Hi. This last section will however, cause pause for inexperienced drivers and should not be attempted without 4WD and high clearance. This is a very remote area to get stuck in, so think it through before attempting, especially if the weather is inclement.
Don’t camp next to the boulders!
Frankly, there’s a total WOW factor as you come upon Lake Powell. A sense of absolute beauty and remoteness and a perfect place for Adventure Photography. Dispersed camping is limited so, I was fairly impressed with the lack of human impact. I implore you all to “Pack In and Pack out” everything (Yes, that means Poop too!) and please Treadlightly.
Lake Powell Sunrise
We spent 2 days camped on the bluff, with the first day being alone, then being joined by 3 other rigs on the second day. The weather conditions varied from warm during the day to chilly at night and most of the time, the wind howled in classic desert fashion. As I said, this was a photography trip, so everyday we caught the sunset before hitting the sack early. Up at 2.30am to shoot the stars for an hour and again at 6.30am to capture the sunrise. As you can imagine in between our product testing, we took long naps throughout the day.
Nearly getting blown off the cliff.
We’ve had worse campsite views!
Galactic Core over Lake Powell.
Day 4:
With sadness it was time to leave and continue our vehicle supported Adventure journey back west to Northern Arizona. Our destination was White Pocket an acclaimed remote photographic location in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument region.
Sunrise over the White pocket
Again, once you leave the pavement, the off-road trail is easy until the last 9.5 miles. At this point you will need high clearance and 4WD to deal with the various deep sand areas you will encounter. This is a remote region, so take it seriously by being prepared (Recovery gear, extra food, gas and water) and we recommend you don’t travel alone.
Easy section of the trail to White Pocket
The weather was windy and as we sheltered in our camped vehicles, there were gusts that felt they could relocate the Roof Top Tent. Luckily by nightfall the wind had abated and by our 2:30 am alarm call, it was fairly quiet. Although we had scouted the area during the day, locating a perfect location in the dark to shoot the stars was, shall I say, “challenging”. This being said, the temps were perfect at a crisp 37F and the skies were clear in the early hours and at sunrise. Success!
The Galactic Core over the famous Brain Rock
Day 5 and 6:
Our time was coming to an end at White Pocket and it was time to hit the road again. We didn’t want to drive 12 hours straight home to San Diego, so our plan was to camp half way home on BLM land outside Valley of Fire State Park, 60 or so miles north of Vegas. Finally, the wind had ceased and for the first time in 6 days we put our cameras away, lit a fire and just relaxed, ready to sleep through the night!
Now back home, the memories of this amazing overland trip make me anxious to hit the road soon. Of course the check engine light has now disappeared.
Earthcruiser Terranova: Last week TAP was lucky enough to connect with the EC crew and get a sneak peak walkthrough of the exciting and long awaited EarthCruiser TERRANOVA. An impressive new Overland Adventure Vehicle and we hope to spend a night or two in the coming months, putting it through its paces. As always with EarthCruiser, attention to detail, thoughtful design and an impressive build quality abound in the Terranova.
Adventure Without Compromise with the EC Terranova Expedition Vehicle by EarthCruiser
Unparalleled design and engineering by overlanding experts to deliver optimal performance, comfort, and safety
EarthCruiser, a globally recognized leader in expedition vehicles, introduces the EC Terranova Expedition Vehicle, a 4×4 all-season over-cab expedition vehicle that delivers adventure without compromise in a lifestyle vehicle to fit all of your needs. The EC Terranova is available on a Ford one-ton chassis with Chevy and Dodge options coming in 2022. The EC Terranova is purposefully designed for multi-function living and unyielding in its ability to perform in town or on the most rugged terrain, opening up endless possibilities. At EarthCruiser, we know that the adventure doesn’t have to end when the road does.
“The EC Terranova is the culmination of years of expedition experience and field testing across the globe. We used this hard earned knowledge to create an incredibly capable, well-designed over-cab expedition vehicle on a domestic one-ton chassis, something already proven, familiar and accessible to consumers, and that can be serviced with ease” said Chad Knight, GM of EarthCruiser. “We focus on capability and function without compromise and that includes the living quarters, which were purposefully designed to be multi-functional for today’s explorers. We wanted to create a home you want to live in, not beside. The EC Terranova is the perfect exploration partner for any outdoor enthusiasts seeking to live and travel unbound, without sacrificing performance, comfort or livability.”
UNIQUE CONSTRUCTION
Made like a racing yacht. Fiberglass and marine grade materials will stand up to years of rough trails and are easily cleaned. The camper chassis is mounted to the vehicle chassis with EarthCruisers proprietary mount system to ensure stability and durability.
EarthCruiser’s foam core composite construction, and multi-layer curtain provide unparalleled protection against the elements, keeping the heat in, or out, all four-seasons. EarthCruisers are designed to perform in the world’s most extreme climates, ensuring comfort in all temperatures and conditions, allowing you to work or relax in comfort and safety.
THOUGHTFUL, MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
EarthCruiser Terranova looks tough and delivers. Because of our years of design experience, we are able to fit all required systems and a generous living space into a sleek, aerodynamic design. This avoids the bulky, boxy look of other “expedition” vehicles in the market. The smaller house and lighter weight of the EarthCruiser Terranova allows for greater acceleration and better performance on the highway and easily tows a boat, trailer, or toy hauler. The 4×4 capability and suspension ensure comfort on rugged terrain.
Interior living space is designed to maximize space, comfort, and usability and borrows field tested functionality from our products that have been proven in extreme remote situations all over the world. Specific highlights include:
“The Loft”: Roomy 360-degree Over-cab Sleeping Space
Catch vista views while relaxing in “The Loft”. Gone are days of feeling cramped and bumping your head on the ceiling. “The Loft” was designed to be comfortable, functional, and a place you want to hang out.
A wall-to-wall Queen mattress with flexible sleeping configurations provides ample room to stretch. A clever flip-down feature with countertop bumpers adds 9-12 inches to sleep lengthwise and skip the middle-of-the-night crawl-over.
The iconic pop-up roof found on EarthCruiser EXP was replicated with EC Terranova to provide added height with an expandable roof, something most over-cab campers can’t do. This roof was engineered for higher-than-average head-clearance so people up to 6 foot 5 can stand in the hallway, and sit up in bed, comfortably.
The triple-layer curtain includes 8 windows which provide a 360-degree panoramic view, and include insect, privacy screens and clear vinyl protective layers. No locks or latches are required to raise or lower the roof.
“The Loft” also features power stations, ambient reading lights, and small discrete cubbies to tuck key bed-side items.
Multi-Function Lounge Area: A Re-imagined Dinette
There is increased demand to work and live on the road so our re-imagined dinette space features leather cushions and integrated storage to provide ample room for working remote, entertaining, dining, or hanging out with a board game.
Horseshoe shaped seating fits 4 adults and one child seat comfortably.
The table is designed with an adjustable standard table leg with track sliders to support a range of positions. The table adjusts up and down, forward and back, to give the ideal orientation for how you’re using the space.
The area also converts into additional sleeping, creating a 76-inches long bed.
New Floor Design: Clever Form and Function
The EC Terranova features a raised floor that creates additional storage options and an ergonomic step-up design (15.87” for dinette step-up).
The space is double-utilized for additional gear storage and plumbing components for easy access to the pump from inside the truck.
Movable Storage Stairs: Discrete and Helpful
Ladders to over-cab sleeping areas can be bothersome and awkward in small spaces which is why we designed stairs that double as drawer assemblies for storage.
Drawers can pull out to be steps to reach “The Loft” or pushed back flush with the cabinet.
The step drawers are blended into the cabinet with the top drawers functioning as normal drawers and the bottom two drawers with reinforced pop-out boxes with textured lids for anti-slippage, such as with socks.
“Every EarthCruiser product is designed, developed and hand built, by a team of enthusiasts that bring years of true overlanding experience to every inch of product construction. Experiences in Mongolia, through the jungles of Borneo, and across the Australian outback influence every panel, latch, door location, storage compartment, and system redundancy,” said Lance Gillies, Founder of EarthCruiser.
Meet some of the EarthCruiser crew that helped design and build the EC Terranova and get a closer view of what we’ve been working on for 18 months. Key event details:
When: Friday, April 30th at 12pm PT / 3pm ET
Where: EarthCruiser social channels (available on YouTube afterward)
During the livestream, we’ll also be revealing a new Omaze sweepstakes offering one lucky winner the chance to win one of the first EC Terranovas. We’re teaming up with the online fundraising platform Omaze to offer one lucky winner one of the first vehicles available to the public.
Fans can enter for their chance to win beginning April 30th at Omaze.com/Terranova. Every donation supports the incredible work of First Descents, which provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.
EarthCruiser fans can use promo code TERRANOVA150 when checking out to receive 150 extra entries. Tune into the livestream to learn more and visit Omaze.com/Terranova for full rules.
About EarthCruiser EarthCruiser USA (https://earthcruiser.com/) designs, engineers and manufactures the world’s most accomplished overland adventure vehicles based in gorgeous Bend, Oregon. We are a company built on integrity and the pursuit of relentless quality and innovation in everything we do which is reflected in our world-class products.
TAP Editor’s Note: The following is part three and the final installment of this series on off-road recovery. The author, Bob Wohlers, teaches government, corporate, and recreational off-roading as a full time profession. He is one of only a handful of fulltime 4WD trainers in the USA. Some of the content in this multi-part series comes from Bob’s book The Total Approach to Getting Unstuck Off Road – 4WD Self-Recovery & Vehicle-Assisted Recovery. While other authors of 4WD books try to cover the topic of recovery in a single chapter, Bob has the only complete book on the topic – 352 pages of step-by-step information.
The STOPA Stuck Assessment and Recovery Plan Checklist™
I’ve attended several one and two-day off-road courses and more than my share of off-road recovery clinics at overland and off-road events. During many of these training sessions the trainer talked about “Brewing a cup of tea” once a vehicle gets stuck in the backcountry. This catchphrase refers to the concept of taking a PAUSE to think about a specific stuck or mishap situation, rather than haphazardly reacting wrongly to a bad occurrence. Incredibly, brewing a cup of tea is often the only procedural advice given to attendees at these recovery courses and clinics – if any advice is given at all.
I totally agree with the notion of taking a breather after getting stuck off-road. It is good advice. If brewing a cup of tea – or just stopping and having lunch – gets a stuck off-roader to slow down and carefully consider their situation and options prior to reacting to a difficult recovery situation, I’m all for it. However, in my opinion there’s more to it that simply brewing a cup of tea. A LOT MORE. This is especially true when the stuck situation is intense, like a vehicle tip over on a narrow and challenging trail.
Even a less intense stuck situation can cause an inexperienced off-roader high anxiety when traveling alone in the remote backcountry. In both situations, adrenaline and anxiousness kicks in requiring MORE than a simple pause initiated by brewing a cup of tea. I’ve even seen drivers that get hopelessly stuck in the remote backcountry vomit as a result of their high anxiety. Arguments between partners can ensue when a vehicle gets stuck. “I told you not to go on that difficult trail!”
With adrenaline flowing and knees knocking, these off-roaders need a written step-by-step procedure to help them maturely assess their stuck situation and calmly develop a logical and safe recovery plan. It is my opinion that a written step-by-step recovery procedure needs to be in the glove box of every off-roader and overlander. Someone that’s stuck in the remote backcountry shouldn’t have to remember all the important recovery steps and considerations they need to make, in logical order, when the crap hits the fan. In an extreme recovery situation, even a seasoned off-roader may need a checklist to help guide their recovery efforts. Certainly, they need to do more to assess their situation than simply brewing a cup of tea.
Enter Off-Road Safety Academy’s STOPA Stuck Assessment and Recovery Plan Checklist™. STOPA is an acronym for Stop, Think, Observe, Plan, and then Act. After getting stuck, many off-roaders begin by ACTING – missing four very important steps.
I’ve never found in literature a well-formulated methodology to follow when someone gets stuck in the remote backcountry. I decided that off-roaders really need one – especially beginners. This is why I developed the STOPA Stuck Assessment and Recovery Plan Checklist™. One day, I assure you, you will need it.
The STOPA Stuck Assessment and Recovery Plan Checklist™ is included in my book: The Total Approach to Getting Unstuck Off Road – 4WD Self-Recovery and Vehicle Assisted Recovery. You may purchase my book from Amazon HERE.
Important Side Notes Regarding the STOPA Stuck Assessment and Recovery Plan Checklist™
Developed Specifically for the Inexperienced. The checklist is developed for off-roaders that don’t have much, if any, actual winching or general recovery experience. As the developer of the checklist, I acknowledge that seasoned recovery veterans will work through the STOPA Checklist steps in their minds. In fact, inexperienced off-roaders won’t need a checklist either once they gain some recovery experience. It is for this reason I continually encourage readers to gain actual experience by taking a 4WD course from a professional trainer. Experienced off-roaders rarely do any math to estimate the loads put on recovery equipment and vehicles when attempting to get a vehicle unstuck. Experience allows them to mentally estimate the loads involved. When stuck, experienced off-roaders will simply: A) Audit the situation, B) Carefully rig a recovery setup, and C) Give it a try. In most cases, their experience will serve them well and they will get a vehicle unstuck in only one attempt. However, even the most experienced recovery professional will tell you that it took a few missteps and/or failures to arrive at their experience level. The STOPA Checklist can help off-roaders without much recovery experience avoid dangerous mistakes while gaining valuable recovery experience.
The Primary Purpose of the STOPA Stuck Assessment and Recovery Plan Checklist™. The primary purpose of the checklist is to get those that haven’t performed many recoveries to simply think clearly about stuck situations in the remote backcountry. This is in sharp contrast to simply hooking up a winch or kinetic energy recovery rope or strap and start pulling on a stuck vehicle (like so many do). There are great forces at work with these types of recovery efforts. If these forces exceed the working load limit of recovery equipment and accessories, bad things can happen. Winches can begin to smoke or quit, shackles can deform or break, rope can fail, and straps can tear. How large are these forces? They are huge. For beginners, the word “huge” is ambiguous. As an educator, I feel compelled to provide beginners with real numbers – even though it’s an approximation. An actual load resistance number can exemplify and highlight the power of these forces to the uninitiated. To find an approximate resistance value, one only needs to do a very small amount of math on their smartphone.
Approximate Resistance Values. There are many variables related to the nature of an actual stuck situation.
As a specific example, mud in one geographical location will be different than mud somewhere else. Adding to this variability, are many types of mud one can get stuck in. These different characteristics and types of mud will provide different resistance values. Point is, in the natural world it’s all but impossible to accurately calculate resistance values for any one stuck situation. The only way to arrive at a precise resistance value for any singular recovery effort is to measure the pull with a dynamometer (a device using for such measurements, particularly in the hoisting industry). Short of using this device, any resistance value calculated is purely approximate. In my humble opinion, the calculation of approximate resistance values in the STOPAChecklist serve four important purposes. They:
Can help the inexperienced off-roader understand the forces involved in practically all recovery efforts.
Can help the inexperienced off-roader avoid recovery missteps and failures.
Can help those that are nervous and running on adrenaline to focus on the recovery effort at hand. This will help them avoid exceeding the minimum tensile strength of recovery equipment and accessories.
4. Are of teaching value for those beginning to learn the dynamics of recovery and stuck extraction.
WreckMaster Resistance Numbers – The Best in the Industry. The resistance values in the Checklist come directly from WreckMaster, the preeminent North American tow truck training company. Their resistance values have been scientifically determined by quantitative methodology and validated by years of in-field experience.
Begin Recovery Efforts with Low-Energy Strategies. Working through a thoughtful stuck assessment will help you decide on an initial recovery effort that is both safe and involves the lowest energy tactic with the highest probability of success. In many cases, you can extract yourself from the majority of off-road stuck situations by simply:
Airing down your tires down further.
Making sure you are in 4WD. Perhaps even 4-low for extra torque.
Shoveling terrain away from around your tires and vehicle.
4. Building up terrain (such as stacking rocks in a deep hole).
5. Using low-impact traction aiding devices such as electronic traction control, lockers, a sway-bar release, or traction boards (e.g., MAXTRAX or Crux Offroad Bridging Ladders).
There is so much more to the topic of 4WD off-road recovery than we can outline on The Adventure Portal. If you really want to help yourself and others when stuck in the remote backcountry, begin by developing your knowledge on the topic. Once you have this knowledge, practice, practice, and then practice some more. Practice skills the right way – use what we call “best practices” when trying out new procedures. My book, The Total Approach to Getting Unstuck Off Road, is in a step-by-step format with lots of photos. Yes, it’s best to take recovery training from a recovery professional (see the website DiscoverOffRoading.com for my upcoming courses). However, if no training is available near where you live, my book can be used to practice at your home or on a local trail. Go out and train with some of your off-roading friends. Make a day of it, and always practice with new recovery equipment prior to needing it in the field under actual circumstances. Use my book and the STOPA Stuck Assessment and Recovery Plan Checklist™ to guide your practice. It’s an honor to help you feel more comfortable in the remote backcountry when things go bad. Never stop preparing for the worst.
TAP Editor’s Note: The following is part two of a three-part series on off-road recovery. The author, Bob Wohlers, teaches government, corporate, and recreational off-roading as a full time profession. He is one of only a handful of fulltime 4WD trainers in the USA. Some of the content in this multi-part series comes from Bob’s book The Total Approach to Getting Unstuck Off Road – 4WD Self-Recovery & Vehicle-Assisted Recovery. While other authors of 4WD books try to cover the topic of recovery in a single chapter, Bob has the only complete book on the topic – 352 pages of step-by-step information.
There’s No Embarrassment in Getting Stuck Off-Road
If You…
As I tell my all of my students, “Off-Road long enough and you will get stuck in the remote backcountry.” Prepare for that day, then prepare some more – with knowledge, skills, and off-road recovery equipment that you should carry along on your journeys.” What can happen? Here’s some possibilities:
You get bogged down in deep, greasy, gumbo-like mud; one wheel from each axle begins to spin.
Photo courtesy of Tour-De-World.com
Hisssssss. You hear another tire leaking; you just had your second flat.
Your off-road trailer bounces off a large rock during a sharp turn and lands on its side.
Your 4WD truck is high-centered on a ridge perpendicular to the trail; wheels on both axles are off the ground with no traction.
While driving an icy route, your vehicle slips sideways, down into a deep rut on the side of the trail and almost tips over. Your wheels have no traction.
Snow from the middle of the trail has piled up under your vehicle and your forward motion is completely halted.
You’ve accidentally tipped your vehicle over on its side on a very narrow trail.
Your vehicle catches on fire in the remote backcountry.
Photo courtesy of Coyote Works
You get the point. Someday, you will get stuck. It happens to everyone. Hopefully when it happens, no one gets hurt. There are thousands of ways off-roaders have their progress terminated or hampered when driving off road.
Let’s be honest. Getting stuck off road is often due to driver error. We all make errors, from the most experienced to the least. Errors can be due to a lack of off-road driving skills. You may misjudge the amount of momentum you need to climb a sandy dune or pick a poor line while traversing a rocky trail. Errors can be due to a lack of knowledge. It’s easier to get stuck when you don’t have a basic knowledge or understanding of your 4WD vehicle or the terrain you are traversing. Errors can also be due to a poor attitude, such as “showing off” in front of peers or performing vehicle maneuvers that defy common sense. I call this a “hold my beer, watch this”mentality. In my opinion, this type of attitude lacks maturity.
Regardless of the reason for getting stuck, it is a part of off-roading. So, if you aren’t thoughtless, cavalier, or alcohol-fueled, there is no real dishonor in getting stuck off road. You will make errors when off-roading or overlanding. Sometimes you get stuck even when you do everything right. There’s no embarrassment in getting stuck if you do all you can to mitigate potential difficulties. Here’s how to lessen backcountry difficulties:
Take Training from an Expert. Taking formal training from a professional off-road educator can reduce your chances of getting stuck in the remote backcountry. You don’t know what you don’t know. A knowledgeable off-road recovery trainer can teach you all the ways you can avoid getting stuck and what to do when you do.
Venture Within Your Personal Limitations and Abilities. Especially in remote and international settings, you need the proper knowledge, attitude, and skills to problem-solve and get unstuck. Avoid driving a remote trail or section of a trail solo that is beyond the capabilities of both you and your vehicle. If you are solo and reach an extremely challenging section of trail, think about your capabilities. If you decide to attempt the challenging section of trail, plan how you would recover should you get stuck, or the situation worsens.
Venture Within Your Vehicle’s Capabilities. Not all 4WD vehicles are created equal. Even 4WD vehicles designed from the factory to venture off road have limitations. You will probably get stuck if you push your vehicle beyond its capabilities.
Know Your Vehicle Intimately. Today’s off-road-specific 4WD vehicles are more complex than in the past. Many have traction-aiding features that should be mastered to get the most from a vehicle. Whether you purchase or build your 4WD, learn how your vehicle functions to avoid getting stuck. To keep from getting stuck, you also need to know intimately your vehicle’s, including lift clearance, articulation capability, and angles (approach, breakover, and departure).
Travel With Other Vehicles. Recovery efforts are almost always easier and more relaxed mentally when traveling with other vehicles into the remote backcountry. This is especially true when you also are traveling beyond your country of origin and within Third World countries. Having other vehicles along on a journey also widens your recovery options. Now you can use vehicle-assisted off-road recovery methods.
Have With You and Know How to Use Traction-Aiding Devices. Traction-aiding devices can be built into your vehicle (e.g., lockers, airing down tires, electronic traction control) or taken along with you when you are off-road (e.g., traction boards, shovel). Use as many traction-aiding devices as you have available to completely avoid getting stuck. When you do get stuck, use the same devices to methodically assist you in your recovery efforts.
Have the Correct Kit, Accessories, or Tools to Get Unstuck. It’s hard to carry every piece of recovery gear with you on every trip. If you’ve researched the trail prior to departure, you should have an idea as to the type of terrain you may need to traverse, helping you bring the right equipment. When with a group of vehicles, you can divide essential equipment between all the vehicles (e.g., not every vehicle may need a heavy Hi-Lift Jack).
Practice Recovery and Problem-Solving Skills at Home. Practice your skills at home prior to stressful situations in the remote backcountry. Recovery and problem-solving proficiencies are all perishable skills that should be practiced periodically when not under duress.
Research the Trail You Intend to Drive. Regarding knowledge of a particular trail, get as much accurate information from a qualified source as possible. Keep in mind that trails can change for the worse after one day of intense rainfall or earth movement. In reality, you can never have enough information about a trail. Have several maps that show the trail, as each may tell you something different about the surrounding area and the possible side routes. Before heading out to a trail, try to get current, up-to-date information from other off-roaders and local land-management officials. What’s the water level in streams you need to cross, are there wildfires in the area, what’s the trail’s difficulty rating, what is the typical temperature in the area at the time of use? Answering questions such as these and mining important information can help keep you from getting stuck on a really difficult trail, beyond your capabilities.
Solve Problems in a Methodical and Effective Manner. When stuck off road, follow an intelligent problem-solving checklist that results in a complete stuck assessment and an effective recovery plan. We will cover this topic in part three of this series in The Adventure Portal.
Try Low-Energy Methods of Recovery First. As often as possible, first try low-energy and/or saferrecovery techniques (e.g., shovel use, lowering tire pressures, use of traction boards) before trying other, more aggressive and higher energy methods (e.g., kinetic energy, winching) of getting unstuck.
Photo courtesy of MaxTrax
Refuse to Get Frustrated During Off-Road Recovery Events. When you do get stuck, calm yourself. Stop, Think, Observe, Plan, and then Act.
Avoid Hurried Recovery Efforts Due to Peer Pressure. Don’t let others on a trail hurry your recovery efforts to get unstuck.
Safeguard the Environment During Off-Road Recovery Operations. Sometimes getting unstuck in the remote backcountry means disturbing the environment just a bit to get out and going again. A good driver minimizes this disruption as much as possible. In the end, however, you’ll need to do what is necessary to get home alive.
Use Common Sense. Most of the above points have to do with common sense. Same for the use of drugs or alcohol that may be contrary to safe driving. Use your common sense each and every time you get stuck off road.
Be Prepared with Survival Knowledge, Skills, and Kit. Should you not be able to recover and get unstuck if you are remote and solo in the backcountry, you need to have the knowledge, skills, and kit to remain comfortable for several hours, a couple of days, or even a week or two should an adventure or work-related incident go bad. The companion Off-Road & Overland Adventure Info Book Live Long to Wander – Basic Survival for Vehicle-Supported Adventures is a must-read for all vehicle-supported adventurers.
Fun fact: Lori and Andy from TAP are the “injured” couple on the cover.
Live Long to Wander: Basic Survival for Vehicle-Supported Adventures– $25.95 BUY HERE
Raising Your 4WD Vehicle Off-Road & In-Field Tire Repair – $44.95 BUY HERE
The Total Approach of Getting Unstuck Off Road– $59.95BUY HERE
