WHY TAKE A 101 COURSE FOR OFF-ROAD DRIVING?

WE wondered who these courses were for, and figured the easiest way to find out was to see who was taking them.

- Rich Klein

In June, we went with Nick Cimmarusti, a Certified Instructor and Trail Guide for Barlow Adventures, on an advanced training course on the Rubicon. Barlow Adventures is a Jeep rental and guide service with locations in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Nick teaches classes in basic offroad driving skills, advanced driving skills, and recovery skills.

HERE’S WHO HE WAS TEACHING:

• A married couple who had been motorcycle riders for years, but have redirected their off-roading to Jeeps.

• A father/daughter team with a newer Jeep that were looking for better communication and travel skills.

• A father/son team looking for more confidence to travel the rock trails without relying on others for help.

• A single woman who had owned and wheeled a CJ5 for five years, relying on others to drive the difficult or scary parts. With a new JK, she wanted to learn to drive herself.