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JPFreek - Index

JPFreek - magazine - Index

Explain your idea in a respectful yet detailed manner: “I am sure
you know what you are doing, but why couldn’t we (insert idea of
choice) hook up to the back of the frame so the cable doesn’t
pull the front around?” or “I am concerned about (insert situation
of choice) the big rock on the right—when you drop into that
hole, I think your vehicle is going to lean into that rock. What do
you think?”
If you are the one driving and find yourself in a tight place
requiring spotting, don’t be afraid to say something like “Hey,
Joe, this looks a little close—would you mind watching my right
side as I squeeze past that rock?” Identify your spotter, explain
what you are concerned about and tell them where to look and
what signals to give to help you negotiate through.
So, as I sat there, teetering on two wheels and wondering
where my right tire really was, I realized that my first mistake was
in not establishing a spotter before I was, quite literally, between
a rock and a hard place. In this situation, upon later discussion
with one of the onlookers at the scene, I discovered that
everyone present didn’t think they were qualified to give me
orders, so no one spoke up.
My second mistake was rushing into a situation which did not
require rushing. I could have teetered for hours until a suitable
spotter presented himself. Instead I waited what was probably
only two seconds, but seemed like forever with my pleas
echoing off the canyon walls. With no response again, I muttered
obscenities in exasperation, turned the steering wheel slightly to
the left and eased off the brake, letting my front left tire drop
down, holding my breath to feel if my right tire would grip the
tenuous edge, or drop off and stick me in the hole. As my left
tire dropped down to firm ground, I felt my butt cheeks
clenching the upholstery as if to lift the Jeep over the hole,
wondering if sheer will power alone could enhance traction.
Despite making several mistakes and the high pucker factor of
the entire situation, the 4x4 gods smiled down on me--the Jeep
stuck and I pulled through unscathed, but with lessons learned.
Contact Sedona Jeep School @ 928.274.0570
http://www.SedonaJeepSchool.com