No matter which sport you try there are big differences between intermediate and advanced, just as there are big differences between beginner and intermediate. Many people enjoy taking their 4-wheel drive vehicles up into the mountains to enjoy the sites and challenges. With time and experimentation, the brave few can gain skills to become an intermediate driver and may even look to tackle the next big step. When it comes to learning technical driving having a teacher, guide, and experienced spotter can save you from costly mistakes.

Meet “Mini Moab” a large rock obstacle found in Rainbow Falls OHV outside of Woodland Park. This obstacle is a series of sandstone steps. There are easy routes that any beginner can do, to intermediate routes, and advanced difficulty. The middle path of these steps is the most advanced route and has claimed many broken driveshafts, CV joints, gears, and all those crippling breaks drivers cringe from. As the driver approaches this line they first must get their front tires to climb a tall step. Taking it slow the first step is pretty simple. It’s climbing the second step when things start to go wrong. Not only do you need to get your front tires up a second step, your back tires have to finish climbing the first step.

As drives attempt this obstacle those steps get dug out and become deeper. Some even get undercut making it even harder to get your rear tires to climb. This is the moment you appreciate having lockers and big tires!. Depending on your approach angle you also risk lifting a tire in the air. It makes for a cool picture, but greatly destabilizes your vehicle increasing your risk of tipping over.

If you feel like your vehicle is at risk of tipping, which can be a gut-wrenching experience. You can always pull your winch line and anchor yourself to a jeep at the top of the obstacle. There is no failure in winching. It is better to be safe than brake or flip. If your vehicle is intact you can try the obstacle as many times as you want. If you break or flip your fun is over for the foreseeable future.

This is one of the many obstacles that can stand in the way of a driver going from intermediate to advanced. It can be overcome with practice or trial and error, which may take you years to accomplish. If you are not the patient type having an experienced teacher could be your solution to advancing your skills. Jeff has done this obstacle many times in all kinds of weather. He is an experienced guide and an excellent teacher. If this is something you have been struggling to conquer give us a call or book a class and have a first-rate guru guide your way to success!

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