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Benefits of being a Trail Guide |
Written by David Bradshaw
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The Trail Guide is a very rewarding position. Here is what you can expect.
· Satisfaction from teaching a respect for the environment and the outdoors, and living an outdoor-centric ethic.
· Satisfaction of providing perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience to someone who might not otherwise get the chance.
· Providing information on local geography and things to see.
· Setting the agenda and timetable, and generally doing it your way.
· Receiving accolades and fame for a successful run. This can be fleeting but sure feels good when it happens!
· Being in front, out of the dust.
Challenges of being a Trail Guide
The Trail Guide is also a challenging position. Make note of these.
· In a word, responsibility. You are responsible for ensuring a safe and – to the extent possible – enjoyable trip. A pretty heavy load, if you think about it.
· With responsibility comes pressure to make sure all goes well. That means you don’t get lost, the vehicles come out reasonably intact, and there are no major conflicts. Stress varies with the group size, your relationship to the group (friends, club, large organization), trail difficulty, and your familiarity with the trail. Even with a small group of friends on a well-known trail, you will experience some stress.
· You are constantly on alert. You cannot relax and merely follow the vehicle in front. Know where you are at all times and how to reach designated locations like the trailhead or lunch spot.
· You must exude confidence at all times. Even when concerned, try not to show it.
· Lots of homework before the trip. It’s your responsibility to map out and scout the trail when possible. You need to determine the last place to gas up, and when and where the group will meet.
· Grumbling and dissatisfaction after a poor run. Dissatisfaction can come from myriad causes. Poor management of time and not sticking to schedules without easily understood reasons, or pushing too hard to meet a timetable and cajoling people to get going or staying up with the pack.
Specific skills a good Trail Guide needs
A Trail Guide should have certain skills. These include:
4WD Skills:
To become a Trail Guide, you must first be an experienced driver. Experience builds your confidence – and it shows. The ability to read the terrain and pick successful lines is at the top of the list. As the lead Jeep, you do not have the benefit of watching Jeeps ahead of you negotiate the obstacle. Except for very difficult situations, you’re likely to attempt the obstacle without a spotter.
A good Trail Guide is also a good teacher. They coach drivers through tough spots. On some days, you’ll have to spot an entire group through difficult terrain. Observe how different Jeeps behave. Of primary concern are wheel base, and transmission type (manual, automatic).
Your Jeep must be built to a level beyond that required for the trail. Know its capabilities and limitations.
Scouting and Planning Skills:
A successful ride is the result of planning and preparation along with the skills you bring. Scout the trail(s), and plan the trip thoroughly. Yes, you must do your homework.
An adventure with unexpected difficulties can still be viewed as highly successful. After all, difficulties create teamwork, camaraderie, and stories to be told.
Plan for contingencies but go with the flow. Despite your best effort, you cannot control the weather. An unseasonal cold spell or a rainstorm can make a huge difference in comfort and trail conditions.
Assume there will be breakdowns. Some vehicles aren’t maintained well. But even properly maintained vehicles can suffer a breakdown. Brush up on mechanical skills, and pack tools and spare parts.
Be prepared. Have a backup trail in case the one you first picked cannot be used. Know the location of the auto parts store in the nearest town.
Leadership skills:
The Trail Guide is the leader and the manager for the entire trip. This person sets the tone and style for the duration. You need management skills to design, plan, delegate, motivate and make decisions. You need leadership skills to communicate, establish a vision, establish trust, and generate confidence.
The leadership tools and techniques you employ will be influenced by the makeup of the group and type of trip you are leading.
Here are some situations that will influence your leadership style:
· Often COORJC club runs return to the same trails year after year; seasoned members know them well. You may find it difficult to maintain control of this group. On the positive side, you can count on their knowledge and experience when help is needed.
· Driver experience and vehicle equipment will vary. A group of newer Jeepers is more likely to defer to your leadership, allowing for quicker decision making. However, some people may need personal attention. You’ll have to budget your time accordingly.
Communication Skills:
This takes many forms. The more people on the trip, the more time you will spend communicating with them. Communication is your primary tool for management and leadership. Communication includes written information (emails, texts), verbal (pre-run drivers’ meeting) and two-way radio transmissions.
Customer Skills:
You are providing a service. Everyone who participates on your guided trip is a customer – yes, a customer. It makes no difference whether they pay for the service or not. Adopt a customer-focused mindset.
Bottom line: Be customer-focused. Let the customers’ safety, comfort, and success guide your decisions and behavior. You make better decisions when you view the group as customers (or guests).
Recovery Skills: It is possible on even the easiest trail that someone in your group will get stuck. Be sure to pack recovery gear with you, and know how to use it. So getting that Jeep un-stuck can be done as efficiently, and safely as possible. The group will likely look to you for guidance on recovering a stuck Jeep.
Additional Skills: Knowing basic first aid is helpful. Four-wheeling is generally a safe hobby. But minor bumps, scratches, stings and burns can occur. Remember to always pack a first-aid kit.
Basic mechanical skills are also crucial. Your vehicle or someone else’s could suffer a breakdown. The participants will look to you for leadership on resolving that issue.
Becoming a Trail Guide is a noble goal. While not for everyone, Jeepers who obtain that status find it very rewarding. If you’re inclined, commit the necessary time and effort.
Becoming a COORJC Trail Guide
You’ve been off-roading for some time now. Probably drove a few challenging trails and endured a weekend in ugly weather. Perhaps you participated in one or more Club Runs and thought, “I’d like to be a Trail Guide.”
That’s great! While the position entails a fair amount of responsibility, it’s a good way to more fully experience off-roading. And to give back by teaching others.
Trail Guides are skilled individuals who are willing to share their passion, knowledge, skills and respect for the outdoors with others.
To become a Trail Guide requires both skill and personality: the right mix of tangible and intangible characteristics to lead a group of Jeepers on a trip that could be challenging and memorable.
It starts by being a student while on the trails. Observe how another Trail Guide leads their excursions. Scrutinize their actions, and decide how you might handle the same situations. Take notes throughout the day as you encounter the different situations.
Ask pointed questions along the way. Learn the various nuances needed to master each trail. Help fellow drivers through their challenges.
· Satisfaction from teaching a respect for the environment and the outdoors, and living an outdoor-centric ethic.
· Satisfaction of providing perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience to someone who might not otherwise get the chance.
· Providing information on local geography and things to see.
· Setting the agenda and timetable, and generally doing it your way.
· Receiving accolades and fame for a successful run. This can be fleeting but sure feels good when it happens!
· Being in front, out of the dust.
Challenges of being a Trail Guide
The Trail Guide is also a challenging position. Make note of these.
· In a word, responsibility. You are responsible for ensuring a safe and – to the extent possible – enjoyable trip. A pretty heavy load, if you think about it.
· With responsibility comes pressure to make sure all goes well. That means you don’t get lost, the vehicles come out reasonably intact, and there are no major conflicts. Stress varies with the group size, your relationship to the group (friends, club, large organization), trail difficulty, and your familiarity with the trail. Even with a small group of friends on a well-known trail, you will experience some stress.
· You are constantly on alert. You cannot relax and merely follow the vehicle in front. Know where you are at all times and how to reach designated locations like the trailhead or lunch spot.
· You must exude confidence at all times. Even when concerned, try not to show it.
· Lots of homework before the trip. It’s your responsibility to map out and scout the trail when possible. You need to determine the last place to gas up, and when and where the group will meet.
· Grumbling and dissatisfaction after a poor run. Dissatisfaction can come from myriad causes. Poor management of time and not sticking to schedules without easily understood reasons, or pushing too hard to meet a timetable and cajoling people to get going or staying up with the pack.
Specific skills a good Trail Guide needs
A Trail Guide should have certain skills. These include:
4WD Skills:
To become a Trail Guide, you must first be an experienced driver. Experience builds your confidence – and it shows. The ability to read the terrain and pick successful lines is at the top of the list. As the lead Jeep, you do not have the benefit of watching Jeeps ahead of you negotiate the obstacle. Except for very difficult situations, you’re likely to attempt the obstacle without a spotter.
A good Trail Guide is also a good teacher. They coach drivers through tough spots. On some days, you’ll have to spot an entire group through difficult terrain. Observe how different Jeeps behave. Of primary concern are wheel base, and transmission type (manual, automatic).
Your Jeep must be built to a level beyond that required for the trail. Know its capabilities and limitations.
Scouting and Planning Skills:
A successful ride is the result of planning and preparation along with the skills you bring. Scout the trail(s), and plan the trip thoroughly. Yes, you must do your homework.
An adventure with unexpected difficulties can still be viewed as highly successful. After all, difficulties create teamwork, camaraderie, and stories to be told.
Plan for contingencies but go with the flow. Despite your best effort, you cannot control the weather. An unseasonal cold spell or a rainstorm can make a huge difference in comfort and trail conditions.
Assume there will be breakdowns. Some vehicles aren’t maintained well. But even properly maintained vehicles can suffer a breakdown. Brush up on mechanical skills, and pack tools and spare parts.
Be prepared. Have a backup trail in case the one you first picked cannot be used. Know the location of the auto parts store in the nearest town.
Leadership skills:
The Trail Guide is the leader and the manager for the entire trip. This person sets the tone and style for the duration. You need management skills to design, plan, delegate, motivate and make decisions. You need leadership skills to communicate, establish a vision, establish trust, and generate confidence.
The leadership tools and techniques you employ will be influenced by the makeup of the group and type of trip you are leading.
Here are some situations that will influence your leadership style:
· Often COORJC club runs return to the same trails year after year; seasoned members know them well. You may find it difficult to maintain control of this group. On the positive side, you can count on their knowledge and experience when help is needed.
· Driver experience and vehicle equipment will vary. A group of newer Jeepers is more likely to defer to your leadership, allowing for quicker decision making. However, some people may need personal attention. You’ll have to budget your time accordingly.
Communication Skills:
This takes many forms. The more people on the trip, the more time you will spend communicating with them. Communication is your primary tool for management and leadership. Communication includes written information (emails, texts), verbal (pre-run drivers’ meeting) and two-way radio transmissions.
Customer Skills:
You are providing a service. Everyone who participates on your guided trip is a customer – yes, a customer. It makes no difference whether they pay for the service or not. Adopt a customer-focused mindset.
Bottom line: Be customer-focused. Let the customers’ safety, comfort, and success guide your decisions and behavior. You make better decisions when you view the group as customers (or guests).
Recovery Skills: It is possible on even the easiest trail that someone in your group will get stuck. Be sure to pack recovery gear with you, and know how to use it. So getting that Jeep un-stuck can be done as efficiently, and safely as possible. The group will likely look to you for guidance on recovering a stuck Jeep.
Additional Skills: Knowing basic first aid is helpful. Four-wheeling is generally a safe hobby. But minor bumps, scratches, stings and burns can occur. Remember to always pack a first-aid kit.
Basic mechanical skills are also crucial. Your vehicle or someone else’s could suffer a breakdown. The participants will look to you for leadership on resolving that issue.
Becoming a Trail Guide is a noble goal. While not for everyone, Jeepers who obtain that status find it very rewarding. If you’re inclined, commit the necessary time and effort.
Becoming a COORJC Trail Guide
You’ve been off-roading for some time now. Probably drove a few challenging trails and endured a weekend in ugly weather. Perhaps you participated in one or more Club Runs and thought, “I’d like to be a Trail Guide.”
That’s great! While the position entails a fair amount of responsibility, it’s a good way to more fully experience off-roading. And to give back by teaching others.
Trail Guides are skilled individuals who are willing to share their passion, knowledge, skills and respect for the outdoors with others.
To become a Trail Guide requires both skill and personality: the right mix of tangible and intangible characteristics to lead a group of Jeepers on a trip that could be challenging and memorable.
It starts by being a student while on the trails. Observe how another Trail Guide leads their excursions. Scrutinize their actions, and decide how you might handle the same situations. Take notes throughout the day as you encounter the different situations.
Ask pointed questions along the way. Learn the various nuances needed to master each trail. Help fellow drivers through their challenges.
10 duties of the Tail Gunner
1. Informs the guide when the group has cleared key turns. Sometimes a driver misses a turn and strays off-course. The Trail Guide can only see a vehicle or two behind, whereas the Tail Gunner has a much better perspective.
2. Accounts for all the vehicles when starting up again. This is after breaking camp or making any sort of pit stop (bio-breaks, taking pictures, lunch, etc…). Because they are in the back, they can count everyone. Since we usually do a radio check only at the start of the trip (or day) to make sure all are working, the count process works well.
3. As the last one out of a stop, they can spot any major item overlooked like stuff left behind, or some remaining trash.
4. Advises Trail Guide on issues the Guide isn’t aware of. Being at the rear, the Tail Gunner has a better view of the entire group. (Although heavy dust cuts visibility at times.) The Tail Gunner can advise of a need to stop or slow down due to large gaps in the group, cargo dropping off, or mechanical problems.
5. Helps with spotting. Being at the back of the line, the Tail Gunner can quickly provide spotting to the vehicles in the rear. When everyone needs to be spotted, the Tail Gunner can relieve the Trail Guide, so the Guide can pull their vehicle further up the trail to make room for the group. And heaven forbid, when the Trail Guide needs a qualified spotter, the Tail Gunner can walk all the way up to the front and make sure the Trail Guide gets through without embarrassing themselves.
6. Assists with vehicle issues. Perhaps some gear needs to be strapped down. Or a vehicle suffers a minor breakdown. If the damage is too severe (but the vehicle is drivable), the Tail Gunner can escort that driver back to the road. If the Trail Guide elects to do that, the Tail Gunner is often tapped to take over as Leader to complete the course.
7. Informs the group about vehicles overtaking them. Very valuable, because everyone else is focused on the trail ahead. If appropriate, the Tail Guide suggests how and where to pull over.
8. Thanks oncoming vehicles that stopped to let the group go by and let them know they are the last one. It’s a simple gesture, but means a lot to the other group. And the Tail Gunner continues the longstanding tradition of respectful behavior that is such an important part of four wheeling.
Speaking of saying “thanks,” remember to offer your gratitude to any landowners whose property you drive on. And, of course, take good care of their property.
9. Waits for late arrivals. Having a Tail Gunner who knows the trail and the plan comes in handy when a participant is late. The Tail Gunner can wait at the meeting point for the late arrival. They will likely catch up at the air down spot. The most common cases are either a mechanical problem, need to stop for gas, or navigation issue. We discourage splitting up the group, unless absolutely necessary on trail, and another reason we limit group sizes, so the group can more easily stay together.
10. Have fun on the trail. Be there in case you’re needed, and otherwise just enjoy the trail ride.
Tail Gunner Benefits
Even though the Tail Gunner is the last vehicle in the group, it’s an extremely important position. This driver is often as skilled as the Trail Guide, and has the added responsibilities inherent in being placed last in line.
1. Informs the guide when the group has cleared key turns. Sometimes a driver misses a turn and strays off-course. The Trail Guide can only see a vehicle or two behind, whereas the Tail Gunner has a much better perspective.
2. Accounts for all the vehicles when starting up again. This is after breaking camp or making any sort of pit stop (bio-breaks, taking pictures, lunch, etc…). Because they are in the back, they can count everyone. Since we usually do a radio check only at the start of the trip (or day) to make sure all are working, the count process works well.
3. As the last one out of a stop, they can spot any major item overlooked like stuff left behind, or some remaining trash.
4. Advises Trail Guide on issues the Guide isn’t aware of. Being at the rear, the Tail Gunner has a better view of the entire group. (Although heavy dust cuts visibility at times.) The Tail Gunner can advise of a need to stop or slow down due to large gaps in the group, cargo dropping off, or mechanical problems.
5. Helps with spotting. Being at the back of the line, the Tail Gunner can quickly provide spotting to the vehicles in the rear. When everyone needs to be spotted, the Tail Gunner can relieve the Trail Guide, so the Guide can pull their vehicle further up the trail to make room for the group. And heaven forbid, when the Trail Guide needs a qualified spotter, the Tail Gunner can walk all the way up to the front and make sure the Trail Guide gets through without embarrassing themselves.
6. Assists with vehicle issues. Perhaps some gear needs to be strapped down. Or a vehicle suffers a minor breakdown. If the damage is too severe (but the vehicle is drivable), the Tail Gunner can escort that driver back to the road. If the Trail Guide elects to do that, the Tail Gunner is often tapped to take over as Leader to complete the course.
7. Informs the group about vehicles overtaking them. Very valuable, because everyone else is focused on the trail ahead. If appropriate, the Tail Guide suggests how and where to pull over.
8. Thanks oncoming vehicles that stopped to let the group go by and let them know they are the last one. It’s a simple gesture, but means a lot to the other group. And the Tail Gunner continues the longstanding tradition of respectful behavior that is such an important part of four wheeling.
Speaking of saying “thanks,” remember to offer your gratitude to any landowners whose property you drive on. And, of course, take good care of their property.
9. Waits for late arrivals. Having a Tail Gunner who knows the trail and the plan comes in handy when a participant is late. The Tail Gunner can wait at the meeting point for the late arrival. They will likely catch up at the air down spot. The most common cases are either a mechanical problem, need to stop for gas, or navigation issue. We discourage splitting up the group, unless absolutely necessary on trail, and another reason we limit group sizes, so the group can more easily stay together.
10. Have fun on the trail. Be there in case you’re needed, and otherwise just enjoy the trail ride.
Tail Gunner Benefits
- You get to go on a trip!
- Work does not involve sitting in a cubicle.
- People think of you as a hero when you pull them out of the mud.
- You can take a bio-break anytime you want and you don’t have to walk too far.
- You can blame the Trail Guide if the group is lost.
- No one sees you if you mess up.
- You have a front row seat to everything that happens.
- On the job training to become a Trail Guide.
- You get to eat dust for the whole trip. Which means the adult beverage will taste even better when the day’s driving is done.
Even though the Tail Gunner is the last vehicle in the group, it’s an extremely important position. This driver is often as skilled as the Trail Guide, and has the added responsibilities inherent in being placed last in line.
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