So far, most of the off-roading I've done has been not for sport, but as a necessary tool for gaining access to alpine backcountry and mountaineering access routes in British Columbia, Canada. My off-roading is primarily on unmaintained, overgrown logging or mining roads in the many valleys and passes along the Vancouver-Pemberton corridor, the Duffy Lake road, and the Fraser Valley.

Because I bought my Pathfinder specifically to get me above snowline to the high alpine, I have made some modifications to the truck to allow it to perform better in this environment. My main concerns when choosing mods for this type of environment are traction, flotation, and reliability. ... and the ability to run larger and more aggressive chains... chains all around (you can never have too many chains). The modifications I've done so far are described on my Current Pathfinder Modifications page.

In mountaineering I concern myself with safety, not machismo, and I've tried to carry this philosophy into my truck buildup as well, and to my desire to learn proper off-roading techniques. This is a primary factor in deciding what to do to my truck next. I'd rather add something to help me get out of trouble before I add something to help me get deeper into trouble! I have also tried to remain focused on the primary objective during my truck buildup, making choices that are better for snow, which may not necessarily be the best choices for rock crawling.

On my Repair & Recovery Equipment page, I've listed those things that I carry in the truck to help me get unstuck. I welcome all suggestions for other items, alternate items, or techniques to use which eliminate the need for some of those items. Since I haven't suffered many trail breakdowns (although I've been with guys that have), I'm quite sure there are "essential items" which I haven't yet learned to carry. Save me a headache and let me know if you see one.

In the menu to your left you'll find a couple of 4x4 Galleries where I've posted a few photos of my "learning experiences".