I've been fortunate enough to embark on numerous adventures throughout my life. From driving a Baja Challenge car across Mexico to navigating an old Toyota through the island of Java, and even tagging along with the BMW GS Trophy team for some thrilling trail time on two wheels. But nothing could have prepared me for the three days I spent in Moab with the team from CAM Mobility.
For over two decades, Ken Cameron and his crew have been training special forces and federal law enforcement agents in the art of off-road driving. And now, for the first time, they were offering that same level of training to the public. These weren't your average off-road courses focused on Baja racing or rock crawling. No, these were expeditions designed to take both you and your vehicle through some of the most extreme environments on the planet.
Our adventure kicked off in a hotel parking lot in Grand Junction, Colorado. We gathered around as they introduced us to the vehicles we would be driving – a couple of late '90s Land Rover Discovery IIs and a Range Rover Sport. The Discos were outfitted with winches, skid plates, and a variety of specialized tools and equipment. A trusty Toyota Land Cruiser served as our support vehicle, carrying additional gear, just in case.
This team was a collective of off-road legends and military training experts. Ken Cameron, the founder of CAM Mobility, had an impressive resume. Not only did he serve in the US Army, but he was also a multiple Camel Trophy veteran, earning second place in 1996. He even accomplished the first-ever East-West 4WD crossing of Borneo. With his extensive experience working as a trainer and course designer for Land Rover, as well as his role as NORRA Rally Master, Ken is the authority on off-road driving.
Joined by veterans like Webber "Webb" Arnold, a seasoned off-roader and former Camel Trophy competitor, Charles Henderickson, a skilled fabricator and vehicle designer with years of Baja racing experience, and Greg Walton, a retired FBI Special Agent and US Army combat veteran with desert navigation expertise, our instructors were a force to be reckoned with. It was no wonder special forces teams sought them out to learn how to drive in the harshest and most unforgiving terrains on Earth. The rest of the CAM Mobility team set off to set up our base camp, our destination for the day, we loaded our gear and found our driving partners.
Leaving the comfort of the pavement behind, we ventured deep into Moab's heart, where only challenging trails, steep inclines, and merciless obstacles awaited us. The old Land Rover Discovery lacked the advanced suspension systems and intelligent terrain response of modern off-roaders, but that was precisely the point. The vehicles special forces operators might encounter in the field wouldn't possess such luxuries either. We relied on left-foot braking and technique to overcome each obstacle, putting our vehicle preservation skills to the test.
Through narrow canyons and seemingly insurmountable rock faces, our instructors shared invaluable techniques for navigating obstacles. They imparted wisdom on maintaining control in adverse conditions, stressing the importance of positioning our vehicles to tackle the next move on the trail. In an environment as unforgiving as this, vehicle preservation was key. Even in a place as well-traveled as Moab, a single mistake could mean the difference between making it out of a canyon or not.
On the first day, we eased into the training, getting acquainted with the vehicles and the techniques. As we arrived at our first base camp, it was easy to be lulled into a false sense of accomplishment. But during dinner, around the campfire, our instructors warned us that the following day would push us to our limits. We needed to have our gloves at the ready because we would be using the winch.
.jpg)
The next morning, we switched to different vehicles and instructors. My driving partner and I found ourselves behind the wheel of a Range Rover Sport, which surprised me with its capability. With just a two-inch lift and off-road tires, it kept up effortlessly with the Discovery from the previous day. We headed towards a trail where we knew the winch would come into play. The instructors allowed some drivers to attempt the incline without using the winch, demonstrating exactly why we needed it. It all came down to vehicle preservation.
With the winch controller in one hand and the steering wheel in the other, each driver carefully maneuvered up and over the challenging obstacle. We learned various winching techniques, including driving horizontally across steep inclines using a sling through the vehicle's rolled-down windows. Trust in our equipment and our team became paramount as we pushed through the extreme terrain. Our reward awaited us—an incredible lunch of burritos warmed on the exhaust manifolds at an astonishing overlook, thousands of feet above the majestic Colorado River.
The final day brought us to less demanding trails but more winch training. We practiced using different angles and techniques to overcome obstacles, solidifying our skills. Eventually, we reluctantly left behind the rugged wilderness and returned to the familiarity of paved roads. Our flights awaited us in Grand Junction, but the impact of our experience lingered within us.
As I bid farewell to Moab and boarded my flight back to Texas, I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed another old Land Rover Discovery in my life. I yearned to spend all my free time exploring the untamed trails. And I knew I wasn't alone in this sentiment. Though our Moab journey had come to an end, the memories and lessons we acquired would forever remain with us. We gained new skills, traversed awe-inspiring landscapes, and expanded our horizons. We had become part of a select group capable of venturing where most Americans will never set foot.
.jpg)
In the end, it wasn't just about conquering Moab's backcountry; it was about conquering ourselves, pushing our limits, and finding our place within the tapestry of off-road enthusiasts. CAM Mobility opened a door to a world of unparalleled adventure, and I started thinking about finding an old Land Rover and spending my free time exploring.
If you would like to learn more about CAM Mobility and its off-road training programs visit cammobility.com
_websize.jpg)
