Jeep Academy

[chorky]

Anyone ever done one of these?

https://jeepadventureacademy.com/trip/rubicon-trail-friday/

I really dont want to do the Rubicon solo - but it is a bucket list item. And I can't, nor do I want to, pay the $3,000+ cost for jeep jamboree

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[Coldtoes]

I was seriously considering it, but wanted a bit more learning first, so I did the Hollister, CA one last January. It was the first JA of the year and we got poured on. 80% of the trails were so slick we couldn't go on them, a simple downhill we had to do took almost 2 hours to get everyone through because it was so slick. Basically I was really looking forward to it, but I was not happy with the results. There was no discount offered on the next one or anything beyond "we did what the weather would allow". I understand they can't control the weather but nonetheless I left disappointed. On the plus side all the people there were very nice and helpful. I learned some new things (like how to effectively use the off road cruise control), and tested my slippery-as-snot driving skills.

Overall though it seriously reduced my drive to do the JA for the Rubicon. But at the same time, like you, I won't do it alone and need a group I could trust... so there is still a need. The Jamboree seems like WAY too big of an event and seems like we'd spend most the day waiting in line to get over an obstacle or waiting after for everyone else to do the same... but the friendship of a ton of Jeepers together would be fun. That price though kills it for me.

One thing to ask them about is do they do the whole Rubicon trail, because I'm pretty sure they don't (how could they in one day and with a large group?). It's a bucket list trip for me as well, but I wouldn't be satisfied with just a taste of the Rubicon.

 

[chorky]

I was seriously considering it, but wanted a bit more learning first, so I did the Hollister, CA one last January. It was the first JA of the year and we got poured on. 80% of the trails were so slick we couldn't go on them, a simple downhill we had to do took almost 2 hours to get everyone through because it was so slick. Basically I was really looking forward to it, but I was not happy with the results. There was no discount offered on the next one or anything beyond "we did what the weather would allow". I understand they can't control the weather but nonetheless I left disappointed. On the plus side all the people there were very nice and helpful. I learned some new things (like how to effectively use the off road cruise control), and tested my slippery-as-snot driving skills.

Overall though it seriously reduced my drive to do the JA for the Rubicon. But at the same time, like you, I won't do it alone and need a group I could trust... so there is still a need. The Jamboree seems like WAY too big of an event and seems like we'd spend most the day waiting in line to get over an obstacle or waiting after for everyone else to do the same... but the friendship of a ton of Jeepers together would be fun. That price though kills it for me.

One thing to ask them about is do they do the whole Rubicon trail, because I'm pretty sure they don't (how could they in one day and with a large group?). It's a bucket list trip for me as well, but I wouldn't be satisfied with just a taste of the Rubicon.

Yeah good points. jeep jamboree is...well it's just not for me I'll leave it at that. But I was wondering about the official JA too. It seems to be focusing on teaching people to drive off road more than it does adventuring the trail they selected - which a person can always learn something new but thats not my particular focus. Also, on the registration form it has you pick Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Maybe reaching out and asking them is in order. It is cool they put these events on I think, but if it's just a day of a small portion of a trail, that would be disappointing.

 

[bryanklay]

I did the JA academy for the Rubicon trail this year expecting to do the whole trail and yes I was a little disappointed that we only do about 2 to 3 miles and then turn around and go back the same way you went in. however, it did allow me to receive a better understanding of my vehicle and made me more confident in my offroad skills. it is a good chance to see some of what the trail is about with a standard jeep that is not heavily modified. if you are modified with 37 inch tires, skid plates and 2 inch lift, you will find out what you might want to change to complete the trail with little damage. the one nice thing about doing the JA academy is that if you want to do any of the events for the next year, you have priority and you can sign up for any event the week before the official opening to the general jeep community. this is what I did on Monday. because of the priority signup, i am going to do the Rubicon trail in July 24.

 

[chorky]

. it is a good chance to see some of what the trail is about with a standard jeep that is not heavily modified. if you are modified with 37 inch tires, skid plates and 2 inch lift, you will find out what you might want to change to complete the trail with little damage. the one nice thing about doing the JA academy is that if you want to do any of the events for the next year, you have priority and you can sign up for any event the week before the official opening to the general jeep community. this is what I did on Monday. because of the priority signup, i am going to do the Rubicon

Thats kinda what I thought. It would be a 2 drive for me just to get there, and 2 days back home. Thats a long way for just a couple miles. Bummer - I was hoping for more. It is a cool thing they are doing though - maybe it will gain traction and become bigger in future years.

 

[Sweetums]

I'd rather do it with a few trusted friends in well equipped trucks than a bunch of strangers.

It seems like every trail run I do there's at least one idiot/@$$hole who breaks his rig doing something dumb, causes an injury, or damages another vehicle.

 

[chorky]

I'd rather do it with a few trusted friends in qell equipped trucks than a bunch of strangers.

It seems like every trail run I do there's at least one idiot/@$$hole who breaks his rig doing something dumb, causes an injury, or damages another vehicle.

Agreed. Not many people in my area into that kinda thing though. That or they can't get enough time off of work.

 

[bryanklay]

the whole idea behind the jeep adventure academy is to give those people who have never gone offroad or even placed their jeep in four high or low the chance to see what their stock or slightly modified jeep can do. one thing that i did learn doing this event this year was the number of people that have never been off road in their life and they have owned jeeps their whole life. my first experience with going offroad was with a 1972 international scout 2 while i was stationed in anchorage alaska back in 1984 to 1986.

 

[RangerG]

Anyone ever done one of these?

https://jeepadventureacademy.com/trip/rubicon-trail-friday/

I really dont want to do the Rubicon solo - but it is a bucket list item. And I can't, nor do I want to, pay the $3,000+ cost for jeep jamboree

I did it this year with my wife. You don’t do the whole Rubicon Trail. You do a portion, plus some stuff on there land(Jeep Jamboree) we still enjoyed ourselves. No damage to my Gladiator ?.

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