Review of Overland Training's Comprehensive Course

[1leglance]

I am now Overland Certified so you must obey me in all things expeditionary! Well there is about as much truth to that as when I was a new grad RN and folks thought I had all the answers. Overland Certified for me means more of a foundation or framework from which to build my future expedition adventures.

My background is one of a backpacker, 4wd based travel for less than 2 yrs, but I have completed over 30,000 miles off highway including a Continental Divide Expedition this last summer from Canada to Mexico camping and offroading over 5000miles. Many trips outside the USA to Central & South America, RN, Wilderness EMT Level training, Tread Lightly Trainer, Founder of Disabled Explorers.

However I want to evaluate this class for the novice off highway traveler or even an experienced 4wd driver who is new to the overlanding world. But at least you will know that my comments have a basis in experience.

Full disclosure moment, this class was donated to DE but they insist they want an honest eval. so here it is.

Click here to read the full story and see more pics

 

[cartercd]

"Click here" linky no worky, but clicking on the Disabled Explorers link takes you to the article. Nice writeup.

 

[1leglance]

thanks for the alert...
Fixed the link
Watch for a review of the Expedition Leadership class and some other cool gear we played with recently

 

[Volcano cruiser]

Very nice write up with pics, very informative. I was checking their site ought yesterday by coincidence. Nice to hear a review. Which course in their course catalog was the one that you took?
Regards,
John

 

[1leglance]

I took the Comprehensive Coarse as a "get it all done at once" thing...although I give them alot of credit in that in order to qualify for the Overland Certified title you also need your Amatuer Radio Lic at a tech level at least and Wilderness First Aid.
I am a RN & Wilderness First Responder EMT Level and had my tech lic to I got the pleasure of being Overland Certified as soon as I finished the class.

I also took the Expedition Leadership course which I will put up a review of soon and I am waiting to take the Expedition Guide course as soon as dates are set for that one.

This training impressed me enough that our non-profit might make it something we put all our primary people through as a standard of practice. It would be nice to know that everyone had the same level of training and we are all on the same page.

I know the courses are mainly taught in Colorado and Arizona but email them your interest in case they have others in your area or if you know you will be in either of those two places maybe they can setupa class.

 

[Volcano cruiser]

I took the Comprehensive Coarse as a "get it all done at once" thing...although I give them alot of credit in that in order to qualify for the Overland Certified title you also need your Amatuer Radio Lic at a tech level at least and Wilderness First Aid.
I am a RN & Wilderness First Responder EMT Level and had my tech lic to I got the pleasure of being Overland Certified as soon as I finished the class.

I also took the Expedition Leadership course which I will put up a review of soon and I am waiting to take the Expedition Guide course as soon as dates are set for that one.

This training impressed me enough that our non-profit might make it something we put all our primary people through as a standard of practice. It would be nice to know that everyone had the same level of training and we are all on the same page.

I know the courses are mainly taught in Colorado and Arizona but email them your interest in case they have others in your area or if you know you will be in either of those two places maybe they can setupa class.

I was thinking something similar as I already have my General license but would need to get certified in Wilderness First Aid as I have trained in this off and on over the years of camping and backpacking but no certifications that anywhere near current. I look forward to your review of the Expedition Leadership course and how that differs from the Expedition Guide course.
Regards,
John

 

[mot]

Thanks for the write up Lance.

I was aware that there was such a course, but having read your review I actually feel that it would be of great benefit!

Thanks again!

 

[1leglance]

It is funny I am planning my next trip (1 week in Cuba) and the process has been influcenced by the stuff I learned. Nothing earth shattering compared to what I did before the Continental Divide Expeditin but more of a flow or process that is making things easier.

I am looking forward to sending my wife to the Overland Womens course soon and I will ask her to write up a review for that.

Watch for a writeup of the Expedition Leadership course soon

 

[RAMZ]

That was a good write up!
I was imprest how you get around, ( hiking, rn, taking classes).
God bless you, and thanks for letting us know of these classes.
If they or you come around the frazier park ca. Area i would like too
get together and talk ...

Ramz

 

[1leglance]

hey I guess I'll just have to look for some trails or camping to do in that area soon.
Thanks for the invite RAMZ and same for you next time you get over to Arizona