Curiously, I have noticed that many of the 4wd vehicles I have seen
around the southern California desert Off Road areas of the desert this
winter are automatic transmission rigs.  Is this because automatics have
become sophisticated enough to surpass the performance of a manual
transmission during off road and low traction operation?  Is it because
people now don't know about manual transmissions, much?
   In my experience, it's always been advantageous to be able to slip the
clutch in very low traction operation or over especially rough sections of
terrain.  I've found it quite frustrating and sometimes downright dangerous
to have gears changing, un-asked,  at unanticipated times during cornering
at traction limits.  Being able to tow a disabled vehicle is handy and
bump-starting is also easier with a manual transmission vehicle.  Being
able to 'clutch-in' when the wheels let loose going down a slick slope is
handy, too as is 'rocking' a rig out of a stuck situation with the
clutch...  Have they improved automatics enough to make all this 'old
school' and I just 'missed it'?   Or are all these fancy rigs running
around in the California desert areas just 'poseur's', pretending to be
backcountry drivers when actually sticking to the pavement and interstates
for the most part?
   Really, most of the jeeps, pickups and SUVs I see, ones with giant
tires, extra gas cans, Handy  Man Jacks and shovels and light bars....these
are automatic tranny rigs.  Am I living in the past, thinking that a manual
transmission still does a better job of off road and low traction driving?

  I'm not 'dissin' anyone's choice of transmissions or vehicles...I am
curious...what say you who are familiar with this, on a Friday.?
  Don Hanson