From back in the day when there was no equipment, so people had to develop skills instead of buying their way over obstacles. I know, that sounds rich coming from a guy who's first Jeep came with a 4:1 transfer case and lockers...but I learned to offroad in a Ford 1-ton with bald tires.
I used to work with an old mud hand who started working in the oilpatch when the standard for mud hand's transportation was a 2WD station wagon and a set of tire chains.