Annual Christmas Cutting - Page 2

EricG · 12-07-08, 06:17 PM

Just got back myself - daughter was feeling better this afternoon. I saw some of you guys around the top end of 323.

Man Jerk · 12-07-08, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by black95

Trip report for Sunday: It was Mark, Ken, Scott, and myself for the first part of the day, with Chuck joining in at around noon. As soon as we arrived, There was a report of a two wheel drive small truck left over night somewhere around FS road 323. we went to check it out first thing, but the owner had not made it up from Colorado Springs yet. We went to check out some signs on FS roads 300U and 300V. During that time, the Forest Service helped us find and meet up with the owner of the truck and we pulled the vehicle up the trail. The rest of the day had us scouting down FS roads 327 and 351. There was much traffic on 351. After that the day was coming to an end, and we decided to turn in our radios to Rick with the Forest Service. While saying goodbye, a couple was brought up to the group--They had lost their vehicle and had been hiking through the woods for quite some time, the man was in a tee shirt and (from what the forest service said) possibly showing signs of mild hypothermia. We talked about how to help them, and lucky for them, the family who picked them up had marked their GPS position. I drove them until we found their Ford Expedition--within 15 minutes of where they were found. I dropped them off and another call came in about two women who were 2 miles out of the cutting area, and stuck in a Toyota car. They were down FS road 315 and had to walk for over an hour to get help. The trail they were down was VERY steep and completely snow covered. With Chip from the Forest Service driving, the vehicle was pulled almost the whole way up the trail to safety, and they decided to let it slide that the women had a tree from out of the cutting area, lol. good fun had by all, can't wait for next weekend!!! Luke.

Wow. That's crazy. I hear some hubub about an injured guy but didn't get the whole story.

88chevota · 12-07-08, 10:49 PM

I was up there but pulled in at 322. Just missed everyone. Got myself a killer tree though!!! 11 feet tall!

EricG · 12-08-08, 07:38 AM

Things were pretty busy yesterday - my kids counted 181 trees on cars between I25 and the start of the tree cutting area!

ssmathis · 12-08-08, 03:35 PM

Luke, sounds like you were busy after we left.

Scott

black95 · 12-08-08, 04:39 PM

A little busy, I was really surprised how fast we found that guys expedition. The guy was still kinda out of it, his wife remembered the road they were on, and we just started taking trails. I thought we were gonna be all night. Pulling the car out was fun, I had to pull them around a switchback, so the strap was straight across the curve and the car couldn't hold straight-- I just poured the coals to the 4runner and plowed them around it. The snow bank kept them on the trail. lol.

LCPilot · 12-10-08, 11:10 AM

That is the best part of participating in the Christmas Tree cutting weekends. Helping people get out of problems, whether it is getting them to the road, pulling out a stuck vehicle, and even the task of finding a vehicle that is lost. If you guys weren't out there it sounds like there was a very real chance that the one guy could have died from hypothermia. Way to go CLC. Once again you have put a great face on our club to the Forest Service and to the general public. The fact that you had fun doing it was even better. Keep up the good work as we have one more weekend to help out our fellow citizens.

As for me, I am in Seville Spain until just before Christmas. I wish I was back there to go out into the snow with you.

David Molter

EricG · 12-13-08, 06:37 PM

How'd it go today guys?
Could be interesting tomorrow - see you there!

PPFJ60 · 12-13-08, 07:34 PM

Well I waited at the Western station until 8:40am but I was the only one there. I did find Justin on 300 and we ran trails until about 1:30 when we hooked up with Luke and Justin (white 4 Runner). Justin headed for home. Justin (White 4 runner), Luke and I ran trails until 4:30 but no one had any problems. We though about confiscating a jeep that was cutting a tree outside the cutting area but then who wants a jeep.

black95 · 12-14-08, 12:26 AM

I'm up pretty late, A friend and I had a bonfire on rampart well into the evening. Somewhere around 11:00 PM the snow was really coming down hard. we were just past 322, drove in with no snow and drove out with about an inch on the road. Should be interesting on Sunday. Come and join the fun!!! Luke.

minisrule · 12-14-08, 12:42 AM

well, it like I am not going to make in the tomorrow

The Toyota has developed a severe miss that I haven't figured out. You guys have fun.

EricG · 12-14-08, 08:08 PM

Not to much excitement for the north group (Scott, Luke & I) today - some snow to make it interesting, but very few christmas tree cutters. I did pull out one dodge pickup - a note to push-button 4WD owners - check to see if it's working at the *top* of the hill

Near closing time I made one last check down 325 and found a Honda CR-V down at the intersection with 325B, so I hung around a few minutes to make sure they made it up ok.

Had a little more excitement on the way home. There was a subaru wagon stopped with the hood up in the turn lanes from 24 to I25N. I pulled in front of it to see what was up. The young woman said it just died and wouldn't turn over - battery only a few weeks old. So I'm guessing something in the charging system packed it in. Another guy stopped who said he was a subaru mechanic, but he didn't turn up anything in a quick look. Then a cop showed up and suggested we push it across the intersection. I went one better and got out the strap and pulled her across to the median area.

And one last note - the air compressor at the Western at Woodland Park doesn't work. It runs but doesn't make any pressure, so don't waste your quarters.