2012 Christmas tree cutting patrol

[CO_Hunter]

I spoke with Rick (from the Forest Service) and he said this year they will be short staffed compared to past years. Obviously, how much help they will actually need will depend on the amount of snow.

This year we will be asking one person on each day to be a coordinator so that if last minute information becomes available it can be communicated to those volunteering. This change is in response to last year when one person did not get the message that we were not patrolling the last day.

Please post up your intentions and if you are willing to be a daily coordinator.

Here are the weekends/dates we have been asked to cover:

December 1:

Chuck
Travis
Sam
Luke
Darryl (1/2 day)

December 2:

Eric - coordinator
Luke
Brad/Kyle
David H.
David M.

December 8:

David M. - coordinator
Chuck
Travis
Corrigan
Sam
Paul
Leon
Eric - part day?

December 9:

Luke - coordinator
David H.
Brad
Ryan
Doug
Chuck
Paul - maybe

There is a chance the tree cutting may be extended to the weekend of the 15th but won't know for sure for a little while. I'll post up if this changes.

We want this to be fun but remember first and foremost this is a volunteer event and we are helping the Forest Service. So if it snows and it is not your day you can still come out but please keep to your original commitment as well.

Check back here for updates as I will update this first post

 

[Fitzgerald]

I don't know how much help I'd be up there, not knowing the way around myself.

But, I do think I'd be a fun experience and would be happy to be someones co-pilot if there's an open seat.

Thanks.

 

[black95]

I'm really excited for the snow season. I hope to have the HeePee out of the garage by then, but I doubt it. My daughter has always been me co-pilot, but she's getting to the age where her dad is sooooo lame, so I might have an extra seat. Only time will tell.

 

[CO_Hunter]

You don't necessarily need to know the way around yourself as we will have people in a minimum of two vehicles per group.

 

[PPFJ60]

Christmas tree cutting patrol is a lot of fun. We are volunteers and while we do need to be aware of safety with traffic and conditions it is not a regimented operation. You will not be dumped out there by yourself. You will be with a small group of which someone most likely will have done this before. We drive around until we are bored and then try to get ourselves stuck....well that's what I do anyway.

 

[PPFJ60]

put me down for the Dec 1st and Dec 8th and lets hope we get snow.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Cool. Put me down for the 1st and 8th as well please.

I should have a mild lift, sliders and some bigger tires by then. Should be a fun way to test it all out.

 

[EricG]

I can do either day the first weekend - maybe both if there's snow! You can put me down as a volunteer coordinator for either day. I will be up on Sunday of the second weekend - but will have a car full of kids and looking for our own tree so probably not on for the early start or full day.

 

[PPFJ60]

Tips on being prepared-

1) tire chains are very helpful when pulling someone out of the ditch when the road is icy.
2) straps, D rings and any other recovery gear you may have.
3) shovel for digging Chuck out when he gets stuck in the deepest snow he can find. Maybe someone else could use it as well.
4) extra clothes to change into when you get wet from shoveling Chuck out of the snow.
5) food and water for yourself and a little extra for the lost person you pick up who is cold and hungry.
6) flash light. Should not need this for digging Chuck out of the deepest snow I can find because I should have my rock lights wired up by then.

I'm sure everyone can add something to the list.

 

[EricG]

Tips on being prepared-

1) tire chains are very helpful when pulling someone out of the ditch when the road is icy.
2) straps, D rings and any other recovery gear you may have.
3) shovel for digging Chuck out when he gets stuck in the deepest snow he can find. Maybe someone else could use it as well.
4) extra clothes to change into when you get wet from shoveling Chuck out of the snow.
5) food and water for yourself and a little extra for the lost person you pick up who is cold and hungry.
6) flash light. Should not need this for digging Chuck out of the deepest snow I can find because I should have my rock lights wired up by then.

I'm sure everyone can add something to the list.

Whenever I'm out in the winter, I like to have sleeping bags along in case you end up out there longer then you expect ... like the family in that pickup truck that we dug/jacked/winched/strapped out a few years ago. after they broke through the ice in the swamp the night before.

 

[black95]

Might need an extra winch cable in case luke decides to hang his 4runner off the trail trying to get a closer look at the trees And don't forget the kiddos!

 

[Fitzgerald]

How long do you guys usually stay out there?

Dusk til dawn?

 

[Man Jerk]

Meet up at 7:30-8 oclock (I think) off the trail by 5ish. If I remember right, it's been a few years.

 

[black95]

Quittin' time is usually 4 o'clock. The beauty of it is, you can pretty much leave whenever you like, we'll re-arrange to accommodate. Sometimes we even end up in one large group if nothing much is going on. I think we meet at 8, leave at 8:30? I always forget.

Travis, hopefully we can get your radio figured out. Maybe at the Western station in the morning before the run.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Sounds like a plan! Looking forward to it.

 

[Rev1911]

I'm in for 12/8.

Need to get chains, though. Any recommendations? I've read good things about GRIP 4x4, but they're not cheap.

 

[Fitzgerald]

I'm in for 12/8.

Need to get chains, though. Any recommendations? I've read good things about GRIP 4x4, but they're not cheap.

What size tire are you running? From your pics on the "Weekend Trip" thread, they look pretty big (looks like it was a great day for wheelin' too).

The only reason I mention it is because the Grip 4X4's only fit up to 33's, so you might look elsewhere. I've also heard good things about Laclede chains. http://www.lacledechain.com/

Good Luck.

 

[Rev1911]

I have 345/75/16 KM2s. The closest I found to that size on GRIP's site are these:
http://tirechaindealer.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?tiresize=37x12.5-15

Sized for a 37x12.5-15, but I figure my 345s are just shy of 37" and my wheels are 16", so maybe those GRIP chains would fit?

Wasn't able to get the Laclede site to function properly, but I'll check later. I'll start a new thread, too.

Looking forward to 12/8!

 

[black95]

I bought one set of my 37" tire chains from quality chain. They were about $250 when it was all said and done with shipping.

My other set are cut up 18 wheeler chains. Much cheaper option, and you get cam locks with them. Lots of guys went to MHC Kentworth a couple years ago and bought them, I think they were running around $45 a set. I think they have two sizes, the largest being for about a 34-36" tire. I would buy three sets, using the third set to make the other two longer, and you'll still get out cheaper than buying them anywhere else.

I'm trying to sell my 4runner, IF it ever sells, I will be selling my set of chains. so if you get through this year without buying any, I'll keep you in mind. They're a real nice set of V-bars with cam locks, and they're already sized for 37" KM2's

Historically, in the last three years, no one has really needed tire chains. The snow just hasn't been there, and, if you get stuck... we'll use you for practice!

 

[Rev1911]

I'm trying to sell my 4runner, IF it ever sells, I will be selling my set of chains. so if you get through this year without buying any, I'll keep you in mind. They're a real nice set of V-bars with cam locks, and they're already sized for 37" KM2's

Historically, in the last three years, no one has really needed tire chains. The snow just hasn't been there, and, if you get stuck... we'll use you for practice!

Sounds good!