Hmm, wonder if this will fan the flames of the locker school vs no locker (and I can go anywhere you can go) school?
Sounded more like a visibility issue than a traction issue.
an 80 Rescue Story - led by one of your Moderators (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Romer
- Start date
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Sounded more like a visibility issue than a traction issue.
Jacket
Moderator
This was truly an amazing story to watch unfold. Saying it went "viral" is probably a bit too generous, but there was active discussion and cross-posting on several backcountry and adventure forums unrelated to Cruisers, and an open dialogue was maintained with the National Forest Service during the time the truck was stuck. Different groups were monitoring the activities and pushing to get the truck off the mountain before something bad happened. It was very cool to see the Rising Sun forum link showing up on sites like 14ers.com.
Fortunately for the owners of the truck (but mildly disappointing for the folks watching from the sidelines), it required nothing more than a new battery to start up and run. Amazing....
Fortunately for the owners of the truck (but mildly disappointing for the folks watching from the sidelines), it required nothing more than a new battery to start up and run. Amazing....
Ige,
Thanks!
Hmm, wonder if this will fan the flames of the locker school vs no locker (and I can go anywhere you can go) school
"Oh, he could've just drove out if he'd been able to lock it."
Makes one think, but I'd bet on that day in that place with that weather and snow conditions it wouldn't have made a difference.
But I still think lockers, someday, are going to be worth the investment
- once a lot of other things are paid for
i think the only reason he drove right out now was the ground was bone dry so no slipping on wet tundra, which would in turn lead to the loose ground shifting out from under. when wet, lockers might've helped out, but there most likely would have been a lot of resource damage to the ground.
That's a good insight. You gotta know when to quit digging once you find yourself in a hole. I think the way everyone handled this was competent and conscious of safety, the environment, and the needs of the vehicle owner.
It's just the reality of back country travel that even thoughtful experienced drivers can find themselves in trouble. Keep a cool head and a lot of times things come out OK. A good lesson there in itself.
A Gold Star for y'all in my book.
Why would the folks watching from the sidelines be disappointed?
Years ago, we (wife and I) were on vacation in the Seattle area. We wanted to see Mt. St.Helens but by the time we got over there, there was a serious snow storm. We didn't really see anything except the trees down on the side of the road. The park people came up the mountain and led everyone still dumb enough to still be up there out behind their vehicle. We were all bulldozing snow with our bumpers on the way down. They told us that if we had stayed much longer we would have had to walk out and that our rental vehicle would have spent the winter up there as they weren't going to bull doze the road again until Spring. I always wondered what would happen to a vehicle if it were to be left in the high country all winter.
At least we know what would happen to a LandCruiser! Great story Ken. Thanks!
You'd think the vehicle could have been blown off the mountain by an avalanche but I guess it wouldn't be much of an avalanche when you are at the top of the mountain. I also wonder what the weight of the snow was that sat atop this Cruiser all winter long.
At least we know what would happen to a LandCruiser! Great story Ken. Thanks!
You'd think the vehicle could have been blown off the mountain by an avalanche but I guess it wouldn't be much of an avalanche when you are at the top of the mountain. I also wonder what the weight of the snow was that sat atop this Cruiser all winter long.
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Very cool story and great ending. Also showes the great community spirit to come together and rescue his 80.
Wow Ken what an awesome story!
Along with all the other comments that came to mind, I'm also thinking about this from the first post: "he parked it and hiked to a point a friend could come get him."
Any idea about how far away from his truck his friend was, also what were the conditions at that time, were friends waiting for him or was he just hoping someone would see him in more traveled areas, did he wait a while in the truck to try to get out on his own or did he basically book it as soon as he got so stuck?
I'd just like to learn the details about his trip to his friend starting with what communication method worked up there (cell, CB, HAM), what were the conditions, what did he do to properly prepare for the hike, what did he take from the rig, etc.
To me the hike as much as anything else explains the terrific outcome to this extremely dangerous experience. Again an awesome story all around and that was truly awesome for you folks to help this person.
Along with all the other comments that came to mind, I'm also thinking about this from the first post: "he parked it and hiked to a point a friend could come get him."
Any idea about how far away from his truck his friend was, also what were the conditions at that time, were friends waiting for him or was he just hoping someone would see him in more traveled areas, did he wait a while in the truck to try to get out on his own or did he basically book it as soon as he got so stuck?
I'd just like to learn the details about his trip to his friend starting with what communication method worked up there (cell, CB, HAM), what were the conditions, what did he do to properly prepare for the hike, what did he take from the rig, etc.
To me the hike as much as anything else explains the terrific outcome to this extremely dangerous experience. Again an awesome story all around and that was truly awesome for you folks to help this person.
There's a long thread on the Rising Sun Forum for anybody who wants the longer story and pics of how packed with snow it was. The avatar of the owner tells much of the story 
If you ever leave your 80 at 12K feet, don't crack the windows
If you ever leave your 80 at 12K feet, don't crack the windows
There's a long thread on the Rising Sun Forum for anybody who wants the longer story and pics of how packed with snow it was. The avatar of the owner tells much of the story
If you ever leave your 80 at 12K feet, don't crack the windows
Happy reading 28 pages worth Abandoned/stuck 80 on Webster Pass - Rising Sun Member Forums
Jacket
Moderator
Because throwing in a new battery and having it turn right over is mildly anti-climatic given all the build up we've had over the last 8 months. Not surprising - just not as exciting as getting to troubleshoot other issues.
Well, it was definitely better than the Giraldo thing over supposedly opening one of Capone's vault's or whatever was.
I peek in on Colorado forums from time to time to check on trails conditions, changes, etc. Just totally missed this story. Personally, a story that ends like this is better than one where bad things happen. The older I get, the more I treasure less drama, rather than more, in life.
Post #36 is the one that answers most of my questions. Wow an absolutely incredible story all around ... I'd say the odds of survival all things considered could have been as low as 50/50 there. I'm glad it all worked out well.
