Christmas Tree Cutting Patrol Day 3, Saturday, December 7th

[LCPilot]

Meet at the Divide Philips 66 at 7:45 am. Leave at 8:15 and go to the Rule Ridge parking lot at 8:30. That is where we air down and get a briefing on the latest conditions, areas to patrol, maps etc.

Remember to bring a GMRS radio (we use channel 5-0), recovery gear, winter clothes, tire chains, coffee and lunch.

We do a debrief at 3:00 pm back at Rule Ridge, air up and go home.

Please reply to this thread if you plan on going on this day.

Here is the link for Tree permits. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/psicc/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1215755
Attached is a PDF of the Tree cutting area and the FS roads that we patrol

 

[Goslow]

I plan to be there.

 

[LCPilot]

I'll be there.

 

[COS80]

I'm coming.

 

[Goslow]

COS80 spotted these moose on Rd 364 coming up from Trail Creek and we were able to watch them for a while before they headed into the valley. There was a cow, a bull, and a yearling.

 

[LCPilot]

Today was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 40's. The only recovery was a plow truck that got sucked into some deep snow beside the regular track. Goslow used 2 Soft shackles and a kinetic rope to pull the truck back a few feet to get it going again. On the last sweep of the day a truck was found frozen in a water crossing. We told the Forest Ranger the location and they will pass this information on to the next days group. The truck is axle deep in the water crossing on FR357 B nest to FR357 AA.

 

[Goslow]

The plow truck we rescued was the Forest Rangers flatbed Dooley plow truck. Here’s a still shot setting up for the pull.

 

[COS80]

A little slow on the start button, but here's the pull.

 

[COS80]

Other than the moose sighting and the pull, the other highlight of the day was happening upon a Toyota family having lunch at our usual spot. I've forgotten all their names already, but they had four really nice rigs - a 100, two 80s, and the sweet GX below. The GX is on a ~3" lift but the guy I was talking to about it was unsure of the specs. Regardless, I grabbed the pic for @TK470 but never thought to get a shot of our whole group.

When they finished their lunch, all four of them tackled the water crossing. Especially the first pass was exciting to watch, as he broke through the ice and plummeted to the bottom. Goslow will, hopefully, post some videos.

I hope we see these folks again!

 

[Jasonazx]

Other than the moose sighting and the pull, the other highlight of the day was happening upon a Toyota family having lunch at our usual spot. I've forgotten all their names already, but they had four really nice rigs - a 100, two 80s, and the sweet GX below. The GX is on a ~3" lift but the guy I was talking to about it was unsure of the specs. Regardless, I grabbed the pic for @TK470 but never thought to get a shot of our whole group.

When they finished their lunch, all four of them tackled the water crossing. Especially the first pass was exciting to watch, as he broke through the ice and plummeted to the bottom. Goslow will, hopefully, post some videos.

I hope we see these folks again!

View attachment 3788615

Hey guys, I was the white 80 in the group (Jason). Nice to meet you all and hope to see you on the trails again! We did find our trees and get them loaded up just as the sun was coming down.

 

[COS80]

Good hunting!

 

[Jasonazx]

Here’s some more pics!

 

[TK470]

Other than the moose sighting and the pull, the other highlight of the day was happening upon a Toyota family having lunch at our usual spot. I've forgotten all their names already, but they had four really nice rigs - a 100, two 80s, and the sweet GX below. The GX is on a ~3" lift but the guy I was talking to about it was unsure of the specs. Regardless, I grabbed the pic for @TK470 but never thought to get a shot of our whole group.

When they finished their lunch, all four of them tackled the water crossing. Especially the first pass was exciting to watch, as he broke through the ice and plummeted to the bottom. Goslow will, hopefully, post some videos.

I hope we see these folks again!

@COS80 that is a sweet GX! Thanks for grabbing the pic. I've got those exact rock sliders on order, and I'm hoping to install a similar lift in the near future. Vic sent me the video of the GX clearing the crossing and that was very impressive that all of them made it. Glad it was a productive day yesterday with the FS plow truck pull.

 

[COS80]

@Jasonazx please let the gentleman in the other 80 know that the main components for my HID conversion came from The Retrofit Source, and to PM me with any questions.