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TJC
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This is why you always go with a buddy whose rig has the ability to pull you out. Been there done that too many times to count deep in the Colorado Mountains. It gets real dark and real cold real quick in those high altitude valleys. The days are short and the sun sets behind those peaks a lot sooner than you expect!
But it IS fun! Esp with my old 1971 FJ40 manual everything.
But it IS fun! Esp with my old 1971 FJ40 manual everything.
9zero1790
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hey josh are you a tower builder or communications guy? im asking due to the shirt. welcome to r5g!I broke through the ice and get very stuck. I was able to use some sticks and brush to get enough traction to back out of the 3' deep hole.
IdahoRanger
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Welcome Josh. Nice job getting yourself out of that situation.
RedDakooter05
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Oh, what's this, a Tremor packaged ranger actually being used offroad?
Stevedbvik1
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Canadian Ranger
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We all go though it.....experience for future Spring outings. You now when to stop and turn around 
.
.
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DeerSlayer
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Thank god! Your not another pavement princess! Good job!
Josh275
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I did have another truck following, and we were able to find a route around the ice to get up the road to our destination. Next time I will remember to actually have some recovery equipment in the truck.We all go though it.....experience for future Spring outings. You now when to stop and turn around
TJC
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You may have a point.
Here's my personal back story to my statement.
Back when I was active (4 wheeling) in the 70's, cell phones did not exist, and you were largely on your own. The population was much lower and there was not a lot of traffic in the backwoods of the Rockies.
I remember going over a snow covered steep ridge down into a valley and cutting wood (6'-7' lengths) all day in early January. I had hiked over a ridge from the truck with a turtle back chainsaw (they were big and heavy back then) looking for enough dry wood to the fill the truck bed for the wood stove. Cutting a tree up with any moisture (even if it had fallen) was a big No No, and the state troopers and forest rangers carried testing equipment to measure moisture content in the wood. The fines were hefty and included confiscation of all personal property involved in the crime. That meant my truck and chainsaw plus a big $$ penalty.
When I returned to the truck from my last loading run I found bear prints in the snow circling the truck. But no bear.
Around 3pm when I started the truck to head home, the sun was just dipping below the mountain ridge and the temperature was dropping rapidly. As I started to head back up the ridge things went smoothly until one small incline where the road curved around the ridge and sloped slightly to my right down the cliff. I felt the truck slip on the underlying ice, and I very nearly slid off the road. Each time I attempted to move the truck I slipped closer to the edge. I had a shovel and pickaxe, and attempted to find solid ground below the snow and ice... to no avail.
I was saved by 2 fellows on 2 snowmobiles that just happened to be passing through. I had seen or heard no one all day. They were traveling from an area west of Denver down the front range to somewhere close to Manitou Springs. They told me it was snow pack all the way back, and they couldn't believe that I was where I was. They did mention that they had passed a very large 4x4 with a big winch a few miles back and they promptly back tracked to get help. I never saw them again. An hour later the 4x4 arrived and pulled me off the ledge and over the ridge. No more the 75', then unhitched me and I followed him over the crest and 10 miles to the pavement.
I could have froze to death that day. I had moderate frost bite on my toes of both feet. Took a long time to heal. Funny thing about frostbite, it doesn't hurt until your feet thaw, and the damaged area of your toes turn black.
So yes, I made several mistakes.
Just because you can go in one way doesn't mean you can go back the way you came. I knew this trail well and had been on it often. I felt confident going there.
Conditions change.
I went solo with no communications.
I was young and stupid.
But I learned from my mistakes.
I upgraded from a Chevy pickup 4x4 to the RJ40, and took at least one friend in another 4x4 when I thought things would be a little dicey. If heading out in the winter I carried a small pack with extra clothing, snacks, and water. Getting wet in extremely cold weather is a bad idea.
My comment was more about my experience than his. I meant no disrespect.
Here's my personal back story to my statement.
Back when I was active (4 wheeling) in the 70's, cell phones did not exist, and you were largely on your own. The population was much lower and there was not a lot of traffic in the backwoods of the Rockies.
I remember going over a snow covered steep ridge down into a valley and cutting wood (6'-7' lengths) all day in early January. I had hiked over a ridge from the truck with a turtle back chainsaw (they were big and heavy back then) looking for enough dry wood to the fill the truck bed for the wood stove. Cutting a tree up with any moisture (even if it had fallen) was a big No No, and the state troopers and forest rangers carried testing equipment to measure moisture content in the wood. The fines were hefty and included confiscation of all personal property involved in the crime. That meant my truck and chainsaw plus a big $$ penalty.
When I returned to the truck from my last loading run I found bear prints in the snow circling the truck. But no bear.
Around 3pm when I started the truck to head home, the sun was just dipping below the mountain ridge and the temperature was dropping rapidly. As I started to head back up the ridge things went smoothly until one small incline where the road curved around the ridge and sloped slightly to my right down the cliff. I felt the truck slip on the underlying ice, and I very nearly slid off the road. Each time I attempted to move the truck I slipped closer to the edge. I had a shovel and pickaxe, and attempted to find solid ground below the snow and ice... to no avail.
I was saved by 2 fellows on 2 snowmobiles that just happened to be passing through. I had seen or heard no one all day. They were traveling from an area west of Denver down the front range to somewhere close to Manitou Springs. They told me it was snow pack all the way back, and they couldn't believe that I was where I was. They did mention that they had passed a very large 4x4 with a big winch a few miles back and they promptly back tracked to get help. I never saw them again. An hour later the 4x4 arrived and pulled me off the ledge and over the ridge. No more the 75', then unhitched me and I followed him over the crest and 10 miles to the pavement.
I could have froze to death that day. I had moderate frost bite on my toes of both feet. Took a long time to heal. Funny thing about frostbite, it doesn't hurt until your feet thaw, and the damaged area of your toes turn black.
So yes, I made several mistakes.
Just because you can go in one way doesn't mean you can go back the way you came. I knew this trail well and had been on it often. I felt confident going there.
Conditions change.
I went solo with no communications.
I was young and stupid.
But I learned from my mistakes.
I upgraded from a Chevy pickup 4x4 to the RJ40, and took at least one friend in another 4x4 when I thought things would be a little dicey. If heading out in the winter I carried a small pack with extra clothing, snacks, and water. Getting wet in extremely cold weather is a bad idea.
My comment was more about my experience than his. I meant no disrespect.
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