Stuck!

3Dogs
Feb 12, 2024

Rank VI

Feb 12, 2024

What happens when you touch your tongue to an ice-cold pole:

Also, what happened to me today. I had to go up to Williams to fix our heat, and once I was done, I decided to try some of the snow-packed roads. I took Pittman Valley road until the pavement ended. That had well-packed snow on it, and was no problem. Around three miles after that, the road sort of ended, or at least the packed snow did. I continued driving in the tracks left by a few vehicles, but after maybe 300’, I ended up sliding sideways off the road and getting high-centered. I figured I’d better call my wife, in case I was trapped, but there was no cell service.
I used my shovel to clear away some of the snow, but I couldn’t get any traction. So, I unspooled the winch line, and wrapped it around a tree, and using the winch and the crawler gear, I was able to pull myself more-or-less back onto the center of the road. I pull the winch line back, and was able to back out. I had to stop a few times and pull forward to get enough speed to keep going in reverse, but I was able to get my self back to the packed snow.
So, two big mistakes:
1) Going alone.
2) No cell service.

I was too busy trying to get myself free to take photos. My wife said that was the smartest thing I said about the whole mess.
rws, Laura

Rank III

Feb 12, 2024

#1
Glad you were able to get out!
BuckYeah, Unicorn

Gladesmen

Feb 12, 2024

#2
Deep snow is no joke, once you loose traction and momentum you are hosed. Glad you were able to use your tools to get yourself free and safely home.
Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery
BuckYeah, Chief Ron

No Ragerts

Feb 12, 2024

#3
Good job keeping your wits about you @3Dogs - after the initial 💩 it’s best to always have a plan.

This could have been a very different situation without a winch or other self recovery gear. Were you even dressed and prepared to spend some time outside in the elements including boots for the snow?
- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)
BuckYeah, Deano Bronc

Rank VI

Feb 12, 2024

#4
Good job keeping your wits about you @3Dogs - after the initial 💩 it’s best to always have a plan.

This could have been a very different situation without a winch or other self recovery gear. Were you even dressed and prepared to spend some time outside in the elements including boots for the snow?

Yeah, I had snow pants and a warm jacket. And plenty of water. If I couldn’t get my self free, I was going to walk back until I had cell service and call for help.
Jakob1972, BuckYeah

BRNCOOL

Feb 12, 2024

#5
In addition to a winch and a box full of recovery gear, I carry a Garmin In-Reach mapper and satellite communicator in the Bronco just in case the temptation to do something stupid by myself overwhelms me. Sadly, not that rare an event. IMG_5123.jpeg😜
rws, Jakob1972

Knows the cheat code.

Feb 12, 2024

#6
You had a winch. No harm, no foul.

Getting stuck happens.
I am not a leader. I just go first.
PSUTE, BuckYeah

Intentionally Unemployed

Feb 12, 2024

#7
What happens when you touch your tongue to an ice-cold pole:
Also, what happened to me today. I had to go up to Williams to fix our heat, and once I was done, I decided to try some of the snow-packed roads. I took Pittman Valley road until the pavement ended. That had well-packed snow on it, and was no problem. Around three miles after that, the road sort of ended, or at least the packed snow did. I continued driving in the tracks left by a few vehicles, but after maybe 300’, I ended up sliding sideways off the road and getting high-centered. I figured I’d better call my wife, in case I was trapped, but there was no cell service.
I used my shovel to clear away some of the snow, but I couldn’t get any traction. So, I unspooled the winch line, and wrapped it around a tree, and using the winch and the crawler gear, I was able to pull myself more-or-less back onto the center of the road. I pull the winch line back, and was able to back out. I had to stop a few times and pull forward to get enough speed to keep going in reverse, but I was able to get my self back to the packed snow.
So, two big mistakes:
1) Going alone.
2) No cell service.

I was too busy trying to get myself free to take photos. My wife said that was the smartest thing I said about the whole mess.
Glad you got out safely…. It is so difficult to judge in snow what’s passable…
Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23
PSUTE, BuckYeah

Genius on the cusp of Insanity

Feb 12, 2024

#8
Taking risks is, for me, part of the Bronco Aventure Experience. Or, "Bronco MIS-Adventure Experience." It's a balancing act: how far am I willing to go to prove to nobody except the trees and myself that I can handle this? I've had a few experiences where, either intuition or careful calculation, I figured, "Naw, I'm not doing that, or going there." And I've had a few where "the kindness of strangers" was necessary. Notably, that included a husband-wife team in an Explorer who pulled me out of the muck as I tried to reach the Wilson Hot Springs about a mile off the Pony Express Historic Byway in Utah.
rws, Jakob1972

Rank VI

Feb 12, 2024

#9
Deep snow is no joke, once you loose traction and momentum you are hosed. Glad you were able to use your tools to get yourself free and safely home.

I wanted to see how well the Bronco would do in 2’ of snow, but it was clearly a boneheaded move to do it alone.
Jakob1972, Gyoja

Rank IV

Feb 12, 2024

#10
A man askes another how he became so successful?
He said, good judgment.
So how do you learn "good judgment?
He said, poor judgment.

Glade you made out safely and no real issues.
the poacher, Bschurr

Genius on the cusp of Insanity

Feb 12, 2024

#11
A man askes another how he became so successful?
He said, good judgment.
So how do you learn "good judgment?
He said, poor judgment.

Glade you made out safely and no real issues.

I don't think Matt's OffRoad Recovery comes to New England!

"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you were expecting."
the poacher, Jakob1972

Rank V

Feb 12, 2024

#12
You have a winch, place to pull out. Do you carry sand/cat litter, etc for added traction? If not may want to add some. Also in the winter it's good to have a heater in the truck, just in case. I've had a couple times to pull out the winch, and I only carry a hand one.
3Dogs

Rank VI

Feb 13, 2024

#13
You have a winch, place to pull out. Do you carry sand/cat litter, etc for added traction? If not may want to add some. Also in the winter it's good to have a heater in the truck, just in case. I've had a couple times to pull out the winch, and I only carry a hand one.

I have two roll-up “ladder boards.” I had used them earlier in the day to help a poor couple who were driving a rental van and got stuck trying to turn around, and once unstuck drove down the block and got stuck trying to turn around on the next street (!!). And, this was on plowed streets in front of our house...

These things work really well -
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WHCB8QS/
the poacher, PSUTE

Rank V

Feb 13, 2024

#14
I have two roll-up “ladder boards.” I had used them earlier in the day to help a poor couple who were driving a rental van and got stuck trying to turn around, and once unstuck drove down the block and got stuck trying to turn around on the next street (!!). And, this was on plowed streets in front of our house...

These things work really well
Not sure where you live but from a MI person 2 inches is a dusting. I understand if you are from AZ or other southern states 2 inches might be a bit to deal with. Glad you got out OK. Go explore enjoy the time you have, alone or not.

Rank VI

Feb 13, 2024

#15
Not sure where you live but from a MI person 2 inches is a dusting. I understand if you are from AZ or other southern states 2 inches might be a bit to deal with. Glad you got out OK. Go explore enjoy the time you have, alone or not.

Umm... 2’, not 2"

https://azdailysun.com/news/local/f...cle_5acd8b68-c76d-11ee-904c-23ca8f55f3d7.html

KCsBronco

Feb 13, 2024

#16
Sliding off the trail happens alot here in Colorado too. Doesn't have to be deep snow either. Heck, even 6inches of snow that's been re-positioned by the wind makes the snow's surface look flat, and all the rocks, holes, logs, stumps and bar ditches disappear.

Traction boards and shovels can be very helpful - Am sure your trusty winch is now your best friend too!!

Thank you for sharing!

Cheers
Unicorn, 3Dogs

Rank IV

Feb 13, 2024

#17
Very happy that it worked out for you. Living in Arizona is great with all the seasons you can experience, but I’m really happy to stay in the desert, with dust, rocks, and occasional water crossings. I avoid snow and mud if at all possible. Stay safe.
Lots O Fords, Jakob1972

Rank V

Feb 13, 2024

#18

Didn't see the 2' post. Thanks for posting the article. Flagstaff is a nice place to live. I have family in Payson, another great place for the off road adventure.

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