Not really an "expedition" per say.........ENJOY

[Backwoods Rambler]

Well normally I wouldn't be posting a trip report like this for several reasons.

1. I was alone!
2. There was SNOW!!
3. It's Christmas day!!!

So...awhile back I made a joke to my friend with a winch about people who have winches probably wheel alone because they have no friends?...... well, I wish I had a winch and pull pal today.

Here goes:

On my way back from NE I decided to take a side road so I could test out my new digital camera. 12MP, 5X optical zoom and a 2GIG memory card. I was stoked. I knew the roads weren't great, but I figured I'd know before I got in over my head.

Here's how it all went down-

1. A few "decent" landscape photos:

2. A couple of cool shots of the XJ in fresh snow, nothing serious......Until I try to pull out......:

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

3. .....ohh, this isn't looking good! Ok, I'll just get my shovel out and dig out a bit, everything will be fine......

4. ....things go downhill VERY fast!!.....:

5. Oh S#!T, time to call a tow truck!:

6. Ahh the tow truck is here...all is well:

7. What's this? The tow truck driver appears to have backed into the ditch.......I hope he's not stuck!:

Oh yeah, he's stuck:

8. Whew, that was close........he got out, then got me out:

9. Ok, One hour later and I'm back on solid ground. And my passenger never expressed a bit of concern. Good thing the wife wasn't with me!:

10. All for this shot that turned out poorly:

Lesson learned: When snow drifts, there may appear to be solid ground below, when in fact, your on top of a ditch; which may not ba a problem until you stop, get out to take a picture, then get back in to leave, wherein some of the hardpack that you were coasting over before decides to give way and tries to ruin your afternoon.

Well it coulda been worse. I'm happy to be home, not so happy to be returning to work tomorrow.

Did I mention I don't like wheeling in the snow.........I won't be going on any snow bashing trips...have fun this winter guys.....bring a winch!!

 

[maximumrob]

Based on what you felt when you rocked the truck back and forth, do you think it would have moved forward if you had chains?

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Actually I think if I had tried to back up when leaving instead of trying to "plow" forward with no momentum I would have been fine.

But to answer your question: All other things being equal, no, if I had chains it would have just dug in deeper.

The job of chains is to dig down to traction. The big problem here is that all of the freeze/thaw cycle ice that had built up over the ditch just couldn't hold the weight and offered no traction so once I started slipping it wasn't going to get any better. There were a few times I thought I was home free, then it went right back into the ditch, deeper.

 

[Willman]

Right on!

How much did the tow truck get you for?

When playing in the snow.....it always good to have a few other rigs....or a winch.....Just my 2 cents!

Glad you had fun!.....That's what it is all about!

:REOutArchery02:

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Right on!

How much did the tow truck get you for?

$75. the Father-in-Law covered it this time

 

[FortyMileDesert]

Fresh powder is more forgiving:

 

[kcowyo]

Actually I think if I had tried to back up when leaving instead of trying to "plow" forward with no momentum I would have been fine...

That's the secret. You usually can go back the way you came from, when forward progress is halted. Of course having a buddy along to give a push or tug always helps.

I'm surprised you didn't hook up that big pup's leash to the bumper and have him pull some. He looks hearty.

 

[toledotimber]

I keep a pair of the metal ramps with the front "riser" cut off on my roofrack any time I wander off. They've gotten me out of 3' deep mud holes before. An old trick is to lay out about 10-15' of chain and drive stakes into several of the links a few feet apart. Hook it to your farm jack and hook that to the tow point. Instant land anchor and way cheaper than a Pull Pal.

 

[SOAZ]

I hope I'm not offending you, but that's one good looking passenger!! :shakin:

 

[RoundOut]

$75. the Father-in-Law covered it this time

It won't matter now that your wife wasn't with you. She'll find out, unless your F-I-L is a real trooper! LOL :shakin:

 

[teotwaki]

..................An old trick is to lay out about 10-15' of chain and drive stakes into several of the links a few feet apart. Hook it to your farm jack and hook that to the tow point. Instant land anchor and way cheaper than a Pull Pal.

Oh boy! That one gets a McGyver award. I LIKE IT! Great for when there are no natural anchors available.

You could substitute your tire chains rather than carry a plain length of chain.
Set them up in a "Vee" shape to equalize the load and then tie them to the Hi-Lift.

I need to add a few stakes to my recovery kit....

 

[Jacket]

Not sure even a winch would have helped out there. I don't see any winch points close by (unless you could reach those telephone poles).

Glad you had cell coverage and made it out Ok!

 

[Ursidae69]

Awesome pictures! I like that you documented the tow truck, that is classic.

 

[alia176]

I really liked how you had the presence of mind to document your, um, road trip!!! Good job.