[ErikB]

Went up to Fordyce/Eagle Lakes to play today and met a dude who was in a bit of a predicament...

This is one of those spots that are already off-camber and leaning you toward a loooooong way down if you went over for some reason.
Add to that snow (making it even MORE off-camber), then melt and re-freeze it so it turns to ice, and you've got problems.

There is almost NOTHING holding that truck on the hill. I have no idea how it stopped there and didn't keep going.

 

[ErikB]

Before we did anything, we secured the truck to a tree about 60 feet up the hill using chains, straps, and a hi-lift.
Then we started digging ruts for the tires to hopefully follow, and unloaded everything from the back of the truck to make it a little lighter.

Oops- the strap broke (cut by the edge of the bumper).
The left rear tire also drops into a hole (air pocket from bushes under the snow), leaning the truck over even further. Luckily, everthing held or he'd of been a gonner!

I'm glad I wasn't in the driver's seat!!!

 

[OOP'S]

Good save Beeb's, looks like it is time to mount that winch you have layng beside the shop!!!!!!!!

 

[ErikB]

That's better...

Almost there...

Safe and sound, time to survey the damage (where the truck was, and where he could have gone!)

And time for the dude to change his shorts!

That dude was SOOOOOOOOOOO lucky! And we were stoked to be able to get him out.


Needless to say, we didn't feel like attempting to drive past that spot after the ordeal, so we turned around and played elsewhere the rest of the day.

 

[SeaBass44]

Way to STEP up!

 

[RJ]

Holy crap that brings back memories... I was in that same spot last year in the exact same position, if matt wasn't there with his winch I would be at the bottom of the hill !!! GOOD SAVE. BEEBS...

 

[edwardsteiger]

BEEBS, Nice save. OOPS hit it time for that winch. Wish I was there to help.

 

[woody99]

Nice job EriK! Wish I was there!

 

[Booger Weldz]

that was sooooooo close to being ugly
can i call you when i do something stupid???

*BEEBS TOWING* [COLOR]

 

[whitetoy]

Way to go Erik. That guy owes you BIG TIME.
Where exactly is that spot ? Is it past the turn off to Eagle Lakes and up the hill ?
Got the GPS coords for that spot ?

 

[Arnold]

It's a good thing you were there and yet another reason to not go wheeling alone.

 

[crawler#976]

nice recovery!

I wouldn't even want to open the freakin' door to get out! I'd be headin' out the high side so fast it'd be just a blur! Gotta love lockers on ice-

later

 

[82FB]

My friend slid off a road up off of Foresthill Road this pas weekend in his nice fj40. Saved by on well anchored rock that his right front tire stopped on as he was headed over. He stayed in the drivers seat with foot on brake for like an hour while the rest in his group rigged up safety straps, etc. Had to leave it overnite like that I guess. Got it out safely, though. The snow and ice this time of year is nasty.

 

[TNToy]

I did something like that once, except it was only a 40 foot downhill angle.

All i could do was turn downhill, put it gear, and hammer it.

Sidehill with dropoffs suck.

 

[montezuma]

How far down is that drop in the photo?

 

[PurpleYotaGirl]

I always hated side hills and Drop offs...
And I know the pictures never look as bad as they are...

 

[Rwhat]

Holy

I think i nned to change my shorts after looking at those pictures. Nice save Erik

 

[MDW]

Wow, i think he was even closer than than u were,rj. He's lucky he made it that far, because if i can remember right the rock just behind him covered in snow has about a 3 foot drop on the downhill side That whould have been ugly, because its a loonng way down. Nice save man

 

[ErikB]

Precisely how far down is that drop in the photo?

Well, if you look at the trees at the bottom of the hill and guess that they are about 150' tall, I'd say 200' or so. Its not a vertical drop, but not something you'd want to roll or probably even drive down.

No GPS, but if you recognize this spot, its right before it:

Its the spot that most people usually hug that one side of since the other side is kinda tippy if you don't take the right line (no drop of next to it or anything though).

That guy had a stock truck- no lockers and he slid anyway.

And no he doesn't owe me anything except to return the favor if I'm in need.

He tried to offer me all his cash ($100 or so) and take me to dinner and whatever else he could think of, but I refused.
I'd want someone else to do the same for me.

And OOP's- I'll trade you that 50,000lb? winch for your 8000lb one... just think how well you'd be making out on that deal! Just mount that 500lb beast down low and you'd never flop again!

 

[Bob Williams]

Nice Save! I know that guy is grateful that you showed up when you did.