What a day.....

[Brian1]

Well a group of three explorers, Robbiej, EB Bauer, and myself decided to go wheel up in the mountains. It had been raining for weeks so we knew there was going to be mud. Little did we know that the day would turn out to be long. It started off good. We all met up at 8am and went up to the mountains. Robbie played around on a slick hill that looked like he had fun. Then the 3 of us started the trail. Alot of mud and deep water crossings and mud filled ruts. I have pictures but they are not developed yet. Well we got to another graveled road and I said it does not look bad lets see where it goes. We took it. Scott had to be straped a few times. He was in 2 wheel drive part of the time because of faulty hubs. Well, Scott sliped off the trail into a small gulley and buried his axles. Robbie tried to strap him out but no luck. We then tried to come-along him out but the come-along broke. Eventually Robbie pulls him out. Next, a few more things happen and then THE WORST STUCK EVER happened. Yes, even worse than Sinjin's stuck in the water. Both Robbie and Scott got stuck. We dug out mud and high lifted Robbie and stacked rocks under his front and rear driverside tires. I tried to strap him out with no luck. A very nice man came and helped us for hours. He pulled Robbie out. This is where I am going to stop because the rest is not my story to tell. I got back around 9:30PM with boots and my car filled inside and out with mud.

I will have pics up maybe by Monday. I will let you know.

 

[riffman]

ah yes...the serious stuck.....those are fun aren't they!! nnot....


i got stuck like that pretty bad too....one of those v10 fords couldn't even get me out...it ended up taking 2 towtrucks both on my frame, winching me out...

glad ya'll are ok though...any damage to the rigs?

 

[Brian1]

Riffman, I don't know if there is any body damage yet because 1 of the Explorers is still up there and I have not seen it yet but probably not. Would anyone like to donate a winch to myself and EB Bauer? It would have made it alot easier. This stuck is like one that you see in the back of the 4 wheeling magazines. The mud was like clay and very slippery. It would suck your feet in if you stayed in one place too long. The stuff won't even come off my rubber floor mats with a high pressure water hose!!

Just to let you know, Scott's and my rigs are stock. Mine has a limited slip in the rear. Robbie has 3" of lift with limited slip front and rear and 30 inch tires.

[Edited by Brian1 on 10-29-2000 at 09:31 AM]

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

My dad works out at the nearest coal mine and we're authorized to head back in there whenever we want because just beyond the furthest reach of the last pit there is alot of hills and woods and lakes and we have to go through the mine to get to them. Well all the guys know us out there and they know we go back there alot and they doze us a path to get in there. You know how dozers tear stuff up and how they dig up alot of clay and dirt out there.. Well one day me and dad tried to go back there in his F-150 and there was this slope, it wasnt long and it wasnt too steep, you would get a little winded if you had to run up it, it had been and was still raining and it was hub deep slop all the way back there, deep water and sludge. We got about half way up in four wheel drive and it started sliding around and lost traction. Well he has 31" BFG Longtrails on it, not too aggressive for mud, and they were all packed with clay and pretty much smooth. We took about 7 runs at it before we finally got up there, mud EVERYWHERE. He damn near overheated his engine since its a 300 and its geared for towing, high rpm's, but we made it, and that was the closest thing we ever got to being stuck. I did get stuck in a pretty nice mud puddle one day, (only because I was in first and 2 wheel drive ) It was deep enough when you hit the water it would slow you down and suck you in it plus I was going slow anyway. I had to jump out and lock in. That was the only time it ever got stuck I think. Well enough rambling!

 

[EB Bauer]

Well I got out. No damage to my rig except for the front plate holder is hanging by a screw. I can't belive it. I really don't know where to start this story other than to thank Robbie and his brother aswell as Brian and tyler. I could not have done it with out you. From here I would like to post the pics and then tell the story once I get a responce. So here are the pics.


Dead Link Removed

Those are just a few. I will fill you all in tommorow as to what happend. I am really tired right now so I will talk to you all later. These pics arn't even the worst of it. Will post more when I get a chance.




[Edited by EB Bauer on 10-30-2000 at 07:25 AM]

 

[mattadams]

dang it! Remember how I was complaing at CCR2000 that i needed a a reason to finally use my winch? That would've been perfect! How come we never get anything cool like that in Colorado? Ah well, glad to hear you got em all out good with little damage... though it doesn't look as "stuck" as I was expecting

 

[FlyAU]

Reminds me of a story...

My sophomore year in high school, I went on a mission trip to Matamoras, Mexico. Late March-Early April is apparently rainy season down there. Anyways, we're driving back to our overnight facilities in a school bus when it gets stuck (we were in the "Los Flores" neighborhood, so...no paved roads). That was by far the most mud I've seen in my life. The bus was sunk way past its hubs...actually past the bumper and partially up its grill (remember, this is a Thomas school bus, not exactly a small vehicle). And here we were, literally digging it out with our hands. About two hours into this debacle, a Ford F-250 with the Powerstroke Diesel rumbles by and stops to offer help. After much slinging of mud and sliding of trucks, and the winch pulling the bus' rear bumper off, we finally succeed in extracting the bus. I slept for about 15 hours afterwards.

Anyways, sorry for rambling. I'm glad you were able to extract your trucks with minimal damage. Damage sucks.

 

[Brian1]

Matt, you really had to be there to see how bad it was.
Well, I am running into trouble posting my pics.

Another thing to always have is a CB antenna. This was very useful. Scott locked his keys in the Explorer between 2 mud holes. He got it open by using the CB antenna. Without it, it would have taken longer.

Here is a preview of the pics:

Scott showing that he does not need a snorkel!

[Edited by Brian1 on 10-29-2000 at 07:57 PM]

 

[Alec]

Hmmm, you want a bus story?

How about being in a "modified" desert greyhound-type bus (lifted, bigger tires, no trim, etc) in the Negev desert in Israel? That was a cool part of the trip. Anyway, we're trying to climb out of the Dead Sea Basin (1000+ feet below sea level) and the bus starts overheating. Most of our drinking water was used to cool down the engine so we could make it to the next town to switch buses. We were in that thing for a couple of hours while they tried to get it running. All of us (40 16 year olds at the time) were stripping to try to stay cool (that wasn't so bad ) We finally made it out and the trip organizers decided to be nice, so they bought us each 2 liters of water, what a gift! hehehe.

That's my bus story.

 

[FlyAU]

Originally posted by Alec
All of us (40 16 year olds at the time) were stripping to try to stay cool (that wasn't so bad

Hey, I know exactly what you mean...when ya get muddy, ya gotta hose off. I think that's the only time I've been to a church-sponsered wet t-shirt contest, LOL...

[Edited by FlyAU on 10-30-2000 at 11:10 AM]

 

[EB Bauer]

it was an okay day. The first pic really wasn't that bad. I was jsut buried to my front axle and my whole front wheel was in the mud. The second two pics were the tuff ones. Robbie had got stuck trying to pull me out. I was at a very good angle pointed down a hill. Now if I would have fallen down this hill I would have rolled it. We had the rear end anchored to a tree just so the back would not fall in. THe front was burried in mud. Every one that had tried to get me out just could not get enough traction to pull. THis mud was so bad if you stood in one place for more than 30 secs it was hard to get your feet out of the mud. It was so slick I would prefer to stand on ice. It was raining and very cold. the Forcast called for 3-5 inches of snow above 8,000 feet. Hopefully that helps to set the picture. After we left to find help I am not sure what happend next. From what I know a really nice guy in a truck with a winch pulled me out in the middle of the road. At that point it was dark and we were all cold and wanted to go home. THe reason why I left it there is cause by this time my 4x4 was blown and I wanted to wait for the mud to freeze. So I left for home with brian. The next day, Chuck Peeples and his rocking jeep took me up there and helped me the rest of the way out.

Brian or Robbie: If you have anything to add please do. I am sure I am prolly forgetting a ton. I am still a bit sleepy.

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

Good idea anchoring to the tree. In the spots where you were at you could have easily slid off to the side and rolled into the trees of off into that big puddle and pulled whoever you were strapped to with you. Pretty sticky situation you were in huh? Just glad everybody got out safe and the vehicles as well.

 

[Scott B.]

That looks like the clay we have down here in Georgia. When it's wet, the stuff's so slick you can't walk on it, let alone drive!

Glad to hear everyone's OK, and no damage.

 

[RFR2212]

All I can say is congrats!!! Glad to hear that everyone and all the rigs have survived...I wish I had those conditions in IL...I love to run through mud like that with my boggers...Sounds like even though ya got good and suck, ya had a good time.
Pete

 

[EB Bauer]

Well, sorta. It would have been better (I hate to say this) with out my wife. She got a bit scared and freaked out and then begane to ***** at everyone. Sorry Guys for those of you who were there. She never has liked 4x4 until she met me and we have been takeing baby steps to get her to enjoy it. THis just put me behind fron where I started. She said that she would liek it more if I had a winch. Looks like I have a really good excuse to get a winch. O'well I was fun until I got stuck the last time. I hate to say this but the jeep that help me out was really fun to ride in. It took those mud holes as if they were flat pavement. it did give me a chance to see what lockers in the front and rear could really do. The guy that help was really nice, he also tough me about a poor mans locker. Not to sure if anyone knows what that is but it worked. if not let me know and I will tell you.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey Scott,
Do your self a favor and do what your wife says. Now go out and get a winch as soon as possible, before she forgets that she said that.
Scotts wife: Scott what did your get now?
Scott: But hun, you said that getting a winch would make you feel more safe. I'm just looking out for you.

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

Muds fun, but it can be a ***** to, can't it? My first quote, nobody else can use it now! Me, dad, mom , and my brother all have access to the mine since dad works there, wait, I guess I already said that earlier, anyway, we got clay over here in Indiana, but thats cuz the dozers and shovels tear all that stuff up. Alot of times when it gets really dry out here, the dirt back in the trails at the mine totally becomes powder, its like that stuff you put on macaroni to make macaroni and cheese And then it'll rain all day and it turns to slop and then clay mixes with it and its awesome. And the haul road out there is great too once we decide to come back, because with the dump trucks running over it its packed like asphalt but theres a little dirt on top and its like ice when it rains. We were going down it and like 10 miles an hour and the Xplorer started to slide sideways and mom started freakin out., and then dads right in front of us doin doughnuts and slidin everywhere, its awesome out there, I'll get some pics one of these days....

 

[RobbieJ]

Scott get a winch! If you never listen to her again listen to her now. I reccomend the milemarker hydrolic. It is the kind that pulled you out. It worked awsome. If you get one next time we go we'll have nothing to worry about. I'm glad all got home ok. Except I broke my tranny again this makes 5 in 6,000 miles is this a record? Robbie J

 

[CBoug76]

Scott, Get the Winch!!
My Fiancée said she liked the Brush Guards we saw on some 95+ Explores we saw in New York City, and now that I mentioned I would like to get a Brush Guard for my 97 Sport, she says that it wouldn't look as good on mine as it did on the ones we saw in NY City. Well First off, my 97 Sport is just like the ones we saw in NY, and Second I Think mine looks more Off-Road with the BFG's then the NY one's. So take my Advice, Go get the Winch!!!

 

[mattadams]

so far my winch has been my least useful upgrade to my vehicle. But hte first time I need it, it'll worth its weight in gold. I've used it... lets see... probably about 10 times now at least once on nearly every Explorer run I've been on except for CCR2000 and CCR1999 (when I didn't have the winch), and not ONCE getting myself unstuck yet. Oh well, maybe my day will come. <sigh>