P
Easy trail ride gone way wrong, story and lessons learned…
Unwanted Christmas Eve adventure...
My riding buddy asked if I wanted to go to Blewett for a trail ride with him and his dad. I wanted to do a short local ride and get some stuff done around the house and be home on time for Christmas Eve.
They headed out early Friday morning and I soon took off to meet up with some other friends here. Getting close to home I checked my phone, at about 3:30pm to see if I was in trouble yet and had a message that sounded a little frantic…
“Help, my dad (70) is stuck down a hill and I don’t know how to get him out and only 2 cars left in the lot, calling 911!”
Called him back and sounded like he was talking to the state patrol and two guys returning to the parking lot. Said they (911) wouldn’t call for search and rescue unless he was hurt and the soonest they could mobilize was in the morning. Told me “I need you here and get a lot of help”.
I’m thinking how bad can it be? They took old sleds and they wouldn’t go anywhere too difficult, so he must just be stuck real badly?
He explained that he stupidly took him down a single track that he assumed connected two groomed roads and it got progressively steeper and then a big drop that with no way to climb back out (given the sleds and experience). I asked how he got out and he said he followed a set of tracks up and down some climbs and back through the woods to the lower road. I then asked so what’s the problem? "Dad is 70, very tired, too inexperienced to make the climbs and no way to walk up them". “I’m really worried about his health”.
Ok!!! I’m on my way and I’ll call around… Got there at 5:30 and another buddy was there at 5:45.
The last two guys in the parking lot are local riders from the Wenatchee area and were Awesome Awesome Awesome!!! They headed in with some road flares earlier to get to him, start a fire and be sure he was ok until we could get there. This was on Christmas Eve; already in trouble with their wives for being out late. Huge THANKS to them!!!
We (the calvary) headed in (had three others on reserve if it was real bad, knowing we could always get back to the truck to call) with a ton of food and gear not knowing what to expect.
It was snowing harder and the tracks were getting covered, we stopped once at another trail head, looked like the one, but didn’t have sign. Further worried us as to the potential difficulty just getting back to the original spot and whether the advance team may be on the wrong trail too. We went up the road and found the correct trail with fresher tracks in. Winded our way in and soon found the fire light!!! Made the steep drop into the area, with no certain chance of not damaging a sled or rider, used a root ball at the bottom to stop.
Found the dad to be in good spirits, although very tired, gave him a change of socks warm coffee and some reassurance.
Started to see keeping the fire burning was going to be a chore and was not getting us out of there; so we all decided to get on the way. Only one in the group had been in there and out and could tell that it was going to be difficult to get good riders with decent machines out let alone the 550 two-seater with a inexperienced exhausted rider. In the daylight with no worries this would be a fun ride, but in complete dark with heavy snow it was a little more complicated…
The first obstacle was a moderate climb to a notch, that was easy, just looked harry in the dim head light and the first rider lost the side hill and ended up in the creek draw. I was in the rear and did not see it so there was added confusion once we got everyone up. Saw a lower line to our next spot for the guy in the creek draw. The 550 and rider made it near the top and dragged him over. Next was a steep, uncontrolled decent with ok run-out, no serious problems. The next climb was uneventful other than an easy stuck for the 550, then the leader stopped and asked “did anyone see a trail back a ways?” Oh crud you are lost now??? “Well I climbed something, rolled my sled, and then made it to the wooded trail”. The new snow had covered the days tracks and no land marks were visible so finally, after I made a short backtrack with no sign of another route, two guys made the hike up the steep side hill climb to scout for the path. After confirming the way we all knew the little sled was in trouble. We thought that everyone would make the climb and pack the trail leaving me to ride the buddy’s dad out with me and I’d hike back to ride the 550 out. After two attempts where it was clear there was no way and no strength left in the dad. I called a break and made him drink water and eat a sandwich helping him relax and maybe get some strength back. Meanwhile I had the guys walk the upper hill to pack the trail and I stomped the approach at the bottom. I told my buddy’s dad he had to make it or spend the night snuggling with me! (hummor to help ease the tension)Then told him how easy the climb is on my sled, explained some throttle control and some other basics and let the others know the plan was to have him ride the mountain sled, even though he was unfamiliar and afraid of it. It was the only way as he was soo tired he could hardly take a step.
The path was ready and pre positioned people at stop points. He made it the first shot, then very close to the next, close enough to pull it the rest. I somehow muscled the 550 out, with a few side to side jumps and some heavy outer leg assistance, wish I had a video, because it was a fluke!
We were on a moderate side hill, actually better it was dark so no one could see what was to the right (steep line of big trees at the bottom) when the lead sled died! After some flooding remedies it started and only one tree impact (my sled with other rider, was ok no damage) later we were back on an old road and 20 minutes to the truck.
Thanks to the two guys who stuck around to help out!!! Christmas Eve Heroes for sure!
Thanks to the other buddy who came an extra 50 miles to help and really kept a level head and did an amazing job building a road out of the mountain!!!
Aside from the 200+ “what the heck were you thinking” that the buddy got whiles this “rescue” was taking place and since; I totally understand how it happened...
I’m sure there are more reasons but these represent how it happened or mistakes…
1. He took older sleds thinking it would keep him from pushing it
2. He got bored and wanted to adventure, even a little (human nature, not necessarily a mistake)
3. Fixation on the goal of the lower road being “close” rather than cutting losses and turning around in a narrow trail and dealing with a few stucks.
4. Not disusing hand signals for “don’t follow me down this steep hill” or having a huddle to discuss the “plan”
They were averagely prepared with some extra clothes, fire starter (not adequate or practiced), space blanket, water, food for the day, some extra food (snack bars and candy), GPS, Cell, and few other minimums.
Lessons learned:
1. Make great friends that will load and be at your side in an hour!!!
2. Sh+t happens and you can easily end up in a environment not prepared for
3. Recognize that when situation gets more stressed forced decisions and panic can lead to more trouble
4. Stick to the plan and plan for the lowest ability level (Still an Adventure???, if out there for an adventure plan more) See #2
5. Practice starting fire, establish a base for the fire to contain the coals
6. Practice making shelter for varied areas and conditions
7. Research getting a SPOT or similar device
8. Know the local Search and Rescue response rules and contacts
Totally open to others thoughts and expert opinion/advice about procedures and ideas in this real situation that could happen to all of us.
Becareful out there! And have a blast too!
Unwanted Christmas Eve adventure...
My riding buddy asked if I wanted to go to Blewett for a trail ride with him and his dad. I wanted to do a short local ride and get some stuff done around the house and be home on time for Christmas Eve.
They headed out early Friday morning and I soon took off to meet up with some other friends here. Getting close to home I checked my phone, at about 3:30pm to see if I was in trouble yet and had a message that sounded a little frantic…
“Help, my dad (70) is stuck down a hill and I don’t know how to get him out and only 2 cars left in the lot, calling 911!”
Called him back and sounded like he was talking to the state patrol and two guys returning to the parking lot. Said they (911) wouldn’t call for search and rescue unless he was hurt and the soonest they could mobilize was in the morning. Told me “I need you here and get a lot of help”.
I’m thinking how bad can it be? They took old sleds and they wouldn’t go anywhere too difficult, so he must just be stuck real badly?
He explained that he stupidly took him down a single track that he assumed connected two groomed roads and it got progressively steeper and then a big drop that with no way to climb back out (given the sleds and experience). I asked how he got out and he said he followed a set of tracks up and down some climbs and back through the woods to the lower road. I then asked so what’s the problem? "Dad is 70, very tired, too inexperienced to make the climbs and no way to walk up them". “I’m really worried about his health”.
Ok!!! I’m on my way and I’ll call around… Got there at 5:30 and another buddy was there at 5:45.
The last two guys in the parking lot are local riders from the Wenatchee area and were Awesome Awesome Awesome!!! They headed in with some road flares earlier to get to him, start a fire and be sure he was ok until we could get there. This was on Christmas Eve; already in trouble with their wives for being out late. Huge THANKS to them!!!
We (the calvary) headed in (had three others on reserve if it was real bad, knowing we could always get back to the truck to call) with a ton of food and gear not knowing what to expect.
It was snowing harder and the tracks were getting covered, we stopped once at another trail head, looked like the one, but didn’t have sign. Further worried us as to the potential difficulty just getting back to the original spot and whether the advance team may be on the wrong trail too. We went up the road and found the correct trail with fresher tracks in. Winded our way in and soon found the fire light!!! Made the steep drop into the area, with no certain chance of not damaging a sled or rider, used a root ball at the bottom to stop.
Found the dad to be in good spirits, although very tired, gave him a change of socks warm coffee and some reassurance.
Started to see keeping the fire burning was going to be a chore and was not getting us out of there; so we all decided to get on the way. Only one in the group had been in there and out and could tell that it was going to be difficult to get good riders with decent machines out let alone the 550 two-seater with a inexperienced exhausted rider. In the daylight with no worries this would be a fun ride, but in complete dark with heavy snow it was a little more complicated…
The first obstacle was a moderate climb to a notch, that was easy, just looked harry in the dim head light and the first rider lost the side hill and ended up in the creek draw. I was in the rear and did not see it so there was added confusion once we got everyone up. Saw a lower line to our next spot for the guy in the creek draw. The 550 and rider made it near the top and dragged him over. Next was a steep, uncontrolled decent with ok run-out, no serious problems. The next climb was uneventful other than an easy stuck for the 550, then the leader stopped and asked “did anyone see a trail back a ways?” Oh crud you are lost now??? “Well I climbed something, rolled my sled, and then made it to the wooded trail”. The new snow had covered the days tracks and no land marks were visible so finally, after I made a short backtrack with no sign of another route, two guys made the hike up the steep side hill climb to scout for the path. After confirming the way we all knew the little sled was in trouble. We thought that everyone would make the climb and pack the trail leaving me to ride the buddy’s dad out with me and I’d hike back to ride the 550 out. After two attempts where it was clear there was no way and no strength left in the dad. I called a break and made him drink water and eat a sandwich helping him relax and maybe get some strength back. Meanwhile I had the guys walk the upper hill to pack the trail and I stomped the approach at the bottom. I told my buddy’s dad he had to make it or spend the night snuggling with me! (hummor to help ease the tension)Then told him how easy the climb is on my sled, explained some throttle control and some other basics and let the others know the plan was to have him ride the mountain sled, even though he was unfamiliar and afraid of it. It was the only way as he was soo tired he could hardly take a step.
The path was ready and pre positioned people at stop points. He made it the first shot, then very close to the next, close enough to pull it the rest. I somehow muscled the 550 out, with a few side to side jumps and some heavy outer leg assistance, wish I had a video, because it was a fluke!
We were on a moderate side hill, actually better it was dark so no one could see what was to the right (steep line of big trees at the bottom) when the lead sled died! After some flooding remedies it started and only one tree impact (my sled with other rider, was ok no damage) later we were back on an old road and 20 minutes to the truck.
Thanks to the two guys who stuck around to help out!!! Christmas Eve Heroes for sure!
Thanks to the other buddy who came an extra 50 miles to help and really kept a level head and did an amazing job building a road out of the mountain!!!
Aside from the 200+ “what the heck were you thinking” that the buddy got whiles this “rescue” was taking place and since; I totally understand how it happened...
I’m sure there are more reasons but these represent how it happened or mistakes…
1. He took older sleds thinking it would keep him from pushing it
2. He got bored and wanted to adventure, even a little (human nature, not necessarily a mistake)
3. Fixation on the goal of the lower road being “close” rather than cutting losses and turning around in a narrow trail and dealing with a few stucks.
4. Not disusing hand signals for “don’t follow me down this steep hill” or having a huddle to discuss the “plan”
They were averagely prepared with some extra clothes, fire starter (not adequate or practiced), space blanket, water, food for the day, some extra food (snack bars and candy), GPS, Cell, and few other minimums.
Lessons learned:
1. Make great friends that will load and be at your side in an hour!!!
2. Sh+t happens and you can easily end up in a environment not prepared for
3. Recognize that when situation gets more stressed forced decisions and panic can lead to more trouble
4. Stick to the plan and plan for the lowest ability level (Still an Adventure???, if out there for an adventure plan more) See #2
5. Practice starting fire, establish a base for the fire to contain the coals
6. Practice making shelter for varied areas and conditions
7. Research getting a SPOT or similar device
8. Know the local Search and Rescue response rules and contacts
Totally open to others thoughts and expert opinion/advice about procedures and ideas in this real situation that could happen to all of us.
Becareful out there! And have a blast too!
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