Everyone was stuck on Switzerland today

[speedkills]

Pulled out 3 Jeeps, 2 4Runners, and a SxS today. Sometimes when I go to Boulder to shop I take Switzerland trail as the scenic route. Today I needed some pac boots so down to Boulder I went.


On the way there I ran into a SxS first, following Jeep tracks and got in a bit too deep.


https://i.imgur.com/eHI2v32.jpg


Then a couple of 4Runners. Looked all overlandy but just had the wrong tires for the conditions.


https://i.imgur.com/m67oTlq.jpg


The second 4Runner had worse tires so I just pulled them all the way to the parking lot.


https://i.imgur.com/PHAYbbc.jpg


Then off to look for boots which was a complete failure. Looks like I'll have to head back to town tomorrow to try again. On the way home I almost just took the paved road, then figured it would be fun to see how chewed up the trail was after the days activity. Didn't expect to see anyone else on the trail as it was after dark, but instead I found a few people who really needed a hand.


https://i.imgur.com/CeQ1EOp.jpg


The first couple was in a well prepped Gladiator and they were doing everything right, just had the world's worst luck and the steel winch cable broke, then some how the winch itself broke too, so they need a whole new winch. When I found them they had been digging and using traction boards to slowly make progress for about 3 hours.


https://i.imgur.com/0jHmstr.jpg


First I pulled them out


https://i.imgur.com/H39JoiA.jpg


Then I got them turned around and facing the same direction I was going as I didn't want them trying to continue the way they were going in the dark, the trail only got harder. Once I got them out the driver, Nicholas, offered me some cash as many people do but I never accept, we're all just looking out for each other on the trail in my mind. But while we were chatting when he heard I had most of my gear stolen a few weeks ago he offered me a snatch block and I accepted as I knew this would come in handy with future rescues.


https://i.imgur.com/eiqxWDf.jpg


After that I got in front of them, hooked up my kinetic rope and with a lot of power got them through the worst part. As we proceeded not too much further up the trail I ran into a woman and her dog who had been stuck for a couple of hours. She had called for help but we were there so we (the couple I pulled out in the Gladiator a few minutes earlier) helped the Wrangler out.


https://i.imgur.com/CHXB2D4.jpg


Using that snatch block I had just been gifted, Nicholas and I helped Maria get turned around as well.


https://i.imgur.com/LNJxr97.jpg


Then the rescue party Maria had called in arrived. They ended up getting stuck too, I quickly helped them out and told them I get to take a picture because I helped them out :D


https://i.imgur.com/klDJv7K.jpg


At that point everyone was back at the parking lot safely so we parted ways, and I went home to empty the water out of my far too short to be tromping around in the snow boots. I hope I find some better boots tomorrow.

[JandDGreens]

Pretty productive day. You ever make it to Boulder?

[speedkills]

I did, but didn't find any boots so by the time I got home my feet were swimming in my hiking boots. I'll try again tomorrow. REI was a bust but I bet Cabelas will have something.

[Jim]

Man, if I were chained up that would be a blast. Thanks for taking pictures to share! Good on ya to help others.

[speedkills]

It's not like I haven't been rescued on that trail :D

[Jim]

What's the comment about getting gear stolen? Had you posted about it prior?

[speedkills]

Not sure if I posted about it but my first night in California I got my window busted out and a ton of gear stolen. Since I was going for a month long trip I was all loaded up. They even got my winter coat and boots, which I haven't had a chance to replace yet. Hence the boot shopping today.

[Jim]

Bummer. Sorry to hear it.

In very related news - if you're looking for snow boots - these can be yours for the very low price of free - LOL
I bought them a few years back and then switched to a different boot. These were worn on a scant few snow runs.

[speedkills]

Nice, I'd take you up on that offer.

[JandDGreens]

I did, but didn't find any boots so by the time I got home my feet were swimming in my hiking boots. I'll try again tomorrow. REI was a bust but I bet Cabelas will have something.
Sportsman's advertised a pair of boots that were intriguing. They had a clip on sole with studs in them. But my store near me had no stock of them.

[JandDGreens]

Not sure if I posted about it but my first night in California I got my window busted out and a ton of gear stolen. Since I was going for a month long trip I was all loaded up. They even got my winter coat and boots, which I haven't had a chance to replace yet. Hence the boot shopping today.
Bummer

[speedkills]

I know the brand you are talking about with the clip on soles, Korkers I think.

[JandDGreens]

I know the brand you are talking about with the clip on soles, Korkers I think.
Yeah only if I could see, touch ect. And needed boots I might give them a woril. That's if they fit good. Reviews are all pretty good on them.

I really like your new rig. Looks so fun to work on and definitely turns heads!!!

[speedkills]

I had so much fun yesterday I ran Switzerland again today. More people stuck everywhere you looked. Pulled out another Gladiator, an FJ Cruiser, a Lexus, and this adorable Jeep. Barely felt the old Jeep but had to drag him about a mile, he just had nowhere near the ground clearance he needed for that section of the trail, it's deeeep towards Peak to Peak.

When I first drove by the owner wasn't with the Jeep, he hiked out to get help, his help in the FJ got stuck, but not before trying to yank him out by the bumper and ripping the bumper off unfortunately. Once I helped the FJ out we wrapped a tree saver around the front of his frame and pulled him out nice and easy.

https://i.imgur.com/sLijjSu.jpg

[Jim]

He had chains - and he wisely stuck'm on the front - sadly not enough.

You're having a blast there.

Tossing ideas for next weekend for a switz visit? Let's see how the week rolls (and weather).

[speedkills]

Yeah, so much fun. I'm always down for wheeling up here. Switzerland is so boring in the summer, but man in the winter it's a whole different story. I went about 3/4 of the way up Pennsylvania Gulch today too but didn't feel like winching my way up so I turned around. There are over 3' tall drifts up there.

[speedkills]

Oh yeah, and a new Bronco, how could I forget that. He had the soft top which I am finding I'm not a fan of, I think they look a lot better with the hard top.

[open_circuit]

Oh yeah, and a new Bronco, how could I forget that. He had the soft top which I am finding I'm not a fan of, I think they look a lot better with the hard top.

I don't think there are a lot of hard tops rolling around right now. They were nearly all recalled because they couldn't handle exposure to water.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37292296/ford-bronco-production-delayed-roof-issues/

[Schmitty]

they couldn't handle exposure to water.

:lmao:
Found On Road Downed



Tossing ideas for next weekend for a switz visit?

I'm in.

[speedkills]

So the soft tops don't handle snow and the hard tops don't handle water. What exactly are the engineers there designing for?

[speedkills]

Jeep experts, what model is that cool little red Jeep I pulled out? Is it a CJ5 or CJ7? How do you know? I don't know my Jeep models but slowly trying to learn them.

[RockyMtRebel]

Hahaha, man it looks like you are having a blast Shane! 38” MT’s on portal axles seems to be the winter wheelin ticket!!!

[jayson44]

what model is that cool little red Jeep I pulled out?

cj7. easiest way to see is to look at the shape of the doors. cj5s have smaller doors that curve up following the fender line. cj7s have flat-bottom doors that don't follow the fender.

J.

[jayson44]

also, very productive days! I got to yank out a woman that slid into the ditch by Kelly Dahl. she had gotten a flat earlier that day and the donut was on the front-passenger side. going around that corner that tire lost traction and just put her in the deep stuff. it was just not her day, haha.

J.

[JandDGreens]

Shane I think a set of frame hooks are in oder. I have been considering getting a pair. They run about $150 for a good set. Like Windom towing uses to yank all those people out on his U-Tube channel.

[JandDGreens]

Ah I decided to look into the tow hooks, found a set for $55. So I decided to treat myself that for my B-day.

[Jim]

Is it a CJ5 or CJ7? How do you know?

When James sees the query he'll pop in with hard info.

As Jay mentioned, CJ7 and look at the door. CJ5's have the rear of the door "bump" to follow the curve of the rear wheel well and CJ-7 is a more conventional door outline.

As for age, I'd guess mid 60's to late 70's.

I had a 79 CJ-5 for a couple years.

[speedkills]

Shane I think a set of frame hooks are in oder. I have been considering getting a pair. They run about $150 for a good set. Like Windom towing uses to yank all those people out on his U-Tube channel.

I have a set, have carried them around for 3 years and never needed them. But they are pretty small so I'll keep carrying them just in case. I've only ever pulled out one passenger car, and they had their own tow hook in the trunk next to the spare tire. Everything else has been trucks on the trail and they have always had recovery points.

[FINOCJ]

Jeep experts, what model is that cool little red Jeep I pulled out? Is it a CJ5 or CJ7? How do you know? I don't know my Jeep models but slowly trying to learn them.

It's a cj7....earliest production cj7 is 1976, last production was 1986. Going off of only one picture, I'd say early 80s vintage.

[Bob]

Shane, if you’re still looking for pac boots check with farm and ranch stores like Murdoch’s in Longmont or Tractor Supply. They usually have them. (Though it is getting a bit late in the season.). JAX might still have some, or Scheels.

[speedkills]

8 more today, it's strangely satisfying, is this what people like about catch and release?

[speedkills]

This wasn't even stuck, I just got out to take a picture because the trail looked so crazy.

https://i.imgur.com/zMBL0u2.jpg

[speedkills]

Also, I ran into Jake (with the F-150) today and helped him get turned around. He told me it was way too deep further on but I wanted to check it out. He said he didn't think I could get through but I was feeling confident after last week that I would be fine. Sure enough, couldn't drive through, but was able to winch through.

I winched through one direction, helped a rental SxS that was more buried than I had ever seen before. I walked up and said "first rule of holes, when you find yourself in a hole, keep digging as far as you can?" I wonder if the rental companies are turning people loose on Switzerland now, due to not being allowed on Bunce (I think I heard something about that)?

Once they were out, I tried again to drive over where I had just winched through, no luck again. Later I met up with phantom member Nick (67 Bronco) and he wanted to give it a try to. After he winched through I was able to drive through. I think I have a new strategy, just follow Nick around when it gets so deep the winches need to come out.

[speedkills]

Also, everyone who loves V8s needs to take 8 seconds to listen to Nick's Bronco tearing through the snow


https://youtu.be/7CrPHP_31_A

[speedkills]

So one of the guys I pulled out last weekend, before that I drove by him while playing around on Switzerland and he happened to film me climbing one of the little hills there. I just got an email from him today sending me the video. People say they will send a picture or video fairly frequently but nobody seems to actually ever do it so that just made my day.


https://youtu.be/vC3BzBv_3kc

[Max]

Holy cow, so many people stuck! That's awesome, Shane.

I personally recommend gaiters over the top of any boots. I got some and used then snow wheeling a while ago and they worked GREAT for going through deep snow around our trucks.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/best-gaiters.html

[Tom]

Holy cow, so many people stuck! That's awesome, Shane.

I personally recommend gaiters over the top of any boots. I got some and used then snow wheeling a while ago and they worked GREAT for going through deep snow around our trucks.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/best-gaiters.htmlI always use gaiters. Keep a pair in the extra clothing bag I keep in the jeep

[RockyMtRebel]

Shane’s off-road recovery. Just need a camera crew 🤣

[speedkills]

How is it I grew up in Alaska and have never used gators in the snow? Thanks for the tips.

[JLWILLYS21]

ha! my jeep turned itself into a Ford this week. Had to use (horrendous) Jeep Roadside assistance. Been at the dealer for 5 days with no diagnosis yet.

[RockyMtRebel]

ha! my jeep turned itself into a Ford this week. Had to use (horrendous) Jeep Roadside assistance. Been at the dealer for 5 days with no diagnosis yet.

that sucks! My 2021 JLUR Ecodiesel broke down at 7000 miles and was in the shop for 3 weeks with electrical breakdown. They replaced the PCM and it was good for another 5000 miles and then started acting up on road trip from Colorado to California. When I got to California i brought it in and traded it for my current JLUR XR with 3.6 liter. I’ve got almost 8000 miles and running great so far….. I hope you don’t have as much trouble as I did!