stuck in the snow

Stay warm and stay positive. Thank god you have cell service!

 

Good luck OP, I had to bow out sorry. @JDAM is on his way so you are in good hands.

 

I love recovery threads, and everyone loves a happy ending!

 

This could’ve gotten ugly. Glad to see the OP is getting taken care of!

Please rethink where you guys go and what you do. There’s now additional exposures here, not to mention what there would be if a rescue team had/has to get involved. I know the OP didn’t mean to get stuck and not trying to slam him, it’s just a good example of staying within your limits right now. Our first responders and everyone else are trying to limit their contact with each other when possible.

 

And you can never have too much recovery gear, but you can definitely have not enough

 

Such a good point!

 

I got to the Snoqualmie Pass to find it shut down. Was able to get off at W Summit exit and stopped at the gas station. Texted OP to say I could hang for a while until pass opened up. OP said two trucks were there so I went back home.

OP just texted that he's out.

 

Good deal! Thanks for passing that along.

 

Thanks for going out and trying.

 

I was wondering if the pass would be open. I looked out the door of my garage and the ground was white!

 

I'm just bummed I missed out on the action LOL

 

Shit just got here and was looking for an excuse to hit the road

 

Can 3rd gens recover 2nd gens, is that even allowed here?

 

Looking at the mods on this one

 

That's not digging yourself out, not even close to it. Your exit route is the way you came in, in reverse.
You'll need to dig out all the snow under your truck. You do not want any resistance against your truck as you start off, for the process below.

Next dig out a ramp behind you, in your tracks one truck length at minimum preferably upto two truck lengths. Add thicker branches/logs like railway ties every 1'. Weave branches between lengthwise like rails.
Repack snow on top of that. Break the snow up well before shoveling it back on top of the branches, and pack it down with your shovel. Allow the ramp to setup for at least two hours. The snow will remake bonds, and harden. Do not take a shortcut in this process, you will only get one chance to get out, otherwise you will have to start all over again. After the snow has set, such that you can walk on top of it without breaking through, repack all your gear back into your truck, as once you start moving you are not going to stop again, unless you sink in again. Reverse, 4x4 Low, gradual application of throttle and out you go. The truck should stay in your previous tracks. Don't fight it. Your previous tracks should be well setup and continue out. Its a bit of hard work, but it does work. If you take shortcuts, cause you think its taking too long, or its hard, you will get stuck again.

Trust you have basics such as as shovel and saw, didn't read the whole thread.

Only try to turn around once you are back in less deep snow, or you are willing to repeat the process.

How do I know? - Done this for myself 3x, and helped others with the exact same method. Airing down will help as well.

 

That is great advice. The only way out for me was forward, which was uphill. Downhill was going to cause me to side further sidewise. I was not prepared for this adventure and I very thankful for those that were able to help out and those that were willing but unable. That would have been a ridiculous tow bill.

 

Driving on top of snowmobile tracks? went off track, got sucked into the soft snow, the more you moved back and forth, the more it settled further down sideways into more soft snow?

 

I bet he was trying to bust snow drifts, I really doubt he made it very far in snow that deep, after it sitting in the sun and softening up all day.

 

You can drive a long ways on top of snowmobile tracks that are well set in spring snow.Suspect its freezing every night there.

 

I'm not sure if that specific road is popular with snowmobiles. I know there is a popular road/trail system just up the highway in Liberty that sees quite a bit of snowmobile use. Im sure there are people that do ride it, but there isn't a main parking lot that would accommodate more than a handful of rigs parking wise for that FS-RD. Probably locals that have land butting up against the NF. I can't see any snowmobile tracks in his picture so hard to say.

I'm familiar with what you're describing, I've ridden on snocat tracks after the season has ended and it's surprising how much they will hold you up especially aired down. Best time is at night when the surface has begun to harden again. Once the sun hits it, you're screwed.

Given how the weather was at my house this evening 60ish miles away, I'd bet it was right about freezing when he posted that picture. A northeastern facing slope, the sun sets fast and temps dip quick in that valley.