Abandoned/stuck 80 on Webster Pass

[RockRunner]

So apparently that 80 belongs to a neighbor of one of my coworkers

Apparently all the authorities have been made aware of the vehicle, and they are just waiting until spring to get it out.

You have got to be kidding I know we have a wide network of Cruiser/Toyota friends but this is freaky

I can't believe it but then again I am not surprised. Of all the rigs of all the mountains..............we now know who the owner is...........sort of. So spill already, we want to know the whole story and nothing but

 

[subzali]

I don't remember the details, but I think they got off course at some point this fall. They were going to go back up and get it (like the following weekend) but it snowed, so they had to leave it till spring.

 

[RockRunner]

Bummer, that is an expensive turn I guess he did not update his GPS..........recalculating

So after this happened he did not call the "Rising Sun Rescue center" I would think we would have had enough rigs up there to get him out.

When spring comes and the weather and snow allow does he "have" to use a state or licensed tow/recovery company or can he go up there with some friends and maybe Forest service supervision and retrieve it? I would try to get it ASAP when spring hits to try and safe some of the electronics but I bet it will be trashed inside his truck. Hope his insurance understood the situation since they may have to total it most likely.

Keep us posted, I would be willing to help when the time comes.

 

[subzali]

I got a little more of the story: I guess this happened back in October. My coworker wasn't sure if something broke, or he slid off the road, or what, but one way or another he got it to a point where he couldn't get out. He was able to make a call to another neighbor to come pick him up, he reported it to the Forest Service etc. He tried contacting a towing company I understand, but was told that it was too late to retrieve it and he would have to wait until spring. As much as I'd like to hope that it will come out okay, you're right it'll probably be totalled, just considering the amount of snow/moisture inside it now.

I bet a group of RS folks could have retrieved it

 

[RockRunner]

I bet a group of RS folks could have retrieved it

I agree and with only three cylinders working

 

[CBone]

it's good to know that he's all right though. People do freaky things in the mountains and I wondered if he capped himself or something up there, so while the rig may be toast, it's good to know he's all right.

 

[LXBRADY]

if he capped himself

Yo yo Cbone my shizzle wat up bro

 

[MDH33]

I think I see a ticket on the windshield.

 

[nattybumppo]

People do freaky things in the mountains and I wondered if he capped himself or something up there.

That's dark, dude! I thought they just went up there for necking.

 

[corsair23]

Radar,

You should post up a quick message on the 14ers site to put those guys at ease

Bummer about the guy's 80...I'm with others betting that this could have been saved last year before the snow got too bad. Only hope now would be to hike up there, clean as much of the snow out as possible so it doesn't ruin the inside when it starts melting, and hope for the best come spring. Makes me wonder if one of the PS windows got blown out or if just the wind really was able to blow the snow past the weather stripping that much to fill the truck up.

 

[rover67]

yeah no kidding those guys are working themselves into a frenzy

 

[subzali]

Rather than give 3rd hand info, I asked my coworker to post up 2nd hand info to calm them down. I guess he hasn't done it yet. Maybe I'll have to register.

 

[wesintl]

calm down it's Bear Grylls 80 and he's filming a show. He Killed a sheep up there a month ago and has been wearing the wool to keep warm. He's going to drive it out soon, don't worry. It's one of the easier show's he's filmed. I ran into him in fairplay getting some supplies..

 

[corsair23]

Nah...If it was Bear Grylls there would be film crews and safety people all around...Plus tents and heaters

 

[LXBRADY]

calm down it's Bear Grylls 80 and he's filming a show. He Killed a sheep up there a month ago and has been wearing the wool to keep warm. He's going to drive it out soon, don't worry. It's one of the easier show's he's filmed. I ran into him in fairplay getting some supplies..

That's good

 

[rcor]

The story first hand:

I live in Denver and frequently drive up to Vail for work, which was the case early in October. It was a nice warm day and a friend was visiting from Chicago. I decided to drive up 285 to give him a taste of Colorado (he was considering moving here at the time). Having a difficult time saying no to any mountain adventure, I decided to see what condition the trail up through Webster pass was in. Once there I couldn’t resist checking to see if the Red Con gate was open. Having done Red Cone 3 or 4 times prior I assumed the gate would be closed this time of year but was pleasantly surprised to see it wasn't. Had a full tank and thought why not.

Once we got to the summit I asked my friend to scope out the three descents that drop down to the top of Webster. Mistake #1

(As you've all deducted by the handicap plates I can't move around all that great. Spinal cord injury 10 years ago left me with paralysis and I manage my transportation with wheelchair, crutches, my beloved cruiser and anything else I can strap myself on to for fun)

My friend returns from his recon mission and reported a bit of snow on the trail but nothing the cruiser couldn't easily manage. I take his word for it. Mistake #2

First decent: Dry, no problem.

Second decent: Snow, sliding with little control of speed, only direction (no brakes, low, 1st gear)

I manage to stop 20ft prior to the narrowest section (where death is certain if you slide off to the left) only to find there was a snowdrift 3-4ft high. At this point I realize the magnitude of our problem. As I assume most if not all of you have done this trail you know I have no way of getting back up the hill at this point.

Worth noting that as this whole trip was off the cuff all my recovery gear was left at home (novice mistake for which I'll never forgive myself) and I never checked the various websites for trail conditions.

I tried going slightly off the right side of the trail and immediately started side-sliding down. The rock is so loose that traction is impossible. I realize all is lost. Parked the car where you see it now and fell asleep for the night. Around 1am a buddy shows up to rescue us. The hike down to his car 50 yards below Webster (south side) was a two hour adventure in itself but we managed to get back home around 6am (all three wives pleasantly pissed off).

Woke up a few hours later to try and organize a recovery mission. Rocky Mountain Rescue and the Forrest Service gave me a few names of people that constantly rescue idiots like myself. Everyone turned me down until the following day, which brought with it a massive snowstorm. From that point on nobody was willing to help me out.
Four months later (last night 11:30) the police showed up at my mom’s house asking for me. Half hour later they call my house in Denver to inquire about my truck which apparently made it’s way on to a few websites over the weekend and someone called it in. Being a fan of Rising Sun and i8mud I immediately checked and discovered the fate to date of my beloved cruiser.

From the beginning I should have hit you guys up for help. Mistake #3

Worth noting that I’ve been an avid 4x4 enthusiast for most my life. Growing up in the mountains I dreamed of one day getting my hands on an FZJ80. After a few Toyotas I finally found her in the fall of 09’ with 73,000mi (1993) and pulled the trigger. I was saving up to get her more equipped over this winter and have plenty of adventures in the years to come.

It was painful to see these pictures and now I’m not so sure of what I’m in for when I get her down. I’m committed and will do everything in my power to get her back in form.

So there you have it, first hand. I should of reached out to the Toyota tribe prior, and it f…. kills me to read that there was support to get her out before the conditions got to bad. I reach out to you now and hope some of you are in for a recovery mission as soon as the mother nature permits.

Thanks for the concern and sarcasm.

PS. My buddy from Chicago is now a proud resident of Colorado.

 

[LXBRADY]

The story first hand:

I live in Denver and frequently drive up to Vail for work, which was the case early in October. It was a nice warm day and a friend was visiting from Chicago. I decided to drive up 285 to give him a taste of Colorado (he was considering moving here at the time). Having a difficult time saying no to any mountain adventure, I decided to see what condition the trail up through Webster pass was in. Once there I couldn’t resist checking to see if the Red Con gate was open. Having done Red Cone 3 or 4 times prior I assumed the gate would be closed this time of year but was pleasantly surprised to see it wasn't. Had a full tank and thought why not.

Once we got to the summit I asked my friend to scope out the three descents that drop down to the top of Webster. Mistake #1

(As you've all deducted by the handicap plates I can't move around all that great. Spinal cord injury 10 years ago left me with paralysis and I manage my transportation with wheelchair, crutches, my beloved cruiser and anything else I can strap myself on to for fun)

My friend returns from his recon mission and reported a bit of snow on the trail but nothing the cruiser couldn't easily manage. I take his word for it. Mistake #2

First decent: Dry, no problem.

Second decent: Snow, sliding with little control of speed, only direction (no brakes, low, 1st gear)

I manage to stop 20ft prior to the narrowest section (where death is certain if you slide off to the left) only to find there was a snowdrift 3-4ft high. At this point I realize the magnitude of our problem. As I assume most if not all of you have done this trail you know I have no way of getting back up the hill at this point.

Worth noting that as this whole trip was off the cuff all my recovery gear was left at home (novice mistake for which I'll never forgive myself) and I never checked the various websites for trail conditions.

I tried going slightly off the right side of the trail and immediately started side-sliding down. The rock is so loose that traction is impossible. I realize all is lost. Parked the car where you see it now and fell asleep for the night. Around 1am a buddy shows up to rescue us. The hike down to his car 50 yards below Webster (south side) was a two hour adventure in itself but we managed to get back home around 6am (all three wives pleasantly pissed off).

Woke up a few hours later to try and organize a recovery mission. Rocky Mountain Rescue and the Forrest Service gave me a few names of people that constantly rescue idiots like myself. Everyone turned me down until the following day, which brought with it a massive snowstorm. From that point on nobody was willing to help me out.
Four months later (last night 11:30) the police showed up at my mom’s house asking for me. Half hour later they call my house in Denver to inquire about my truck which apparently made it’s way on to a few websites over the weekend and someone called it in. Being a fan of Rising Sun and i8mud I immediately checked and discovered the fate to date of my beloved cruiser.

From the beginning I should have hit you guys up for help. Mistake #3

Worth noting that I’ve been an avid 4x4 enthusiast for most my life. Growing up in the mountains I dreamed of one day getting my hands on an FZJ80. After a few Toyotas I finally found her in the fall of 09’ with 73,000mi (1993) and pulled the trigger. I was saving up to get her more equipped over this winter and have plenty of adventures in the years to come.

It was painful to see these pictures and now I’m not so sure of what I’m in for when I get her down. I’m committed and will do everything in my power to get her back in form.

So there you have it, first hand. I should of reached out to the Toyota tribe prior, and it f…. kills me to read that there was support to get her out before the conditions got to bad. I reach out to you now and hope some of you are in for a recovery mission as soon as the mother nature permits.

Thanks for the concern and sarcasm.

PS. My buddy from Chicago is now a proud resident of Colorado.

First of all I am glad you are alright!

Let us know when you want to launch a recovery effort and we will make it happen!

 

[Jacket]

Awesome! That will make for a lifelong story. Sounds like a fun spring recovery project.

I can't really tell from the pictures how far from the top of Webster that is? The very top part gets those drifts that last well into the summer. If its lower than that, then there's a chance for a reasonable recovery.

 

[Corbet]

someone should get up there and try to remove the snow before it all melts inside the truck. Could make the difference come spring.

 

[wesintl]

IF anything can survive up there it's a land cruiser