Abandoned/stuck 80 on Webster Pass

[rover67]

I wouldn't mind heading up there either.

Maybe clean it all out and throw a BUNCH of dessecant sacks in it? Duct tape the door seals and vent in back?

I'd hate to seal it up too well since when it gets hot it's gonna get steamy in there... but I wonder if that is better than letting it fill with snow again.

 

[cbmontgo]

Man, this is wild. Let me know when/if you guys head up and I'd love to help.

 

[Corbet]

If you head up Webster from the Summit CO side you will cross two large avalanche paths from memory. Not on the slide slope but through the run out below. Then your somewhat in risk directly under the pass. Use proper avalanche precautions if going up before spring.

Are there drain plugs in the front that could be removed to let water get out come spring?

 

[Caribou Sandstorm]

I am interested in going, might be the last trip with the FJC.

 

[Loki]

I'm up for a snow trip, let me know if you need some labor.

 

[Old40Dog]

Just a little Dose of Reality here...From my experience up on that pass, and I've been up from each side, nobody's getting up there much before Memorial Day unless we have a very,very,very warm Spring or someone has access to a helicopter to go snatch it up.

As much as we'd all like to save that 80, it's way too risky to head up there too soon guys! Nobody's getting in there anytime soon and living to tell about it...Even hiking or skiing in there should be reserved for experts...

Just remember the truck IS replaceable...and YOU'RE not... See ya in May! be...

 

[nuclearlemon]

whenever it is, i'm in.

 

[Boggy B]

Hey, I found your Cruiser on Saturday and wanted to see if anyone knew the story. Sorry about the surprise police visit.

You can absolutely reach it safely from the north right now. There's just not enough snow up there to slide, the winds going over the pass have turned what's there to bulletproof crust, and I'm not convinced it's steep enough to begin with. I hiked down the gully it's in (the one NE of PT 12399 at Webster Pass).

Snowmobiles could probably get you to it but again it's thin above 12000'. Best bet would be to shoot up the gully.

Oh. It may be a bit windy though. This is in the gully a couple hundred feet below the Cruiser:

 

[timmbuck2]

count me in!

 

[RockRunner]

Sorry, I will wait till end spring/summer. It isn't worth loosing somebody over or another vehicle. Now if a group wants to go up just to secure the 80 that would be cool, I would not make it up there

Personally I think that even with the snow removed there will be a lot of rusted parts and electronics that will be ruined due to the moisture. Once spring sets in the sun will bake that interior like a sauna. I don't want to sound negative but just realistic.

When we do go up there to rescue it I am in depending on when of course. I would even bring the Dodge up there if we need a heavy anchor and the Dodge is heavy

I am glad to hear that nobody got hurt and sorry to see the 80 up there.

 

[rcor]

okay, This Picture Is Taken From Webster Pass Looking Back Up Towards Red Cone. So It Looks Like You Didn't Make It All The Way Down The Steep Part? That You're Stuck Behind The Saddle Behind My Fj40?

Or In This Picture, Looking From The Top Of Red Cone Down To Webster Pass, The 80 Is Just Beyond The Right Side Of This Picture?

Correct on both assuptions. Before the last steep decent, on the saddle. And to the right of the second pic.

 

[rcor]

I agree, the truck is not on Webster. Here is a pic of the last descent of Redcone and it matches your description. There is one last descent that is steeper than Redcone before you get to the saddle. You are actually on a spur that points to Montezuma but isn't a signed route.

Exactly right.

 

[rcor]

Hey, I found your Cruiser on Saturday and wanted to see if anyone knew the story. Sorry about the surprise police visit.

You can absolutely reach it safely from the north right now. There's just not enough snow up there to slide, the winds going over the pass have turned what's there to bulletproof crust, and I'm not convinced it's steep enough to begin with. I hiked down the gully it's in (the one NE of PT 12399 at Webster Pass).

Snowmobiles could probably get you to it but again it's thin above 12000'. Best bet would be to shoot up the gully.

Oh. It may be a bit windy though. This is in the gully a couple hundred feet below the Cruiser:

On the contrary, thanks to this unpleasant set of pics the necessary steps will be taken to try and save her. As for the police, I wasn't welcoming to their inquiry and it only adds to the story so no problem.

Question: could you tell if the passenger window was broken at all? Seems like the snow came in through the front since I don't see any in the trunk?

 

[corsair23]

Sorry, I will wait till end spring/summer. It isn't worth loosing somebody over or another vehicle. Now if a group wants to go up just to secure the 80 that would be cool, I would not make it up there

I'm pretty sure that at this point in time the only discussion is around trying to get up there to mitigate the damage, not recover the vehicle.

Now that the owner is on board and knows that we have folks that are willing to try and help out, we can let him provide details about the plan as it is put together. IMO what we he'll need more right now more than anything else is a group of experienced hikers. It is apparent that reaching the 80 is certainly feasible given that someone did just that last weekend.

Maybe some of the experienced hikers over on 14ers that have been watching this story unfold might also be interested in helping out.

 

[RedCreeper]

If you guys need more winch cable i have 150 feet of it on my garage floor. it came of of a 8274 i am rebuilding.

 

[DaveInDenver]

There's been some avy activity in Summit Cty & 10 Mile Range last couple of weeks. Watch the S aspects primarily and to less extent the SW & SE aspects and be super careful after noon. Lots of hoar and wind deposited, they've been running ~24" deep with layers of crust on top of crud and sugar and not much within in the pack to hold between layers (called deformation concentration). A few have been to the rocks up very high, most have been slab slides.

The warm temps are putting stress on the snow pack, not warm enough to consolidate down but enough to make nasty slab top layers. CAIC has most of the area as orange, which is 'considerable'. The slide up on Loveland over the weekend was triggered from below, while the ones at Beaver Creek and Vail Pass were triggered higher up the slab. Be careful guys.

I might ski up there if you guys attempt to drive it. I have a different route in mind I think, tho.

 

[MDH33]

I wasn't suggesting driving at all this time of year. Several of us are willing and capable of hiking/skiing up there though. My thought was just to try and see if the snow damage is already too much and if we can seal it off.

I would still be concerned about people vandalizing it as spring gets closer too.

 

[rcor]

Agreed. The recovery mission is 3+ months away.

The question is what’s the best way to mitigate the damage. I was also thinking of a securing a tarp though Sleeoffroad makes a good point about it causing more damage than protection if it gets loose.

NOAA’s forcast has 20-30 mph wind in Montezuma so tomorrow doesn’t look so promising and then a storm comes in. Bearing in mind that the sooner the better, I don’t think we need to rush getting up there, instead wait for a window of good weather in the next few weeks. It’s so cold nothing is melting.

As for avalanche danger: an experienced back country/avalanche friend, did me the favor of hiking up there in December and confirmed that there is no real danger. It’s just not steep enough and since it blows so hard there is little snow accumulation (Boogy B post confirms this).

I’ll continue to monitor the weather forecast and try to coordinate a day that works for a crew to get up there. In the meantime comments on the best way to mitigate additional amounts of snow into the cabin are appreciated. Sounds like multiple layers of collision repair plastic might be the option. The white plastic that’s used to transport new vehicles might also be an option? I’m unfamiliar with both but will investigate.

I’ve always been worried about people vandalizing/target practice. Not sure there’s anything to do about that but get it down asap.

 

[coax]

I’ve always been worried about people vandalizing/target practice. Not sure there’s anything to do about that but get it down asap.

Maybe taking up a few printed signs in those plastic page protectors that just say something like "No ones trapped in here, forest service notified, vehicle will be recovered as soon as weather permits" ?? Not that vandals would be swayed by this...just a thought.

I might ski up there if you guys attempt to drive it. I have a different route in mind I think, tho.

I'll be out of town during this upcoming storm (Telluride :-D ) but I'd be up for a ski trip up there. Not familiar with the area but could also take snowshoes or boots if its rocky near the top. Looks like at least until mid next week we might have some weather though...

 

[rover67]

Pallet shrink wrap, lots of it