Abandoned/stuck 80 on Webster Pass

[RedCreeper]

Where is the nearest plug for the heat gun?

I have a few extension cords also on my garage floor if needed.....

I heard from family in Palm Springs more is coming our way. FYI

be careful gang

 

[rover67]

man, that's the ticket!

wrap it up and put a few of these handy dandy vents on it

http://www.bigshrink.com/shopexd.asp?id=951

with a bunch of these gas bags for mildew:

http://www.bigshrink.com/shopexd.asp?id=482

and some desiccant sacs.

and haul up a propane tank for the heat gun.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Where is the nearest plug for the heat gun?

His ran off a propane tank. It was WAY more heat than a 2400W (which is ~8,000 Btu) electrical outlet could ever supply. Think more like a hand held asphalt patch heat gun, not the dinky cable shrink wrap or emblem removing heat gun. SOB was more like a flame thrower than a heat gun. Heck, it'd probably melt all the snow inside as well...

 

[Boggy B]

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?

I didn't really get a look at the passenger windows, but my impression was there were no broken windows. That snow has probably come in right through the weather seals.

The front row is packed to the gills, second row has lots of snow, and there's plenty in the front of the trunk as well.

 

[subzali]

Someone needs to correct the post on 14ers.com about the specs of the truck. Pretty much every spec he listed is wrong. Not like anyone cares on that forum.

 

[RedCreeper]

His ran off a propane tank. It was WAY more heat than a 2400W (which is ~8,000 Btu) electrical outlet could ever supply. Think more like a hand held asphalt patch heat gun, not the dinky cable shrink wrap or emblem removing heat gun. SOB was more like a flame thrower than a heat gun. Heck, it'd probably melt all the snow inside as well...

may need that just to keep folks warm up there.

 

[SteveH]

Seems like removing the drain plugs under the carpet would allow any melted snow water to drain out as the freeze/thaw cycle continues through the Spring.

Or drill a few holes while you're there at the current low floorpan points (based on how it's parked now), and worry about filling the holes later. Bring a DeWalt 18v and some 3/8" bits.

 

[RockRunner]

Pallet shrink wrap, lots of it

Funny I was thinking the exact same thing It would work great but the P side would have to be dug out and anything underneath.

If a group goes up there I would bring some tools along to take of the rack, that to me would be the first thing gone.

 

[DanS]

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.

Bingo. How long of a trek are we talking here? If it's long enough, I've got gear to camp out up there, but it'd take me a while to round it up and get it up here.

That said, I've never hiked with tools in my pack. Sounds like an adventure to me.

Dan

 

[farnhamstj]

Even once you get it running. I have a feeling that Webster Pass road will be closed this summer. I came down in on my KTM end of september and there is a really really narrow section. The road had washed out. Barely passable in a truck, I was afraid on my KTM. We discussed this in another thread. It's gonna have to come out the Montazuma side. I think. Which is the north side and will hold snow even longer. You're all very kind to offer assistance. But I bet it's almost June before you can get down the road and I'd be very impressed if you're able to get it out under it's own power. I know you all love 80's but that thing's a write off. IMO

 

[Uncle Ben]

Even once you get it running. I have a feeling that Webster Pass road will be closed this summer. I came down in on my KTM end of september and there is a really really narrow section. The road had washed out. Barely passable in a truck, I was afraid on my KTM. We discussed this in another thread. It's gonna have to come out the Montazuma side. I think. Which is the north side and will hold snow even longer. You're all very kind to offer assistance. But I bet it's almost June before you can get down the road and I'd be very impressed if you're able to get it out under it's own power. I know you all love 80's but that thing's a write off. IMO

Geeze....wheres the love? You might give up easily but that is not in my nature! We can get it! Hopefully there will still be something there to get!

 

[Old40Dog]

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.

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.

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.

Yes, I agree! Secure it and then think about recovery May/June or whenever the weather permits. It's one thing to hike/ski in there to assess the situation and another to do a recovery.

 

[subzali]

Bingo. How long of a trek are we talking here? If it's long enough, I've got gear to camp out up there, but it'd take me a while to round it up and get it up here.

That said, I've never hiked with tools in my pack. Sounds like an adventure to me.

Dan

We'll have to initiate you
ATV Rescue

If you start at Hall Valley Campground on the 285 side and hike up Red Cone trail, you start at 9,955 feet and end at 12,300 feet 5.4 miles later.

However, if you hike up to Webster Pass first, it's only 5 miles. But it doesn't look like there's a gate on that road so it may be possible to drive up further.

 

[Old40Dog]

If you start at Hall Valley Campground on the 285 side and hike up Red Cone trail, you start at 9,955 feet and end at 12,300 feet 5.4 miles later.

However, if you hike up to Webster Pass first, it's only 5 miles. But it doesn't look like there's a gate on that road so it may be possible to drive up further.

No gate on the Webster Pass side coming out of Hall Valley, so you may be able to drive part of the way depending on the snow pack and weather before you need to start hiking. The first mile is likely the most difficult part of that trail, steep in places and some rock obstacles. If there's snow, it could be tough even down there.

 

[theboomboom]

We'll have to initiate you
ATV Rescue

If you start at Hall Valley Campground on the 285 side and hike up Red Cone trail, you start at 9,955 feet and end at 12,300 feet 5.4 miles later.

However, if you hike up to Webster Pass first, it's only 5 miles. But it doesn't look like there's a gate on that road so it may be possible to drive up further.

If you guys are serious about this, I'd be glad to tag along, schedule permitting.

Matt- I promise I won't ask to borrow your knife this time

 

[farnhamstj]

I'm more than happy to help. Set a skin and ski date and I'm in, provided it's from the Montazuma side. I could loan a bunch of avalanche gear to those that need it. I've got access to 10 beacons, shovels, probes. I'll give a little intro lesson to anyone interested. I've got love to share. I just put personal safety first.

 

[JadeRunner]

As was described by the guy that was just up there. The best access is up the valley the rig is in from the Montizuma side. And he was triing to say there is no avalanche danger there based on the conditions and steepness.

So a drive in from Montezuma (probably wont get far) and hard core ski from that side is in order to access and mitigate. Brutal conditions should be expected. Exposed skin wont last long up there. A day trip with skins and ski's sounds like a fine option for the hardy and well prepared.

 

[Jenny Cruiser]

I couldn't sleep if that were my rig up there. Been there since October...? That's a lot of sleepless nights. Hopefully, it will return home before it loses it's winter plumage.

 

[wesintl]

I'm going to put a deka in a sled and go up there this weekend. Start that biotch up and drive it out. I'll need to borrow garys 40's before Tom buys them. Sounds like UB is in.

I got a couple t-shirts a wool sweater,some gaiters, and glacier glasses to fend off burned eyes.

 

[Uncle Ben]

I'm going to put a deka in a sled and go up there this weekend. Start that biotch up and drive it out. I'll need to borrow garys 40's before Tom buys them. Sounds like UB is in.

I got a couple t-shirts a wool sweater,some gaiters, and glacier glasses to fend off burned eyes.