Abandoned/stuck 80 on Webster Pass

[Caribou Sandstorm]

So are we doing this? I am in and have my skins, etc.. all that stuff Farnham mentioned..

Might be a bit stormy up there, should we wait for a sunny weekend??

Need the photos for my new 2010/2011 rescue slide show...

 

[treerootCO]

The only way to the truck, other than walking, is down redcone in the winter and back up.....I am not going to try it. UB might but not me
The second way is up from Webster. Nice jaunt up from Montezuma but there is a steep section along the ridge that I would also not attempt to drive up in the summer time with good weather and no snow.

 

[Uncle Ben]

I really don't think coming in or out of Montezuma is an option until summer time. That whole range has got a lot of snow this year and thinking we can come up the northside this time of year is a pipe dream! Treeroot hit it on the head in my opinion. Red Cone in and out would be our only option this time of year. Webster always has an insane amount of snow in the bowl just before climbing up the cone. I haven't checked but I would guess the seasonal gate on Red Cone has been locked since November after the last big game hunting season. I have driven up Red Cone in the past but it has been several years since I have been up there so I have no real idea of how decayed the steep hill is but by the looks of the photo's the stranded vehicle is prior to the worst (steepest) point. If the gate is open I would be interested in reconnaissance/possible extraction soon. The storm this weekend is charted to slide right through that area.....that would be pushing the odds way out of my safety zone!

 

[Caribou Sandstorm]

The weather report also called for wind yesterday and today. Farnham can probably let us know how windy it was today. There will be a lot of wind loading and with the warmer weather just before this storm, the snow pack will be less stable. The cold stretch we had would be good for the snow pack theoretically but it is all up in the air until tested.

 

[farnhamstj]

blowing like mad.

 

[powderpig]

I know we have one Pilot in the club. It seems like we really do not know which route is the least time consuming. What about the possiability of haveing a fly over in a small plane to check out some of the routes. (we use to do this when we were planing a route for some of the expeditions in Alaska).
Anyhow a thought, May need to pay for fuel and maybe a plane rental.

I might be in depending on what day and such.

 

[1loudLX]

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.

Ya should've just invited everyone to the class the other week

http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php

I'd be interested in a trip up there on skis depending on the weather, and the weather of the next two days.

 

[DanS]

I know we have one Pilot in the club. It seems like we really do not know which route is the least time consuming. What about the possiability of haveing a fly over in a small plane to check out some of the routes. (we use to do this when we were planing a route for some of the expeditions in Alaska).
Anyhow a thought, May need to pay for fuel and maybe a plane rental.

I might be in depending on what day and such.

I don't have access to a plane myself (although I'm sure one could be arranged, likely not cheap though), but I'd happily volunteer my services to go do that. Highly weather dependent in that area in order to get low enough to see much. If I had my good camera up here instead of in NM I'd pack it with me and just might see if I could get any good pictures as we flew over, although it's a lot harder with 100 witnesses in the back who would certainly notice if the plane did any circling and stuff.

Dan

 

[cbmontgo]

I don't have access to a plane myself (although I'm sure one could be arranged, likely not cheap though), but I'd happily volunteer my services to go do that. Highly weather dependent in that area in order to get low enough to see much. If I had my good camera up here instead of in NM I'd pack it with me and just might see if I could get any good pictures as we flew over, although it's a lot harder with 100 witnesses in the back who would certainly notice if the plane did any circling and stuff.

Dan

I fly regularly out of Centennial, but flying low over the Rockies is fairly dangerous business in a piston-engine aircraft. Oxygen and a turbocharger are a must for this sort of thing.

 

[JadeRunner]

With confirmation from the driver, I 'm pretty sure we know where it's located. See map.

Based on the beginning of video he posted from the 80 site it looks like a straight shot down to the valley above Montezuma. Which would be about 4.1 miles from the 80 to the town of Montezuma. I would assume we could only drive to the edge of town where the plows stop. Then ski from there.

 

[RockRunner]

I would be willing to drive up there if possible. Maybe UB, myself and whomever can five you guys a ride as far as possible and then you guys hike. Would be good to have a vehicle as close as possible to you guys just in case.

 

[Beater]

I'll loan out my snowshoes and some gear if needed depending on the "when"

j

 

[Corbet]

The main road will be plowed past Montezuma. But once you arrive at the Webster Pass road you'll need snowshoes, skis, or a sled until probably late May early June. I think it took me 3 hours on skis to get to the top of Webster Pass from memory, but it was a few years ago.

I think the picture of the truck up top still has all you guys living an illusion of how much snow will be down valley.

Easy to get to it to for inspection and/or clean the snow out, but that thing isn't going anywhere until spring without an airlift or a snowcat and sled-trailer.

Have a good time. Its a nice ski tour up there but be safe. Have avalanche gear, and know how ti use it. Risk is not huge but its there.

 

[powderpig]

One would also need to get it back on the trail to get it out. I would doubt that the FS would like this vehicle making it own trail down a mountain side.

 

[coax]

I wonder if anyone rents mattracks around here....get a snowmobile to make 4 trips if the cruiser would start.

 

[rcor]

Looks like the weekend works best for those that are up for the expedition to remove the snow inside and mitigate more piling in.

I think access up Montezuma is best. The trek from where a vehicle can reach is probably about 3 hours, which is why I'm trying to land a snowmobile to cut that to about 1 hour or less. I could at least get everyone to the base.

The forecast has another storm coming in this weekend. Looks like mother nature will dictate when we go up. The wind will be the biggest challenge.

 

[rover67]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I was thinking about your scenario last night again and a Ham radio would have been handy. You might want to look into getting your license and getting a mobile rig when you get your truck back.

 

[rcor]

Agreed.

I regret a lot about this experience, but none more that simply being prepared. Ham radio being one of the items on the list.

 

[rover67]

Agreed.

I regret a lot about this experience, but none more that simply being prepared. Ham radio being one of the items on the list.

We've all done similar things, it is how we learn and get better at what we do. I am glad you guys ended up being Ok in the end, that's really what counts the most. The fact that you are Ok means you did make a bunch of right decisions, think about it that way The truck is just a truck.

 

[farnhamstj]

Weekends are best for me also. The feedback I have on that proposed route is you are headed up a gully. Avalanche is more likely and you expose yourself to both the west and north aspects. While these are less dangerous than East aspect. A better route would be the ridge or follow the road.