Schlud - Jam

Well, today Schlud and I decided to get the heck out of the house. For all of you PNWX'ers that were a "maybe" last night....check what you missed......


Not even ten minutes into the trail I managed to slid into a snow bank. As I tried to back out, it just got worse. The temp was about 32 degrees, so five seconds of trying to get out just melted the snow and made it super slick and icy.

In times like this the rules are:
Husband Dig
Wife take picture

...I was finally out and we were on our way. We tried everything and finally had to bring the Schludmobile back to yank me out. Ten minutes later, the snow was getting deeper and more unfriendly. Time to turn around.....

and 20 minutes down the road. Better snow, better temps and better trails.....

The mandatory window shot...

and the trails steeper, but we still got much better traction. I guess a few degrees difference in temp kept the snow from melting under our tires and refreezing as ice.

Hold on Schlud, I'll get your winch...

Stage diving...........'THANK YOU SEATTLE, WE LOVE YOU....GOOD NIGHT!!"

We tried for an observatory that Schlud knew about... not that we could see anything...

Just as I took this pic, Schlud was on the CB "Well, that is about it I think..."

and checking out the Cougar tracks, it was time to back down the hill and turn around. As I dropped back, the wife gave me play-by-play on how Schlud was doing...

"Okay, his is backing up... trying to turn....almost there....oh, wait....nope, his is okay....well, noooo, hmmmm......yeeeea, yea, yep he is stuck."

(another window shot)

We decided to call it a day. It was raining pretty good and we didn't want to get caught up there when the temps started dropping.

On the way back we noticed that our tracks from the trip up were really starting to melt. In a few places we had managed to dig down to the dirt / mud.

After a pee break....

any pictures of yellow snow?

Now my flow is all messed up!!!:D

Anyway we got down all safe. Hopefully Schlud will have some pics of me in the muddy ruts here pretty soon.....

The exit....

Taking a photo before getting stuck backing up to ToeJams truck.

The crust the snowmobiles made is starting to break down so we decide to turn around.

Heading up a new trail.

In the trees.

Breaking trail wasn't easy. Lots of revs up to 5500. If I got stuck I would have to back down to flatter terrain (avoiding the drifts) to get another run at the hills.

Another view from the back.

Where did that trail go?

The fog was creating a whiteout in the upper elevations

Yeah, that would be the end of the trail. I tried using gravity to help get turned around, but got high centered once I entered a drift. Luckilly there was a tree nearby for some much needed winching.

Heading back out. The obligatory side view mirror shot.

Across the bridge and we're on our way out. This was one of the best trips I've been on. The snow made a unique challenge to a trail our club has been on several times. I know people say this all the time, but I was impressed with how far we were able to take out trucks up into the snow. Back in time for dinner, it was a great day run.

Looks fun!

I've tried to find places like that around here but the Forest service has blocked it all off.:mad:

I guess they know what their doing.

Now the only places to go snow 'wheeing here are in open fields and thats no fun, and I don't think the farmers like it either.;)

Great pictures. Dam I want to go out again. Jens you want to try out those new tires of yours :frog: .

ToeJam what tires where you running?

Hey Scott count me in, those pics have got me eager like a kid in a candy store. But um, which one of us is going to buy the winch?? ;)

Nice pics guys, looks like you had an amazing day.

Originally posted by superjens
Hey Scott count me in, those pics have got me eager like a kid in a candy store. But um, which one of us is going to buy the winch?? ;)

Nice pics guys, looks like you had an amazing day.

Well, we could have gotten by without the winch, just using tow straps, but I didn't want to do a sideways tug. Just make sure you have someone with you, and a rear tow point is definitely a plus. :D

if only i didn't have to work.
great pics. i have been up in that area in the snow before (a little closer to cle elum) and thats some deep fluff. looks like some hub deep, diff draggin action. damn job ruins everything.....

Only one thing to say .....NICE !


I think we must arrange a PNWX trip Soon..any idea of which one the first of 2002 should be?. It would be fun to do some snow camping...


Congrats on a fun day !


Claus

Originally posted by scott.com
ToeJam what tires where you running? [/B]

I'm running the Michelin 4x4 XPC, stock size for the '01 SE (255/65 R16 I believe). Overall a pretty good all around tire, but still not as good as an AT. Schlud cleared the trails all day (running BFG ATs) as I just didn't have enough traction to plow through 12" of snow.

snow camping sounds damn good.
xlax wheres the pics of the sliderz??

Originally posted by evergreen
snow camping sounds damn good.
xlax wheres the pics of the sliderz??


I know...Jens can you bring the Camera around this week?...

"But um, which one of us is going to buy the winch?? "



Jens, whaddya think that ugly thing on the front of my rig is? If I get an invite ill bring it along for the good of the cause...

I went out in the cascades two weekends ago with a friend and was halfway up the doors in snow (couldnt open them). We helped a Jeep Wrangler (From Hawaii) get unstuck and a brand spankin new Yukon (guy figured if he kept his foot on the accelerator sooner or later he would get out of his large hole). We also got to watch a terrified guy ice-skate his Grand Cherokee too....very entertaining - especially when his wife started yelling at him.
It was a good day and there were some very fine snow bunnies on skis around too.


:cool:


It did find out that ice pack in the front wheels makes for some scary highway driving though....


That trip on Sunday looked like fun - I had to fix some things on my truck or I would have been there like a shot.

Originally posted by Schludwiller
In the trees.

That pic is awesome!

Nice pictures! Looks like fun!

That shot was cool! I've been trying to master the "over the right shoulder" shot myself.....:cool:

Same trip. Just snow and Aztec Red.
http://www.xterra4x4.com/images/bin/redonsnow7.jpg