yikes!!!!

Luckly for us, we were all able to come home safely with just a few shakes but it could have easily been worse.

The line that rob took was a valid line. The only problem was that the line he took on the left side was giving away after my 4runner along w/ 2 others had gone thru. the right side of that trail had a 2 foot rut which is impossible for any of our almost stock 4runners to go thru so taking that left line was a must. Apparently as Rob passed thru the back tire gave out as the ground started to give way

the only thing that, that 4runner was held by was his tow hitch and rear diff sitting on the rock along w/ the front right tire firmly on the ground.

We assessed the damage and determined that his vehicle was going to be pretty difficult to rescue so creativity took action. Three vehicles made it past that point and as my 4runner was the heaviest and the strongest (1 tacoma and a 2nd gen 4runner), I made back down the switchback to become the anchor point on the front to ensure that his vehicle will not roll down the hill. I attempted to pull his vehicle out by dragging him but this only made the situation worse as his vehicle started to slide out down even more (as you can see in some of the pix of his 4runner leaning down... ).

Luckly for us, we all had frs radios and a cb calling for help and a good samaritan heard our distress for additional recovery gear and was able to dispatch a border patrol that was near by to our location to assist us. With the help of the border patrol, we were able to get a 2nd tow strap and anchor the back of rob's 4runner to another 4runner (scott) so that rob's 4runner will not roll down as I pull.

As soon as we determined that there was no way out but to take a risk by me pulling him forward and hope for the best, we took action. Out only safety point was that scott's 4runner was anchoring rob's rear end down ensuring that his 4runner will not roll: this was crucial as I was determined to make sure that his 4runner was not going to be lost. I attempted twice to pulling rob's 4runner out but with almost no traction from my 4runner and the fact that I was pretty much attemping to pull 2 4runners, even the v8 had no power to do so (dang it!!!)... btw, rob was not in his 4runner for these 2 attempts as I didn't want anything to happen rob if indeed the 4runner was going to go down the hill. (his 4runner at this point was in neutral and all the brakes were released.)

After we deteremind that my 4runner was not going to be able to pull out his 4runner and the anchor 4runner in the back, our only option was to have rob sit in his 4runner and have him drive it out (going forward towards me) while I pull him out and scott in the rear anchoring him down moving slowly forward so that rob can move forward. After 3 hrs of high stress levels we determined that this was our last option as we discussed it with others that helped out to assess the situation.

Scott, Rob and myself all sat in our 4runner's and hoped for the best. As soon as I started to pull Rob's 4runner and he felt the tug, he started to throttle his 4runner forward. This all happened so quick so I'm not sure what exactly happened next. All I know is that my 4runner got a real good traction feel as we had stuffed rocks under the tires to better assist me... but as soon as I saw robs car moving towards me, I didn't stop! I kept on going in reverse until I heard screaming to stop..

At that moment, I knew that Rob's 4runner was saved! Talk about a stressful moment. Luckly, with Rob's 4runner in his rear locking tires, as soon as his left rear (that was hanging) got onto firm ground, he was back on all 4 and back on the middle of the trail !!!!!

Everyone was happy and relieved as I know I myself, Rob and Scott were all happy that this disaster was avoided. People that were in the nearby area rocking climbing apparently was watching the chaos unfold. As soon as they saw that Rob's 4runner was saved, we heard cheering from across the canyon !! that was a very exhilarating feeling as people around were also happy to see the outcome be a positive one instead of one that would have been real real bad.

As soon as Rob's 4runner was saved, we saw a helicopter come by to make sure everything was okay. I'm pretty sure it was for the boarder patrol but I guess they also came to make sure everything was okay!

I must say in the end, this entry level offroading expedition became one crazy offroading trip! Thank goodness that we all came back in one piece and are able to talk about...

Lance

Thanks to everyone that helped make this trip possible (scott) and also being there to hold Rob's rear!! hehe sounds soo bad ehe! . Thanks for the hikers and also the border patrol and everyone else out there cheering us on!

'89 runner:

well this trip was my 2nd trip with rob and marc...

Even though this 4th gen 4runner did loose alot of height (@*&@#@%) reading the line and picking the best one makes this 4runner a very capable rig. My 4runner is still stock (although I'm in the process of working w/ King Shocks to see what we can do... woo hoo) but I was able to handle all the trails that the other 4runners/tacoma's were able to handle.. abit of scratching here and there, along w/ some skids being dragged but other than that, it works well. I gotta say that the traction isn't that bad at all either. Lock the center (and disable the vsc) and you have a pretty good 4runner... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Hopefully after lifting this rig, I'll be able to take some more adventurous lines next time!

I think the bottom line is you make the best of what you have and take the lines that you know you can clear. Know your limitations on your rig and do the best you can... Be smart and go slow, nothing wrong w/ going slow. Plus if it doesn't work the first time, just backup and try try again! heheh

Lance

Wow <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> great story and pics. That will make for some Nightmares. Glad to see everyone safe.

Rich P.

What a trip that was. Lets go again soon!!!! By the way where are the pics of my truck??JK. This was quite a learning experience for me as well as the rest of the group. For those who made comments about taking the wrong line up the road you are only 1/2 correct. This was a tight road up, I went up first and saw the hazard, but it did not look as soft as it really was. I think the recent rains may have loosened up that area (2 mines almost on top of eachother).

Rob, Lance , Scott you guys did great, and I will wheel with you guys anytime. Lets go buy towstraps!!

Until next time!!

Wow, truly amazing story AND pics, guys! Glad to hear you were able to pull his rig out. Pucker factor must have been off the scale. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Yeah, nice story and pics. I think that was great to use one 4Runner at a 90 degree angle to anchor it, along with more people uphill pulling it more upright.

I hesitate to add this for fear that it sounds like I'm putting you down, but I'd like to offer a recommendation that you never pull anyone while the tow vehicle is backwards. Your rear axle is notably stronger than the front, plus the tow vehicle has much more control when pulling forward normally. I've seen a couple Jeeps snap u-joints incredibly easily when towing backwards, even when they're only pulling a little Sukuzi. Yeah, good thing these aren't Jeeps, but the point remains.

Glad you had a fun time and you caught the off-roading bug.

Jeff:

You do have a point about going in reverse vs going forward.

We chose that method because when rob's truck was lined up initially, we determined that I would attempt to pull him because of the line his truck was facing (which is shown on 1 pic i think). The pic w/ the tacoma shown will give you a good idea of the angle rob ended up. We first determined that I would have to pull him up the trail in the direction that his tire was setup. This meant that I couldn't just drive down the hill in reverse and pull him as pulling him would mean he'd slide off the side. we had to pull him up the hill and also towards the right side of the trail.

This meant that I had to go in forward facing towards him and try to pivot my front tires as I drive in reverse.. Not the best method but it was a shot.

In the end, I don't think it really mattered since rob did get to go home with his 4runner ! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I know he's one happy camper as I think we were abit on the edge!

Sorry Marc (on the photos... btw I did find more pix from the anza borrego trip... I'll bring it next time!), but hopefully I'll have some pix of your truck on this roll.. This time I'm scanning the pix so I'll have it up on webshots soon <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Rob, I give ya lots of credit for being very composed on the entire situation. The situation was definitely a 5000 out of 100. For a bit, I too felt like the situation took the better of me, but I did compose myself and redetermined myself that we would not loose your 4runner. The thought of that made me sick and we had to do something to save ya! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I'm happy that everything did turn out the way it did. I know that this experience has made us more aware of the environment out there. If ya wanna hit up some trails again, I'll be there riding by your side and will have no problems helping ya out again! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> Let's all bring some recovery equipment next time! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

so, when's the next trip? since our last 2 trips has been the 9th, how about we do a monthly thing on the 2nd weekend? (Either sat/sun). I have no problems driving down to the SD area, unless you guys want to head out to the LA area (suggested by a fellow member) but I'm not familiar w/ any trails in this area so... I'm up for suggestions! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> so where we hitting up next time?

Lance

I'll have to drive over there for a run with you guys some time. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

lance,

i had a blast sunday. i'm all for doing this monthly. i really liked in ko pah, mostly rock and lots of places to really test our (stock) vehicles. lots more fun than some of the trails i've been on where you drive for 20 minutes, climb something, drive for 20 minutes, climb something. i don't have a problem with driving to la county either. as long as we can make a good day out of it, it's fine with me.

still trying to save up money to build the suspension so i can do some of these trails with a little more confidence, so i have resorted to putting my baby, Honda 250R fourtrax, for sale. this is one h3ll of a quad, longtravel suspension and the list goes on & on. tell your friends, neighbors, relatives, pastors, i want to start building my 4runner! http://www.geocities.com/stemplin/

I like the idea of a monthly run too. I would like to go back to in-ko-pah and explore the other side and the road that we saw from the ledge.

Lets start thinking about our next run. I also still want to explore Corral Canyon OHV.