4runner silver Stuck off a hilly offroad

Monday, April 21st, 2025, at 9:57 a.m. (PT), we received a request for help with an offroad recovery in California. The requester, Tyler Fruchter , submitted the following information: “4runner silver Stuck off a hilly offroad trail Attempted to reverse after discovering soft sand, lost torque and tried to u turn and lost more torque / I’m with the vehicle”

Our administrator, Al Fontan, contacted the requester and verified the contact information provided, GPS location, and current situation before sending the request to local volunteers. In this particular recovery, we contacted volunteers within a 20-mile radius.

From the group of contacted volunteers we had Laura McKenzie and Jose Vargas and Ray Retziaff, taking over the request. Within minutes they marked themselves as engaging, and started coordinating the efforts.

The recovery was completed by 6 p.m. we later got a few photos a quicks notes from Jose and Laura, we share below.

Notes from the volunteers

From Laura: “We used our 2025 Wrangler with a 12000 pound winch. It was more an awkward angle recovery than hard.  Due to terrain, the only good pull point was from the rear with the winch. We would winch out a few feet, readjust angle a few time until we got him back on the trail to the paved road. “

From Jose: “I would recommend carrying extra floor Mats for traction in horrible situations.”

We want to thank all volunteers who participated in this recovery. You all are amazing.

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