The request submitted: “2 trucks are stuck at this location. First one is a tan, 2004 Chevy Silverado, 4×4, however it popped out of 4×4 and I got stuck in a snow bank, once it gets moving I should be able to get it locked back in. Second vehicle is a blue, 2000 Chevy Silverado which is about a 1/4 mile south of the first truck, on the same road. The front diff made a lid pop and we lost 4×4. It’s only got rear wheel drive at the moment and it’s stuck at the bottom of a hill. Road conditions are deep snow, it rained a little and starting turning into slush. We are not with the vehicles, but can meet back at the trail head. / I’m not with the vehicle“
Tuesday, March 21st, 2023, at 8:20 a.m. (PST), we received a request for help submitted by Christopher Hill. They left the vehicles behind and needed help to get them out.
By 8:40 a.m., the ticket was submitted to volunteers nearby. Two minutes later, we already had the first volunteer offering help: Anthony Sanchez. By 11:09 a.m., the second volunteer also offered support: Chris Brown.
The plan was to meet with the requester at around 4:00 p.m. Chris later closed the ticket and send us the following notes and video.
Notes From Chris Brown: “I only took a few videos of last night. I can write a quick synopsis.
Met with the requestor at 5:15 or so at Chevron in Banks, OR. They let us know that both vehicles were low on fuel (they brought gas and diesel) and both had broken 4wd. Diesel chevy broke the transfer case, gas chevy broke the front differential.
Loaded up, dropped their passenger car off at Rogers Day Use. Drove to scene. First vehicle encountered was the diesel. Kept staying in the ditch, the LS3 swapped cruiser was able to move it most of the way, the final hill we used the 4Runner and the Cruiser in series to pull the last stretch.
Second vehicle was stuck between the entrance and exit of University Firepower (see screenshot map). I went through the trail and Tony went down the road. Hooked my winch to the rear of the truck to pull it sideways back onto the main packed area, aired the vehicle down to the low teens, and the cruiser was able to pull it fully out to the intersection of University and the main road. We got the rigs down to Rogers, aired up, and I followed the Chevy’s down as the front differential was causing the vehicle to pull to the passenger side whenever the teeth met back up.
Recovery was complete around 8:45 p.m.,.
I was very bummed because they had gotten stuck literally 2 hours after I left that exact area on Sunday. Could’ve rescued them without SAR and others involvement. Got it done safely though!“
Thank you guys, remarkable job!