Sunday, April 6th, 2025, at 2:05 p.m. (PT), we received a request for help with an offroad recovery in Washington. The requester, Dylan Yu, submitted the following information: “Short, windy dirt/mud road off of FR88 and Lewis River Rd in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA. Vehicle is a 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia, weight likely 3200-4000 lbs. Starter is dead, so will be calling a towing company if it can be recovered back to the main road. We have another vehicle and drove out of the forest into cell service nearby. Does not need to be recovered immediately / I’m not with the vehicle / I can help cover the cost of fuel.”
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 40-mile radius.
From the group of contacted volunteers we had Bob Appling taking over. He marked himself as engaging and right away jumped into action. A few hours later he closed the request and sent us the photos we shared below and a quick note.
From Bob
Recovery was pretty easy. The only tow points were on the rear so connected a long tow strap to each with soft shackles and the mid point of the strap to a D-ring attached to a Factor 55 hitch adapter. Towed van backwards up the hill and around several tight switch backs to the road. A short pull & clutch pop and that was it. Requesting party did not bring another driver so I drove his vehicle, he drove the van and my wife followed in the Jeep to his home.
We can’t thank Bob enough for his quick response. Thanks to all volunteers who responded to the call.
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