Wheeling in snow & ice = Abort!

[3TV]

I see nothing in those pictures to turn back for. It looks like a pretty fun little trail to me.

But, I read something that would be a good reason to turn back. "Running solo and losing daylight" are both good reasons to turn back if you are not comfortable with the terrain. If you are not carrying the needed survival gear in your Jeep to spend a night in the forest at that temperature it is better to error on the side of safety. Good call.

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[SadRobot]

This is the first time I've ever had to turn around, I failed!

Would you have turned around or ran it?

I don't think this is a fail at all. Whether I'm out wheeling or hiking if I ever got that unsettled feeling I've turned around and never once regretted it.

A fail is when you don't make it back home, anything else is a win.

 

[21JLURDG]

There's never shame is hitting the limit of your comfort level. Here are two links to the same recent local event of a stranded dad and daughter. If you can't open it, it basically says search & rescue found them after a cold night with a broken Jeep. I have a Garmin inReach Messenger just for this.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AUAtz6QZm/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15xP5PeHdL/

 

[Rubi6mt]

Flagpole knob, VA
Starting Elevation: 4290
Temperature: 30 degrees

I was really enjoying some good off-roading but the packed snow & slick ice left me no choice but to abort, tuck tail, turn around, and go home.

I was sliding around way more than my heart could take. I really wanted to press on but (see last photo) it was a sheet of ice, one long slip & slide. I dont know if airing down lower may have helped. I don't have chains but they crossed my mind. Running solo and losing daylight was also a factor.

This is the first time I've ever had to turn around, I failed!

Would you have turned around or ran it?

Good call to listen to your gut. Each situation is so dependent on weather, type of snow/ice and tires/tore pressure

This is me early March on Crawler Ridge at AOAA in PA. Temps where in the mid 20s and it was a semi controlled decent, ie I could not stop if I tried. I just sort of slowed the decent and steered.

Tires on this Jeep were 37 KM3s at 14psi.

as whether or not I'd try it, definitely. But would definitely adjust my risk comfort as I ventured further

 

[BRuby]

Flagpole knob, VA
Starting Elevation: 4290
Temperature: 30 degrees

I was really enjoying some good off-roading but the packed snow & slick ice left me no choice but to abort, tuck tail, turn around, and go home.

I was sliding around way more than my heart could take. I really wanted to press on but (see last photo) it was a sheet of ice, one long slip & slide. I dont know if airing down lower may have helped. I don't have chains but they crossed my mind. Running solo and losing daylight was also a factor.

This is the first time I've ever had to turn around, I failed!

Would you have turned around or ran it?

Based on your description you made the right move. We have failed many times in similar types of situations and there is no shame at all in turning around. You really gotta do what makes good sense vs risk it and just going for it hoping all will be ok.

Cold and ice and falling light and solo and no chains are not a recipe for success in that situation. Airing down would likely not have done much. Studs would also not have done much - but would have definitely helped. We had a 4x4 with studs and they still slid easy on slick black ice. Little tiny studs only do so much stopping downhill. Chains would be your best bet. We have them and they are indispensable for ice that. You still have to drive very very carefully. But that is the ticket.

So you are on the right track thinking that. Smart of you.

Try and try again - as that is the best way to learn your Jeep handling limits and your driving limits. We do ice and snow and slush traction tests like this all the time. As that is how we improve our skills on pavement and out in the back country. Always be safe. Always be prepared. You do not want to be that guy everyone talks about doing something silly and should have known better. Live to tell another day.

 

[Opus]

Discretion is the better part of valor...

 

[Pig-Pen]

I would have had a blast with that!

But then again…

 

[2nd 392]

Awww jeeeez, whatta wimp, ya call that light dusting snow ? So Waddaya do ?

Someone had to say it, everyone else is patting you on the back

 

[Mine&Hers]

Flip, you made the right decision, flagpole union springs and the national forest is my backyard, have wheeled camped and hunted the (Knob) for over 40 years the route you was on is very deceiving especially in the winter can’t count how many trucks, jeeps and other vehicles I have seen stranded or worse on the mountain. Here are some old pictures of bringing my buddies bronco off in the late 1980s him and his friend had to walk off mountain in the storm.

 

[SadRobot]

I would have had a blast with that!

But then again…

Yeah and you'd be out there with the top down and no doors, too.

 

[Krondor]

I say fuck it.

Getting sideways on an icy trail with a cliff to greet you if you mess up is a stark reminder to know your limits.

Baby steps.

I'd try this trail again with the JL as I have learned Ted's recommendation to air down to single digits in these cases is a game changer. So is driving closer to the cliff if the grip is better.

Anywho, I don't venture out much in the snow and ice alone anymore. No worries about it, as it may save you hours of recovery or even your Jeep. More importantly, your life. That trail isn't going anywhere. Come back when it's in better condition.

 

[Flip]

Awww jeeeez, whatta wimp, ya call that light dusting snow ? So Waddaya do ?

Someone had to say it, everyone else is patting you on the back

Anything less from you, I would have been disappointed.

Believe me, it killed me to turn around.

 

[desertdude59]

Yeah I've heard some stories about guys getting stuck up there. No one has time for that. Lol

 

[Heimkehr]

This is the first time I've ever had to turn around, I failed!

Would you have turned around or ran it?

I've driven in such conditions...on studded 3PMSF snow tires that were aired down a bit. Slow and steady won every time. We've a fair number of such opportunities in my patch of Pennsylvania. The pic I included here is in fact a reasonable facsimile of the long driveway on my parents' property. Theirs is actually steeper in some sections. We were just there yesterday for Christmas dinner.

There will be those instances when you need the right tools, and only the right tools will do.

 

[BRuby]

Getting sideways on an icy trail with a cliff to greet you if you mess up is a stark reminder to know your limits.

Anywho, I don't venture out much in the snow and ice alone anymore. No worries about it, as it may save you hours of recovery or even your Jeep. More importantly, your life. That trail isn't going anywhere. Come back when it's in better condition.

This sounds valid.

We had a situation after skiing with my son. Coming down the mountain just after the final hairpin before the final downhill back to civilization. Everyone comes to a stop. Ok wassup?

We both get out and take a quick look see. Hmm? Feels a tad slippy on this pavement. Very hard packed snow and a bit of ice under. Walk a bit more. Yep. Very Slippy it is.

Ok wait a second WTF!!! Our parked Subie with snows is starting slide with it in first gear and the handbrake on!!!

We both jump in front of it and stop it - just before it gains momentum downhill on the slightest of inclines. Then pack boot fulls of snow in front of all the wheels. Saves the day. Just barely in time. Problem. Bus at the bottom of the hill is sideways across the lanes flipped on its side. Couple if cars sliding and hitting it from behind. Nice.

Another instance - stopped on the highway down a bend and an incline. Bluebird morning in a shaded area before the sun hits to melt the frosted ice. Problem. 4x4 with studs at the bottom of hill is flipped in a ditch. For an hour later - vehicles stopped and parked - slide into one another. Nice.

OP might have made it down that little stretch going straight no brakes. Maybe made it even back up with plenty of momentum. But try to stop downhill - expect a 90 then 180. Slow down uphill - would likely stop forward progress and slide 90 to where the snow - not ice is.

Steepness and slickness never look as bad in a photo vs in reality. So stay safe peeps. Especially solo in cold and falling light. Can get real nasty trying to extricate yourself in the pitch of darkness with frozen fingers.

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