Wheeling in snow & ice = Abort!

[2nd 392]

Anything less from you, I would have been disappointed.

you’re making me blush

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[Flip]

you’re making me blush

 

[Zandcwhite]

What I say is wheel within 70% of your vehicle capability and your capability. That leaves a pretty good buffer for over judgment of situations.

I agree to a point. When it comes to deep snow wheeling, even solo we go until we can't and then pull cable to turn around and head back down. You'll never know where the limit is unless you find it every once in a while. Granted we have 6 plus decades wheeling between the wife and I so I'm not suggesting noobs go out and get themselves in a spot they can't get out of solo. The 70% rule is a good one when you actually know where the 100% line is. I'd bet most new Jeep owners think they are at 70% when they are closer to 25%. If you see a Subaru on the same trail... less than 25%. 4runner, maybe 50%. Bronco you might be closer to 70% if he's really pushing it. Nothing but built Jeeps and buggies, now you're actually above the 70% mark.

 

[bd100]

I've turned around for less. Also alone with failing light. Was a place where I could get down but not sure I'd get back up, and I didn't feel like messing with the monster hand winch if there were problems, and I didn't know conditions further down the trail.

Cell was spotty. I carry a Garmin Inreach with preprogrammed phone numbers for some of those volunteer rescue groups, and GMRS mobile and handheld to talk with approaching rescuers or anyone local.

 

[BRuby]

I've turned around for less. Also alone with failing light. Was a place where I could get down but not sure I'd get back up, and I didn't feel like messing with the monster hand winch if there were problems, and I didn't know conditions further down the trail.

Cell was spotty. I carry a Garmin Inreach with preprogrammed phone numbers for some of those volunteer rescue groups, and GMRS mobile and handheld to talk with approaching rescuers or anyone local.

Very Smart. Those that have actually experienced being out in the back country solo know the actual risks in cold and darkness. It is not a fun place to be. Trust me. Shit can easily go sideways very fast. From fun - to oh shit - in a second. Slide 90 degrees - flip wreck your Jeep. Then darkness and deal in pain with a broken arm - or even a wimpy twisted ankle. Nice. Have fun with that once all your backup batteries die.

Is very easy to punch away at a keyboard in all bravado and such. Stay safe peeps.

Edit: Just watched this video - guy makes his conclusions at the end about lockers and shovels. Umm. Yep. My recommendation is do not BS around. Again always bring 2 full length - not half length or fold up retractable ones. Multiple boards as well. When you need them - you will indeed smile from ear to ear.

 

[wibornz]

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.

Well said. There is no shame in turning around. We have done it to. We were wheeling in the mountains in Canada in May. We were trying to get to the top of a mountain and near the top the trail was snowed in. The snow was that ice snow that packs then quickly turns to ice. It was on a shelf with a decent accent and very lille room for any mishaps. We ended up backing about 250 yards back down the trail before there was a spot that we could turn around.

The trail came with this warning sign.

Right around the corner, the trail fills up with snow.

 

[LARSONEM]

When in doubt, turn around...it's an even better decision if you're alone.

I usually lead our group. I have the most capable vehicle in our group. I’m not ashamed to turn the group around. My idea of fun isn’t wading in mud or water to hook up recovery gear. Call me a wimp if you like; just out to have fun with friends.

 

[NWJeepr]

I usually lead our group. I have the most capable vehicle in our group. I’m not ashamed to turn the group around. My idea of fun isn’t wading in mud or water to hook up recovery gear. Call me a wimp if you like; just out to have fun with friends.

There’s certainly no shame in that, in fact, it’s a good quality for a group leader to have!

I don’t do any mud or snow wheeling anymore. It’s just too hard on the rig, and too much potential for a bad day… been there, done that.

 

[Bayrat]

Those pictures remind me of a trail I was on years ago in the Southern Tier while going hunting. With a cliff to my left, a hill on my right and the trail turning from loose snow to ice.

 

[DontCallMeRubi]

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?

I grew up in and around Washington, DC and learned how to drive on snow and ice, I did some 4 wheeling up in the mountains of Southern California after an ice storm and once the vehicle starts sliding, it likely won't stop until it hits something, depending on speed and steepness...It was fun at the time but you gotta have nerves of steel and don't care what might happen to the Jeep. Today, I would not do it and am a fair weather Jeeper.

 

[3TV]

I bought my first Jeep in 1974 and have owned them ever since. In that 50 years there have only been two times I have had to walk out, both times in deep snow, with nothing to winch to. Both were with the same Jeep, a 1981 CJ5 with a Chevy 350 V8 and Dana 44s with air lockers.

More recently, with my 2022 392 XR, I decided to do some exploring near the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in southern Utah. It was a winter day and conditions crossing the mountain range between my house and the Coral Pink area were challenging (see picture).

Once over the mountain it wasn't so bad. The highways were wet and there was < 1 foot of snow on the ground. The Coral Pink area is a mix of sand and slickrock. While exploring I had to cross the side of what appeared to be a large shallow bowl that was about 300 yards across. I stopped and considered whether the ground surface under the snow was dirt, sand, or slickrock. Then decided to go ahead and cross the very edge of the bowl. The ground surface was slickrock, which really is slick if it has snow on it, and my Jeep started slowly sliding to the bottom of the bowl. It took a while because it was a slow slide. I had plenty of time to try to throttle out, or to try backing up, or to try stopping altogether. Nothing made any difference, the Jeep just kept sliding to the bottom of the bowl, about 150 yards off the dirt road I had been on. It took multiple tries to climb back out of that bowl, and for a while I didn't think I was going to be able to. It was 150 yards to the closest winch point, so I wouldn't have been able to winch out. I turned around and went home after that, with no shame over having to turn back.

The scary part to me was that it could have been a long slickrock slope that ended at the top of a cliff. There wouldn't have been anything I could have done except Jump out of my Jeep and watch it slide right off the cliff edge.

 

[MayThe4x4BWU]

Good on you to stick to your instinct @Flip

That said, I'll stick to storm chasing through torrential rain and random flying debris vs driving on any icy road/not road like that

I've had the harrowing experience of sliding sideways down an icy road that barely had a grade on it. Felt like I was in a bumper car as my car tires bounced off the curb and back into the road, the back again before coming to a stop at the bottom of the "hill" I can't imagine the outcome of the road you were on if things went sideways, literally

 

[Flip]

once the vehicle starts sliding, it likely won't stop until it hits something.

@3TV
Nothing made any difference, the Jeep just kept sliding to the bottom of the bowl.

You guys are right on point. That's exactly what I was worried about and that's why I turned around.

I still feel like a whipped dog.

 

[2nd 392]

@3TV
Nothing made any difference, the Jeep just kept sliding to the bottom of the bowl.

You guys are right on point. That's exactly what I was worried about and that's why I turned around.

I still feel like a whipped dog.

alas - a dog named Flip. it’s sad

 

[Flip]

alas - a dog named Flip. it’s sad

You always have a way of cheering me up. Thanks buddy.

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