Brian Wolfe at bluelakeoffroad.com recently asked how my bumper was working out and I had this little story to convey.
On the morning of my last day in Ketchikan, there was one last road I had yet to fully run on the island I just had to attempt. Snow had stopped my progress on two attempts back in May. The road was clear of snow at the lower elevations, so I ventured up Brown Road toward the top of the mountain hoping to get a few last parting photographs of Alaska.
Exploring Alaska goes woops
Five miles in and in a totally remote part of the island, my progress was halted by snow covering the road in the northern shadows of a cliff. Only about a hundred yards of the road was covered. I locked the truck into 4 wheel drive and made a run at it. Tires spun. I backed up and made another run — a little farther this time.
After three attempts, each one going farther into the snow drift, the truck slid sideways, resting dangerously on the edge of the road. Close to rolling the truck, I got out and assessed the situation.
The whole weight of the truck was on the front bumper as I slowly winched it back onto the road.
Two hours later and two hairy pulls with the winch, I had the truck back level on firmer ground. With one last reverse tire spinning run, I cleared the snow and was free. I never made it to the top of the mountain, but had one last adventure before boarding the ferry homebound.
To winch the truck free, I had to run the cable up the cliff, attach the snatch block to a tree and anchor the cable to the side of the truck, attaching it to the rock rails. The whole weight of the truck was on the front bumper as I slowly winched it back onto the road.
Being prepared with the right equipment, is not to look cool at the mall, it saves your butt when in a possible life dangerous situation. My Blue Lake bumper held up to the demands, Thanks Brain.
