Anyone off-road by themself?

[PhotoRunner]

I also spend most of the time solo on trails in CO and UT, I haven't gotten stuck...yet. I normally don't go out on trails alone that I know will require a spotter or trails that will push the truck to its limits. I did take a wrong turn in the San Juans and ended going down a very difficult trail in the rain with my Tacoma. I also ended up on a trail in UT that had an obsticle I couldn't pass -- so I turned around rather than push it. Usually if I can't get by on a couple of tries I head another way. I am also always packed for camping purposes, so I am prepared to spend multiple nights out. I think on moderate trails with a vehicle that is properly equipped and with provisons wheeling alone is a lot of fun. One thing I always do is leave an itinerary of where I am and what time I should be back with someone. I haven't wheeled my 4Runner much yet, but I am leaving for Utah in a couple weeks....

 

[HB 4X4]

How are our experiences with cell coverage in our areas going to benefit you in any way from a completely different location?

IMO if you are asking these questions, you should NOT be out alone or Darwin is going to eradicate you.

 

[WhiteChevelle]

Do cell phones work on trails? Have you got stuck? Had a flat? Will Triple AAA or any towing company come out help you out? Sorry for the multiple questions. I just wanna hear your experiences off-roading alone.

im seeing a pattern of really stupid questions by you, yes you should wheel by yourself and hopefully you get lost! :bash:

 

[reefer#2]

usually i stick to dirt roads close to town which there are plenty of.

been stuck only once. at night. in mud. with threadless tires. not fun.
called up a freind and he towed me out

 

[CSL]

im seeing a pattern of really stupid questions by you, yes you should wheel by yourself and hopefully you get lost! :bash:

What an a-hole comment to make. Do you feel better about yourself now...

 

[techno]

What an a-hole comment to make. Do you feel better about yourself now...

Yeah, this WhiteChevelle character is already making a d!ck of him/herself. I give him/her 2-3 months tops before getting banned.

 

[WhiteChevelle]

What an a-hole comment to make. Do you feel better about yourself now...

I just don't understand the garbage that some of these post-whores say all the time. Some just post to post without even thinking at all

 

[WhiteChevelle]

Yeah, this WhiteChevelle character is already making a d!ck of him/herself. I give him/her 2-3 months tops before getting banned.

Hahahah!!!!

I didn't know I was Not entitled to a opinion?

Is there a forum rules page because I could not find such a thing, I would like to closely study it so I can know what I can and cannot say cause it seems like they ban people left and right

 

[techno]

Your 'opinion' that MikesToy asks stupid questions has no relevance to the discussion and contributes absolutely nothing. This thread is good reading for those interested in offroading and everyone who has posted has had something to offer, except you. What's the point in attacking someone? If you start making a habit of insulting people and putting them down then that's just going to annoy people and make you very unpopular. No one will give a sh!t what you think and I guarantee you'll end up in a dumb internet fight and will get banned. I hope you don't get banned and can contribute to stuff here, just go easy on all the negative posts, that's all I'm saying.

You're right, many people do post garbage or ask stupid questions and that kind of thing. It pisses me off too. But 95% of the stuff here is actually interesting, informative or fun. That's why I visit the site a few times a week. Just ignore the crap and don't make a big deal out of it. The mods do a good job of keeping things civil and that's the way most people like it.

Here's the rules page that you couldn't find.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/annou...-statement/5809-rules-toyota-4runner-org.html

 

[MikesToy]

Thanks pal!

 

[Mark86]

WhiteChevelle: Please abide by forum rules 1 & 2. You are allowed to state your opinion, but whining about other members/mods and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Here is a link to the forum rules: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/new-members/53812-welcome-t4r-org-new-members-please-read.html

Let's get back to the topic at hand.

 

[G.I.G.]

Actually, the cell phone question is valid. I would never rely on a cell phone while out on a trail, but I always bring one with me. I think it important to always be prepared to get yourself back home without the assistance of others, but if all else fails, any form of communication you have at your disposal (CB, cell phone, etc.) can be beneficial.

Ironically, I have found that I will loose cell phone service just outside of some of the mountain towns I wheel near (Keystone, Breckenridge, etc.) but when you get on top of the Continental Divide and you are miles outside of civilization at 13,000 ft above sea level, I will have 3 or 4 bars. You just never know where you may or may not have service. FWIW, my wife is on Verizon and she consistently has a better signal in more places in the CO mountains than I do with AT&T.

Also, text messages can sometimes go through when calls cannot. Text messages carry far less data and are less susceptible to packet (information) loss than voice calls on a wireless network. So, if you were in a real pickle and had no bars, a text message still might go through with a couple of tries. Below is a perfect example....

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was returning to Elizabeth City, NC after providing security support in Vancouver for the Winter Olympics last month when it crashed in a storm in the UT mountains. With all of the sophisticated communications on board the Helo (EPIRB, portable VHF radio's, etc.), the method the crew members used to contact emergency authorities was using one of their cell phones to send a text message.

Needless to say, my cell phone goes with me everywhere. :

 

[Ulfr]

Ok, I haven't read the previous posts through, but few things I can share.
Note: I'm from Iceland, so perhaps situation is a little bit different over there.

Cell phones, not very reliable but however, it's not bad to have one with ye. Also, perhaps it helps havin' sim cards from few competitors, BUT, I think, the same as in Iceland, all e-communications go through if you can reach one repeater.
VHF or HF communications are a far off better way. But perhaps not available to everyone
(becomin' a T-licensed Amateur however opens many options, as their emergency network can be pretty good, at least in iceland, I'm not sure 'bout most other locations.)

Wheeling rough trails and situation not well known, can be quite hazardous, I do wheel alone often, but I do not recommend wheelin' alone unless you are very well geared and have the experience to survive at most situations.
Especially if you ain't got the right communication gear.
In my truck I have an HF and VHF, cell phone, TETRA, NMT and sometimes IRIDIUM to be able to communicate in case of distress.

But that's just my 5 cents or so (which is actually alot in Icelandic kronas these days.... ....)

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I haven't wheel'd alone but there was a big gap. seeing as I was the only one in our group that was 2wd I always went in the middle and was always sideways and on the gas. cellphones don't work if its those internet ones like my G1. CB's are what we use as a way to talk. always have tow straps. luckily I haven't gotten stuck or had a flat however I have beaten my skid plate to hell and I'm going to replace it but not anytime soon as it still protects. I would not go off road without a good friend as anything can happen.

 

[Will_4R]

I almost always wheel alone, and in remote places without cell coverage. I understand the risk and manage it as best I can:

• I make sure to let others know where I am going and when I am expected back,
  
• I have a good assortment of self-recovery, first-aid and survival gear, and the knowledge and experience to use it all,
  
• I have appropriate clothing, footwear and fitness to hike out of where I am, or to deal with emergencies,
  
• I only drive trails and obsticals that are well within my vehicles ability and my own driving ability.

My 4wheeling is ultimately safer than many other things most people (including myself) do. The highway drive to get to the backcountry is higher risk than the offroading I do. I should also point out that I am rarely alone in the truck. I am usually with my wife, who is competant in the backcountry.

 

[Ancient]

Yep I've done it. My most interesting experience- got stuck in some snow that was on the trail, couldn't get out no matter what I tried. Literally 10 minutes after I get stuck the wind picks up and it starts dumping snow and I'm already thinking about what I need to do to stay the night.

Once the snow stopped, I walked 3 miles downhill in pure mud and found cell coverage in the middle of a canyon. Walked back up, took a nap under a tree until my friend came and winched me out.

That was a hell of an experience but I sure learned my lesson.

 

[fxoffroad]

I've been out in Pike National Forest a lot by myself (though mostly not what I call 4x4in')... and there is some cell phone coverage - obvious depends on where you're at... in fact one of my favorites Fly Fishing spots near Deckers has excellent cell reception (its almost freaky good).

In the old days... I TRIED on a regular basis to get my 94 Mistu Montero stuck... and manged to do so only once... was going through some water and hit the brakes when I should of hit the gas... the vehicle sank a few inches and I beat the sh*t out of it and finally got it out - damaged the drive shaft in the process.

AAA will come to you... if you're on a fire road or the like. If you're seriously stuck or flipped... serious bummer.

Buy a fishing license $25, that will pay for search and rescue, LOL.

:iagree:

 

[trail_runner]

YES! and I dont recommend it. But I took it up a trail I found steep muddy hill thinking it will get me to the other side of the mountain towards the lake but nope. That steep hill ended at the top with a cliff looking towards the lake.out in the middle of nowhere and noreception out in the woods. First time i was wow that my runner actually made it up that steep mountain with 4x4 on. I was a lil bit worried about goin back down so I made my own trail back down the mountain to the trail. Clear my mind for sure.

 

[J-money$$$]

yes, but i got to experience a lower ball joint failure alone. Luckily I just got off a local trail a few miles from my house, but i was still few miles from my house on dirt roads. I got a flat bed tow truck driver to drive through 2 miles of whoops to get to me, and he was pissed. He actually said it was the worst tow he had done. Plus there was snow on the ground. Its fun until its freezing, getting dark, your truck is broke down, and your alone.....

i will run some black diamond trails alone if i have done them a few times first

 

[Mr. Leary]

YES! and I dont recommend it. But I took it up a trail I found steep muddy hill thinking it will get me to the other side of the mountain towards the lake but nope. That steep hill ended at the top with a cliff looking towards the lake.out in the middle of nowhere and noreception out in the woods. First time i was wow that my runner actually made it up that steep mountain with 4x4 on. I was a lil bit worried about goin back down so I made my own trail back down the mountain to the trail. Clear my mind for sure.

...and thats how trails get closed.

Tread Lightly!