Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures

Here is another article on what you should do (and not do) to survive when you get lost in the wilderness. The article was written by Dan A. Nelson of Puyallup and appeared in the Seattle Times. Even though the article’s focus is for the hiker, the principles apply to remote vehicular travel also. Winter is upon us and it’s even more critical to be prepared.

Read the article at How to Be Found When You’re Lost.

On a related topic, Dan wrote another article of interest titled High-tech Solutions to Getting Found where he discusses high-tech gadgets that may help you in a rescue situation.

Here are a couple photos of a Toyota FJ Cruiser convertible prototype from the SEMA show courtesy of supercarstuning.com.

This would be a great option for Toyota to make available on the new FJ Cruisers. The soft top may actually provide more visibility than the hardtop version.

Discuss on the forums at Toyota FJ Cruiser Convertible

A great trip report was posted on the forum by Moxta from Auburn, Washington. Their adventure started in Ellensburg and took them up and over Manastash ridge via the Barber Springs Rd and FS-1701 to the Little Naches area off SR-410. The trip included snow and will probably be one of the last wheeled vehicle trips in that area before the snow settles in for the winter.

Read the entire trip report at Ellensburg to 410.

Over on the forum, Jerry (aka soggymountain) posted a great trip report from our adventure to the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area near Cle Elum, Washington last Saturday (11.10.07). We had excellent weather and a great turn out for the trip.
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Those that regularly head off the beaten track know how essential it is to be prepared for a recovery situation. A snatch block is an incredibly useful piece of recovery equipment that enables you to retrieve loads that are double a winch’s capacity by reducing the load on the winch by half. To add to ARB’s range of snatch blocks and recovery equipment, an innovative new snatch block for both off road and competition use has just been released.
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Yesterday (Saturday, 11.03.07), knowing very well that the falls was already dried up, I made the two mile hike to Snoquera Falls (Trail #1167) near Camp Shepherd off State Route 410 (east of Greenwater, Washington). I wasn’t concerned about the views, I just needed to get some exercise (plus its cheaper than driving around at $3.00 a gallon).

The hike climbed steadily through the forest from the trailhead near Camp Shepherd. No great views of the surrounding country side, mostly old growth forest with some deciduous trees mixed in (note there would be some great fall colors within the forest in late September).
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