Any recommendations on basic gear/tools/etc? Long story short, basically got stuck in the snow a couple weeks ago, had to spend the night in the woods, hiked a couple miles in the morning to get cell phone service, and call a tow truck which cost 900 bucks for a simple pull out. Thought it was going to be around 300 bucks, but the tow truck kept getting stuck on banked turns with snow/mud. Basically took 6 hours. My friend who was with me has an uncle with a lifted Silverado 4x4, but he didn't feel like coming, and I didn't know anyone else with a 4x4.

After that incident, definitely going prepared as I had nothing. On my list currently I have:
Hi-lift.
Shovel.
Tow strap.
Tire deflators (Probably Staun).
Maglight.

 

i would add and axe or something similar(hatchet/machete) i found it helps if you can chop up logs and branches to stuff under your tires when your stuck in the snow or mud especially.

 

pricey learning experience

I would say screw the pricey tire deflators and invest in a winch, heck even a come along instead...maybe some basic survival stuff like a blanket, space blanket, candle or fire starter to go with the axe, saw, food and water

 

900 clams!

You could have bought a winch and pull-pal for that!

 

Cali Staging Area, local 4x4 group websites, etc.

Get to know some people in your area when you have a chance, until then, post up when you're in a jam. You can usually find some folks willing to lend a hand. (I've gone out several times to help extract people that posted on the local site here in Colorado...) A round of drinks for people that show up to help you out sure beats dropping 900 on a tow truck...

 

What nthinuf said: Make sure someone knows where you plan to go and when you plan to come back. They can mobilize Search & Rescue whther it is friends or professionals.

- Ham license and radio. Don't leave home with out them. There was also a thread on a device called SPOT. It's an emergency satellite based short message beacon.

- Spare fuses. Electrical tape. and Gorilla tape.

- Convert the MagLite to LED or carry spare bulbs.

- Socket set. Wrenches. Pliers. Hose clamps and rubber sheeting.

- Dry clothes. This includes pants, shirt, socks, jacket and sleeping bag. REI has a sleeping bag the size of a football rated to 55 degrees.

- Food and water. Power bars. Don't laugh. They are a compact meal. First aid kit.

 

winch and pull pal

 

You can say that again.

Thanks for the replies. Luckily I left my hiking backpack w/ gear still in it, so I had some extra clothes, down jacket, sleeping bag, etc.

Basically we were going to drive up good dirt road that was about 30 miles long that connected 2 small highways. We were less than 10 miles away from the other highway, but there was a Forest Service gate, plus the highway was still closed from all the snow. Everytime we saw a road closed sign, there was no gate so we kept on going.

 

in the end you have an experience and a story though right?

I can't harp the 'never go out alone' thing...'cause I'm guilty as all hell of doing this all the time myself

 

the story is always worth it. everytime