bigsallysmom
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What do y'all do or carry if your progress gets stopped by a fallen tree?
Fallen trees blocking the road
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Almost There
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That depends on its' size... 
I always have my camping saw with me that will handle up to about a 6" diameter. Sometimes all you need to do with bigger stuff is cut the branches off so that you can move it out of the way. If it's an immoveable, un-sawable object, I guess I'd have to back up and turn around or go around it!
I always have my camping saw with me that will handle up to about a 6" diameter. Sometimes all you need to do with bigger stuff is cut the branches off so that you can move it out of the way. If it's an immoveable, un-sawable object, I guess I'd have to back up and turn around or go around it!
If I can't cut it, I can usually move it either with a come-a-long, a tow strap, or the good old lever & wedge method, or some combination of the above.
If all else fails, you choose a different route.
Often just choosing a different route becomes the simplest and easiest answer.
If all else fails, you choose a different route.
Often just choosing a different route becomes the simplest and easiest answer.
Optimistic Paranoid
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Backing up and choosing a different route is almost always the best option.
Of course, if you were boondocking in the middle of nowhere when the storm blew through, and now you're trying to get out, there may not BE an alternate route.
A good saw and a good tow strap can do wonders. You also need strong, reliable tow points on your vehicle to hook the tow strap TO. Otherwise, instead of the tree moving, you wind up pulling your bumper off, or the tow strap is cut.
Regards
John
Of course, if you were boondocking in the middle of nowhere when the storm blew through, and now you're trying to get out, there may not BE an alternate route.
A good saw and a good tow strap can do wonders. You also need strong, reliable tow points on your vehicle to hook the tow strap TO. Otherwise, instead of the tree moving, you wind up pulling your bumper off, or the tow strap is cut.
Regards
John
Spaceman Spiff
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I carry a foldable camp saw (20" blade), an axe, a tow strap, and have a 4X4 pickup.
-- Spiff
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I was camping in the Sierras once and they have BIG trees there. When it was time to go a 4 foot wide tree had fallen across the road. I had a 14 inch electric chainsaw with me but it couldn't handle that tree. There was another way out but it was long and rough and I was in no hurry. Since my home was with me, I just took it as a sign I should enjoy that camp a little longer. A few days later the FS had removed the tree and I left.
No big deal!
Bob
No big deal!
Bob
Bob,
That became my attitude once too, even though I had no other choice, I was at a mountain lake, beautiful place. On the third night it started raining. REALLY RAINING... After two days of non stop downpour I decided it was time to leave and quickly discovered that I was now marooned on an island. A new river had formed across the road in.
I was never so pleased that I had about a month worth of provisions as that time. It continued the downpour for a week, and took nearly a month before the road in was passable. The first week was miserable because it was just nasty weather, but the following weeks were beautiful even though I was stranded. Did some fishing, and it actually wound up a pretty pleasant time.
Every time I contemplate downsizing my food reserves I remember that excursion and the importance of having those food & supply reserves. Without them it would have been a whole different story, but I had plenty of heat, food, and water, so all was well.
That became my attitude once too, even though I had no other choice, I was at a mountain lake, beautiful place. On the third night it started raining. REALLY RAINING... After two days of non stop downpour I decided it was time to leave and quickly discovered that I was now marooned on an island. A new river had formed across the road in.
I was never so pleased that I had about a month worth of provisions as that time. It continued the downpour for a week, and took nearly a month before the road in was passable. The first week was miserable because it was just nasty weather, but the following weeks were beautiful even though I was stranded. Did some fishing, and it actually wound up a pretty pleasant time.
Every time I contemplate downsizing my food reserves I remember that excursion and the importance of having those food & supply reserves. Without them it would have been a whole different story, but I had plenty of heat, food, and water, so all was well.
highdesertranger
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I carry a chain saw, tow straps, and have a winch. so a tree across the road has never stopped me. however a big enough one could really slow me down. I am more concerned about washouts than trees across the road. I would like to remind everyone to be very careful while trying to clear a tree across the road, if you don't know what your doing get help. big trees weigh tons and the law of gravity is in play. better to be safe than sorry. highdesertranger
SternWake
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Once in Costa Rica, during the strong El nino of 97, the wet season never really kicked in. We were able to drive to a surf break, with some difficulty, on a road which should not have been passable at that time of year.
When we got there, the surf was poor. Then it started to rain, and didn't stop for 5 days. We had enough food( and beer) for a week and hiked out when it was depleted.
When we hiked back in with backpacks filled with supplies, we saw several 4x4's buried to their hoods in the Mud. It was great that noone else could drive in. The surf got epic for a good 10 days, and there were just 3 of us surfers there to enjoy it, as no one else could get there, unless they hiked in, or took a boat.
After the rains, The winds began howling offshore, dry and hot, and the road dried out, but lots of trees fell across it. We had to move several on the drive out, and had several close calls deep in the mud, but they were not that heavy and no tools were required, or even a tow strap.
Sometimes a physical barrier is a sign to stay put and enjoy the bounty.
Last November I was up in the Sierras and took a fireroad down a steep narrow section. I found tree branches hanging low enough to risk my solar panels. It was too steep to back up the hill in reverse and too narrow to turn around.
Out came the Machete.
The reward was a beautiful little meadow. If a winter storm was not approaching, I would have stayed for a few days. I almost did anyway as I wanted to make use of the tire chains I brought. But supplies were not ample in case the worst happened, and the Ocean was calling me by that point.
When we got there, the surf was poor. Then it started to rain, and didn't stop for 5 days. We had enough food( and beer) for a week and hiked out when it was depleted.
When we hiked back in with backpacks filled with supplies, we saw several 4x4's buried to their hoods in the Mud. It was great that noone else could drive in. The surf got epic for a good 10 days, and there were just 3 of us surfers there to enjoy it, as no one else could get there, unless they hiked in, or took a boat.
After the rains, The winds began howling offshore, dry and hot, and the road dried out, but lots of trees fell across it. We had to move several on the drive out, and had several close calls deep in the mud, but they were not that heavy and no tools were required, or even a tow strap.
Sometimes a physical barrier is a sign to stay put and enjoy the bounty.
Last November I was up in the Sierras and took a fireroad down a steep narrow section. I found tree branches hanging low enough to risk my solar panels. It was too steep to back up the hill in reverse and too narrow to turn around.
Out came the Machete.
The reward was a beautiful little meadow. If a winter storm was not approaching, I would have stayed for a few days. I almost did anyway as I wanted to make use of the tire chains I brought. But supplies were not ample in case the worst happened, and the Ocean was calling me by that point.
Canine
Well-known member
Having grown up in the mountains, a chainsaw is hugely helpful. HUGE. But they can be dangerous.
When I volunteered as an EMT, we went to a scene where a guy had cut a tree on the bank of the driveway to his house. The root ball rolled on him and killed him. We had to move the tree when we got there. I don't know if he was getting firewood or was in a hurry trying to move the tree, but whatever. His wife had died less than a year before, so the children went to live with their uncle. Sad stuff right there and it was avoidable.
When I volunteered as an EMT, we went to a scene where a guy had cut a tree on the bank of the driveway to his house. The root ball rolled on him and killed him. We had to move the tree when we got there. I don't know if he was getting firewood or was in a hurry trying to move the tree, but whatever. His wife had died less than a year before, so the children went to live with their uncle. Sad stuff right there and it was avoidable.
bigsallysmom said:
If it appeared that the tree fell naturally, I'd try to cut and drag it clear depending on its size and how much energy it might take. If it appears someone felled it on purpose across the road, I'd leave it alone. I've run into this in the past.
Canine
Well-known member
LuopGarou, that is interesting. I haven't run across that personally, but people do have meth labs or whatever out in the boonies. It is good to be careful!
There's worst things to run across on remote roads.
http://offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3700
http://offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3700
karl
Well-known member
Survey the situation carefully before doing anything- years ago, I came upon a downed tree across the road to a project. Being young and somewhat in denial of my mortality, with my focus on getting this thing out of my life, I fired up the chainsaw and started cutting. The first cut wasn't even finished when a 4" diameter tree that had been bent over and trapped by the larger deadfall was released. It sprang up with enough power to have removed my head, thankfully it only took my ball cap.....
Lesson learned- always take a moment to evaluate what other issues may arise.
Lesson learned- always take a moment to evaluate what other issues may arise.
