DIY....Getting stranded

[Donjuan]

So with all of the recent snow in Montana, what is your plan if you are on your own in the backcountry and a blizzard hits?

It's not like you can phone a friend if you're out of state and the snowplow isn't coming down a forest service road.

I was planning a hunt next year in the flat tops, but this kind of weather has me spooked to do it on my own.

 

[MallardSX2]

Watch the weather. Leave before it gets to you.

 

[Shrek]

I’ve had to run before the weather.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm normally ready to spend a few weeks out there, so I just wait it out after it hits. But I always have a base camp as well set up with the wall tent etc to go back to, and chains for the truck, etc.

In 1984 we got over 3 feet of snow in camp opening weekend of rifle elk season. We were planning on staying through deer season so it wasn't a big deal. They came through on snowmobiles taking people out........we stayed, why would we leave.....we had just gotten there.

A few years back I got caught in a blizzard on the mountain while out hunting, couldn't see 5 feet in front of me. I holed up in a tree well and tried to wait it out, but after a couple hours and already a foot of snow I made a break for it back to the truck. Took forever it seemed but finally found it and got back to base camp. Within a couple days the snow was gone.

 

[bsnedeker]

Get an inreach and use it to monitor the weather. Leave before it gets bad. I cut elk camp short by 2 days due to the forecast... turns out the area I was in didn't get anywhere near the snow forecasted but better safe than sorry! Of course I'm a local so I have a lot of season left, but I would have done the same if coming from out if state.

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[Wrench]

Chains, gear and a coms.....that last one might be communication or common sense.....

 

[Newtosavage]

So with all of the recent snow in Montana, what is your plan if you are on your own in the backcountry and a blizzard hits?

It's not like you can phone a friend if you're out of state and the snowplow isn't coming down a forest service road.

I was planning a hunt next year in the flat tops, but this kind of weather has me spooked to do it on my own.

I wouldn't hunt on top of the flat tops later than September for this reason. I'll leave that to the other guys. Last year, we arrived 5 days before 1st Rifle in that area, and there was already 5" of snow on the ground at 9K feet with another 5" that fell that night. I can't imagine what they got on top of the flattops but probably another foot. We bailed and went down to 6-7K feet and found plenty of elk at that elevation. No need to mess with all that snow.

My annual hunting trip to CO is designed to be relaxing, fun and refreshing. I expect hard work and some discomfort, but I am not going up there to get stranded in a blizzard and have to be rescued. So yea, if the forecast was showing a chance of snow and I was above 10K, you would see me bailing out long before the first flakes fall. Call me what you will. LOL

 

[strand]

A lot of people bail when the snow starts to fly to get off the mountain before they're stranded. I've seen it twice on different 2nd and 3rd season rifle hunts in NW CO. We had a group with us pulling a trailer so we bailed early one year so they could get down the mountain before it got bad. It was already a blizzard by the time we were packed up and every campsite we passed was an absolute rodeo of people packing up camp and getting off the mountain. It was a switchback road going one direction and it looked like the Oregon trail of campers, pickups, and trailers coming down that afternoon.

The other year we rode it out and actually went back in to hunt with chains, shovels, tow ropes, and all the gear needed to get back out. I didn't have an InReach then but carry one now since I mostly solo hunt. We had the mountain to ourselves minus a couple people on snowmobiles.

 

[fatlander]

InReach. See bad weather is coming, go to town while it’s rough. Come back up if you still have time left to hunt or go home.


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[Customweld]

Later in the year (October and November), if your going to be away from your rig for an extended period, chain it up before you hit the trail. Leave a note inside of it, describing your plans. Be ready to bail if weather sets in. My family had a lodge on the edge of the Frank Church and there were a few times we were woke up in the middle of the night with a " we need to leave right now " Don't panic. Early season snow generally melts off within a few days of sunshine.

 

[3forks]

I’ve seen a couple of vehicles that have gotten stuck, and had to be recovered in the summer.

Also, I’m always surprised at the campers some guys will try to pull in on narrow or rough roads. A cautious person would probably want to consider how they could get out if you’re behind a vehicle or camper that gets stuck trying to leave.

 

[xziang]

Not a blizzard, but when those rains hit CO in I 2013 we were able to keep dibs on radar via phone and a high elevation. We packed up spike camp QUICK and were able to get to the truck. We were on a fairly main road so were ok there.

 

[jog]

If snow might be an issue I choose a spot that will leave me reasonable vehicle egress in and out up to 2 foot. Sometimes that means hunting an area that has a plowed road nearby but thats the way it has to be.
Not worried about being on foot I can gauge my need/time to return on snowfall rate etc to work out ok.
I don't choose to bivy if I "know" its going to snow because while sleeping you could be getting more snow than you want to hike out in. Its helpful to be out in it then using your common sense to know when to head back.

 

[5MilesBack]

One year my buddy and I were sleeping in my Alaskan Guide 6-man tent. I had strung a tarp above it to keep the rain off it and drain it to the downside of the tent as well. I woke up in the middle of the night because I heard a sound. I went to stand up and immediately hit my head on the top of the tent. It was about 2 feet lower than it should have been. There was already about a foot and a half of snow down and with the flat tarp it was collapsing the tent. Went out, cut the lines holding the tarp, let it all come down, and went back to sleep. The next day was the last day of the season, so we got up and hunted that day then packed up and left.

 

[rayporter]

had the tent collapse in 84. got up to 2 ft at 10000 ft and many miles from the truck. we had 2 elk and I got a packer going out with an empty mule to haul meat for me.

did I say it was my first trip?

the horses busted snow while it snowed all the way out but as we dropped in elevation it got easier.
by the time we got to the truck it was only a few inches deep but by the time we got loaded 2 more feet fell. we used hub caps to dig out the wheels to put on chains.

a bud was sort of near us and did not leave. he had to get a helicopter to get out and they dropped 10 bales of hay for the horses. 3 of 7 horses did not make it out.

so yes we run when they say snow now days.

 

[hobbes]

It's pretty low risk in September. Short of carrying chains and paying attention to forecast, I wouldn't worry about it

 

[Wmmichael20]

Hmmm thinking I would prepare for it like I do for mud....winch on the front of the truck,chains for the tires and recovery equipment and a extra Jerry can full of gas.