Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery - Stump Hill TJ

Way back in January 2019, a TJ ventured a bit too far and framed out in about 4 feet of snow. A team was assembled and the operation was ultimately called off due to the distance needed to travel, the depth of the snow, and the extreme cold setting in for that weekend (zero degree temps). Fast forward to March, we tried again and snowshoe'd in (   • Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery - TJ Reco...  ) but spring snowfall had kept the snow so deep and multi-layered that there was no way to get anything more than a snowmobile in (or go in on foot). So there was no way to get this thing turned around and out. Well we had such a wacky spring here that it was cold clear up through the 1st day of summer. Spring runoff FINALLY wrapped up a few days ago and the USFS gave their blessing to travel beyond the locked gate all the way up to the TJ and get it out. I was fully expecting rodents to have ate the wiring of the TJ, and we'd be dead towing it out. But alas, after a quick inspection, the owner decided to try to start it up. We had everything with us to work on the vehicle. New battery, heet, fresh gas, tools to pull plugs etc...but the ol TJ fired right up!! If this isn't an Optima commercial I don't know what is. That battery held charge through -20 temps, sat for 7 months, and still provided about 10 volts and enough amps to start that engine! we traveled down to the bottom and up to our staging area, and discovered a nicked brake line, so we proceeded to help get it loaded on a trailer and rolling down the mountain. Since this wasn't an epic winch fest recovery, I video'd the entire drive up the road since we were behind the winter gate, and traveling on an admin route not open to the public. DO NOT DRIVE PAST THE 1ST TURNAROUND. MAJOR FINES WILL BE ISSUED BY USFS. If you want to skip the drive up and go right to being on-scene, jump to 30 minutes into the video. The drive up we were just chit chatting about wheeling, life, colorado, etc. ENJOY! See you on the next one!