1 of My "Survival" Event's

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Ricochet, Aug 29, 2007.


  1. Ricochet

    Ricochet Monkey+++

    This happened to me last February. But I wasn't a member here, so I guess I'll share it now.

    Please tell me what you think.

    Orginoally Posted Here(2-17-07 ) :
    http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=20977



    Friday night I was taking a shortcut through the mountains. Its in an Area called Forbes State Forest in the Chestnut Mountain range in the South Western Corner of Pennsylvania near the West Virginia border.

    As I was headed up the mountain I was getting enough traction, the snow was waaay too deep.

    So I began to back down and take another route. As I backed down the old logging road. All the ruts from previous vehicles in the snow began to push me towards an embankment that had a ditch cutting between the road and the wall of dirt.

    As my SUV slammed into the ditch, there was no way for me to get out.
    I tried digging, 4 wheel drive low, rocking, tow straps, jacks and shoving timber underneath the tires. Nothing was getting me out!

    It was about 10pm and snowing very hard. The Temperature was 3°F and a Wind-chill of -8°F out. So needless to say it was VERY cold. Im not sure if there was any moon, but even if there was it would not have given me any light due to the heavy cloud cover providing all the heavy snowfall.

    Well, my cell phoned worked, but every tow company I called said that they dont drive on "Tram roads". Im not sure what a Tram road is, but there was no sense in arguing with them. Im also new to this area and dont know anyone with a 4wd truck either.

    So It was time to leave the vehicle and walk 6 miles back to a small town to see if anyone would help me.

    Now in my truck I have always kept a SHTF kit. Which I have the following supplies:
    Extra Blankets-socks gloves, water, MRE's, Hand/Pocket warmers/ Gas Mask, NBC suit, tow strap, flares, parachute flares, flashlights, extra magazines for my Sig229-Glock 23-M16 and extra ammo for each weapon, Full sized ax, small hatchet, fire starters, compass, topographic maps for 11 different states, Chemical Weapon detector, Morphine tablets, Penicillin VK, First Aid kit, Hand crank powered AM/FM radio, and I know Im forgetting a few other things.

    But needless to say Im well equipped for various survival scenarios while Im on the road.

    So before I set out to walk these mountain roads back to the town, I took two flashlights, My SigSauer w/ two more 12 round mags, lighter, water, Handheld GMRS radio (480MHz The local FD uses some of those channels) and one of those aerial parachute flares for signaling all in a backpack.

    Now in this area only 2 or 3 people live. Add they live in vary small and run down shacks. I figured it wasn't tooo late to knock on a door and ask someone for help. So the only house that I could see was an old 5th wheel type of camping trailer someone was living in. I made sure that as I walked up their long dirt driveway I would have my large flashlight on so I would not surprise them and they would think of me as less of a threat.

    I got about halfway up their road I began to hear gun shots coming from the general area of their trailer. I stopped and got off the road and got cover behind a large fallen oak tree. I also turned off my flashlight.

    I also heard what some of you know the high pitched buzzing sound if a bullet coming at you. It sounded like a small caliber rifle. Not as small as a .22, but it wasnt an AK either.

    Now heres the dilemma I faced. Should I shout out to tell them Im not there to harm them? Should I fire a warning shot?

    If I did shout out, that would give away my position. If I fired a warning shot also to let them know I was armed, that may give them the feeling that Im shooting at them and we would both be forced to shoot at each other in self defense.

    I sat there for what felt like 20 minutes checking all directions and staying behind my cover. The person(s) fired about 6 shots total within the first 10 minutes. I had my Sig229 out and the hammer back just in case anyone got the drop on me. I was wearing an Olive Drab Snorkel Coat: and two pairs of dark blue jeans. So against the tree was well camouflaged, out in the open snow I was easily seen.

    After they were done shooting I looked around my area for the best possible route out of there that wasn't out in the open.

    I remembered a small stream that ran parallel with the only road that led to town. I knew that if I walked a long the bank that would mask my foot prints and what little water that wasn't flowing and iced up would mask some of my noise as well. so I ran towards it.

    As I was running I decocked my Sig so that I still could fire in a split second with the first trigger pull being double action. Which was a good thing because I tripped over something and as a natural human reflex I put both hands out to catch my fall. Keep in mind I always have my trigger finger off the trigger anyhow. But my Sig was covered in packed snow!

    I took the magazine out and did a fast function check, and cleaned what snow I could off. It was ready for action.
    At this point Im freezing cold.

    I was walking through the woods with no light, but it was easy for me to follow my route thanks to the stream.

    I made it to town and talked with a guy at a gas station who said he would some by in the morning and pull me out with his winch for no charge. I got warmed up and he drove me back to my vehicle.

    That whole night I was nervous about those fools who were shooting were going to find me. I did notify the State Police and told them all that happened and where I was. (Not that they cared at all)

    But luckily nobody messed with me and in the morning that guy did come out and pull me out.

    But I was VERY VERY comforted that I was armed. And as I said that I just moved here to PA I haven't gotten my CHL for PA yet. But this goes to show, that no matter what the law is. If you feel your in any kind of danger, your safety is far more important than a stupid law. Now Im not saying we should all go around breaking the law, but make sure you can defend yourself when the time comes!

    I would like to hear your comments as to how I handled it. Also, I welcome any questions.

    Here are some pics:

    This was how he pulled me out. He attached a pulley to the tree on the hill and ran his winch from his truck down the hill:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]




    And these are pics from how my truck was stuck:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]




    My Sig:
    [​IMG]


     
  2. Tango3

    Tango3 Aimless wanderer

    Winter/ / 10pm/ snow packed lonely logging road, Imho (monday morning quarter backing)_: You should have left the armory home and packed:( a sleeping bag a fewncandles and a coffee can for snow melt , even a few unecessary luxuries like a few power bars) in the truck and stayed with the vehicle til morning. Slip and break a bone and they wouldn't find you until spring; snow packed sig/ammunition and all..and JEANS?? CERTAIN DEATH IN THE SNOW...
    Can't shoot cold: the real danger here...trailer livin hill-billies be damned...
    fish on( why do I rise to this bullsh?)
     
  3. hartage

    hartage Monkey+++

    I second tango 3..... Your loadout could have used less of some things more of others. Cold = zero cotton (cloth of death) either use wools or synthetics for everything. Synthetics and wools WET has about the same insulating value of cotton DRY. Cotton wet has just about ziltch (near zero) insulating value. Wet can be you being sweaty from a hike, that will get you cold and dead with cotton. A sleeping bag is a must in the vehicle when your on remote snow covered mountain roads. I actually have a small tent heater too packed that runs on propane. I have my little short barrel (still legal) mossberg 12 with berneke hardcast slugs in the suv. Will do great against two legged vermin but also the favorite choice of alaskan guides for anti bear. Much wider situational capability vs pistols. Who cares about size and weight it's gonna be in the truck anyways. When hiking it's one of the lightest shotguns around (some aluminum and plastic parts) feels like nothing on a sling. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:eek:ffice:eek:ffice" />

    When 4wheeling anywhere remote you always go in groups of at least 2 vehicles. Sometimes if your 60+ miles from the nearest asphalt hiking out is simply not feasible. Going 4 wheeling ALONE in a single vehicle.... a winch would have been very damned helpful.

    I doubt the guy shooting at you meant to hurt you. Many of those hill billies supplement their freezers with hunting. Bullets aren't cheap when your living in a trailer. I doubt they miss much unless they intend to. They prob just wanted to send you a "get on down the road" message.

    Yeah I guess I'm just another monday morning quarterbacker... lol.
     
  4. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    It sounds as though you put a lot of thought into your preps, but if you don't have a sleeping bag rated for the temps you were in, I would add it. With all of the snow, it could be difficult building a fire so having food you can eat without heat would be helpful. The other things (also Mon. morning QB'ing here) would be a winch for your SUV, good chains, snatch block, pull-pal, chainsaw, and straps. Even a come-a-long could be a life saver. Traveling in conditions like that alone, without recovery tools could be a killer. Find a local 4x4 club, meet some of the guys and I am sure you would be able to find some who would be more than willing to : a. Help you equip your SUV better for serious off-road travel. and b. Could help you out if you get stuck while doing serious off-road travel. The one other thing I would mention (like Tango) is that the travel out at night was very dangerous. Stay warm and wait until morning, the way out might be a lot more apparent after some sleep and daylight.

    Be careful on your travels. About having your pistol close by, as Clint Smith is fond of saying "A pistol is not supposed to be comfortable, but comforting."

    If I was traveling in an environment that was that cold, I wouldn't leave the home without this: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=131258-2156-F274815&lpage=none

    <TABLE class=grayborder cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=782 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tir vAlign=top align=middle width=198 rowSpan=2>[​IMG]

    [​IMG]<SCRIPT language=JavaScript id=easy2Script_lowe_19 src="/lowes2/includes/lowe_19.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>
    </TD><TD class="tir grayleft_align" vAlign=top height=90>Mr. Heater
    Portable Tough Buddy Propane Heater


    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    You can get them smaller, but I have a couple of these and they will run you out of the room if left on for very long. They are vent-free, and will keep you very, very, warm. For a vehicle I would have a smaller one, but it will work just fine in this size.
     
  5. hartage

    hartage Monkey+++


    Those heaters are not so good.... I've seen complaints on them on the net in several situations. One is in .... lol cold weather. It seems some little doohicky that cuts off the propane if the flame goes out does not work well in cold weather. Even if the flame (yes I know its catalytic no flame) is still on the doohicky works on heat and if ambient temp drops too much it keeps triping and of course cuts out propane. They seem to work fine when its just chilly. But when the weather turns really cold (when you need it most) the damned thing won't stay on.

    The second is in high altitude. Maybe for the same reasons but I've seen plenty of complaints that they don't work too well either up high. The other kind of catalytic propane heaters made by coleman seem to keep people happy and stay on even in colder temps. Besides the Mr. Heater heaters are big and bulky.... the colemans are more minimalist. Do your research first... would suck if your survival equipment didn't work when your life depends on it. I have the little coleman sportcat 1500 btu... small but plenty to keep a car or a small tent warm. I just bought the larger 3,000 btu model for my larger 4 person tent.
     
  6. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    I would add the things I learned the hard way (and didn't see mentioned on a quick scan) but fortunately learned well and young. STAY WITH the vehicle, much easier to find. (The pictures sorta indicate that plows go thru now and then.) Do NOT walk on frozen water that you don't know well, and I mean very well. If you go thru the ice into a deep hole that just happens to be where you go thru, you are well and truly up a creek. (Near water is a good thing, just not for stepping.) Better the sleeping bag appropriately rated than any of the rest, all good ideas. Dig out the exhaust pipe and keep it well clear (watch for blowing snow that could plug the pipe and gas you) just in case you have to run the engine for heat, but better you should not use up your fuel, you'll need it to get the vehicle home. Remember that snow is a pretty good insulator; against a sleeping bag it will warm to freezing in a short while, so you'll be shedding heat at 32 instead of minus anything. Think eskimo, that is what makes igloos so cozy.

    We all got a couple new ideas from this. First person accounts are the best teachers.
     
  7. monkeyman

    monkeyman Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I would agree with the idea of add a sleeping bag appropriate to the colder teps there, and ideally a wench that can be attached and plugged in on either end of the vehicle as well as maybe some chain. If the winch isnt doable then a comealong and some chain. I would say this stuff and maybe even a freezer bag or so of sand or wood ash would be more critical even than a lot of the stuff in the kit. I mean if you can ave everything great but if you cnt have preps for EVERY situation in your vehicle its most important to be preped for the situations that are most likely first, like breaking down or getting stuck. I would also add a set of insulated coveralls from winter through spring and a pair of insulated boots just in case you have a breakdown or get stuck when dressed formal like for a funeral/weddig/court/interview/whatever.

    Let me saay also here though that I see a lot that you did RIGHT. First of you were already miles ahead of the average sheeple just because you had some gear in the vehicle. Once you ot stuck you made sure to grab the things you were likely to need before walking off (waiting to morning would be a judgment call since if you KNOW help is available within a reasonable distance by a KNOWN route then the hike at night may beat a night in a sub-zero vehicle and those dangers). I also figure you were smart to make sure you used the light to be seen when approaching the trailer, while you werent warmly welcomed they most likely missed on purpose and wouldnt have been so nice if they noticed you 20 feet from their door instead of further off. I would have probably called out once behind cover to aounce intentions and/or ofer to leave but again thats a judgment call hard to make outside the moment and situation. While I also carry a shotgun or rifle most of the time in my truck I also think you did well to leave the long arm in the vehicle and just make sure to be armed with a concealed sidearm. I live in the country and could have someone show up at night for help after a wreck. If they show up empty handed my gun will stay out of sight (it will be in easy reach if not already in hadn but not threatening) but if they show up packing they will be openly covered before the door is ever opened and if they so much as stumble would wind up with new openings. Showing up at folks doors being obviously armed (especialy without a badge and late at night) unexpected and unanounced isnt real healthy.

    I have to say I like the post and think its a great idea to post. I think that while you had the unusual experience of getting warning shots fired at you, it serves to remind us that the most likely survival/SHTF situation is NOT some kind of TEOTWAWKI nuke, terorist attack or what ever but simple stuff like a broken down car at a bad time and place, running into thugs while running erands, or something else 'minor' that could get you killed if not prepaired.
     
  8. AgAuGal

    AgAuGal Anyone else care?

    I am curious, I thought those were propane heaters. You siad this was vent free and it ran you out of a room - are you using this inside yur house? Isn't that dangerous? How do you ventilate it?
     
  9. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member


    These are made for indoor use. http://www.mrheater.com/productdetails_extended.asp?catid=41&id=24

    "Certified by CSA International (American Gas Association), Mr. Heater's Portable Buddy heater features a low oxygen safety shutoff pilot to provide safe, reliable propane heat indoors. The Portable Buddy gives you instant heat anytime!"
     
  10. AgAuGal

    AgAuGal Anyone else care?

    thanks, I will look into them again.
     
  11. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    They are expensive because of the platinum CO converter.
    They also have low O2 sensors that shut them off if you run out of air.
    Totally safe for indoor use.

    They will run you out of a room because they put off A LOT of heat!
     
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