Landcruiser rolled down hill in Colorado

Gallowbraid

Gallowbraid

Adventurist
This picture came across my Instagram feed tonight and wanted to share it as a reminder that things can go bad in a hurry:

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Here's a copy of the post with the details:

  • offroadjonesWe're addressing this now before rumors start:
    Two days ago, heartbreak struck when a vehicle traveling with us on the Lost River Expedition went over the edge in the mountains near Gunnison, Colorado. Without going into details, both Travis and Harley were ejected prior to the Land Cruiser coming to rest more than 600 feet below the road. We raced down a lower path and ran up the mountain to find our friends. Very tragically, Travis did not make it. Harley had head trauma, a shattered lower leg, and a compressed lung. @northidahomudncrawl administered first aid and gave him oxygen until we were able to get him off the mountainside. Harley is in rough shape, but we’re so happy to report that he’s stable and awake at the hospital in Grand Junction, and will hopefully be flying back home to Washington tomorrow.
    Feel free to share these pictures—as a reminder that tragedy can strike even when you’re having fun, and to please, please always be careful.
    -Jerrod Jones
 
This was a built truck, bumpers, winch, snorkel etc. which would indicate some experience. What a tragedy, condolences to family and friends
 
buckwilk said:
This was a built truck, bumpers, winch, snorkel etc. which would indicate some experience. What a tragedy, condolences to family and friends
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I have no info on this incident or these people. It's a sad story for sure. But I disagree with you wholeheartedly.

I see LEGIONS of "built trucks" out there these days. All very "overlandy" looking. And their owners are, more often than not, quite inexperienced other than "runs" they've been on with groups. Many have no clue how to drive off road, off camber, or in weather. No concept of anything beyond the most basic use of their high dollar equipment.

Again, I know nothing about this story. But I see lots of uber equipped folks out there and it's NOT an indicator of anything other than deep pockets.

A well kitted 4Runner, Jeep or Tacoma is just a few credit card swipes for some people. We should never assume folks know what they're doing just based on nice gear or group affiliation.

This sad incident serves as a reminder for all of us that nice rigs and cool gear can and do fail their owners sometimes. Even really experienced ones.
 
Dave said:
I have no info on this incident or these people. It's a sad story for sure. But I disagree with you wholeheartedly.

I see LEGIONS of "built trucks" out there these days. All very "overlandy" looking. And their owners are, more often than not, quite inexperienced other than "runs" they've been on with groups. Many have no clue how to drive off road, off camber, or in weather. No concept of anything beyond the most basic use of their high dollar equipment.

Again, I know nothing about this story. But I see lots of uber equipped folks out there and it's NOT an indicator of anything other than deep pockets.

A well kitted 4Runner, Jeep or Tacoma is just a few credit card swipes for some people. We should never assume folks know what they're doing just based on nice gear or group affiliation.

This sad incident serves as a reminder for all of us that nice rigs and cool gear can and do fail their owners sometimes. Even really experienced ones.
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This is so sad. I whole heartedly agree with Dave on this also. I don't know these individuals but I know the area they were wheeling. I was there a few weeks back and I can honestly say there were times I was very well aware I was a short slip away of falling off a cliff. It's not technically challenging but it was also nothing basic.
 
I'm not sure what you disagree with wholeheartedly, that this happened or that I thought that it could happen to folks with some experience ? I assumed nothing.
 
buckwilk said:
I'm not sure what you disagree with wholeheartedly, that this happened or that I thought that it could happen to folks with some experience ? I assumed nothing.
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buckwilk said:
This was a built truck, bumpers, winch, snorkel etc. which would indicate some experience. What a tragedy, condolences to family and friends
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As stated in my previous post, this is what I disagree with.

A "built truck" these days is not a good indicator of experience. Anyone can buy a truck and throw a credit card at any one of the numerous overland outfitters and voila, you're just as kitted out as Bill Burke.
 
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Chazz Layne said:
Clearly either none of you are photographers; or none of you appreciate sunrise/sunset, starry night, or evening-in-camp photos. :rolleyes:
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I dig on those shots too, but I think I'd make the inbound trip in the daylight, camp with the expectation of having to hike a bit and wait for my shots, then drive out the next day. That is also why I'm not a professional photographer; the art I'd rather suffer for is music.
 
I've tried to find more info on this accident and am having no luck. When we make a decision to go off road with friends or by ourselves, mostly, we understand the risks. If you hire a company to guide you on trails you would expect them to ascertain your abilities and not lead you into a situation over your head. I'm not saying that this is what happened here. What I'm saying is know and understand you and your equipment's limits. Learning what happened here is paramount, so none of us make the same mistake. I was greenside, and I know how things can happen.
 
Everything is more dangerous in the dark except for sleeping....

Whatever the cause or circumstances were that enabled the swiss cheese holes to line up.... Lets just continue to be good stewards of the trail, promote safe and responsible backcountry activity and offer compassion to those in need.
 
Fatalities and repeat incidents lead to trail closures. Here's another one on Black Bear this weekend. At some point, a gate is going to get locked.

This all serves as a reminder for us all to be really careful out there.

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