OK so I just can't invest enough time to write a blog on this, so here's a condensed gear review/ lessons learned post:

1. Sidewall Tears: We had one vehicle with vulnerable tire/wheel combo on the Colockum attempt this time. Normally this probably would not have been an issue, but the somewhat severe conditions mother nature provided made it a problem resulting in several sidewall punctures. Enter ARB's SPEEDY SEAL TIRE REPAIR KIT. Glad I had the opportunity to practice with this at the NWOS 1st annual memberwide ho-down, cause I don't know I would have bought one otherwise. This kit managed to plug a .5" sidewall tear enought to limp the vehicle down Little Brushy to the creek crossing. The tear grew, but we kept mashing plugs into it, and got the truck all the way back from the creek crossing to Parke Creek Road and into Ellensburg. Money well spent, the kit delivers.
2. Reseating on a muddy rim: OK so we also had one heavy truck... and though Scott wisely asked for air to air up his tires I never got around to it. Lesson A: 3/4 ton trucks should not air below 25 psi, maybe more. Lesson B: listen to Scott. Lesson C: when Scott spits a tire but manages to keep it somewhat on the rim, even though its full of mud and water, a well placed ratchet strap and the last 50PSI in a CO2 tank will reseat it... and it'll hold! We cleaned the bead as best as we could, cranked the largest ratchet strap as tight as it would go, then let pressure do its job.
3. Gloves: For the first time in a while I managed to keep my hands somewhat clean and mostly warm. I'd bought some cheap chemical gloves for use in the snow, and they worked great in the mud and rain. They cost 3.40 at the Work'n More... I'm gonna grab a handfull next time Im there.
4. Wade Now or Tow Later: it was worth getting a little wet to get a good handle on how swift and deep the stream was BEFORE we put another vehicle into it. I'd much rather be a little cold for a little while than have had to drag Kevin or Terrance's flooded truck all the way out of the east end of the Quilomene. Thanks, Caleb for the pic

All Hear Grant now or forever hold your peace!  He is spot on with those comments!  When I finally got home monday I sat down that evening and wrote a list and then implemented that list on tuesday!  Here is the list.....

- Bought two set's of MaxTrax on tuesday morning!  Can anyone say "invaluable" and MORE THAN WORTH THE MONEY!  I
     think there is a possibility my truck would still be in the snow even with two winches working without Kevin's MaxTrax'

- Bought a second more comprehensive tire repair kit

- Put two ratchet straps in my gear box which will remain there forever

- Will never leave home without a CO2 tank or my Powertank again

- Bought two pair of waterproof gloves and put them in my gear box with my old hunting raingear for just such a weekend. 
     Hell yes it was fun, but it would have been more awesomer with dry clotheson sunday night

It never ceases to amaze me no matter how much I do this stuff I always learn something new and find another "most likely will never use" item to add to the gear box! 

Everything grant has said is worth noting, and I personally agree. I also have a list that I created during and added to after the trip of things I will bring next time out. That being said I feel we were well prepared.  I think something Scott said Sunday night, as we spent our last (and unexpected night) on the mountain, is very true “things we have encountered this weekend could be a life threatening event to most people”. 

Moar!

Caleb, That's twice now this year you've gone on "innocent" little trips where situations happened that turned them into possible life endangering events...yeah, maybe you need to stick to the house for awhile..kidding...Awesome trip and Janel glared at me when I said I wish I could've gone..

If Terrance or Caleb decide to attempt a trip report again there may be more, or just see the album. This is the only video I'm posting... had my hands a little full to run the video camera much

Personal Plea!  Does anyone from the trip have any photos of me stuck in the snow or mud with the MAXTRAX in use?  I told them I would ask!  I was too busy to snap any at the time!  hahaha

John and Caleb had already crossed about an hour before we got there.  In that time the crossing had significantly deteriorated far beyond when they had crossed!  The idea was for me to do the crossing as I had the most lifeted and heaviest truck and then was going to pull Kevin's stock Disco across.  And possibly Grant and Terrance's 4-Runner's if need be!  However, as you can see in the video when I hit the ledge on the other side with my 3-foot plus high bumper and bounced the front end up and gunned it to get the whole truck over it was discovered the water was much deeper than we thought! Mind you my truck run's 37's and as you can see the water was over them!  After much thought and radio'ing back and forth (we couldn't hear each other because the river was too loud...haha) we decided to split up and each group make out way out!  I am certain I would have pulled the front end off Kevin's Disco if we had tried!  hahaha! 

When comparing the video of Scott traversing the creek to the pictures of when I went thru, there is an obvious difference in where the bottom creek is. 

Psyching myself up to go! 

Getting my toes wet!

Pucker factor is high! 

Scrabbling out the other side wondering why the rear tires were fighting to make progress, until I realized 4x4 was not engaged. 

 What I learned on this crossing, is going first is not always a bad thing and 4x4 always helps  

~ Jon 

Scott from the other side.

-C

 Wow, great vid Caleb!!!  What a difference an hour or so made to the crossing.

~ J