Stuck In The Mud

[KF7MZB]

Well, here's the story of my 29th birthday. I was out offroading with a friend, Mike, we chased down and helped the balloon guys navigate to a hot air balloon that had just landed (FUN), had some fun on the trails, then got stuck in a big wet mud hole in the trail. I thought I could make it through, but had hesitated and got stuck. So here we are, stuck in a big 2 foot deep mud hole, and I grabbed my radio mic, called out on 147.24 Shaw Butte for assistance, and within 1 minute had K1IY Dennis on his way to pull me out. At this point we began laughing and reflecting on how I should have stuck with it, and not hesitated. Sun goes down, and we are in the dark when Dennis K1IY showed up with his vehicle to pull us out. Now before he got there, I stripped off my shoes, socks, AND pants to get out and hook it up. Knee deep in cold water and MUD, in my skivvies and a t shirt, I hook it up and tell him I am going to go get in my vehicle. I head for the door slowly through the mud, get the door open and begin to lift my foot to get in, when he starts taking off!!!! OH NO! STOP STOP! *LOUD WHISTLE* STOP! I am standing there in my underwear in mud as he takes off and then I take of after it, barefoot. Mike is inside, grabbing at the wheel as he pulls my vehicle, still in gear, 4wheel low, then tries to jump over the seat before he stops. Too late. Dennis stops and my vehicle slams into his. He said it was his fault. He heard the chatter on the radio and thought it was me telling him to go. OOPS! I thanked him for his assistance, and we left. I got home, cleaned the mud off my legs, got redressed, and went back out to my vehicle and saw steam rising from my hood. OH CRAP! Popped the hood to find a cracked radiator. Damn. I didn't need that. So now I need to find a shop that can fix me up at low cost, as I live an apartment, and don't have the tools for the job. Oh well, it was fun til I got to the cracked radiator... ALSO a BIG Thanks to the ARA for the use of their repeaters, to K1IY for his assistance, and to the other hams who offered help K7VZ, KE7TLS, and others!

73s

Larry / KF7MZB

[K7VZ]

Good write up. Thanks for the pictures. I didn't really do much, but it was fun listening to on the radio.

[KC0NNT]

I heard about it. Thanks for posting pics. You were in there pretty good. Thanks for not posting the underwear pics. :)

[N7IYT]

Where was this? My son likes mud bogs, he would have enjoyed it. I am glad you had a radio with you, it might have been a long night otherwise.

[KF7MZB]

Far North Phoenix, about 1 mile south of Carefree HWY and 51st Ave.
Randy, I told my friend NOT to take photos of me in my skivvies knee deep in mud. May have been funny photos though....

[K7VZ]

Haha, let me illustrate.

http://www.4x4ham.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=757&d=1295542440

[KF7MZB]

Thanks for the illustration Virgil!

[N7IYT]

Yet another use for APRS. Thanks Virgil. I used to live near that area, but never explored those roads.

[KF7MZB]

Well, I just got back from Auto Body World and they estimated repair for my vehicle at $1000!!! Remove and replace the Radiator and AC Condenser, and pull the metal back to original position. That's all, no cosmetic repairs. This is NOT good, as I do not have the money for this repair since I am a divorced father of three. Looks like I am going to be without a vehicle for a while, which is also not good since I will not be able to get to and from work. Oh well.

[N7IYT]

I hope you get back on the road soon, or should I say back offroad soon.

[KE7NEA]

I do A/C work... so the 134a on cars is no biggie. so if you need a hand let me know maybe we can work something out

[KF7MZB]

Well I was able to replace the radiator, but had to remove the A/C condenser to make it fit. The front right side of the bumper was pushed in so much that it was pushing the condenser into the radiator. But that means I once again have a vehicle to drive! Sans A/C of course. But for a cost less than $200 for me to replace the radiator myself, I am a HAPPY offroader! Hopefully in the near future I can get the bumper and other associated metal pulled back out and get my A/C condenser replaced. (Hopefully before summer!) Anyone do body work? And Paul - KE7NEA, I may contact you when I get the metal pulled out enough to get a new condenser in there. Thanks all! :bacon: