MET snow patrol #2 2/9/19

I can't make this one. Have fun!

Are we doing a potluck or are we on our own for lunch?  Lots of snow coming, I can't wait!

kris_olof said Current forecast is calling for off and on snow showers saturday, about 1ft of snow expected during the day.  Given the current snow conditions we might be setting up somewhere near the dam.  I will post up as we get closer with the latest forecasts so people know what to expect but right now I would say full snow gear just like you were going to spend the day on the slopes.

So far we only have 2 posted as participating in the chili cookoff.  Given the snow and unknown setup location I am thinking about moving the cookoff to the 3rd patrol. Any issues with that from our current competitors (davesjk and 2dchance) ?

Either way we will want a big fire and some warm food and drink.  

I'm fine with moving to the 3rd patrol. My venison didn't get in! What do you think we'll do for lunch???

I would like to attend if ok with everyone. Would be just me. Should have the doors and windows on tonight.

John

I have an open seat if any one wants to ride

Update:

It will be snowing and roads will be slick so leave early and take your time.

The weather is now showing more snow for tonight and it will be snowing most of the day while we are up there.  Should have about a foot of fresh at the dam tomorrow morning and in pollock pines.  Based on a trip report from yesterday, there was about 1-2ft of base on the road with 1 ft of powder on top, tonight should be getting 1-3ft of fresh depending on the forecast source.  I do not anticipate being able to reach the same place we did last time.  I am thinking park creek or lower should have satisfactory snow to stop the skiers.

The potluck has been postponed until the 3rd patrol which is already posted.  You are on your own for food.

Given the level of snow and the fact that it will be snowing everybody need to make sure they comply with the club vehicle requirements.  Front and rear recovery points are required for this run.  There will be seats available in other rigs so if you are worried then feel free to park your rig and hitch a ride.  Easy to ask here or at the drivers meeting.  If you show up in tennis shoes with a wind breaker I will send you home.  Highs will be around freezing so dress the part.

So can I wear my mini skirt?

kris_olof said Update:

It will be snowing and roads will be slick so leave early and take your time.

The weather is now showing more snow for tonight and it will be snowing most of the day while we are up there.  Should have about a foot of fresh at the dam tomorrow morning and in pollock pines.  Based on a trip report from yesterday, there was about 1-2ft of base on the road with 1 ft of powder on top, tonight should be getting 1-3ft of fresh depending on the forecast source.  I do not anticipate being able to reach the same place we did last time.  I am thinking park creek or lower should have satisfactory snow to stop the skiers.

The potluck has been postponed until the 3rd patrol which is already posted.  You are on your own for food.

Given the level of snow and the fact that it will be snowing everybody need to make sure they comply with the club vehicle requirements.  Front and rear recovery points are required for this run.  There will be seats available in other rigs so if you are worried then feel free to park your rig and hitch a ride.  Easy to ask here or at the drivers meeting.  If you show up in tennis shoes with a wind breaker I will send you home.  Highs will be around freezing so dress the part.  

I hate to miss seeing Rob in a miniskirt but, I have a conflict as of this afternoon and I am preserving my honey-points.

Everyone stay warm, stay safe, and have fun! Please take lots of pics for those of us that can't join you.

Robert Gutzman said So can I wear my mini skirt?    

If you want. What happens at MET stays at MET.🤐

All packed and ready for the morning.

Heading up to MET on Sun w a group from Norcal 4x4, fyi in case anyone is interested.

Have fun everyone. I'm sitting this one out.

See everyone in the morning.  Drive safe!

*** note **** take the first pollock pines exit due to chain control back up then go the back road to meeting place.

Specialsoundman said *** note **** take the first pollock pines exit due to chain control back up then go the back road to meeting place.  

We are here and it’s alread snowing.

The line on freeway was a mile long to go through chain control right at Pollock Pines exit.

Have fun every one. Drive slow be safe and stay warm. I look forward to hearing the stories and seeing some great pictures.

Looks like everyone had fun and there was great snow. I hope all went well and everyone made it home without incident.

Gilbert & Betty said Looks like everyone had fun and there was great snow. I hope all went well and everyone made it home without incident.

Define without incident? 😕I did a 270 degree spinout about two miles from Jenkinson Lake. I was driving about 22 mph on a relatively flat section of the road that was slightly off camber. I knew the road conditions were more icy there than they were up higher but I didn't think I could spin out on that section of the road. I saw a stock F150 coming towards me about 400 yards ahead of John (black TJ) and me. I decelerated (no braking) to reduce my speed for safety purposes and the rear tires lost traction. I steered into the skid and accelerated to try to regain traction but I continued to spin clockwise. I did a 180. I tapped my breaks and got the vehicle to spin again and ended up finishing at 270 degrees, on the opposite side of the road near the snowbank. The road was off camber with the low side on the oncoming traffic side which is why I ended up on the opposite side of the road. The F150 was stopped about a 150 to 200 hundred yards in front of me by the time I came to a complete stop. I backed up and got back on my side of the road and started back down the road. I rolled down my window and stopped to talk to the young men in F150. The driver said "nice save". He asked me what I was aired down to and I told him 8 psi. He said he wasn't aired down at all. I told him that this section of the road is sh*t but that there is better snow a short distance up the road. Fortunately he wasn't a yahoo and was driving at a safe speed (apparently in retrospect I wasn't!).

I think the problem was that they have been plowing the road and that what little snow was on that section of the road had melted in previous days and turned to ice but was now covered by about 1/4 of fresh snow thereby concealing the icy patches. I radioed to the group behind me and warned them of the conditions and to be careful coming down. A short time later I heard a broken transmission about a 180. I radioed them and it turns out that Jamie did a 180 in the same section of the road. That just goes to show you how bad it was. Fortunately all's well that ends well!

Sorry to hear this Jeff, this location sounds close to where Brad & Scoped tangled up. It obviously is a bad spot & not sure how to resolve that, short of sanding it. Its a good thing this didn’t happen on the dam, as the face side only has a cable barrier. Maybe we should rethink doing this when the conditions get to this point. Glad to hear all worked ok without any serious incidences.

On ice it doesn’t take much, if any slope or speed to cause problems. Brad and poor John hit ice on a very steep slope. I was lucky. Moral of the story is you may think your speed is fine but slow as you go is always the best policy. I felt comfortable at that speed because I had excellent visibility ahead of me. Before that we crawled past several groups that were staged and playing on the road or at the road’s edge. We crawled past them for everyone’s safety. The area at the dam was stop and go because of all the people playing in the snow there.

Conditions today were amazing, the best powder wheeling I have ever been in. If you haven't been up yet do it this week. great conditions.

I had my backend come around on me 3 times on the ride out prior to the lake.  And I was driving slow, luckily each time I didn't hit anything.  There were some icy areas for sure.

Yeah it was something seeing Jeff start to spin all of a sudden.  The rear end would slip a little here and there but we were able to recover fairly easily until we hit that spot where Jeff started to spin.  I was about 100 yards behind for that reason and was able to stop until Jeff gave the all clear.  Once I hit the spot I spun about 120 degrees and slid to the oncoming lane before recovering and heading on our way again.  Definitely snuck up on us.

I posted a few pictures from the day in the gallery. The slow 180 in to the snowbank was definitely a new one for me, the radio hazing was great 🙂

Jamie - KM6YVY said I posted a few pictures from the day in the gallery. The slow 180 in to the snowbank was definitely a new one for me, the radio hazing was great 🙂  

Good pictures! Looks and sounds like you had a fun time! Sorry I missed this one.

Also sounds like studs would have been good to have! Jeeps do a lot of things very well... not sure mine is set up for drifting!

Glad all had fun and returned home safe and sound.