12-17-08 Cajon Pass

[gon2srf]

Below is BD's original post and my reply with the weather forecast for the day of his departure. The coming storm was predicted well in advance and was considered a serious threat with predicted road closures and heavy snowfall. I didn't want to give him a lecture about preparedness so I suggested he carry chains and lightheartedly said, "have fun". I should have been more stern in my warning. Anyone who travels the Cajon pass regularly knows from experience that it can be one of the most treacherous stretches of highway in California. I travel from Costa Mesa to Barstow 1-2 times a month and have so for the last 19 years. During that period, my wife and I and have experienced just about every type of road hazard imaginable. From extreme fog, snow, hail, ice, 70 mph Santa Ana winds, tractor trailer turn overs, horrific accidents, car fires, land fires and far too many drunk drivers. Regardless of the season Hwy 15 from Fontana to Vegas and beyond should be treated with respect. One never knows when one may be faced with a serious delay or total closure.

I have not seen a post or response from Dave regarding whether he was, or was not prepared for an overnight stay in his vehicle? I think most would agree it was a bad decision to go in the first place but in retrospect I think BD made the right choice by accepting a ride off the mountain and waiting for help in a motel. Having said that, IMO going around the CHP road closure and considering everyone else on the road a "ding dong" was blatant ignorance and led to the mishap. We all learn from our mistakes and hopefully big dave has too.

Im heading up to the Cajon Pass Wednesday morning to check out the trains and snow. Ill have my friend with me, and my 5 year old. I wont be doing any crazy trail running, just driving around from here to there checking out spots to watch the trains from and take pics.

Hope you're bringing chains, it's supposed to be colder tomorrow and more snow is predicted. Sounds like a fun day!

Wrightwood, CA.
Wednesday
Snow
Hi: 29 °F
Lo: 20 °F


Wednesday
12/17/2008
Snow
Hi: 29°

Snow and isolated thunderstorms in the morning... Then snow likely and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Snow accumulation around 5 inches. Highs 28 to 38. Winds northeast 15 mph. Gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon. Lowest wind chill readings zero to 10 above zero in the afternoon.
50% Chance of Snow

[big dave]

I didnt go around a CHP closure. IMO the only thing we did wrong was wait for the people to get in my truck. We decided within 10 minutes we didnt want to dig it out anymore, locked the truck with my key fob and went into town. No harm done to anyone, rode back up the mountain and retrieved the truck when the sky was clear. With the situation handled correctly, the only thing i was worried about was leaving the truck where i couldnt monitor it. Its the same thing as getting a flat in the middle of Compton, and having to park it for the night.

That being said, i have a little "survival" and life or death decision making history in my past. Ill get into that sometime.

[traveltoad]

IMO the only thing we did wrong was wait for the people to get in my truck.

I would have to respectfully dissagree with this statement.

Getting into your truck to drive into a snow storm without proper equipment for the vehicle or the occupants was the first of many mistakes.

We have all made mistakes, we have all put ourselves in harms way because of those mistakes and most of us (at least the ones reading this) have lived to tell about it. What is concerning to me is that you do not think any mistakes were made.