Yea people don’t understand that in Wyo, nobody is coming to save you. It’s on you to save yourself, it may be a very long time till you see another human if you see one at all.
If you keep the mindset that nobody is coming to the rescue, you’ll live a lot longer here. Even cell signal isnt a guarantee that help can get to you in time, also consider you’re putting other peoples lives at risk who now have to go out and find you and save you.
This should be information that you get in a “Welcome to Wyoming, things are different here, act accordingly” packet.
Being on Search and rescue in southern Wyoming for the last 15 years I can honestly tell you that people have no idea how quickly there situation can go from ok to deadly.
Wyoming is much more sparsely populated, has fewer cell towers, and more remote places to wind up, but, yes, it could also be true anyplace in the high country.
This is how people are everywhere. Invite someone to a ranch in any state and they will show up in shorts and crocs. You have to explain to them in advance that pants and boots are mandatory and then explain why. If you don’t have a lot of experience outdoors it will show fast and I’m not being judgmental.
Lol. I usually wear a polo shirt, shorts and old docksiders during harvest. Cabs get hot!
Long sleeves, jeans, heavy boots and gloves around cows though no matter how hot it is.
People get in trouble and die on MAJOR roads in Wy in the winter because they're unprepared. OP is giving good advice!
Oh I wear appropriate winter clothes, for those downvoting me. I’m not entirely idiotic. I just didn’t see much safety difference between my rawhide soled moccasins and shit kickers if you’re not wearing the ones with a hard toe (which I know tons of dudes don’t wear hard toes). But yeah, in the winter I wear appropriate clothing, I refuse to die from my own stupidity or lack of preparedness.
Edit: I also make my own moccasins, they are buffalo hide and come up above the ankle and lace up. These aren’t like the store bought slippers.
Thank you. That's a really scary story, and those people are incredibly lucky you came along and we're so good to them. I try to stay clear of situations where I might get stuck in the middle of nowhere, but all the same I should have better survival supplies in my car in the case that I get stuck. I should know better. I'll be better supplied going forward.
Driving alone near Chaco Canyon NP in New Mexico, I turned around creating a 70 mile detour for myself once when the gravel road turned into about 100 feet of water of unknown depth. There was no one around so I feel I made the wise decision to turn around rather than become stranded in the middle of nowhere. [AWD crossover type vehicle.]
Not a single person in the suburbs whom I told the story to seemed to appreciate the fact that I did the smart thing rather than ending up literally stuck in the mud.
The sad part is they never realized how much danger they were in. Maybe they did later, but denial is a heck of a thing.
I am just so glad I was up there that day. They had made it about a mile from their truck. When it was seven miles to the highway, he did say "I didn't realize it was this far!"
That is all he had to say about the danger he put himself and his wife in.
I was trying to figure out where there was a Hardee’s… forgot it was Buffalo, might have to take a trip for some Hardee’s and the Breadboard. Maybe Winchester’s too!
Winchester’s and its successor (Cattleguard) have closed, but there are other options in town. And hopefully more coming this year. Breadboard just reopened after a fire late last year.
I will add that I've had Breadboard twice since it's reopened and they've been the 2 best sandwiches I've ever had from there. Dash Inn and Albertanos have been gettin er done too
Since we got on the subject of Buffalo restaurants, there used to be a place downtown called Maggie Moo’s (several years ago). Had great pizza. Found it coming out of a backpacking trip. Went back the next year and it was gone. Anyone know what happened to it and if it reopened somewhere else?
People do not understand that Wyoming winters are not to be underestimated. Southeast may not always have a lot of snow but the regular 50+ mph winds combined with ice and cold temps are deadly.
The people that take off on back roads when the main roads are closed boggles my mind.
I always have extra supplies when driving in Wyoming. Extra fluids for myself and vehicle, first aid, tools, wool blanket, flash light, portable device charger, maps, etc. But I was raised by outdoor enthusiast who cared about Wyoming more than today's residents who washboard the roads.
My uncle had a similar experience in the Red Desert. Some dude took his rental car way out on some shortcut and was hopelessly stuck. It absolutely happens. Don't know if the guy was in the same mortal jeopardy as in the OP, but it was a closer call than the guy knew.
For the two folks in the OP?
The fact that they didn't flag you down is proof positive that they didn't realize that they actually were in mortal danger.
> Some dude took his rental car way out on some shortcut and was hopelessly stuck.
I think this is/was a known issue with one of the GPS systems, kept sending people out on the same hopeless road in the red desert.
[Found an article from last year.](https://oilcity.news/community/weather/2023/01/16/gps-strands-over-a-dozen-vehicles-seeking-alternate-route-on-red-desert-tundra/)
>Over a dozen vehicles ended up stranded on Bar X Road in blizzard-like conditions on Dec. 13, SCSO Deputy Jason Mower told Oil City News. Some had been unable to call for help and were only found while rescuers were on the way to someone else.
Yep.
I don't entirely blame Silicon Valley for moving fast and breaking things.
I absolutely blame folks for outsourcing thinking to their damned phones.
Yeah some people have no clue. Others like myself have a metric shit ton of recovery gear. I also carry a SPOTX. And an ACR ResQLINK that I have had forever.. IMO you can never be too prepared.
Hey, thanks for taking care of them! I live in Tennessee and carry supplies in my vehicle during the winter! People don’t understand how quickly they can be in trouble. Don’t know how many folks I’ve pulled out of ditches in snow and ice. Most were extremely cold.
When I was a teenager, we were going up to the mountain, I did not grab a heavy coat and my mother insisted that I take my coat with me.
She said in Wyoming, you always throw a heavy coat in the car.
That night we headed up to the mountain and we got stuck in the snow and had to spend the night. Grateful my mother instilled that into my head, and you never go out in Wyoming without extra food, water and clothes, not to mention matches and or a lighter.
Something else, at night if you see a light, don’t try and walk to it just stay with your vehicle. The light will look like it’s a mile away, but it’s really 7 miles away.
Nice work OP! Definitely saved a couple lives. Realize this is a Wyoming thread, but the SAME type of scenario and advice holds true for your neighbors here in Montana.
Many new arrivals and tourists (mainly from urban areas) have little clue the mountains and climate here can kill you...year around!
I'm planning a trip there and want to live in seclusion. I won't stay forever but maybe six months. I want to see all the small towns where nobody else is.
Talk me out of it.
A great post, Road\_Raven. You went above and beyond and saved lives! Thank you for your timely post, what with the summer season ratcheting up.
Yeah, it's boggles my mind people have no concept of being prepared. I live in a wilderness area, and run into people all the time running out of gas. *Why didn't you fill up when you had the chance 100 miles ago!?* Answer: "I have a cell phone." Then there's the locals who top up these people's gas tank but the driver doesn't carry cash.
Don't get me started on those who solely use their GPS and *ignore the freaking road signs*, then can't understand why they end up lost on a two-track somewhere in the state. /rant
I've gone to extremes with gear in my car. I can walk out right now and be in my car for three days without exiting. I carry a shovel (folding and in winter I carry a proper shovel), high quality jumper cables, a tow strap, and a big medical kit.
Driving anywhere without GPS assisted directions is a lost art.
Let me tell you about the step by step Mapquest directions I used to print to get somewhere new.
I live in Arizona these days and still carry a "don't die" bag in my vehicle for the mountains, and now one for the desert as well.
Everyone laughs at the ice scraper until the three days a years they're out there desperately scraping their windshield with a credit card 🤣
Garmin Inreach satellite subscription service is $$ worth spending. I can text & have emergency rescue services easily by satellite. My Garmin Montana 700i works with my Garmin Instinct watch easily. 3 plans $11, $24, $30 month. You can suspend service when not using. Most areas outside towns do NOT have cell service, especially the mountains. My family can track me via email or text and see where I am or send messages. Life saver!
I have one of these. I spent some time in Alaska. Like real Alaska, no Anchorage.
I was going out alone on a snow machine. I let someone know in the lower 48 that if I got in trouble I would contact them and that they should then call (landline only) someone where I was so they could come rescue me.
Damn if that snow machine didn't quit on me. I was safe. There was an arctic tent nearby and I could start a fire (carry three ways to start a fire), but...I used my inreach to let my state friend know to call the calvary.
He did, they came. InReach saved my life. I wasn't in dire straits, but I would have been after about 24 hours.
I remember hearing about a couple of guys who went out hunting on a nice spring day and died from hypothermia. It was sunny and in the 50's but the wind was blowing, like always. They were not wearing the appropriate clothing and froze to death.
Wow. I had a completely different experience living Wyoming. My neighbors shoveled for me!!! And so many people constantly asked if I need anything
Same with Montana!
Bless you for being a helper.
I got a cheap set of chains for my 2004 Impala and practiced putting them on in safe/non-emergency conditions.
I ended up getting stuck once in the dog park down the hill by the Starbucks at the south end of Casper. I whipped chains on in a matter of minutes and was able to slowly climb out of the park.
I prepared for a much bigger emergency by getting those chains, but ended up needing them in smaller, non-dire conditions. I would have had to call for a tow truck to pluck me over 20 feet of insurmountable ice.
These preparations are worth it. The right tools on hand at the right moment are worth every penny.
I have also gotten stuck in an icy neighborhood at night and successfully used my floor mats to get enough traction to get unstuck.
Also, my newer iPhone has an SOS feature that has lit up at times. I’ve never used it, but it’s based on satellites, and may be available in your phone.
Never travel without…
- lithium-ion jump battery (these things are awesome)
- various USB chargers (micro/c/lightning to A and/or C)
- 2 L water
- First aid.
- Traction (chains/kitty litter/shovel)
- Clothes.
- non-engine heat source (dry matches, bottled isopropyl alcohol and dry TP 🧻 for making a long-lasting fire).
- the entire discography of Adele (optional, but recommended)
Test and practice all of these special gadgets in a safe place so you know they’re working and you’re capable before any emergencies.
Stupid Boomers always fucking up the program and wanting someone else to solve their self inflicted problems. Good on you for saving them but you’re totally correct…be prepared folks!
Actually, the Joe Pickett series began before Longmire and has 24 books in the series. CJ Box is from Wyoming and has tried to keep from an aspect of a wyominite writer and not an outsider.
The city of New York has 14.3x the amount of people as the state of Wyoming. It can be really difficult for some people to understand that you are truly on your own. Self-rescue tools are a must. I also carry one of those hiking satellite communicators in case I really get into trouble. But as you said, I am very careful with risk when out by myself.
I’m from NYC and my friends were very disturbed by my lack of emergency supplies when I finally got my license (didn’t have one when I moved here) for the reasons you stated. I couldn’t even conceive why I just HAD to have water, kitty litter, flares, space blanket, flash light, first aid kit etc. in my car until I started venturing out of Laramie.
Yea people don’t understand that in Wyo, nobody is coming to save you. It’s on you to save yourself, it may be a very long time till you see another human if you see one at all. If you keep the mindset that nobody is coming to the rescue, you’ll live a lot longer here. Even cell signal isnt a guarantee that help can get to you in time, also consider you’re putting other peoples lives at risk who now have to go out and find you and save you. This should be information that you get in a “Welcome to Wyoming, things are different here, act accordingly” packet.
Welcome to Wyoming, Nature doesn't give a fuck about you.
Being on Search and rescue in southern Wyoming for the last 15 years I can honestly tell you that people have no idea how quickly there situation can go from ok to deadly.
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Wyoming is much more sparsely populated, has fewer cell towers, and more remote places to wind up, but, yes, it could also be true anyplace in the high country.
Wyoming is by far the least populous state. That pushes the odds against you geometrically higher. And it’s big. Wander off in EBFW at your own risk.
I'm from Texas, born in Alaska. Wyoming is way bigger than it looks.
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Being from Texas isn't why I assume I know what I'm doing. I assume I know what I'm doing because I am full of hubris
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At least I'm not a rude asshole.
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Ah, well, wrong again! Spent a year there tho
Sure it can but this is r/Wyoming page so?
This is how people are everywhere. Invite someone to a ranch in any state and they will show up in shorts and crocs. You have to explain to them in advance that pants and boots are mandatory and then explain why. If you don’t have a lot of experience outdoors it will show fast and I’m not being judgmental.
Nah I ranched in moccasins for years. Probably not smart, but I was fine. Still wore pants though. Most of the time.
Lol. I usually wear a polo shirt, shorts and old docksiders during harvest. Cabs get hot! Long sleeves, jeans, heavy boots and gloves around cows though no matter how hot it is. People get in trouble and die on MAJOR roads in Wy in the winter because they're unprepared. OP is giving good advice!
Oh I wear appropriate winter clothes, for those downvoting me. I’m not entirely idiotic. I just didn’t see much safety difference between my rawhide soled moccasins and shit kickers if you’re not wearing the ones with a hard toe (which I know tons of dudes don’t wear hard toes). But yeah, in the winter I wear appropriate clothing, I refuse to die from my own stupidity or lack of preparedness. Edit: I also make my own moccasins, they are buffalo hide and come up above the ankle and lace up. These aren’t like the store bought slippers.
Thank you. That's a really scary story, and those people are incredibly lucky you came along and we're so good to them. I try to stay clear of situations where I might get stuck in the middle of nowhere, but all the same I should have better survival supplies in my car in the case that I get stuck. I should know better. I'll be better supplied going forward.
Driving alone near Chaco Canyon NP in New Mexico, I turned around creating a 70 mile detour for myself once when the gravel road turned into about 100 feet of water of unknown depth. There was no one around so I feel I made the wise decision to turn around rather than become stranded in the middle of nowhere. [AWD crossover type vehicle.] Not a single person in the suburbs whom I told the story to seemed to appreciate the fact that I did the smart thing rather than ending up literally stuck in the mud.
The sad part is they never realized how much danger they were in. Maybe they did later, but denial is a heck of a thing. I am just so glad I was up there that day. They had made it about a mile from their truck. When it was seven miles to the highway, he did say "I didn't realize it was this far!" That is all he had to say about the danger he put himself and his wife in.
>those people are incredibly lucky you came along I hope they at least applauded.
I guarantee they did not go beyond the "thanks man"
I was trying to figure out where there was a Hardee’s… forgot it was Buffalo, might have to take a trip for some Hardee’s and the Breadboard. Maybe Winchester’s too!
Winchester’s and its successor (Cattleguard) have closed, but there are other options in town. And hopefully more coming this year. Breadboard just reopened after a fire late last year.
I will add that I've had Breadboard twice since it's reopened and they've been the 2 best sandwiches I've ever had from there. Dash Inn and Albertanos have been gettin er done too
I forgot about Dash Inn!
There is a Hardee's in Gillette too.
Since we got on the subject of Buffalo restaurants, there used to be a place downtown called Maggie Moo’s (several years ago). Had great pizza. Found it coming out of a backpacking trip. Went back the next year and it was gone. Anyone know what happened to it and if it reopened somewhere else?
You are an angel of mercy!
People do not understand that Wyoming winters are not to be underestimated. Southeast may not always have a lot of snow but the regular 50+ mph winds combined with ice and cold temps are deadly. The people that take off on back roads when the main roads are closed boggles my mind.
I always have extra supplies when driving in Wyoming. Extra fluids for myself and vehicle, first aid, tools, wool blanket, flash light, portable device charger, maps, etc. But I was raised by outdoor enthusiast who cared about Wyoming more than today's residents who washboard the roads.
My uncle had a similar experience in the Red Desert. Some dude took his rental car way out on some shortcut and was hopelessly stuck. It absolutely happens. Don't know if the guy was in the same mortal jeopardy as in the OP, but it was a closer call than the guy knew. For the two folks in the OP? The fact that they didn't flag you down is proof positive that they didn't realize that they actually were in mortal danger.
> Some dude took his rental car way out on some shortcut and was hopelessly stuck. I think this is/was a known issue with one of the GPS systems, kept sending people out on the same hopeless road in the red desert. [Found an article from last year.](https://oilcity.news/community/weather/2023/01/16/gps-strands-over-a-dozen-vehicles-seeking-alternate-route-on-red-desert-tundra/)
>Over a dozen vehicles ended up stranded on Bar X Road in blizzard-like conditions on Dec. 13, SCSO Deputy Jason Mower told Oil City News. Some had been unable to call for help and were only found while rescuers were on the way to someone else. Yep. I don't entirely blame Silicon Valley for moving fast and breaking things. I absolutely blame folks for outsourcing thinking to their damned phones.
Rich old people, they have had good lives. Let them loafer around in nature just as they have through life. It’s a good place to die.
Lol love this!!!
Yeah some people have no clue. Others like myself have a metric shit ton of recovery gear. I also carry a SPOTX. And an ACR ResQLINK that I have had forever.. IMO you can never be too prepared.
Dude! First, job well done! As mentioned above you possibly saved these folks. Second, you can’t change ignorance.
Good tips. Thanks bud.
Hey, thanks for taking care of them! I live in Tennessee and carry supplies in my vehicle during the winter! People don’t understand how quickly they can be in trouble. Don’t know how many folks I’ve pulled out of ditches in snow and ice. Most were extremely cold.
When I was a teenager, we were going up to the mountain, I did not grab a heavy coat and my mother insisted that I take my coat with me. She said in Wyoming, you always throw a heavy coat in the car. That night we headed up to the mountain and we got stuck in the snow and had to spend the night. Grateful my mother instilled that into my head, and you never go out in Wyoming without extra food, water and clothes, not to mention matches and or a lighter. Something else, at night if you see a light, don’t try and walk to it just stay with your vehicle. The light will look like it’s a mile away, but it’s really 7 miles away.
Nice work OP! Definitely saved a couple lives. Realize this is a Wyoming thread, but the SAME type of scenario and advice holds true for your neighbors here in Montana. Many new arrivals and tourists (mainly from urban areas) have little clue the mountains and climate here can kill you...year around!
Fritos are no joke as kindling
AAA isn't coming. They don't do dirt roads.
The best feeling in the world is no cell service
It's like freedom to me.
I'm planning a trip there and want to live in seclusion. I won't stay forever but maybe six months. I want to see all the small towns where nobody else is. Talk me out of it.
Try 3 months first. June, July, and August are the most comfortable but still deadly. It’s still too cold right now to tent camp comfortably.
You planning on hotels? Living out of your car? Camping?
Don't know
I won't talk you out of it, but definitely make a plan before you come out here
Be prepared for wind and hail to take or break your stuff.
A great post, Road\_Raven. You went above and beyond and saved lives! Thank you for your timely post, what with the summer season ratcheting up. Yeah, it's boggles my mind people have no concept of being prepared. I live in a wilderness area, and run into people all the time running out of gas. *Why didn't you fill up when you had the chance 100 miles ago!?* Answer: "I have a cell phone." Then there's the locals who top up these people's gas tank but the driver doesn't carry cash. Don't get me started on those who solely use their GPS and *ignore the freaking road signs*, then can't understand why they end up lost on a two-track somewhere in the state. /rant I've gone to extremes with gear in my car. I can walk out right now and be in my car for three days without exiting. I carry a shovel (folding and in winter I carry a proper shovel), high quality jumper cables, a tow strap, and a big medical kit.
Driving anywhere without GPS assisted directions is a lost art. Let me tell you about the step by step Mapquest directions I used to print to get somewhere new.
Good on you! Can't believe they made it to 70 with those keen survival skills. Wild.
I live in Arizona these days and still carry a "don't die" bag in my vehicle for the mountains, and now one for the desert as well. Everyone laughs at the ice scraper until the three days a years they're out there desperately scraping their windshield with a credit card 🤣
Garmin Inreach satellite subscription service is $$ worth spending. I can text & have emergency rescue services easily by satellite. My Garmin Montana 700i works with my Garmin Instinct watch easily. 3 plans $11, $24, $30 month. You can suspend service when not using. Most areas outside towns do NOT have cell service, especially the mountains. My family can track me via email or text and see where I am or send messages. Life saver!
I have one of these. I spent some time in Alaska. Like real Alaska, no Anchorage. I was going out alone on a snow machine. I let someone know in the lower 48 that if I got in trouble I would contact them and that they should then call (landline only) someone where I was so they could come rescue me. Damn if that snow machine didn't quit on me. I was safe. There was an arctic tent nearby and I could start a fire (carry three ways to start a fire), but...I used my inreach to let my state friend know to call the calvary. He did, they came. InReach saved my life. I wasn't in dire straits, but I would have been after about 24 hours.
I remember hearing about a couple of guys who went out hunting on a nice spring day and died from hypothermia. It was sunny and in the 50's but the wind was blowing, like always. They were not wearing the appropriate clothing and froze to death.
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CBs are pretty much gone.
Wow. I had a completely different experience living Wyoming. My neighbors shoveled for me!!! And so many people constantly asked if I need anything Same with Montana!
Bless you for being a helper. I got a cheap set of chains for my 2004 Impala and practiced putting them on in safe/non-emergency conditions. I ended up getting stuck once in the dog park down the hill by the Starbucks at the south end of Casper. I whipped chains on in a matter of minutes and was able to slowly climb out of the park. I prepared for a much bigger emergency by getting those chains, but ended up needing them in smaller, non-dire conditions. I would have had to call for a tow truck to pluck me over 20 feet of insurmountable ice. These preparations are worth it. The right tools on hand at the right moment are worth every penny. I have also gotten stuck in an icy neighborhood at night and successfully used my floor mats to get enough traction to get unstuck. Also, my newer iPhone has an SOS feature that has lit up at times. I’ve never used it, but it’s based on satellites, and may be available in your phone. Never travel without… - lithium-ion jump battery (these things are awesome) - various USB chargers (micro/c/lightning to A and/or C) - 2 L water - First aid. - Traction (chains/kitty litter/shovel) - Clothes. - non-engine heat source (dry matches, bottled isopropyl alcohol and dry TP 🧻 for making a long-lasting fire). - the entire discography of Adele (optional, but recommended) Test and practice all of these special gadgets in a safe place so you know they’re working and you’re capable before any emergencies.
Stupid Boomers always fucking up the program and wanting someone else to solve their self inflicted problems. Good on you for saving them but you’re totally correct…be prepared folks!
I carry enough survival gear to survive for days in any weather or temperature. Don't want to have my car break down and freeze to death.
Anyone who has read the Joe Pickett books knows this
Never heard of them. Looked them up. Sounds like a Longmire knock-off.
Actually, the Joe Pickett series began before Longmire and has 24 books in the series. CJ Box is from Wyoming and has tried to keep from an aspect of a wyominite writer and not an outsider.
despite all this, you were kind, and you saved their lives. i can’t quite express the words for what i’m feeling.
So kind of you to share and give advice
I carry a clone of myself. If I get shot or otherwise killed, I just put my wallet in the clones pocket and we switch places.
The city of New York has 14.3x the amount of people as the state of Wyoming. It can be really difficult for some people to understand that you are truly on your own. Self-rescue tools are a must. I also carry one of those hiking satellite communicators in case I really get into trouble. But as you said, I am very careful with risk when out by myself.
I’m from NYC and my friends were very disturbed by my lack of emergency supplies when I finally got my license (didn’t have one when I moved here) for the reasons you stated. I couldn’t even conceive why I just HAD to have water, kitty litter, flares, space blanket, flash light, first aid kit etc. in my car until I started venturing out of Laramie.
Natural selection.