To my knowledge the 3 vehicles involved are not Overlanders but just off roaders of a sort. The location is North Cumberland WMA on the Tenn/Kentucky border. Don't have all the facts but watching an ongoing rescue being organized on social media.
I'm posting this because there is enough posted to take away as lessons to be learned. The 3 rigs, Jeep Liberty, Wrangler and a XJ with a 3 inch lift on 31's. The other 2 are factory stock. None of the 3 have lockers and the Wrangler's winch is broken. The group on what appears as bad advice ventured down a trail that on a great day is treacherous even for the most extreme 4x4. After descending down a very slick, sloppy, muddy slope, the group hit a reality check when the small stream you cross to get out had become a raging river from heavy rains. Trying to make the hill going back out, the Wrangler buried to the frame near the top of the hill blocking all access out. One vehicle is damaged but not sure which or to the extent.
First mistake was assuming the pleasant mountain stream would not become an impassable river blocking their exit and then the 2nd being the muddy slope ignored as a one way only that became their impassable exit which left them stuck. Seems at the moment the weather (heavy rains) that has been moving through the south and eastern US over the last 2 days was all but ignored. We were on the Georgia Traverse Saturday in Charlie's Creek in heavy rains but we knew we could backtrack no matter what.
Outside contact for the trapped off roaders was made just after midnight and a rescue call going out at 4 am. Rescue rigs reached the stuck off roaders just over 3 hours ago and as of yet not heard any other details. Heard the rigs that went in are very stout where the conditions are presenting problems even for them.
I'm posting this because there is enough posted to take away as lessons to be learned. The 3 rigs, Jeep Liberty, Wrangler and a XJ with a 3 inch lift on 31's. The other 2 are factory stock. None of the 3 have lockers and the Wrangler's winch is broken. The group on what appears as bad advice ventured down a trail that on a great day is treacherous even for the most extreme 4x4. After descending down a very slick, sloppy, muddy slope, the group hit a reality check when the small stream you cross to get out had become a raging river from heavy rains. Trying to make the hill going back out, the Wrangler buried to the frame near the top of the hill blocking all access out. One vehicle is damaged but not sure which or to the extent.
First mistake was assuming the pleasant mountain stream would not become an impassable river blocking their exit and then the 2nd being the muddy slope ignored as a one way only that became their impassable exit which left them stuck. Seems at the moment the weather (heavy rains) that has been moving through the south and eastern US over the last 2 days was all but ignored. We were on the Georgia Traverse Saturday in Charlie's Creek in heavy rains but we knew we could backtrack no matter what.
Outside contact for the trapped off roaders was made just after midnight and a rescue call going out at 4 am. Rescue rigs reached the stuck off roaders just over 3 hours ago and as of yet not heard any other details. Heard the rigs that went in are very stout where the conditions are presenting problems even for them.
