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Ha! I think that the pics with the truck dirty looked so much cooler than when it is all cleaned up. I am just hoping that my chic doesn't see the title...Ha!
I was in Colorado last week, driving the challenging trail over Cinnamon Pass (12,600 feet in altitude) in the San Juan Range. At well over 12,000 feet we came upon Dave and his broken Honda XL650 dirt bike. Dave had smacked his bike's clutch cover on a rock, shattering the cover, breaking the clutch basket, and dumping his engine oil. He was well and truly stranded in one of the most remote places in North America. As we approached him on the trail he had this wonderfully expectant smile on his face, and he actually rubbed his hands together with glee. Would we load up his bike in the Raptor and take him over the pass to Silverton? Hell yes.
We loaded the Honda in the back, tied it down with some of my dad's nylon WWII era parachute cord, went over the pass, and down the other side to Silverton. Dave bought us locally distilled rum and pizza for lunch. We ate outside and were able to watch the afternoon thunderstorms build. Not wanting to try that road in reverse direction in a T-storm, we asked about the road route back to Lake City where we were staying. Dave grinned and said that the shortest route to Lake City was though Durango, which happens to be where his lives. We wound up rescuing Dave and his Honda at 12,400 feet and driving him to his front door. Dave described it as a "best case scenario" and was mightily impressed with what the raptor could do and how well it could do it.
The photo is of Dave and his Honda in the back of the Raptor talking to his buddy Tony on the ground. I need a bumper sticker for the truck that says "OFFICIAL HONDA RECOVERY VEHICLE."
Newest addition to the Raptor family! We will hopefully be leaving the hospital today in the Raptor!
Isn't that the coolest mountain route? I've been up there a bunch, and the best time is right after the rain - pretty technical!!! Great story - albeit I'm reading a few years later......