It was beyond sunrise when we arrived at our work spot, and our home for the next four days, Winch Hill #3 – ‘The Squeeze’. Chris Brown was already there and waiting for us. Because of our delays, Bernie and crew beat us and were there also. This is not a particularly difficult spot, but it can be tricky if your vehicle is anything over stock width, and the driver is slow out of the gate. We would find over the next four days that some of the drivers could not even find the gate, even with a compass and GPS. Keith at 78” outside track width, would have to climb the wall on the right in order to fit through. This is a great spot for watching the antics. Twist, turn, climb, lift, and everyone got through. We had about enough time to find a camping spot, and set up the tents before we had to start preparation for the first group to come through. The hill consists of a 100 yard uphill over boulders, large and small. Then a hard right through ‘The Squeeze’, or straight ahead and through the bypass. This is not a bypass like most. It is not really any easier, and is still a tough section. Then we began hearing chatter on the CB, Winch Hill #1 was closed, it was impassable. At that time, all of us had a case of slack jaw. We could not believe what we just heard. They were speaking of someone pulling a 2,000 lb. boulder into the pathway, and it was blocked. I got on the CB and guaranteed them that we had just come through. Ray even pulled the trailer. They came back and told us that the crew at Winch Hill #1 knew what they were doing, and it would be closed. OK. It may have been more difficult than prior years, that is what nature does. The trail changes all the time. If it was going to cause massive traffic jams, then point everyone at the bypass. But, give them the option of trying the winch hill. That was not going to happen. It was absolutely closed, without option. We returned to work, and everyone stacked rocks and moved boulders in an effort to make our hill passable by even a marginally prepared vehicle. I must give special mention for Bernie’s pal Al. He was a guest, and could have sat back and merely enjoyed the time. But, he dug in and helped beyond any expectations, thanks Al. One thing about the Sierra Trek, is that it attracts all skill levels, along with every variation of vehicle possible. Steve and I took positions down the hill to greet everyone, and help those that needed it. Chris and Bernie settled into the bypass, with Keith taking ‘The Squeeze’. This was pretty much the job assignments for the remainder of our stay here. Everyone else rotated around and helped out as necessary. The Revallier twins were a big help guiding and stacking, helping wherever it was needed.

As vehicles and drivers passed, we did see everything that we had bargained for. Stock vehicles sitting on 32” tires, with a posi in the back. Flip that and we had full tubular vehicles riding on 37” tires, and locked on both ends. Then you add some drivers that were drooling, with not enough sense to swallow, and conversely, brilliantly skilled drivers with all the skills necessary to tackle most anything. As vehicles approached, we looked for headlights. If they were on, that indicated that the driver wished to attempt the hill without any spotting assistance. This was not only fine with us, but gave us the opportunity to sit back, watch, and enjoy the show. Aggravating to us, were those that wanted assistance, but then refused to honor our help and advice. In fact, almost in defiance, would do the opposite that we advised. Turn left, and they would go right. Turn right, and they would go left. Let off the gas, and they would hit it. Most of that defiance would result in loosing the proper line, getting stuck, and having to back up for another attempt. Up the hill and around the corner at ‘The Squeeze’, that defiance often had much more disastrous results. There were many instances. One that deserves recognition is the driver who ignored the directions, got wedged into ‘The Squeeze’ and proceeded to break both front axles and the rear carrier, all in one shot. From 4 wheel drive, to a heavy contender for the Soap Box Derby. This group now had a 4,000 lb. sled on wheels, which they had to move. First they were going to go down the hill, an obvious choice, but still not an easy task. Halfway down the hill, they decided that they wanted to go UP. When one tow vehicle attached, and not successful, they added another. With two vehicles hooked up, they could still not tow the dead rig up the hill. Now we add a winch and fifty foot of tow strap to the equation. This worked. Definitely not speedy, but it did work. What seemed like hours later, they were up the hill. They were not there very long before they decided that it would be better to be at the bottom of the hill. At least it was possible to drag him down hill without a winch cable. It was still frustrating. All of the hours and sweat to get the Jeep up the hill, and now they were moving it down. That meant completely rebuilding the hill again. It is not like this just rolled down the hill without disturbing the trail. Friday afternoon already, and it was time for Carl to head out to pick up Rika. She had driven up and was waiting at Cisco Grove. Kevin would also drive out. He was in desperate need of enough gas to finish the run. Keith went along to pick up more ice and a few needed supplies. Late in the afternoon, after most of the traffic had passed, they headed down the trial and up the cutout. It was about this time that the AA meeting apparently ended, and a few of their attendees jumped into their vehicle and ended up at our winch hill. As vehicles made their attempt at the squeeze, other vehicles would stage a various points up the hill waiting for their opportunity. As they waited, I spoke with a pair of guys in a tubed vehicle. These guys were so drunk that they could barely sit, yet they were still driving. They informed me that they had just flipped the vehicle, over backwards, just minutes ago. They joked, laughed, and showed very little concern. When their turn arrived, they drove up and into squeeze valley. Having more alcohol in their head than brains, they decided to take the pillow line. Which was a near vertical left hand exit up a fifteen foot cliff. Yea, that was a good idea. Point it up the hill, not on a good line, and hammer it. Gymnastically it was not an impressive move, just a simple back flip, ending upside down and pointed in the opposite direction. The drivers hand was pinned, but with the passengers help, got free. These guys were not just amateur drunks; they were professionals, retaining enough common sense to extract themselves from their vehicle. Once it was determined that they were not injured, and the vehicle was rolled back onto its wheels, the fun started. A committee vehicle was there, and they were not too happy with the alcoholic condition of the driver. There was not a lot that they could do; these fellows were not Sierra Trek participants. That however, did not squelch the yelling and screaming. It was not long before others got involved. It never developed into a fight, but it got real close a few times. Slowly, things settled down and we got them poured into their vehicle and headed up the trail. They wanted to head into the Meadow Lake camp, and we could not stop them. A double ended sword, we did not want them to stay in our camp either.

After the last vehicle passed, things got mellow by comparison. Kris, Ray, Chris, Steve, Bernie, Preble, and I were the only ones left in camp. The others were due back, and we were beginning to worry. Then Kris took a call on the CB, it was Keith, and he was towing Carl who had a dead fuel pump. They needed someone to bring them an extra electric fuel pump. Preble had a brand new one in his bag of tricks. He jumped in with Chris and headed back down to find them at the cut off. Kris also jumped into his truck to head down with them. That now left Bernie, Ray, Steve, and myself. Then Bernie decided to jump in his truck and catch Kris. Steve being delirious from exhaustion and lack of oxygen, decided to jump in with Bernie. Is there anyone reading this that would voluntarily get into a paint can and ride the mixer down at OSH? Well, Steve did. Bernie turned the key, lit the fire, dropped the clutch, and launched down the bypass. Evil Knievel had softer landing than this. The only thing that saved Steve, was that after landing, the front driveshaft came apart. Per Ray’s description, this was an EEE ticket ride. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride would not hold a candle to this experience, and yet they lived. Bernie reinstalled the front driveline, and believe it or not, Steve got in one more time. Until then, I had always considered Steve a somewhat intelligent person. Bernie did not make it another 75 feet and the driveline came out again. Somewhere, they must have passed through some type of brain vacuum because Bernie decided to remove the driveshaft and continue in two wheel drive only. Did you know that a 4 cylinder Toyota can sustain 6,000 RPM in high gear, for 5 minutes at a time? That is how long it takes to heat up the tires to a point where they melt enough rubber on the rock that traction is obtained. Bernie finally melted enough rubber on the rocks to make it down the hill. A fleeting thought crossed his mind, and he grabbed it. Good job Bernie. He parked the truck under a tree, and he and Steve walked back to camp for the evening. Two wheel drive was not an option. Do you think?

It was real late before the rescue crew started arriving back in camp. Besides the dead fuel pump, we found out the Carl also managed to pop a bead on his right rear tire. Oh, not on dry level ground, but in the river. A river bed of very slippery moss covered rocks. Not exactly the perfect footing for a high lift jack. The stragglers that remained in camp went to bed. The supply crew had not eaten, and stayed up to cook, as well as powering down a few beverages, and I don’t mean Coke. It was about 6 AM when I first heard Preble rousting about, and making coffee. That was my signal to rise and shine. The first group was due to arrive at approximately 6:30 AM. Up and off, down the hill to prepare for anther day, Saturday, and the last one. A group of us arranged, stacked, and rolled boulders in preparation for the day’s travels. It was our duty to make sure everyone got through with a minimum of trouble and damage. Saturday traditionally has the more relaxed vehicles, not quite as well prepared as some others. Again, we had the full spectrum of visitors with no more, and no less problems that the days before. Today was different. After the last vehicles cleared the winch hill, we would venture into the main camp at Meadow Lake, for a real dinner. As the last vehicles were clearing our spot, we were informed that we had to wait for the Winch Hill #2 workers to clear. If that was not enough bad news, we then found out that the vehicle running drag had some handicapped rigs, and would possibly need our help. After four days, heat, crazy people, and moving rocks, we were in no mood for this type of information. We were not the drag crew, we were not the trial committee, we were manning Winch Hill #3. That is where our responsibility should have ended. We were not happy. After about an hour, one of the limping vehicles passed, fuel problems. We asked, and were informed that the drag vehicle turned around and headed back the other way. No matter what, no limping vehicles should even be at our area. The cutoff is between hills #2 and #3. Anything in between those should be dragged to the cutoff. It took a while, but that exact thing was finally confirmed and we were free at last to leave. Lock and load, pile in and off to main camp. Up Winch Hill #4 and #5 was not a problem and we made it to camp in daylight. Parked our rigs in an open field, near Chris Browns truck and trailer. We set up camp, and left for dinner. Same as last year, dinner was Roast Beef, and very good. Mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, rolls, salad, cake, and a beverage. After dinner we all ventured over to the camp fire pit. There were enough people there that we were on the outer edge and not getting much heat. That is when Chris and Grant decided to stoke the fire. They began placing large logs onto the fire before they were busted and told to not do that. As the heat began building up, and as buttons were melting off the clothing, people started to backup. Some of them, completely leaving before they would spontaneously combust. This fire was taking on a mind of its own. Hot, Hot, Hot.

The next day I got the word that the ‘party’ started to break up at around 1:00 AM. This is quite early compared to years past. It was obvious that attendance was way down this year, and that accounts for a lot of the changes. Including the lack of enthusiasm for keeping the music, noise, and drinking all night long. Perhaps the organizers had the early bird supper, took their Geritol, played a rousing game of Bingo, and turned in early. On Sunday morning, together, everyone headed to breakfast. Scrambled eggs, French toast, etc. I thought that it tasted OK, although some were having stomach issues later. Roll up camp and load the vehicles, it was time to head for home. Rather than making the endless trip out the dirt road, then the miles to Truckee and back to Cisco Grove, we had decided to head back down the trail and up the cutoff. Just after crossing the water is a tough very tilty section, that Keith enjoys. He asked me if I was game, and I said go for it. It was very cool. The passenger side at one point was almost lying in the dirt as the Jeep tilted. Left front tire lifts for the sky. Keep it slow and easy and the tire returns to earth and the Jeep climbs back level again. Very Nice. Preble, Carl, and Kris followed and took the same line. The way that Bret took this section looked a little like the proverbial speed bumps in the Safeway parking lot. Wow, did it look easy. Carl and Kris both posed while coming through, and made it easily also. From there is was up the dusty road to Cisco Grove and the waiting trucks.

Not wanting to duplicate Preble’s earlier problems, we found some cardboard and fabricated an air box around the radiator. Hoping to trap some of the air out of the ducting and force it through the cooling fins. We headed down Hwy 80 towards home, and would hope for the best. Well, the best only lasted for about 20 miles. Bret pulled over, his rig was getting hot, no matter what he did. We had spoken about it, but avoided it as long as possible. There was no choice now. Time to do the vehicle shuffle. Piazza’s Jeep would come off his trailer. Prebles rig would then go onto Piazza’s trailer. Since Steve was having minor electrical issues, he could not drive either. Now Keith’s Jeep would come off his trailer. To be replaced with Piazza’s Jeep. Leaving Keith to drive his rig home, and I would pilot his truck pulling Piazza’s Jeep. This is not the way Keith planned it. We had spent the prior two weeks building and getting his new trailer ready so that he could ride in comfort. Now, his Jeep was back on the pavement, and it was getting hot. Once again loaded and tied down, we headed for the Flying J, and a lunch break. As we traveled down the road, I would occasionally hit the outside air temperature button. At one time it read 102 degrees, and I did have sympathy for Keith whom in spite of his new truck and trailer, was braving the elements. However, he would do it again if he had to. We all did what we had to in order to get home with the least amount of trouble, and this was it. This time, he was making the ultimate sacrifice.

We stopped at the Flying J, got fuel, ate a burger, and hit the road again. Only one more shuffle to go. Stop at Steve’s, unloaded his rig and pull Keith’s Jeep back onto the trailer and head for home. This trip was a lot of work. Not because of the Jeeping, but because of the work involved in keeping Winch Hill #3 safe and operable for the masses. I believe we were successful in providing a good experience for those who passed our way. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.