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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9262
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Let's talk about a time(s) you've helped fellow Baja / Sea of Cortez traverlers out or even saved their lives?
Circa 2007, was down in Sonora Mexico. It was blowing pretty good. Still my friend and I decided to take the boat out of the harbor to a near by bay.
4 to 6 foot wind waves with a short period. Pretty rough.
Got to the bay and we were anchored up, listening to tunes, drinking Pacifico's. The wind was probably 20-30 knots.
At one point, I said to my friend, "Did you hear that?" Turned the music down and we could definitely hear someone calling out for help. Turns out it
was a guy who was on a diving excursion. The boat/group he was with was behind a big rock in the bay. He got himself around the front of it, directly
into the wind.
The waves had him pinned against the jagged part of the rock. We backed the boat down and threw him a long rope. Pulled him on. He was bloodied from
hitting the rocks. Took him back to his tour boat. They had no clue that he was missing or in danger.
Not sure we saved his life, but we made his life much better that day.
Location: 27°55'54.70"N 111° 3'36.67"W
[Edited on 4-21-2023 by JZ]
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Nothing as life saving as that but we did come upon a car on the dirt road between Trinidad and Hwy 1. It had a dead battery. I just cleaned the
terminals and it started the car and they were off to visit family.
I've given gas to a number of people (Americans and Mexicans) over the years. I've towed a few cars and trucks as well.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9262
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Quote: Originally posted by TMW  | Nothing as life saving as that but we did come upon a car on the dirt road between Trinidad and Hwy 1. It had a dead battery. I just cleaned the
terminals and it started the car and they were off to visit family.
I've given gas to a number of people (Americans and Mexicans) over the years. I've towed a few cars and trucks as well. |
One time we towed a mini van about 5-10 miles into Coco's. This was when it was still dirt. A family of about 5-6 people with the kids.
Love stopping and helping change a tire. Pulling out the floor jack from the truck makes things much easier.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Too many to name or remember, but the La Miseria episode with the couple, hungry and in need of heart meds, comes to mind. Then there was the 2wd
camper truck, in the dark, trying to get to Shell Island, stuck about a mile from the highway.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3009
Registered: 5-21-2013
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We usually go on Wornout's weekly trips and I get to tow most of the time. There is an issue every time.
In the desert west of San Felipe I have lost count of how many towed home. Mostly typical buggies built with junk yard parts. Most of these were the
typical VW powered sand rails with all kinds of defects that prevent motor operation, broken suspension, or transaxle parts. Flat tires are resolved
with my plug kit without towing.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9262
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Got the truck pretty stuck leaving San Franciquito one day heading to MX 1. Someone came by and yanked us out.
[Edited on 4-22-2023 by JZ]
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geoffff
Senior Nomad
Posts: 643
Registered: 1-15-2009
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Not really lifesaving, but it would have gotten expensive very soon...
I pulled this truck out of the lapping waves of the encroaching tide on one of those beaches at the very northern end of the peninsula north of La
Paz.
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4165
Registered: 4-24-2009
Location: La Paz, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: happy - always
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well...
Harald Pietschmann
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watizname
Senior Nomad
Posts: 769
Registered: 8-7-2009
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Not sure if this counts, but once back in the mid 90's we were going across to La Purisma/Scorpion Bay on the road at the end of Bahia Conception, and
somewhere near the top we came upon a herd of goats. There was a huge mud hole and I guess they were getting some water, but a baby goat was stuck in
the middle, and couldn't get out. My wife was beside herself with worry so we stopped and I got an old piece of clothesline out of the camper, and
made a loop, tossed it, and just like Lash LaRoo, the goat was lassoed. Pulled him out and we went on our way after a celebratory shot of taquila. I
think I saved his life.
I yam what I yam and that\'s all what I yam.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by watizname | | Not sure if this counts, but once back in the mid 90's we were going across to La Purisma/Scorpion Bay on the road at the end of Bahia Conception, and
somewhere near the top we came upon a herd of goats. There was a huge mud hole and I guess they were getting some water, but a baby goat was stuck in
the middle, and couldn't get out. My wife was beside herself with worry so we stopped and I got an old piece of clothesline out of the camper, and
made a loop, tossed it, and just like Lash LaRoo, the goat was lassoed. Pulled him out and we went on our way after a celebratory shot of taquila. I
think I saved his life. |
Winner for best save story! Thank you.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5818
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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I am still paying it forward
In the mid 80s I broke down on the Richardson Highway, halfway between Fairbanks and Glenallen. While swatting mosquitos on the side of the road, I
was able to determine that the fuel pump had failed.
A northbound traveler (with a load of fresh caught salmon) stopped to see if we needed help, then turned around and towed us 50 miles the opposite
direction he was traveling to get us to a place that had a motel and auto repair!
He wouldn't even take any gas money for his trouble, he just said "Pay it forward", and I have done so many times, north and south of the border!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Mulege Canuck
Nomad
Posts: 386
Registered: 11-27-2016
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On the old gravel road past Cocos, a family had spun out on a steep section. The back tire had chewed down the grade so far that the vehicle was
sitting on the frame. I jacked up the car., put blocking under it, filled in the hole, changed the tire and they were on their way.
The family had a son who now lived in Canada. They told me he named their daughter Maple. They tried to give me money but I did not take it.
The best rescue for me was past San Ignacio on the mud flats. Two brothers had got their van stuck pretty good. It was too risky for me to pull them
out as it was too soft. I started rigging up my ancient come a long to the van and buried a Danforth anchor as a deadman. The brothers laughed and
said it would never work. I pulled them out pretty quick.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9262
Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by geoffff | Not really lifesaving, but it would have gotten expensive very soon...
I pulled this truck out of the lapping waves of the encroaching tide on one of those beaches at the very northern end of the peninsula north of La
Paz.
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You saved them from a very bad day.
What type of rope are you using? I'm thinking about getting either a Yankum or Bubba kinetic rope. These seem to have the best ratings and test
results.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9262
Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by Mulege Canuck |
The best rescue for me was past San Ignacio on the mud flats. Two brothers had got their van stuck pretty good. It was too risky for me to pull them
out as it was too soft. I started rigging up my ancient come a long to the van and buried a Danforth anchor as a deadman. The brothers laughed and
said it would never work. I pulled them out pretty quick. |
I have never heard of a Come Along. Looked it up on YT.
https://youtu.be/9G6JoenRBw0
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by Mulege Canuck | On the old gravel road past Cocos, a family had spun out on a steep section. The back tire had chewed down the grade so far that the vehicle was
sitting on the frame. I jacked up the car., put blocking under it, filled in the hole, changed the tire and they were on their way.
The family had a son who now lived in Canada. They told me he named their daughter Maple. They tried to give me money but I did not take it.
The best rescue for me was past San Ignacio on the mud flats. Two brothers had got their van stuck pretty good. It was too risky for me to pull them
out as it was too soft. I started rigging up my ancient come a long to the van and buried a Danforth anchor as a deadman. The brothers laughed and
said it would never work. I pulled them out pretty quick. |
I learned an interesting thing while working on the Eliodoro Arce family tree, Arce = 🍁 Maple.
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geoffff
Senior Nomad
Posts: 643
Registered: 1-15-2009
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ |
What type of rope are you using? I'm thinking about getting either a Yankum or Bubba kinetic rope. These seem to have the best ratings and test
results.
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I don't think I had a kinetic rope at the time. Just a series of tow straps. I even ended up needing to add a bit of momentum to get them unstuck --
which isn't a great idea with rigid tow straps. But nothing broke.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3009
Registered: 5-21-2013
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Neglected in buying one due to price.
I need to get a kinetic rope
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5818
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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The guy that towed me 50 miles in Alaska used a mooring line from his boat. It was 25 or 30 feet long, about an inch in diameter with an eye at each
end.
He told me to "Keep the line tight, and don't run over it". Easy enough to do, except it was 50 miles at 50 mph with no power assist for the steering
or brakes!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3144
Registered: 5-6-2016
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An "interesting thing"? Most people would call that learning Spanish.
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baja-chris
Junior Nomad
Posts: 77
Registered: 5-23-2008
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I've helped out folks with tire issues on the 3 sisters before it became a superhighway. In one case 3 gringo fishermen in a 3/4 ton pickup loaded to
the gills with boat atop had bent one of the aluminum rims such that the air escaped. And the load was so heavy the jack would not lift the wheel to
change it. I did the sledge hammer wheel straightening trick, aired them up with my CO2 bottle and wished them luck advising to stop at the first
llantera to have that wheel swapped out with the spare. Another time at the summit of the 3 sisters a guy was changing a tire in an old POS front
wheel drive car, a car that had no business on that road back then. Stopped to see if he needed help and he had it covered but got to talking and he
said he was a DEA agent and they routinely would drive impounded cars back north and had been over this route many times. We joked that he must be
catching the most unsuccessful narcos around based on the quality of the car he got. Anyway, we stuck around until he was mobile and waved goodbye.
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