GREAT tool to have on the trail. Our group has carried one for about 5 years and it has saved our ass many times. I suggest you practice with it at home to get used to it.
Called the Cle Elum ranger station to check on Liberty for Memorial Day and was told all trils are CLOSED until June 15th....not just the upper trails. This was due to budget cuts and bad weather.
Afew years ago I searched every map I could find with the idea of driving to Stehekin. I couldn't come up with a legal way to do it. I did think I could drop into Holden with a little trail-blazing but all it would do is piss the locals off, didn't think it was worth it. Sure would be fun though.:D
Had three friends buy that winch last year and only one is still working. they can't get any help from 4Wheel parts or Smitty built. Both had gear-box problems. Buy an old Warn 8274, clean it up, and you'll probably never buy another winch.
Wow it's true, a picture is worth a thousand words. I'm sure I can hear your first thousand words when you got out and first looked at that rats nest. Sorry but thats the best laugh I've had in days:haha: :haha: