| Maybe you've been there before. You've been | | | | around for a log or other large object. The size of |
| riding hard for the last couple hours, conquering | | | | the tire corresponds to the size of your vehicle |
| boulders, mud, and tight spots until suddenly you | | | | and, if buried deep enough, should hold fast as |
| find yourself good and stuck, and no amount of | | | | you winch out. |
| pushing, pulling, or cursing will make your vehicle | | | | Attach a chain or tree strap to the anchor and |
| budge. You've got a winch. The problem is there's | | | | bury the log or tire deep in the hole, angled away |
| not a rock, tree, or stump in sight and no buddy | | | | from your vehicle for greater resistance during |
| around to pull you out. How are you going to find | | | | the pull. Fill in the open areas with dirt and pack it |
| an anchor point to winch out? Roll up your sleeves | | | | down solid. Hook up your winch to the chain or |
| and get ready to move some dirt. It's time to dig | | | | strap and you're ready to start the recovery. |
| a dead man. | | | | After you winch out your vehicle, make sure to |
| Digging your own anchor is a last resort, but | | | | retrieve your makeshift anchor and fill in the hole. |
| when you find yourself in a desperate situation, | | | | Leave as little trace of your digging as possible. |
| miles from civilization, it may be your only option. | | | | Instead of burying a heavy object, you can also |
| Here's how you can make your own winch anchor | | | | drive in long stakes or axles. They should be at |
| if the situation calls for it. | | | | least three feet in length to reach deep enough |
| If you're adequately prepared for times like this, | | | | into the ground. For a solid anchor, pound in |
| most likely you have a shovel stashed in your | | | | several stakes, one behind the other, at an angle |
| ATV or truck. Pull it out and start digging. The | | | | away from the line of pull. The stakes must be |
| depth of the hole will depend somewhat on the | | | | deep enough and the ground dense enough to |
| size and weight of your vehicle and just how | | | | sustain the force of the pull or the winch will yank |
| good you're stuck. The deeper the hole, the | | | | the anchor right out and all your work will be for |
| sturdier your anchor will be. At minimum, it should | | | | nothing. This can also create a potentially |
| be deep enough to fully cover an object the size | | | | dangerous situation if the buried anchor pulls free |
| of your spare tire and rim. | | | | and rockets toward you or your vehicle. |
| Dig the hole directly in line with the stuck vehicle, | | | | After driving in the stakes, connect them with a |
| if possible, and far enough away from your quad | | | | chain or strap, and attach the winch hook to the |
| or truck to spool out a decent length of cable for | | | | strap as close to the ground as possible. If you |
| a maximum power pull. Spool out the cable ahead | | | | have trouble pulling the stakes back out, try |
| of time to measure the distance if you're unsure | | | | winching them out by pulling at the same angle as |
| where to start digging. Taking the time to plan | | | | the anchor. |
| out where your dead man needs to be is better | | | | As you can see, digging a dead man takes time |
| than making the hole too close or too far away | | | | and hard work and is not going to be your first |
| from your vehicle and then having to dig a new | | | | option, but when it comes down to walking back |
| one. | | | | for help or making your own winch anchor, now |
| A broad, weighty object makes the sturdiest | | | | you have the option of getting out on your own |
| dead man winch anchor, such as a log, large rock, | | | | without the embarrassment of calling in the |
| or spare tire. If you carry a spare, you have a | | | | rescue squad. |
| heavy, solid object on hand without scrounging | | | | |