Airborne Rescue of Jeep Grand Cherokee Stranded on Remote Alaskan Trail Needed Black Hawk Helicopter Airlift

When venturing off-road, the possibility of getting immobilized is always looming. This is why winches are among the first enhancements off-roaders make to their vehicles. Nevertheless, even a winch may not suffice when traversing 16 miles along a challenging Alaskan trail in a mostly unmodified, first-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee lacking a suspension lift kit. In such a scenario, the solution might involve an aerial evacuation via a helicopter.

Such was the plight of the owner of this Jeep ZJ around July 4. While driving on the Knik Glacier Trail—close to Butte, Alaska—the vehicle swerved off the trail into a pool of glacier runoff. The Knik Glacier Trail, as rated by OnX Off-Road, presents a moderate challenge with its 20.3-mile stretch, making the fact that the vintage Jeep managed to travel that far quite remarkable.

A rescue attempt was made by Elite Towing and Recovery from Wasilla, using their off-road vehicle. However, they faced obstacles with high-water crossings due to recent rain, hindering their access to the stricken Jeep. With no viable alternatives, the decision was made to airlift the vehicle out.

Heli Alaska dispatched a helicopter to pinpoint the precise location of the ZJ. Subsequently, Northern Pioneer Helicopters was contacted by Elite Towing, who sent a UH-60 Black Hawk for the extraction operation. Such a service comes at a considerable cost, with a spokesperson from Northern Pioneer disclosing that chartering such aircraft incurs a fee of $8,250 per hour. After a single hour flight from Big Lake, Alaska, the Jeep was dropped at a spot accessible for loading onto a rollback wrecker. Attempts to gather additional information from Elite Towing are ongoing and will be included in a subsequent update.

The image reveals the attachment points on the passenger side of the Jeep where the straps were affixed by Elite Towing. The entire operation, as reported by Elite, took merely two minutes in the air before adjusting the positioning on the other side of the vehicle. Opting for this course of action, rather than a direct extraction from the initial location submerged in icy glacier water, was a calculated decision made to ensure safety paramount and facilitate a swifter and more cost-effective retrieval process for the client. When the vehicle in question has an approximate value of $1,500, prudent decisions hold weight.

Several online commentators suggested that the recovery could have awaited a natural lowering of water levels, allowing for retrieval using another 4×4 vehicle. However, due to the partial submersion of the Jeep, the risk of leakage of oil, coolant, or fuel was a valid concern if left unattended. Elite noted in a Facebook post that immediate access helped contain any leakage during the airlifting operation, with only glacier water escaping.

Several questions arise, particularly regarding the foresight of the driver when embarking on an off-road journey deep into a secluded region with an underprepared vehicle. Despite being a frequented trail, as per a local source, such incidents highlight the risks involved without adequate recovery gear. Thankfully, with the successful airlift, the Jeep is now recovered, underscoring the significance of timely and professional interventions over potential online rescue initiatives.

For direct contact with the author or to share tips, reach out to: caleb@thedrive.com

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