There is a lot to this story, I will try to keep it to the highlights...
I received the call about 7:00pm Wednesday that a friends dad had not yet returned from a trip to Florence Junction (FJ). By 7:30pm my wife had it posted on two boards that I needed help to try and locate him, and we were getting more information about maybe where he might have gone.
About 9:00pm with still no word, and Pinal County Search and Rescue set to go out in the morning it was decided by the family to make a decision if we roll out at 10pm. At 10pm the decision is made to go look for him. I make another post, a couple calls and we are off to FJ.
We meet 8 other Jeepers out there, look over the 3 trails he left maps for his wife he was going to run and decide that 4 Jeeps will enter through Cottonwood Canyon and 4 will enter through Price road and both groups to meet at the yellow sign in the middle.
When the Price Road group got there, we were ahead of the Cottonwood group which we kind of figured we would be, so we radioed them and told them we were going to run up to Martinez and instead meet them at the turn off point to either Martinez or the Coke Ovens.
We parked at the Cabins and walked what felt like 5 miles, I am sure it was only 200 yards or so, with no signs of Bruce or his vehicle. We ventured back to the meet spot, and most had to leave to go to work or get to other committments. Either way I cannot thank you all enough for giving up your night, your sleep, your time to help us out, it really helped out to eliminate some of the options as to where he might be.
In addition to those helping support the efforts on line with added posts and suggestions, and opening the chat room, huge kudos, it really helped keep the ball rolling. Also my wife for coordinating everything, I came home to find out she had a sheet she was tracking everyone that said they were going out, and she was verifying when they came in so that we were sure no one was left out there.
By now it was down to just David driving and Brian and I riding, and we decided to head toward the Coke Ovens, and Jason and Marc joined with passengers to head in from Cochran, in case some how he got turned around and was near the Gila River or tried to cross it. After a quick tour of the Coke Ovens and a bit of talk with Jason we wondered if we could cross. About then both parties heard 4 shots. Thinking this may be a distress call and Bruce may not be able to hear us or us hear him, we fired off two rounds as well (we did pick a good target area as to not cause any issues or harm and would be a suitable back ground). Shortly after we hear 3 more shots, but having a hard time making out where they were coming from, we tried 2 more, but this time nothing. So we decide in what direction everyone thinks there were coming from, and we will meet at the normal crossing area to talk across the river with Jason and crew.
To our wonder here comes Bruce walking up from the rivers edge from talking with Jason and crew. When he realizes it is me and his son Brian he has a very shocked look on his face, I think we was expecting the normal search and rescue team. Bruce then tells me that he has messed up our Jeep pretty bad (this use to be my wifes XJ years ago). We walk down to see the situation.
He has gotten himself in pretty tight, we dig out, add some rocks, hook up tow straps to David's rig and iwth a combination drive and pull we are out, yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We also find out that he was been stuck since noon the day before.
Ok, at this point, we think it will be quicker to take Battle Axe to Superior and back on the pavement, however while a very scenic view we all agreed we don't think it saved us any time, not sure it cost us either, but at that point we were on pavement and happy as "a tornado in a trailer park".
As we were talking, Bruce tells us he does not remember firing those 4 shots, the first shots he heard were our and he only fired the 3 to respond to ours, which then begs the question, who fired the first 4 shots everyone heard?
We did run into Jason, Neal, Marc and his wife and daughter in Superior before heading for home.
Again thanks to all who had a part in this huge effort, from those on the boards or chat room giving assistance or suggestions on approaches to locate, to encouraging words, to offering prayers, to making that huge drive and giving up your night and sleep, and to my wife who was helping to orchestrate all this from home, you are all awesome.
The Borchets wanted me to send along their thanks as well. They are extremely happy with the outcome and to know that there are so many good people out there willing to step up and help total strangers when needed. They send their heartfelt thanks and God's Blessing to you and your family's.
They also wanted you to know that the keys to the XJ have been locked up in a safety deposit box, and when Bruce can present a signed document that he has at least one other attendee on his trail runs then they will give him the keys back.
Ok, now in Bruce's defense, he did alot of things right too after the issue happened.
* He gave his wife detailed maps of the trails he intended on running
* He stayed with his vehicle
* He had both a large rescue tarp layed out in a clearing near to his rig and also a becon light
* He did not try to over due anything when it became appearant he could not get his vehicle out, that may have caused injury to himself or over exerted himself which would have depleated his water supply quicker.
* He had himself set up in a nice shaded spot under the trees to keep out of the hot sun.
* He had the recovering equipment needed to get himself out, in fact he had already used his winch to get himself partially out, but then the winch stopped working so he could not get out of the next stuck position.
I think the family has taken care of the alone issue.
I do have to say that the Arizona Virtual Jeep Club really came through big time.
The End (Isn't that how I am supposed to end a book?)
So anyone want to discuss what I feel more here on this might want to, just who did fire those 4 shots? Any takers?