Hmm, I don't know the protocol here, so I'll tell what I think I know:
In the middle of a multi-mile black diamond trail, the rear drive shaft u- joint, on the axle end, broke on Thomas's tj. It sheared one u-joint straps bolts, so field repair was not going to happen. This was around 4:30.
After removing the drive shaft, Thomas winched his way up that obstacle. Then Danny pulled Thomas's jeep through some fairly easy water features that led to a rock climb that required more winching. Then the fun ensued. Two options:
1) a short, but very rocky (loose 48" circumference rocks), trek up an incline with a few maneuvers at the top.
2) a long hill climb with a few big boulder obstacles. BUT, you have to back down the first part of the trail in order to get positioned to go up the next part. This is in the side of a cliff (roll opportunity). Remember the word 'long'.
It is about 5:30 at this point, but light is still available when this starts. Danny tried to pull Thomas's jeep up option 1, but got denied. Danny went on up. Thomas tried to winch his way up option 1, but the drain on the electrical system was too much. After a jump start by blue Wes, option 2 was pursued.
Wes backed down and then Thomas backed down. Wes backed down further and got positioned to pull Thomas's jeep up option 2. Thomas backed down and then Wes pulled Thomas as far as he could and then meet up with Danny to get Thomas up the trail a bit further. Thomas was able to use the winch again on the stuff where being towed wasn't going to work. Wes pulled Thomas up the last part of that trail to the service road and went home. That was very late, but I don't remember the time.
Next story/lessen...cooking burgers on a grill in a church building...get Richard to tell this one!