Question about oil spills & ATV accident?

[McCJ7]

Was headed up Radical on Sunday afternoon, and while waiting for an ATV to come down, a couple of ATV's and a Wrangler went around me on one of the last switchbacks (I forgot there was another wide spot). Anyhow, one of the ATV's hit a rock and put a hole in his block, and was losing oil fast. He rolled down beside me and he and his partners were trying to decide what to do while the oil ran out. I had a rental since I was only out for the day, so didn't have my recovery gear to help out, but watching all this raised a question for me. How do we clean up an oil spill "properly" in the high country? Here in Iowa we scoop up the soil soaked with oil and spread it out on a field, the microbial activity will break it down if we dilute it. (Similar concept as when an EPA contractor paid a customer of mine to let them spread fuel contaminated soil from an old tank farm on his field.)

I suspect that in the mountains that this isn't going to work so well with the low rate of microbial degredation. So, does one carry a bucket to scoop up the soil and haul it out? Or what is the procedure? I'm curious, this hasn't happend to me yet, but I've now seen it happen a couple times, so thought I'd like to be prepared.

Another question, while we were headed out of the high country on Tiger Road Sunday afternoon, the Fire Dept, Sheriffs Dept and some other rescue personnel stopped us asking about an ATV accident that had been called in. Any info on what happened?

[ColoradoXJ]

don't know about the ATV accident, but concerning the spill question... please scoop up the contaminated soil and pack it out. i always have a rubbermaid tub i can sacrifice and a handful of kitchen-sized plastic bags. after you get back to town, i would call a disposal site to properly dispose of it... :thumbsup:

[ArloGuthroJeep]

I carry an oil cleanup kit...basically is kitty litter. Then scoop it into a trash bag and store for the next 5000 years:D

[Frank Z]

I just got a call from my brother Brian. His best friend (Jason) of many years was killed in an ATV accident near Westcliffe over the weekend. They had recently taken their motorcycles to Red River for a rally and had a blast. My brother is in total shock and really torn up about. I haven't been able to find outany details via Google yet. If anyone comes up with a link please forward it too me.

[ColoradoXJ]

I just got a call from my brother Brian. His best friend (Jason) of many years was killed in an ATV accident near Westcliffe over the weekend. They had recently taken their motorcycles to Red River for a rally and had a blast. My brother is in total shock and really torn up about. I haven't been able to find outany details via Google yet. If anyone comes up with a link please forward it too me.

sorry to hear that frank :(

[McCJ7]

very sorry to hear about your brothers friend, Frank Z. As a former EMT, I get an horrible feeling in my stomach whenever I see the rescue squad and ambulance in the backcountry. Things happen quickly up there, and help is a long ways away, hard to provide basic care and transport to definitive care inside the golden hour. A very sad ordeal for the friends and family of your brothers friend, they'll need much support.
I am hoping that the rescue team headed up Tiger Road on Sunday didn't have to deal with anything too traumatic. Haven't heard what they encountered yet.

[otisdog]

We were in the area Sunday. A friend of mine from work was camping near the bottom of the North Fork and saw all the rescue equipment etc. He said there was a lot. Then listening to some others he overheard there was a bad accident on SOB Hill. No other details. I'd be interested to find out what happened also.
Jim

[richnell]

A 68 year and 364 day old man fell off his ATV in an attempt to allow another ATV to pass on the road about 2 miles above SOB (no. 10) hill. His machine rolled approx. 15 ft. down the embankment. He was in good spirits and suffered 2 broken ribs. Summit County mountain rescue performed the extraction from the back country and took him to get fixed up. The rescue guys and gal did a fantastic job, considering my pinzgauer was stuck between the patient and the rescue vehicles (just about 100yards)
I also got some good goat pictures....
http://richnell.smugmug.com/photos/190946000-L.jpg
and the pinz on SOB
http://richnell.smugmug.com/photos/190856143-L.jpg

[otisdog]

Neat pics - thanks for the info about the accident. I'll pass it on to my work buddy who does run an atv.
Jim