I am located in North Calif., in a little town called Cohasset, just North East of Chico. Tractor is stuck on my property bordering the very Southern tip of the ISHI Wilderness Area. Forrest fires are always a concern here and so I am extending my road to aid the firefighters to get access to an area so remote and rough that the last documented Native American (ISHI) still hiding out and living in his native way, was found here (1908). This is the only place on the Western slope of the Sierras that still has wild horses. Got to be very careful to not cross or even touch the Federal Wilderness Boundaries.

I went back in today. Brought more tools. cut out much buck brush so I could get around. One branch snagged my glasses as I tried to throw it and flung them somewhere. Never did find them. Thought I was in for a really tough day but it turned out OK. I did get the blade moved sideways and back uphill to the point whereI got one of the blade arms bolted (not tight yet) onto the dozer and the other side was within 8in. of the mounting. Still need to work hard for that 8in. I suspect as there are still some rocks inter fearing with the second blade arm. I am a little worried about oil in the main eng. There is no evidence of leakage but it just so happens that the angle the dozer sits leaves my oil dipstick showing nothing. I guess I will put in another gallon or so and make sure I get oil pressure before lighting it off. I hope I get to that point tomorrow. Clayton, how close are you. You'd be more than welcome and you'd see some really awesome country and thanks for the offer. Send me a PM with your # if interested.

I did not go back in today as it is tough to work without the glasses I lost there yesterday. This does not bother me much as I sure am sore. Seeing the winch in one picture one might wonder why I don't just pull myself out. I wish there was something to attach to in the desired direction. I did take a few pictures which I will now attempt to post. I find it very difficult to get pictures from my I-phone onto this site. Failed again I will try again later.

I got it out! I headed straight downhill approx 40' to a slightly less sloped area and did my turn around there, little bits at a time hoping I wouldn't throw a track. I did not make it back up first try because of large rocks. I rolled a couple rocks out of the way as I scouted my route. Second try, throttle at full. RPMs down to counting the pistons firing as it just made it over center at the top. Five days hard work for one slip on hidden cap rock. Ouch!

Nice work Floyd, I bet you are relieved to have it out.

Relieved yes! Time is critical as the dry season means NO dozer work. Had I not gotten it out very soon I would have waited for fall rains. Steel tracks on those rocks make for a surprising show of sparks and I'm working in some really dense buck brush. When the 1990 fires (second largest in Calif. history at that time) burned through here they took out the log cabin I'd been building for ten years. I pay close attention now especially since I rebuilt again (steel and masonry exterior) on the same foundation. I don't have a third cabin in me. And, you can't get fire insurance there anymore.