Trail fail: Stranded Jeep Grand Cherokee needs an airlift

Hey Arnie! Prepare the chopper, a Jeep needs our help.

Power Nation TV reports an unlucky owner of a first-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee slipped down a 4×4 path and got stuck in a glacier on the Knik Glacier Trail in Alaska.

The driver reportedly drove 16 miles (25 km) through the trail near Butte, Alaska before running into some trouble.

According to On X Offroad, the full trail stretches across 20.3 miles (32.6km). The website rates the track a 6 out of 10 and says it’s moderately difficult. It wouldn’t necessarily be a first timer’s trail.

Power Nation TV reports the driver found himself stuck between tough terrain and the melted glacier before making the call for a help.

Instead of sending a tow truck – due to the rough terrain and weather conditions – Elite Towing and Recovery based in Wasilla, Alaska dispatched a helicopter to lift the Grand Cherokee out of trouble – like they do in the movies.

According to Power Nation TV, a two-tonne UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was called in, costing a whopping US$8250 (AU$12,327) per hour for a charter flight.

It’s understood the rescue mission took around an hour from take off to landing at home base. The Jeep was then loaded onto a flat-bed tow truck.

Images of the rescue mission were captured and posted on Facebook by Tim Beevors 4×4 reviews showing the mighty efforts to get this car back to safety.

Jeeps are known for their off-road capabilities, but sometimes not even the toughest of them can’t avoid a dramatic once-in-a-lifetime rescue.

It’s unclear if the vehicle sustained any permanent damage, or if the driver just walked away with a bruised ego. Regardless, this was one hefty price to pay for a quiet day outdoors.

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