Henry Backus and Matisse Nash set out late to the Cascade Mountains from Portland. The two planned to stay the night at a secluded campsite east of Eugene, then visit a nearby hot springs in the morning. What was supposed to be a quick overnighter turned into a three-day nightmare, as heavy snow started to fall in the mountains, trapping their car on a remote forest road. Their story is a cautionary tale for all who venture out to Oregon’s mountains in winter, but also one that shows how to escape a hairy situation with some quick thinking, hard work and a little bit of luck.

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