Clean Technica had an article about this. Apparently a Cybertruck got stuck and a video was making the rounds of a Ford truck pulling it out. Never folks to pass up an opportunity for public education, the Stanislaus NF weighed in.
Last week, a video of the stuck truck was making the rounds on social media. The vehicle was a little ways off the nearest forest road and appeared to be in use to pick up a Christmas tree. But, it didn’t have the right tires for conditions, and was good and stuck. But, even with better tires, there are doubts out there about whether the vehicle has a decent all-wheel-drive system or has some other problem that’s keeping it from being able to tackle off-road challenges.
At the other end of the tow cable is a Ford pickup. This led to Ford CEO Jim Farley making it clear that this was not a planned photo-op of any kind. A Ford truck’s owner really just happened to be there to help.
Here’s the video.
But, instead of chewing Tesla out for having an employee go off established roads, managers took it for an educational opportunity. In a tongue-in-cheek manner, the agency asked Tesla to partner with the on educating the public about motor vehicle use maps (MVUMs), which specify where vehicles are allowed, as well as where vehicle-based “boondock” camping can be legally done.
“We are always thrilled when new opportunities to explore our public lands become available,” said Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken. “But feel there may be work to be done in educating users about our Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM). We feel confident that had the driver of the Cybertruck had a better understanding of the topographical feature indicated on our maps, practiced Leave No Trace principles, and generally been more prepared, this whole incident could have been not only avoided, but also provided much-needed education to many new off-road users.”
The supervisor also poked fun at the problem of software updates.
“You never have to worry about a software update at an incredibly awkward moment with one of our MVUM maps,” Kuiken said. “We would invite executives of Tesla Motors to sit down at the table with us and develop an educational experience for new Cybertruck owners. We expect we could see this excited new user base joining our well-established OHV community and want to ensure we’ve done everything to create a positive user experience.”
You don’t need 3 G 5 G nor any other G for MVUMs either which can be a plus.
Here’s the Forest’s Facebook post in its entirety for those of you avoiding FB.
I see this entirely differently: as the USFS showing just how little it cares about protecting the Stanislaus National Forest.
They’re saying: go ahead, rip up public lands, tear up meadows and compress the soil so that the tracks will be visible decades from now, squash all the little critters and bugs you want, and it’s no big deal. We won’t worry about the law because we manage national forests as playgrounds for sh!theads.
The driver didn’t choose to drive down there. It seems to me that it is “operator error”, as he was letting another vehicle pass by him, on the road. He doesn’t appear to know how to drive on snow and ice. I am amused at how he struggled, on such a gentle slope. Also, I saw very little damage done, during this incident. No, I do not support people going off roads and damaging sensitive areas. There are plenty of roads and 4WD trails to drive on, already.