Why I keep food water matches and stuff in my truck.

Wonder why when he seen road was bad he did not back up?

it usually comes down to thinking "I can make it"; and being too lazy to get out of the truck to scout it out on foot BEFORE getting stuck.

If you're going to run those types of roads then you need to have recovery gear, in addition to basic food/water/shelter.

handyman jack, several chains, winch shovel and ax. if your headed to some wild place dont leave home without them. tossing in a 12 volt compressor and some tire plugs is also a good plan. i keep some tools in an old ammo can. if needed can take some removing trapping gear but its in there. a first aid kid shoved under the seat dont eat much either. a bottle of water purification pills goes in the glove box. will keep you from getting scours.

I didn't read it but gpa never put the truck in 4x4 until it was time to ease it out of barely getting stuck. He always said if I drove around in 4x4 what would I do if I got stuck? lol. Simple but effective.

My grandpa was the same way, 4WD was for getting out of what 2WD got stuck in. Not for going in deeper. And that was on the Willys jeep, which required a hub change to go to 4WD.

I've been on lots of roads that once you were committed into going down them, you aren't going to be able to back up. It just comes with the territory.
If your life is worth $299 carry an ACR locator beacon.

if you cant back up it you cant drive up it either. why would you go down at all?

Theres wilderness in California?!