Solitary Man, isn't it funny how winchs don't seem they are worth the expense until you need one! I personally wouldn't own a quad without a suitable winch mounted on it anymore. I not only use mine for getting me or others out of bad situations like you mentioned but also it has come in handy for hanging/loading animals. It works real slick to load large game on a flat deck trailer, you strap down the bike to the trailer and then with either ramps or by butting the trailer into a slope just winch that sucker right on and your loaded!