valuable lesson learnt today...
Submitted: Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:13
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Member - Blue (VIC)
NEVER trust the bloke coming the other way to give you accurate track details...
Ventured out to Gembrook with the little fella today, been years since I've been out there and thought it'd be nice to have a look around. Turned off Link Rd onto what looked to be a
well maintained but still muddy track(not signposted). Met a bloke in a Pajero with H/T tyres on who offered advice... "you wont get through straight ahead, take the next turn to your right about 100m behind me, I had to come up that way". "The track starts with a steep downhill with a few rocks but beyond that, it's fairly easy"...
I thank him and pursue his directions... Turn right on said track and sure enough a few rocks and fairly steep downhill... This is where the fun started, round the bend at the bottom and confronted with a massive bog hole and no
sign that any vehicle has recently been through it... No chance of backing out or turning around so armed with a shovel and a snatch strap and no-one else to connect it to, in we go. Bottom firm and really nothing to worry about until we exit over
the hump and BANG!!!!! Front diff firmly implanted in a tree stump... 2½ hours of jacking the front up and countless truckies knots in the (lucky I didn't take it out) 12mm rope, slowly jacking up and pulling it off the jack and we were free... The rest of the track would have been all but impossible without the muddies on, and not altogether easy with them on.
In conclusion, I'd like to thank the tool in the Pajero for leading me astray but most of all, I'd like to thank my 4yo boy for holding the rope for me, enjoying himself in the face of adversity and never once whinging about our predicament...
Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:16
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:16
Bugger! Make sure you take the
young feller along as part of your vital recovery kit in future. Glad it all worked out OK, no thanks to the tool in the Pajero :)))))
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Follow Up By: howesy - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:29
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:29
They say the word Pajero can have another meaning. Maybe they had this bloke in mind.
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Reply By: ImEasy - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:29
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:29
Doesnt "Pajero" mean Wank3r in another language?
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:34
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:34
Spanish, I believe...
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Follow Up By: Brian B (Mackay Qld) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:53
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:53
i thought it was spanish for camel d*ck.
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Reply By: Member - Axle - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:21
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:21
hi Blue.
Very irresponsible thing for this dude to say!!, He must have seen your
young bloke with you?, things could have been worse. If you ever catch up with him, drag him to a workshop somewhere shove a welding rod up his rear end and ARC him to the floor.
Cheers Axle.
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:31
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:31
"ARC him to the floor"
I love that one... Might have to start carrying the genie and welder with me, ARC them to the nearest
sign post...LOL
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Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:40
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:40
I have observed that some people take a perverse delight in telling others that particular tracks are OK when, in fact, they are anything but and the tellers know that full
well!
It's a strange thing to do - deliberately trying to cause other people damage and distress and I can only assume the people doing it are fairly inadequate individuals in their own sad little lives. Perhaps it gives them a feeling of control and power?
As you say: treat advice regarding track conditions with extreme caution.
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:44
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 18:44
It's a strange thing indeed... I always believed there was honour among thieves(so to speak), never have I had reason to doubt advice from others out having a play and enjoying the bush... Closet greenie perhaps...???
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Reply By: Member - John L G - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:13
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:13
Blue
I think you will actually find that this bloke was not being a deliberate tool, although he is, but rather just big noting himself.
His statement as made by him to you probably demonstrates that he thinks he is a bit of a cool four wheeling dude and nothing is any trouble to him. Truth be known, he probably had much the same experience as you without the hang up and rather than admit the difficult nature of the track, chose to imply he and his truck were of legend standing with no problems.
Just my thoughts.......
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:23
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:23
Trouble was that I realised he'd not actually been on this track(which he had claimed to have traversed), as there were NO wheel marks anywhere on it and given that I had trouble maintaining foreward momentum with MT's, due to the slickness of the clay, he could not possibly have negotiated it on HT tyres... He WAS and remains a deliberate tool in my mind... Why else would you direct a solo driver down a track you hadn't actually been on(on the day) and claim it to be the only way through...???
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Reply By: Of Mice & Men - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:29
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:29
Hi Blue,
do you think it could have been a mistake in either him giving, or you recieveing the directions? You said it yourself, the bog-hole looked like it had not recently been crossed. Maybe the track that you went down on was not the same as the one that he had just come up.
Just Wonderimg, OM&M.
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:51
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:51
I guess anything is possible, he did specify the NEXT track to my(as in "me") right, about 100m behind him... And that's exactly what I found about 100m behind him... It appeared as described by him... I might just take a drive out there tomorrow(it's only 40 mins from my joint) and I'll retract my statement if there is another track near by...
However, if I am unsure when offering directions, I let others know of my indecision and suggest things to look out for or to take extra caution when looking for whatever I have offered up.
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 22:27
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 22:27
It would be no mistake, the prick would have done it deliberately
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Reply By: Member - Cruiser (NSW) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:41
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:41
1st rule of 4wding is never go out into bush by yourself, always have another vehicle with you.
I am sorry that you were misled, but in my opinion, you put yourself AND more importantly your 4 year old son in a potentially dangerous situation, and this tool just helped contribute to the situation.
What was your son supposed to do if something went wrong and you were hurt.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:51
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:51
>1st rule of 4wding is never go out into bush by yourself, always
>have another vehicle with you.
Oh
well... guess I fail the test almost every time I go bush - and I go to some remote
places - it seems I'm still alive, so maybe, your rule is a heap of dingos kidneys if you know how to look after yourself and should be reserved for Toorak Tractor owners?
The Yarra forests, whilst they can provide some difficult 4WDing are not remote and one could walk out of them (even with a 4 year old) in a couple of hours and most of their area has mobile phone coverage.
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser (NSW) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:59
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 19:59
And the fallout begins.
Whatever floats ya boat, but having been there and done that with disastrous results, I will stick to my rules that seem to me to be more sensible than yours.
Nothing is more dangerous than complacency.
Oh and by the way, I have been 4wding for 32 years and dont live in Toorak and I dont drive a tractor.
Guess we just have to agree to disagree.
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:17
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:17
"1st rule of 4wding is never go out into bush by yourself, always have another vehicle with you."
Well it may work
well for some but if I had to rely on that rule, I'd never ever leave my driveway... And I doubt there would be many 4by owners who always have another vehicle there... I don't hear anyone throwing that line around when someone announces they are going around Oz solo...
I had no intention of doing anything "full-on" and according to this guy's directions and the fact he was running highway tyres, I felt there was little risk in taking his direction.
"What was your son supposed to do if something went wrong and you were hurt."
Same thing he would do if I fell over taking a leak on the side of the highway... Stay in his booster
seat as by design, he can't unclip the seatbelt and harness. With tinted windows, you'd be very lucky to notice a child in the car on the side of the road and how often do you see cars on the side of the highway with no-one about...??? I don't know about you but I rarely give them a second though unless someone is clearly in distress.
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Follow Up By: Robert - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:37
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:37
Not everyone wants or needs someone to hold their hand!
Who wants to sit
home scared! Life's a gamble anyway, you don't know whats around the corner.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:58
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:58
>Guess we just have to agree to disagree.
No, we don't.
Just don't lecture the rest of us about your rules.
Mike Harding
PS. Only 29 years in my case but that includes a few more countries than Australia - does that count?
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser (NSW) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 21:08
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 21:08
This isnt a bleep competition or a mines bigger than your discussion, and I dont think I am "lecturing" anyone.
This is a
forum where free speech and opinions are expressed daily, and that is all I am doing.
You havent been in my situation to appreciate why I have those opinions, and frankly I hope you never have to be in that situation, but the fact remains that I am entitled to my opinions and, I am entitled to express them, and that is why I said, we will have to agree to disagree.
Have a nice night.
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Follow Up By: Rosco - Qld - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 22:23
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 22:23
I tend to agree with the above input. We go where others fear to tread SOLO.
By choice that is. When the sh1t hits the fan ... so be it. If you can't/won't/aren't able to get yourself out of the sh1t ... don't go there. Stay at
home and knit.
Cheers
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Reply By: AS/KS - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:00
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 20:00
We have met some top people 4x4ing, But occasionally we come across a
twat like you encountered advising us of track conditions being "easy" when they
are anything but.. Its irresponsible and VERY FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!
Sounds like you have a good little offsider...........
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Reply By: ZUKSCOOTERX90(QLD-MEMBER) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 21:25
Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 21:25
Blue,just to say you able to get yourself out of the said hole & you & the
young bloke
home safely that is the main thing.What this fellow said to you will remain in you're mind forever unfortunately , but you will think twice when offered or ask advice in the future.Bob.
PS, A tool is a very usefull instrument in most cases not this one though.
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:24
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:24
"but you will think twice when offered or ask advice in the future."
This is the biggy for me... You want to believe that those around you ARE giving you the correct info as in extreme cases, it could be the difference between making it
home safely or perishing in the bush.
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Reply By: Muzzgit (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 00:17
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 00:17
Blue, I recon I know what's gonna happen if you ever see that tool and his Pajero again !!!
And I'd love to see it.
More importantly, and not mentioned here, even though he's only a
young bloke, your little one will have learned valuable stuff watching you as you figured it out and slowly but surely got the job done.
My old man never owned a 4WD but I still remember him getting bogged in the HR and HK when I was a lttle'un and those methods he used are still with me today.
The most effective one was to get us kids to stand on the rear bumper and rock the back of the car up and down as hard as we could.
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:25
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:25
"Blue, I recon I know what's gonna happen if you ever see that tool and his Pajero again !!!
And I'd love to see it. "
Bring your oen welding mask and rods... I'll supply the power and welder...LOL
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Reply By: Member - Crazie (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 09:18
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 09:18
Hey Blue
Only a phone call away mate, any excuse to come for a run to help out.
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:21
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:21
You know, the thought crossed my mind... No reception(3G phone) and figured everyone likely to be able to help would be at work...
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:25
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:25
Hand winch - Big Haul, about $500 including the shackles, snatch block, extension strap etc.
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Follow Up By: Member - Crazie (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:28
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 10:28
maaate!! you would be amazed how quickly I could need to go do some product testing in gembrook hahaha any excuse really.
Glad you boys got out safely
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 18:09
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 18:09
Mike, yeah a hand winch has been on the wish list for quite a while... Always seem to find something else to spend the money on though... Spose now I have the perfect reason to pull my finger out and do something about it...
Adam, I'll keep that in mind... Must get a decent map of Gembrook so I can let you know where I am... Had a look at the RoofTop map you sent me and the tracks I came across aren't on it.
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Follow Up By: Member - Crazie (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 18:30
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 18:30
Love to know where you were, we have covered alot of area up there and getting a little bored with it, so somewhere new would be great haha
Regularly go out there solo, good for you for getting out there with your son mate, I would continue to do so.
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 19:01
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 19:01
Yeah often get out solo with 1, 2 or all of the kids... Gives the missus a break and gives her some "me" time... Normally go out to Toolangi although I mostly stay around the Yarra Glen side, it's pretty sedate and there's little chance of getting in too much trouble.
Not too familiar with Gembrook, used to ride the bikes out there years ago but a lot has changed... A lot of new gates around too...
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