Another way to come unstuck
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 27, 2008 at 21:15
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Member - Chris R (NSW)
Next door neighbour is very experienced 4WDer and bushman. In the recent rains the many creek crossings we share rose from 20cm to over a metre and very fast flowing. m ost of the fords are concreted.
He attempted to cross at possibly 80cm and had done
well but his HiLux ute encountered a submerged 75mm dia branch on one of the crossings.
Apparently this was enough to lift the front, lose traction drop over the ford and run downstream filling with water. Dog got thrown into the ute tray, out clambered the owner as vehicle settled in 140cm against a log 30metres downstream.
Pulled it out with tractor and now the clean up.
Fast water can look good - nice and smooth over concrete - but beware. Other aspect worthy of note is potential for strands of barbed wire to also be trailing in fords after heavy rain.
Cheers
Chris
Reply By: Robin Miller - Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 08:03
Monday, Apr 28, 2008 at 08:03
Hi Chris
It's so easy isn't it , and one reason I often take more time than need be to write trip reports is because it causes me to think thru the various situations again and use this as experience next time.
This weekend we lead 7 or 8 vehicles thru
forrest tracks thru fire affected areas and despite the most up to date maps and GPS stuff we soon found ourseleves following our nose in a maze of undocumented paths, and
forrest so thick and damp that the GPS became erratic.
Was near snowing and not far from sunset when we came across a big downed tree across track, and while we could have cut it out we choose to turn around, and take the guaranteed but longer path
home.
Very undramatic but trip ended with happy travellers .
Sometimes they have ended differently.
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris R (NSW) - Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008 at 13:19
Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008 at 13:19
Hi Robin
See thread 57105 for another tragic end.
We too guided friends
home through an area of
Gloucester Tops - forest tracks. Two
rock slides with sufficient room to get by and one tree which we dragged clear.
Heard also of a couple of trail bikers up here who suffered mild hypothermia from poor preparation. They rejected dad's advice for extra clothing, safety gear walkie talkie and GPS "too much stuff dad". Came
home a little wiser.
Cheers
Chris
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