Sincere appreciation to Victorian Police .....

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I would like to thanks for those local Victorian Police and Rangers from Park Victoria who had participiated in our Search & Rescue operation and recovery of our vehicles and the gentleman who notify police about our situation.

The incident happen on 2 days ago on 21st Sept. The location was at west of Sheepyard Flat. We were in a 2 days 4wd trip and suppposed to follow a trek " THREE CHAIN TK". We used a map " Rooftop's Manfield - Mt.Howitt Adventure Map Third edition 2001". We turned off to right from Howqua Trk to THREE CHAIN TRK. During driving, we also use a GPS to keep track our location and with the track drawing on that GPS device, we thought we were on a right track. At the end of the track, we went down a long steep hill about 200-300 m with gradient about 30 - 40 degree and followed by another 2 rocky steep hills for about 500m totally. We end up arrived to Howqua River.
After checking water depth, we attempt to cross it on foot. The current is too strong and there are lots of big rock at the river bed. Also, the exit point seems hasn't been used for long long time. We decided not to risk to cross it.
At that moment, we had already anticipated that it would be a difficult situation to drive up those hill which we had come down before.
We got stuck at the 3rd hill on the way back. We only have a Big Haul hand winch with us so we spend almost 3 hours to get those 2 cars to 2nd hill. At that time, it was already 4pm. As both vehicles were pretty standard (93 Diesel Patrol with MTR tyre and 90 Pajero with all terrain front and BFG muddy at read), there was no way that we can get up the last long steep horrible hill. As all of us were very exhaused, we decided to call for help thr UHF. Fortuantely, we barely can contact a person who was skiing on Mt. Bulla on Ch.32. As the signal was very bad, he can barely receive our GPS coordiate and our situation. However, we lost contact again after that.
After 2 hours, we receive a radio call from Victorian Police. A 100 series Police car came to rescue and it actually came down the first hill and wait at the top of 2nd hill. A police woman walk down the hill and reach to our first car , Patrol. After accessing the situation, we walk back to police car and attempt to drive back. After fitting 4 chains on its wheel, even such capable 100 series can't get up to half way of the first hill. The worst thing was the winch on that police car was not working ! The clutch on the winch malfunctioned ! We spend almost 5 hours to hand winch this police car about................ 50m !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In short, we had another police car waiting for us at the top of first hill and drove us back to town. A police 4wd was declared stuck and has to be rescued the following day. Police contacted a 4wd recovery specialist as he has the most capable tow truck in that area. However, he also refused as he knew it was impossible to recover three vehicles on that hill...........
Finally, police call for a bulldozer for recovery........and it worked.........but with big bill ! ....................
At the end of this incident, we found out that the map is detailed enough and we made a wrong turn from THREE CHAIN TREK to a unnamed trek which was not shown on map. The trek is supposed to be burnt and closed in the coming summer.
Also, Police said better use UTM/UPS instead of Lat and Long as it took them long time to convert the coordinate.