Stuck Truck

Our vehicle in question was taken into the bush about a month ago and never came back...

Due to a mechanical problem (yet to be diagnosed) the truck could not make the return trip up the steep rocky mountain track.
The boys had to walk out in the dark of night, leaving their transportation in the forest deep at the bottom of a creek valley.

We made several hikes back in over the past weeks, attempting to extract it from that tight spot, but to no avail.
On our second sojourn into the valley, with another 4x4, we managed to tow the truck about 1.5 km up the precipitous trail but, when we got to the summit, we weren't able to negotiate the sharp right turn.
There the truck sat for another 2 weeks, until we were able to procure a tough little jeep with a winch attached.

Last Saturday morning 7 of us loaded up 3 vehicles that included 2 vans and a 4x4 pulling a trailer carrying the jeep.
There was the air of adventure with a taste of summer holiday spirit surrounding the event.
We even toted along a packed lunch containing sandwiches and various refreshments - of which water was most important in the 35-degree heat.

The jeep was manoeuvered into place in the thick undergrowth and the winch was hooked up through a pulley attached to the front of the waiting truck.
When the winch was first activated nothing happened - nothing but the jeep being winched back down the hill...
After anchoring the jeep to a stout tree trunk farther up the slope, the winch was wound tight once more.
Ah ha! The truck began to inch its way up the rugged incline.
Slowly, but surely, it made its final ascent - I held my breath during the entire procedure...
Amid hoops and hollers the truck finally turned over, fired up and was able to make its own way over the last hump at the top of the hill.

For the first time, after many treks into the bush, we were able to drive out of that place instead of doing it on foot!

Young Julian's first attemt at dragging the truck up the hill...

Eugene and Jerry hooking up the winch cable.

Jerry jockeying the jeep into place.

At last, an empty track where no truck should have been in the first place!

* The photos do no justice to the steepness of the slope. It was at least 45 degrees, making it difficult to negotiate even on foot.