The Great Escape
It was the June long weekend 2008, and the wife was facing a daunting operation the week after, so rather than sit around at home we decided to visit the beautiful Flinder Ranges.
Day 1 we towed the camper to Wilpena Pound and set up camp, and took a rushed trip to Brachnia Gorge. It had been drizzling for days prior and the roads were slippery, so slow careful driving was in order as we were alone and didn't want to do anything too extreme.
Day 2 was our only opportunity to spend the whole day sightseeing, and the first place we went to was Wilkawillina Gorge. The roads were very wet, and after going over a crest, the car just slid down the other side, and ended up in a washout.
There was another car at the bottom of the hill. He had twin diff locks and offered to "snatch" us out, however, nearly sideswiping us on his way up,he couldn't get any speed up, and then left.
I got the shovel out and filled in the hole in front of the left front wheel, and drove the car further forward, to level it out, then filled in the wheel ruts behind the tyres. I got back in the car, and with lots of wheel spin and no steering, I managed to back up to the top of the hill, then turn around.
I was impressed that I got myself out of that situation in 20 minutes,when others said to leave the car and come back in 4 days after the rain had stopped. We continued our sightseeing and had a most enjoyable day.
