Stuck coming out of the Wenlock

The hand winch comes out

Steve exiting the Pascoe

Steve crossing the Pascoe

The paparazzi crossing the Pascoe to get everything on camera/video

THE FRENCHMANS TRACK

This part of our trip all seems a bit surreal now, so I’m unsure how to begin. The Frenchmans Track has turned out to be every adrenalin rush we could imagine – and - yes – we would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Taking this track was the beginning of many water crossings and we were looking forward to them, but there really are only two worth mentioning here.

Word along the track about crossing the Pascoe was worrisome to say the least. It would be the first test of our equipment and skill. Coming up to the entry, we all got out of the car to check out our options. There were two Britz vans pulled up before us, but they weren’t going to cross as they didn’t have any recovery gear and also didn’t trust their experience. They were going to stay and watch us do it, but the wives got bored and so they left!

Steve and Terry took about 30 minutes walking the river, talking about which line to take, climbing the exit etc. They put the water bras on the cars, connected tree protectors and snatch straps on the other side, unfurled our winch and decided they were ready. Well, it was a pretty steep entry and another steep and rocky exit but they made it easily. Steve did have his lockers on and Terry in his Patrol didn’t need them. With the water up to the door handles it was really exciting. Daniel traveled in the car, while Cam and I took photos. Steve said Dan kept shouting “Awesome!” most of the way across and up as the old Pajero rocked and rolled its way through. Both Steve and Terry were absolutely stoked, and after a celebratory beer and a check inside the campers to see if any water had seeped through (which it had) the confidence was high as we kept moving on.

The next crossing worth mentioning was The Wenlock. Again, Steve and Terry got out of the car and spent about 30 minutes walking and talking the entry, the crossing and well, Deb and I thought they discussed the exit! Steve went first, as it was always thought that with the winch on our bullbar it made sense regardless of who needed the recovery.

Steve made it through the water without any worry, and as Deb and I cheered and shouted him up the exit it all turned south. About a third of the way up the camper dragged our car into a rut of mud that was about 2 feet deep. After quite a bit of reversing and revving, no matter what Steve did – he was stuck deep. We dragged out the winch and after about 15 minutes it went dead. Cripes, nothing left to do but get the hand winch out. Luckily, we gave this to Terry to cart as a back up. First though we needed some traction. So out came the chainsaw, and we filled the ruts with saplings and then started hand winching which pulled us about 4 metres giving us enough traction to then drive out. The last little bit it seemed as if Steve was going to roll so Terry and I jumped on the bulbar and rode the last 10 metres with him. Phew! It was about 4:00 pm by now, and it was up to Terry to make it through next.

Well, just the same, Terry started well, but again the weight of the trailer sucked him in a mud rut about a quarter of the way up the exit. Now, Terry’s vehicle is bigger than ours, and his camper is also heaps heavier. Just as we were faced with the prospect of hand winching him out also, a lad (Dennis) from Newcastle turns up and says “I’ve got a new winch on the front of my vehicle that hasn’t been tested yet……” That’s all we needed. Steve offered that if his winch burnt out while helping us, we would give him the cash to buy a new one. We eventually had to rig up a double pulley to get Terry out, and had to hook up Dennis’ car to our Pajero just to anchor it in place such was the weight of the Patrol and camper. The suction of the mud that was holding Terry back was also extreme. By about 8:00 pm and lots of nervous moments we had Terry winched out to the top of the muddy slop.

Talking about it now, we all agree it felt a bit like we were doing a Four Wheel Drive Action video (minus the professional spotlights). It was harrowing for both the men and the families as we contemplated unhitching the camper and leaving it there for the night. This wasn’t feasible so we just had to slog it out. I think the whole ordeal will always be a tribute to Steve and Terry’s friendship and their reciprocated respect for each other. It was certainly a time of need – and they did what mates do!

That night we set up camp on the other side of the Wenlock with Dennis, his mate Bryce and his dog Boots. Not only did we delay their days driving plans and put Dennis’ winch to the extreme test, we also crashed their campfire and space with four kids that love to have a chat. They took everything with a fabulous grace and sense of humour that endeared them to all of us. Our son Cameron still talks about their fire starting techniques with awe and everyone wants a dog like Boots. We will be eternally grateful that they came along when they did. Thanks lads!