Living in such a vast and diverse country like Australia means there's a lot of opportunity to get out and about, to get off the blacktop and see some of the more remote parts of the country. When I say remote I also mean no-people. I freely admit to being somewhat peoplephobic and so the less people the better. In the outback of Australia one can go for days without seeing another soul and if you happen to see them the chances are they are heading the other way in their own 4x4 raising a cloud of dust similar to your own. Great. Perfect.
Getting to these remote and beautiful places requires a four wheel drive vehicle, and sometimes even a helo (helicopter) but let's just say the latter is out of my budget. I have two four wheel drive vehicles though; One very heavily accessorised for outback adventure and the other one soon to be...
Along with the right vehicle comes a mountain of equipment and a similar mountain of skill. You see, just engaging low-range in a 4x4 doesn't mean it's a go-anywhere vehicle and that it will drive the occupants out of any difficulty. In fact, being in four wheel drive often means it will drive the occupants deeper into trouble before halting altogether in a quite inconvenient manner. Trust me, been there done that.
Driving skill is a very important aspect of safety in the outback; A place that if a person isn't completely prepared it's easy to perish altogether. Of course, communications, food and water preparations, navigation, medical knowledge and emergency protocols are also incredibly important, but lack of driving skills can end in disaster at the very first steep, or even not so steep, incline.
These days 4x4 vehicles are very capable and are fitted with all sorts of electronic aids like anti-lock braking systems, crawl control, turn-assistance, ground cameras, kinetic dynamic suspension, (auto-levelling as per my Toyota Landcruiser), terrain control for snow, ice, rocks and mud, differential lockers and so on. It makes off-roading a lot less ass-puckeringly frightening and yet, people still end up shiny side down. (That means on their roof).
Both of my vehicles are automatic and so having to deal with the cog-swappping of a manual vehicle is far behind me thankfully. It used to be that an automatic vehicle wouldn't descend steep declines safely as they never really provided enough mechanical breaking but these days they have that sorted out and with the addition of ABS (anti-lock brakes) and crawl control they creep downwards in a measured and safe manner. But back in the day I had a manual, in fact I had several manual 4x4's and almost put a few of them on the shiny side.
Heading up a deeply rutted and very steep track where the only thing one sees through the windscreen is sky is enough to put the shivers up anyone's spine but that's the reality of off-roading sometimes. I've done it, and will do it again. I recall one occasion when things didn't go well though.
I had headed up this particular track in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia and whilst at first things went well I ended up stalling the vehicle on the steepest part, and directly after a kink in the track. So, what that means is I was pretty well screwed. The car was dead, in second gear low-range and I was standing on the foot brake and yanking on the hand-brake to keep the car from rolling backwards and off the edge of the not insignificant drop back down the valley. Fucked.
This is where skills come into play.
Because I was unable to clutch, take the car out of gear and restart it I had to perform a roll start. I couldn't simply clutch because the fact that the car was in gear, my foot on the brake and the hand-brake on were the only things keeping me from plummeting back down the track. Here's what I did though...
I left the car in gear then applied the brakes and hand-brake, hard as above. With the car stationary and off I was at least safe for the moment. From there I placed the car into reverse without clutching. I slowly started to release the footbrake to make sure the vehicle would sit on the track held only by the gears and the hand-brake. At that point it was time to restart the vehicle. This needed to be done in conjunction with releasing the handbrake and boom, the vehicle will simply start. It will generally bunnyhop a lot until it really gets going (remember the vehicle is in reverse) but it will quickly simply run in reverse and the natural engine-braking will prevent it from running away down the hill. This is exactly what happened. Prior to doing all of that though it's usually a good idea to check that the steering is heading the right way...Quite critical really.
It sounds fairly simple, and is really, only that it is something that needs to be practiced. I don't mean practiced the first time it happens, but before it happens. It's important to understand what the vehicle is going to do at each point of that process. For those that don't know, a diesel manual 4x4 in low-range will not roll very well, it has to be driven (as in throttled) due to the extreme amount of engine braking so it won't just run away like a regular car would. If it did the process above would not work. In fact I've headed down absurdly steep inclines in vehicles with so much engine braking that I've had to actually accelerate down...Anyway, they typically have that much engine braking and so don't simply roll away when in gear and running.
Getting to the outback and home safely is not just a matter of driving a big 4x4 with off-road tyres and a bullbar; There's many other elements to consider and roll-starts are just one aspect. There was a time when I didn't know how to do it and I almost got myself, and the other occupant of my vehicle, into some deep trouble. Tumbling end over end down a steep mountain in a car isn't my idea of fun and so I built some skills. It doesn't mean it won't happen of course, but it means I'm more equipped to prevent it from occurring.
Having the right skills and equipment will ensure you make it back to camp to sit around the fire and talk about the day's adventure and plan the next...Just remember to keep the shiny side up.
All photo's courtesy of me... :)
Australia is vast and, I'll admit, a bit intimidating. However, there are SO many interesting and capable Steemians from down under, I wouldn't think of visiting without getting in touch with one of you first.
Nicely said mate...You'd get the royal treatment.
Yes, intimidating is an excellent word to use. It can be, but it is also so rewarding. So many amazing things to do, see and experience. I'm lucky to have the ability to get out there and enjoy the country. Many do not through lack of skills, equipment and sometimes desire. It's a shame...For them.
Get down under mate. :)
For now, only in my dreams. Waiting impatiently for my crypto rocket. Till then, I have to live within more meager means. Still, just as you describe Australia, I am surrounded with wonders and beauty. Every day is still a joy.
I love that you write this. Right on!
Reverse roll start sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen x_x
I love 4wd but usually leave it to people that actually like driving, I'll sit over here. The closest I've ever gotten was carefully navigating a reasonably tame jungle track in my mum's Rav4 and that was enough XD
It's not for everyone I guess. There's things I won't do and also things that make me very uncomfortable as well, even after all these years. Still, with the right equipment and skill jr can be enjoyable and fun.
Note to self - Never drive to the outback by yourself whenever you visit Australia
Good note. It's vast. I think without actually seeing it first hand it's difficult to understand just how immense and also brutal it can be. A nice place to visit though.
Yep, I'm definitely screwed. I don't think I even remember how to drive. Do you do taxis over there or Ubers? :P
In any case, no cars piloted by me. Got that into my noggin :P
Exemplary use of "noggin", well done. :)
I'm not much of a taxi guy and only took an uber once. If I had the choice I'd use a taxi over an uber though. Sometimes we hire a driver and car to get us to the airport but not often. I like to drive and so tend to do so most often. It depends I guess where a person lives in relation to where one has to go whether they drive a lot. Many people in cities don't have to drive a lot.
Well, I only learned to drive last year and can't really get a car, so I'm good with public transport usually. Seems annoying to drive, or maybe it's just the traffic here....people seem so stressed out all the time.
I agree, I'd pick taxi over Uber any time, I hate that taxi drivers are getting such a bad rep lately...I'm not taking a Uber if I can help it!
Thank you :D Earlier, I disguised it as a regional Romanian phrase...you'd be proud! :)
That's using your...Noggin! :)
Smart...
It has been a while since this Knight cast gaze upon your 4WD and the lovely Eleven - it is good to be in this position again.
Interesting tale of the trials and tribulations of off-road driving. The limit to this Knight's off-road driving experience includes some time on the beach and a bit of paddock bashing, so little concern about keeping the shiny side up.
Have a great day friend Galen.
SirKnight.
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Hey good Sir, I hope you are well.
A right of passage my friend...For us all.
So, I think I read that you're off on an adventure yourself yes? Have a great time.
👍
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You rarely hear someone refer to driving skill as an important skill set to have in a "prepper' type situation(Not that you are a prepper, but being prepared is important when going to the outback I'm certain) Not having the proper driving skill set will most definitely take you much farther than you want to go and possibly leave you where you cannot get back. I really enjoyed reading this and I hope it filters into some memory banks of folks.
I know right? Knowing what to do and when makes a difference though. As you know.
Veering off topic, I love music that is a little off and I ran across this little gem today! You guys just keep giving us GOLD! Thank your countrymen for me! lol
Leave me alone I'm on smoko!
That is hideous but a perfect representation of what all Aussies look like. Even the women. Ok, so maybe not...But smoko is a sacred time for all Aussies, arguably the laziest assholes on the planet.
That was GOLD bro.
I was laughing out loud. More probably at the image of you and your buddies sitting around thinking what the actual fuck are Aussies all about!
Rofl. You've got me in tears. I was at shift change in my office listening to them as my guys were coming in to change over to the night guys. They had the weirdest looks on their faces.
I was hoping that was an actual representation , it had me checking flight prices! Lol
@papacrusher ...You'd fit right in here. BOOM!
Oh, you know I gotta hit you back right? leave it with me...I'll find something suitable...
Now...Back to smoko.
Moccasin Creek could get together with the venerable and most highly esteemed Aussies, The Chats for a worldwide concert series...What say you my American brother from another mother? Seems like match made in...Well, some messed up, crazy parallel universe...Ok @papacrusher ...I'm thinking your boys
NICE! I definitely need their album. Add these next guys to the line up and I'll quit my job and follow the world tour! I'm really, really starting to think I was born in Australia and stolen as a baby by American tourists!
We should be talent scouts man...No lie. Yes, I'm pretty sure you're an Aussie abducted at birth by some yanks. You should come back to the fold bro.
So, have a great Friday mate. Don't forget to have your smoko break. :)
You got a 39.95% upvote from @ocdb courtesy of @galenkp!