On a run down above the snowline in the southern states, Pat and the crew faced an unexpected challenge; A massive snow gum tree had toppled over, blocking the track ahead. It was one of those classic moments where the unpredictable Aussie bush throws a curveball just when you least expect it. And, of course, it happened to be the one trip where Pat didn’t bring along a chainsaw.
With no easy way around, the team had no choice but to tackle the obstacle head-on. The solution? A solid dose of good old-fashioned recovery gear, with their trusty VRS winch taking center stage. Given the sheer size of the tree, they decided to bring out the snatch block. A smart move to halve the load on the winch, and give them the mechanical advantage they needed to shift the enormous log.
As they prepared for the pull, Pat made sure to use a tree trunk protector. Normally, this piece of kit is there to avoid damaging live trees during a recovery. But in this case, the aim was to protect the winch rope itself. With everything set, the crew was careful to avoid overtightening the shackle. A tip worth remembering when dealing with heavy loads to prevent binding.
Bill took the lead in securing the recovery points, while Pat focused on minimising any potential damage during the process. Safety is always a priority in these situations, so they added a cable dampener to the line. This precaution ensures that if anything were to go wrong, the heavy gear would stay close to the ground, reducing the risk of injury.
With the preparations complete, Pat hopped into the driver’s seat and fired up the Ranger. It’s a good reminder that winches draw their power from the starter battery, not the auxiliary ones. So keeping the engine running is crucial during prolonged pulls. The last thing anyone wants is a dead battery in the middle of the bush.
At a safe distance, with the wireless winch controller in hand, the crew began the careful process of winching the massive tree off the track. Inch by inch, the snow gum moved, and soon enough, the path was clear. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with a successful recovery. Especially when it means not only opening up the track for themselves, but also making it passable for anyone else who might follow.
In the end, it was another day out in the bush. Overcoming obstacles, solving problems on the fly, and making sure the journey continues, no matter what the bush throws at you.
