Well the wife wanted to go for a ride in the winter wonderland. She didn't have to twist my arm. We took the Tracker on a trail along a ridge overlooking a stream. She was shooting pictures out the window as I drove. She asked, "Can the tracker take us down by the water?" "Sure", I said although uneasy about the condition of the snow. So down a steep trail we went in 4 Lo 1st gear. We drove slowly along the creek on a slightly off-camber trail. Everything seemed ok until the trail dead ended with no other way out.
I realized things wouldn't be easy as i slid and spun trying to turn around on the narrow bank. As I began the off camber ascent things didnt go well. It seemed I was going forward and sideways at the same rate of speed. Oops. Now off the trail I drove around between trees trying to find a different place to climb out. All the while feeling the tires sink and spin in the soft spots.
I started wondering what it would cost to get a tow truck to come back in here.
Not willing to give up I struggled to get back up on to the trail. With the help of the HiLift, a chain, a strap and a shovel the Tracker was finally aimed at the top.
I cleared the packed snow away from in front of the tires with my little shovel for about 20 feet to create a launching pad. Got in, took a deep breath, slowly let the clutch out and then punched it. Rooster tails flying off all four and with cheers from my wife we blasted to the top. As we walked back down to gret my recovery gear she said, "Maybe you should get one of those winch things." YES, the words I wanted to hear.
Now just need to pick one I can afford that will do the job.
