Way to go Tejas for receiving the acknowledgment for efforts put in at the MGE.
So on with my report.
As i wait at the spot hoping someone will follow me there i see a couple of brave 2WD Jeeps trying the same way. Before i can say impossible, both are stuck. Now its for the Mahindra recovery team to bail out four 2WD Jeeps stuck in the hard core 4X4 terrain. Each recovery was going to take around 20 minutes or so, owing to the articulate way these vehicles would have to be got out. It wasn't a straight path anyways, crooked, bent, inclined and the most fun, filled with deep muck!
After that i chose to walk down the path (there being no other way) and beyond these four struggling vehicles, there were a few more parked in the slush, which did not look too deep. The drivers, newbies of course had come this far (i have to give it to them) and got stuck here. This was a small stretch before the real slush stretch began. I saw that one was really stuck so a few of us pushed the vehicle out of the slush and out of the way. THe other two, a Scorpio and a Bolero were victims of overzealous drivers. They were stepping on the gas and as a result spinning the rear wheels resulting in loss of traction. I asked them to go easy on the gas and try reverse and then forward, using the momentum and then tappin on the gas pedal very faintly, enough but try not to spin the wheels. One of them requested me to get behind the wheel and get her out of the way. I said i could try and the vehicle was thus out of the way. I explained to them that there were no special skills involved here, one just has to know the dynamics of the terrain and speed, that had worked for them while taking the incline just below, was not going to work here. I
I noticed that Tejas and Nishanth were trying to figure out how to get the stuck vehicles out. Vinod, Tejas, Nishant, Mohan, me and a few others worked out a strategy. I being Jeepless as my Jeep was stuck up and ahead unable to come down would go at a particular spot and spot for the people stuck there. Tejas and Nishant would be ready with their Jeeps to pull the ones that would not be able to make it out themselves and Mohan and Vinod would spot at the turn and the slush pit. One Blue Jeep from Thane with a winch in the front and rear was a;so deputed with them as an added helpline. Anyways it was not going to get any further from there, owing to the Jeeps stuck ahead
The operation began with me at the first point helping the drivers (2WDs) on how to to tackle the slush incline with momentum and so on. They would get their inputs further from the others deputed there. Thats when i realist that the line is almost unending and looked like a traffic jam at a ghat.
I dont think more than 5-6 Vehicles made it to where Tejas was parked. The rest got stuck in various stages of the stretch.
Each Jeep rescue was taking around 15 minutes at the minimum, if it was fast. Then we were running out of place at the top to park vehicles. Also time was running out and it was way past lunchtime, when we were actually supposed to be back at the resort.
A little discussion later it was decided that there was no way the 2WDs would be able to tackle the terrain, which was increasingly becoming a challenge even for 4WDs. The rain Gods had a huge hand in this otherwise challenging terrain becoming difficult with every minute.
I decided to get my Cj down another path as vehicles were struggling still.
The rescue of the Jeeps at the top was successfully done and that meant the vehicles stuck up could now come down, The Vehicles were then asked to turn around and finally reach the resort for a regrouping and a satisfying lunch.
Pics.
The Extreme Offroaders Badge, something all of us members wear with pride Awaiting our turn for the flag off Lining up before the turn in at Sawarsai The rocky slippery patch, with either side of the road washed away A video of the same stretch
The stange sound is from a loosened silencer clip
The start of the incline...... Through a little slush, leading finally to the sharp S slush ridden incline turn Made it!! Rescue operations by Tejas and Nishant Parking place is at a premium at the top. I decide that i have had enough waiting at the top and needed to come down, so i chose an alternative path and reached down to where all the rescued jeeps were turning back. Tejas finds out that knee length gum boots are no use in more than knee deep slush Jignesh and Cyrus try to spot fr new route and find that there are none We decide to leave at the fag end of the convoy, lest anyone gets stuck or needs any assistance Random Pics
All in all, everyone had a god time. I felt bad for the participants who were stuck at the end of the line while climbing up as they got a raw deal but the weather played up and it was just beautiful and serene to be out in the heavy downpour in clean crisp air.
At the Resort over lunch a few people who were stuck at the end and could not tackle any of the tough spots were arguing that had they been there they would have surely got through the place where everyone else had been stuck. Ya Sure i thought and bid adieu to them, finally leaving back for home. Another good day out and another chance to be one with nature. I will miss participating in the Goa MGE as i have a family wedding to attend in Calcutta.
Thank You Vinod, thank you Mahindra. Looking forward to another such adventure in this lovely season. !!!