Zimbabwe Wild Dogs

Category: Random, Wild Dogs | Date: May 11 2009 | By: zimbabwewilddogs

Mmmm.  It appears that the 4 wheel drive on my vehicle is no longer working.  I was out the other day looking for the Mapari pack who were unhelpfully about as far away from anywhere as they could be.  The road to get near to them was pretty rough, but we finally came unstuck trying to cross a small sandy river.  In fact it was the kind of thing you barely think twice about crossing with four wheel drive, but it was only when it was too late that I realised that the 4 wheel drive didnt work.  Oops.  So we got ourselves well and truly stuck and despite best efforts couldnt get ourselves out.

However, it wasnt all bad.  We were at least reasonably close to the dogs, so I decided to abandon the vehicle for the time being and walk off to find the dogs.  Which we did.  Unfortunately the wind was blowing in every direction so they smelt us and ran away before we could get a proper look, but nonethless, at least we found them.

So then we went back to the vehicle which sadly had not become miraculously un-stuck whilst we were looking for the dogs, and after another hour or so of fruitless jacking up and digging we decided we’d better call for help.

Next problem: we were out of radio reception… Fortunately, we had Misheck with us who had been tracking the dogs separately on his motorbike, only meeting up with us when he got the signal.  So he trekked off back to where we had left the motorbike and found a big hill from which he could radio for help.  Meanwhile, we carried on jacking up the car and putting logs under the wheels etc, but all to no avail.  Fortunately we were in a beautiful, scenic area of the ranch, so the waiting for help wasnt too terrible!

Eventually we were pulled out by the kind owners of Chishakwe ranch, and got home just around sunset for a much needed shower!  Needless to say the car is now in the garage!

Rosemary

Tags: four wheel drive, stuck in the sand, Wild Dogs, zimbabwe

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