Of course, I wasn't there, but reading Shayne's account of events, and applying my own experiences, many being out on the mountain alone, on many occasions discretion
really is the better part of valour!
All too many times do you think, yes I can do this, I know it's narrow and I know there's a slippery cross-fall, and a ditch, but I'm sure....
Then you think again, yes OK, but what if... all the what-if's run through your mind and add up, it's then you should choose wisely, especially when you're on your own.
Shayne says he could have reversed, but reversing on tricky ground is twice as unpredictable compared with going forwards. Braking (for example) in reverse is almost non existent. Same wheels, same tyres, same brakes, but their effect is almost nil in reverse, the front wheels lock up and you keep sliding in a way that doesn't happen going forwards.
Can be very scary stuff. watch any amount of "fails" on Youtube 4x4 vids and the majority of fails are someone reversing down steep inclines... badly and crashing, rolling over, all the things you wouldn't think would happen on a track you'd just driven up with no bother at all.
My conclusion is never be afraid to say no, there's no disgrace in being safe. Always have the intention, but think well ahead and if the good doesn't outweigh the bad by a significant margin, then play safe.
Not everyone has learned this yet, and too many won't get another chance.
View attachment 109472
This stone is dedicated to a young guy out on the mountain on a reasonably safe track. Chas and Shayne have both driven it with me a few times so they know it's not dangerous. This photo is taken from my window with my truck on the track. It's a few meters away.
But this guy wanted to turn around and reversed off the track a little too far. He just had time to "hold" it on the brakes long enough to shout to his wife and 2 kids to jump clear, (which they did quite safely) before it took him down the slope backward to his death.
It does happen.