Lil' Blue is manual, I've done the retrospective what else should have I done instead routine. I could have stuck it in first and let it stall the engine, I could have put full left or right steering on and turned off the hill into a tree within the first couple of seconds, I could have just bailed out the door but you've lost choices as it take a couple of seconds to realise wtf is going on.
I've always sat just over the crest so I can take up the last bit of tension when I let go the brake before winching out in an effort to not shock load the winch rather than having to reverse off the flat while winching out at the same time, I did exactly the same routine on the previous punch not 5 mins before.
I need to rethink my whole approach on a number of levels:-
Position over crest, engine off and leave in gear with h/brake on
Set winch
Plan exit options in case it goes tits up (brakes or rope snapping) along full winch run
Engine on and commence winching
Might take a tad longer but this has taught me to up my game. Back on the saddle but better prepared next time.
Hey Trevor, I said what I said without any suggestion that you could have done more than you did, I hope you didn't take it the wrong way, it certainly wasn't intended.
But, with the benefit of hindsight and your own analysis in a quieter moment, you really do seem to have learned something from the event. We all live and learn from our own mistakes and we all keep making new ones!
I'm just relieved you weren't injured and that Li'l Blue was not totaled. The tree saved you from a likely high speed roll that could have taken you all the way to the bottom.
My worst reversing fiasco was in the ice, drove up a steep hill OK but a clown coming the other way stopped me before the crest. After that it was all backwards, no grip, no brakes. It took all my efforts to keep my foot off the brake to give me some steerage. I saved myself from crashing through a restaurant wall, instead I steered the arse-end into a day-old pick-up, the owner was well chuffed!
I'd much prefer to crash going forwards, so maybe Mrs Trev and Mrs Clive will benefit hugely from some nice safety gear, like a rear receiver mounted winch or two!
Good on ya mate, it's a good attitude you have
