KIWI 4WDERS FOLLOW SIBERIA’S BAM RAILWAY IN WINTER
Greg stood ankle deep in snow, surveying the wooden bridge above the ice-covered stream. There were no railings and fresh snow obscured its doubtful vehicle worthiness. The planks for the tyres were narrow, wide enough for each wheel, with gaping cavities between the planks and little leeway on each side. It was much more sensible, he concluded, to take the track below on the ice over the stream. We breathed a sigh of relief.
He eased his Toyota Land Cruiser down the slope towards the stream, followed by the two other vehicles. The ice covering the stream looked as if it might have been cracked recently, perhaps by a heavy truck. Greg jumped out, stepped onto the ice and stomped across it. Would it hold his vehicle, burdened with its heavy equipment, all three tons of it? Yes, he was sure it would be fine.
CAUGHT IN THE ICE
Back behind the steering wheel, he slowly guided the vehicle onto the ice. Then it happened – there was a crack and without drama, the Land Cruiser gently sank into the ice. It settled on the bottom of the stream, half a metre deep, the water level with the bottom of the door. Greg shoved it into reverse, but without success. The vehicle would not budge. It was firmly wedged in the stream under the thick shelf
