Democratic Republic of Congo: Lubumbashi to Kinshasa

[jpvm]

man, this is a nightmare !!!!

[rustyjames]

WOW! It seems these "roads" just keep getting more difficult as the days go by. Awesome maneuvering to get your truck through these tight spaces. I find myself sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for your next post. I'm impressed by the way you stand your ground in a foreign country surrounded by locals. You truly have adventurous spirits! Thank you for sharing this great journey.

[Expedition Key]

This went on for kilometers on end. Spiders were atually building a web on the inside of our windscreen.

And then we tipped over again.

[/QUOTE]

Well I have a solution to the tipping over issue, just run 40" tires on the trench side and stockers on the high side...

[oryxexpeditions]

This went on for kilometers on end. Spiders were atually building a web on the inside of our windscreen.

And then we tipped over again.

Well I have a solution to the tipping over issue, just run 40" tires on the trench side and stockers on the high side... [/QUOTE]

How about air suspension all around with manual control for each wheel? Then just pump up the rut side and air down the high side.

[Mamontof]

Well I have a solution to the tipping over issue, just run 40" tires on the trench side and stockers on the high side...

How about air suspension all around with manual control for each wheel? Then just pump up the rut side and air down the high side. [/QUOTE]

Every body have a great suggestions what cost a $$$$ , the complication "Real

Travelers" can not even let them self have a Winch ( as choice to have

Winch mean less time to travel ( we all have a Budget )

[oryxexpeditions]

Every body have a great suggestions what cost a $$$$ , the complication "Real

Travelers" can not even let them self have a Winch ( as choice to have

Winch mean less time to travel ( we all have a Budget )

You have to admit, though, from the description of this trip, and the almost complete lack of traffic and local support out there, it would have been very easy to get into a spot where they would have had to leave that vehicle behind in the bush. A shovel isn't going to recover a vehicle which crashes through a bridge into a river, or one that completely rolls over. This was a brave run indeed.

[Mamontof]

You have to admit, though, from the description of this trip, and the almost complete lack of traffic and local support out there, it would have been very easy to get into a spot where they would have had to leave that vehicle behind in the bush. A shovel isn't going to recover a vehicle which crashes through a bridge into a river, or one that completely rolls over.

You not going to believed , only i am totally with you .

It a real Danger battle , be Two in that CAR in that country ""ROADS"
Price to joy that trip could be .....priceless

That type of rick we could have drive afther a rain in wet stones in Moab , one mistake and ....
Colorado some passes no difference , that joy of be bitten by Adrenalin rush 8-(

[matt s]

Thank you, this story made my day. Please continue. Not only is the story compelling on it's own, but you tell it well.

[Area56]

You have to admit, though, from the description of this trip, and the almost complete lack of traffic and local support out there, it would have been very easy to get into a spot where they would have had to leave that vehicle behind in the bush. A shovel isn't going to recover a vehicle which crashes through a bridge into a river, or one that completely rolls over. This was a brave run indeed.

I too am reading this with great admiration and the suspense is killing me, but I have to wonder how you could plan for such a trip without considering this type of situation.

There are alternatives to an expensive electric winch. A high-lift jack and some long tow straps will pull you out of just about anything if you have something to tie off onto. It just takes a lot of repositioning.

I personally never travel even around the farm without a 'come-along'/power puller. I watched a guy pull a cat d3 dozer out of a muddy pond with a large one so I'm a believer in it's capability.

Everything you take adds weight and cost, but some things I would consider mandatory. I guess that's why I'm sitting at a computer and he's out traveling the Congo.

RadioBaobab, I don't mean any disrespect. You're just crazy! I'm loving your report.

[RadioBaobab]

but I have to wonder how you could plan for such a trip without considering this type of situation.

I can see your point... but... ;-)

How many situations can one foresee? You could apply the same logic to almost anything. What about medical supplies? We carried quite an extensive kit, but if Josephine got bitten by that snake, what do we do? What about spare parts? What if the gearbox dies? (it did actually, in South Africa). In both case: seek help locally is the answer.

What if your house collapses when you are sitting at your desk? ;-)

That does not mean one should be reckless. And I dare say we are actually pretty prudent. It might not tell from this report, but we avoid unnecessary risks if at all possible. But that risk assessment is a personal thing ofcourse.

Oh, and we do carry a hi-lift, we have used it extensively for our recoveries in Congo (sorry for not making that clear :-) ). The hi-lift combined with the sand ladders and a bit of digging always did the trick. An additional bottle jack can do magic things too. We are also familiar with using a hi-lift as a pulling device. But that is such a horrible thing to do that we avoid it if at all possible.

Oh, and we did crash trough a bridge once. We got out of that one with our hi-lift, sand ladders and a lot of patience and creativity.

And then there is the danger of the human mind. We do not have a winch, so we drive with caution, making sure that werever we get ourselves stuck in, we can get out again.
If I'd have a winch, I know I'd be much quicker in just risking it, knowing that I can winch myself out if it doesn't work. And then the winch stops working...
The fewer of these tools you have, the more you are obliged to think about your next step. And that is not a bad thing! ;-)

That said, a winch is on my shopping list, but it is not a priority.