I saw the Bold Overland team attempt this last year in North Carolina at 36 Hours of Uwharrie. They almost got it right... but I had to stop them before they pulled their truck in half.
It can't be done with two blocks... you need three
Scenario:
You are wheeling alone on your favorite trail when forward motion becomes impossible due to mud, and an inconvenient tree blocking you. Your properly equipped vehicle with front mounted winch is now mired in the muck. The only way out is to pull yourself in reverse to regain mobility so that you can turn around and go out the way you came in.
Here is a diagram I put together that shows the concept. This can be done with only one anchor point front and rear, I'm showing 3 since its the same amount of gear required either way (and we are in a forest with lots of nice trees here in this scenario. Vehicles could be substituted for trees as well). I'm not a fan of running the line under the rig since I can't see it very well there so I prefer running it off to the side if possible.
The key to the layout is the "3rd block" on the rear of the vehicle, and the "anchor strap". As the winch pulls the line in, mechanical advantage is gained as the line pulls taught - the only moveable object in the picture is the vehicle so as the winch makes the line shorter, that 3rd block on the rear of the vehicle will want to move towards the two rear anchor points (or single if you have rigged the anchor and the pulley to one point). The line will be drawn in faster than the vehicle will move, but it will move. Slow and steady wins this race.
This layout may have to be rigged up a couple of different times in order to cover the ground that you need to escape the stuck. Once mobility is regained, account for all gear and carry on!
Gear required:
Winch and line, with winch line extension, properly rated and serviceable.
3 pulley blocks, properly rated and serviceable.
Tree savers for each point including the anchor strap, properly rated and serviceable (total 3).
Shackles, properly rated and serviceable (total 4).
It can't be done with two blocks... you need three
Scenario:
You are wheeling alone on your favorite trail when forward motion becomes impossible due to mud, and an inconvenient tree blocking you. Your properly equipped vehicle with front mounted winch is now mired in the muck. The only way out is to pull yourself in reverse to regain mobility so that you can turn around and go out the way you came in.
Here is a diagram I put together that shows the concept. This can be done with only one anchor point front and rear, I'm showing 3 since its the same amount of gear required either way (and we are in a forest with lots of nice trees here in this scenario. Vehicles could be substituted for trees as well). I'm not a fan of running the line under the rig since I can't see it very well there so I prefer running it off to the side if possible.
The key to the layout is the "3rd block" on the rear of the vehicle, and the "anchor strap". As the winch pulls the line in, mechanical advantage is gained as the line pulls taught - the only moveable object in the picture is the vehicle so as the winch makes the line shorter, that 3rd block on the rear of the vehicle will want to move towards the two rear anchor points (or single if you have rigged the anchor and the pulley to one point). The line will be drawn in faster than the vehicle will move, but it will move. Slow and steady wins this race.
This layout may have to be rigged up a couple of different times in order to cover the ground that you need to escape the stuck. Once mobility is regained, account for all gear and carry on!
Gear required:
Winch and line, with winch line extension, properly rated and serviceable.
3 pulley blocks, properly rated and serviceable.
Tree savers for each point including the anchor strap, properly rated and serviceable (total 3).
Shackles, properly rated and serviceable (total 4).