1996 Chevrolet Blazer Owner's Manual - Page 173

Approach lg a Hill When you approach ahill, you need to decide if it's one of those hills that's just too steepto climb, descend or cross. Steepness canbe hard to judge. On a very small hill, for example,there may be a smooth, constant incline with only a small change elevation where you in can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill, the incline may get steeperas you near the top,but you may not see this because the crest of the hill is hidden by bushes, grass or shrubs. Here are some other things to consider as you approach a hill. 0 0 Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the surface cause tire slipping? 0 Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you won't have to maketurning maneuvers? Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)? What's beyond the hill? Is there a cliff, an embankment, adrop-off, a fence? Get and out walk the hill if you don't know. It's the smart way to find out. 0 0 0 Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply steeper in places? Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have ruts, gullies, troughs and exposed rocks because they are more susceptible to the effects of erosion. 4-19