Traversing across a wash-out zone in a wellbore

A method comprising:

• running a wellbore tractor into a deviated or horizontal wellbore comprising a cased section, a first uncased section downhole of the cased section, and a second uncased section downhole of the first uncased section, the wellbore tractor configured to self-propel through the wellbore;
• extending an anchor from the wellbore tractor across the first uncased section;
• and
• guiding and propelling the wellbore tractor from the first uncased section to the second uncased section by retracting the anchor.

A system comprising:

• a wellbore tool positioned in a wellbore comprising:
• a cased section extending from wellbore surface to a cased section depth;
• a first uncased section having a larger diameter than the cased section, the first uncased section being positioned at a downhole end of the cased section;
• and
• a second uncased section having a smaller diameter than the first uncased section and the cased section, the second uncased section positioned at the downhole end of the first uncased section;
• and
• an anchoring system connected to the wellbore tool comprising:
• an anchor positioned at a downhole end of the wellbore tool, the anchor configured to be retracted toward the wellbore tool while in a deactivated state and extended from the downhole end of the wellbore tool when activated, the anchor configured to be extended from the cased section to the second uncased section when in an activated state, the anchor configured to help the wellbore tool from the cased section to the second uncased section across the first uncased section, the anchor configured to attach to a wall in the second uncased section;
• and
• an extension tool coupled to the anchor, the extension tool configured to extend the anchor when the anchor is activated.