The day started with all of us meeting at Yarra Glen, 6 cars in total, 2 Patrols, 1 Prado, 1 Pajero, 1 jeep and 1 Discovery a nice mix of cars and a great bunch of blokes to steer them and the sun shining, this was going to be a great day playing on some of the harder tracks in Toolangi.
The meet and greet was at Yarra Glen, we headed off for the first track of the day, Rocky track.
Anyone who has done rocky knows it can be a real handfull and can bite if you let it, I led the way up having done it numerous times before and let everyone know it was dry, dusty, loose and chewed up but easy dose it and take your time. Got 3/4 of the way up to hear a few cars behind having to change lines, have a second go and then the call noone wants " I have done a tyre" AH CRAP.
Not a lot I could do being at the top now so Anthony/ Nino put his hand to the task of helping Rob in the Prado tie off the car, get the high lift and change a tyre in one of the most challenging spots to do it. Well done guys. Once fixed and with some masterfull spotting and guidance from Allan Rob got to the top and we all took a breath after the first challenge of the day. Well done Rob, not an easy track in a car with no lockers or TC and running 32 inch all terrains.
After some discussion we headed toward Downies and Lukes Creek tracks, they were as expected not to bad but a few interesting spots to keep us on our toes. The top section of Lukes Creek is a real mess with the bypass tracks we used to use now totally chewed out and new bypass tracks cut through, it wont be long before that section is either graded flat with tones of rock thrown in or more likely the case the track closed for good.
We then continued north up Martins track, at the intersection of Kalatha Creek track you have 3 choices, I decided the far left purely because I had no memory of going that way before and on the GPS it looked like a old secondary track going the same direction. Not many cars had been down it and it was looking like a nice option untill we got to another Y option, straight up with BIG rock legdes that even the mighty twin locked jeep running 37's would strggle with OR another steep, side angle norrow rutted slippery and challenging climb. After checking the options and some discussion the choice was made to turn around as I didnt want any cars damaged on my watch and it would have pushed a few well beyond there comfort zone.
Back we went and continued to finish Martins track, down Campsite another nice track and then toward another challenge that would push the comfort zones. Lyndells track, going up.
We all parked ar the bottom and some of use went for a walk to check out conditions and prefered lines. Rob decided to call it a day as it would push him and his Prado well beyond his experiance and he needed to head home for other commitments so no point in upsetting the good lady at home or potentually breaking the car. A wise choice as I respect those who dont feel they need to prove anything and can call it for what it is.
We all headed up Lyndells, the Jeep went first and what can I say, it just walked up with no fuss what ever and Jamie made it look easy, hats off to a relativly new 4wder with little experiance and he drove it like a pro!!
Next one of the Patrols who also did it without to much fuss but had a few goes at getting up a rock ledge that also had a tree that had come down over the track which had wedged itself well off the ground with enough room to drive under it but forcing the left line.