The trip commenced on Friday night when we all met at the Licola Caravan Park where we had the 'bunkhouse' for 2 nights. It was equipped with a number of bunks and kitchen facilites meaning we didnt have to take portable stoves, cooking utensils etc. Added bonus was having a pot belly inside that kept us all warm on both nights. Two of the group, Matt (Outrage) & Alex decided they preferred to camp rather than enjoy the snoring & farting of us in the bunkhouse.... (Pics are thanks to Alex)
The Bunkhouse.
Matt & Alex's campsite.
Saturday morning we were all up bright & early and after airing down, we were on our way to our 1st track of the day, Black Soil Gully Tk, some 45 mins from Licola. Alex had decide to leave the 'pisslux', I mean Hilux back at camp and jumped in with Pauly in the Prado.
Black Soil had been recently graded, like all the tracks we drove on the day, as a result of the recent bushfires. What was once a fairly challenging track was now a easy run down to Macalister River Tk. WE arrived at our 1st river crossing not expecting much water, but were pleasantly surprised by the height of the Macalister with 1 or 2 crossings having water 'bonnet height'.
After completing the 5 odd river crossing, we then turned onto Butcher Country Tk. Whilst still steep in places, the recent grading meant no issues for anyone on both Butcher Country & Butcher Country Link Tks.
The climb up Dingo Hill was again fairly uneventful and as we arrived at the top, we started to see some snow.