After finishing lunch, plan was changed due to us being a little behind schedule, and nobody was interested in the slightest of attempting the climb up Steep Tk. The next track is one of my favourites in Tallarook and all enjoyed, with the possible exception of Neil...
. Is quite a narrow track and I could almost hear Neil cursing with the odd branch scrapping along his immaculate GU. I would hate to think what he was saying on the next track....
.
We had now made up the lost time, but this quickly changed due to the Trip Leader stuffing up and taking the wrong track. The track we were on was basically a 'goat track' that had not seen many vehicles. There were a couple of trees over the track with me straddling over the 1st and dislodging a mudflap. Everyone else decided to go around but it did have a pretty severe drop off with an interesting side angle, but all got through safely after Pete got out the trusty chainsaw to remove a fallen tree.
It was then we came to a track junction and we all stopped to discuss which way we would go. Straight ahead was still badly overgrown and young Dom reported there were trees all over the track. So it was either right up a steep clayish section or head down. Trip Leader decided we would head down; bad decision as it did not go as planned. Very steep and slippery and the vehicle started sliding towards the embankment. Stopped and started to reverse but car was going to hit the embankment fairly hard, so decided the option that would cause the least damage was to contunue forward. Anyway cursed as the door slid along the side, cleared that and then came to a complete stop. The Paj was now wedged on a huge rock and could not go foward or back.
Discomatt checked underneath to see if there was anyway I could go forward; not possible.
Was now time to attempt a recovery, so out came Gazza's winch with all 'hands on deck'. with me stuck in the car and putting on a brave face, as I had not seen the damage as yet.
It was a super effort by everyone....
. Gazza's 80 was wanting to come down the hill to 'bond' with the Paj, so the crew had to secure the 80 to a tree to stop it sliding down the hill. Eventually we got the car back up and decision was whether we attempt the uphill section or go back the way we came. The latter was the decision, so back we went with Matt (Outrage) getting hung up on the big branch so again out came Pete's chainsaw. It was now starting to get dark, so we headed back to the water tanks via a couple of the Tehan's tracks.
Even with the afternoon dramas and panel damage to both Discomatt's and my vehicles, it was a good day. Poor Matt also scored a stuffed winch and am sure Gazza's winch needs a rest after working so hard with the recovery. As usual, was great to get out with the group again and hoping that new members Trina and Pete both enjoyed the day. Again, BIG THANKS to everyone who put in the hard yards to get me back on the road after my 'stuff up'....
.
Fixed the exhaust, still cursing everytime I see the battlescars but as they say 'shite can happen'. I have now put the A/T's back on as next trip will be a snow trip followed by an extended high country trip in November. Got to decide if I will get the panel damage fixed.
Again, great bunch of people to go 4wding with and hope everyone enjoyed the day. Also thanks to everyone who put up the pics and I am sure Matt (Outrage) has some pics/vido footage to put up and Alex is hopeful that he can send me some of his footage to post in this report.
Reply