Matthew (discomatt)
interested but need to check the work schedule , flat out stupid busy and not 100% sure on when they want me back after the break

Alex (TEQ-80)
Looks like I'll have to give up the location of my secret camping spot :-(

Alex (TEQ-80)
Roughed out the agenda.

Matthew (discomatt)
Looks like I will be working straight through back into it after new years day, did 70 hours last week and its not letting up.
You will have to show me your secret camping spot another time.
How is the Lux coming along? Just waiting for the bar work now?

Alex (TEQ-80)
Ahh well next one :-) Gotta pay for those mods somehow.......

Hilux went well last week went up everything I pointed it at easily thanks to twin locks. Did the 'straight up the hill 3 sections' on the old Boundary track without a sweat so well pleased. Twin cases are finished will put 'em in next year yay.

Allan (allanmac)
Bugger Alex, I'll have to pass on this trip as unfortunately early Jan doesnt work for me as I have to work on the 2nd & 3rd. The 'Deddick' is something I've always wanted to do, so if you do head up that way again, let me know.

Matthew (discomatt)
Great to hear its going well, must get out and put the Lux and the Disco through there paces, looking forward to some challenging 4wding ;-)

Alex (TEQ-80)
From the ABC News website today:
Communities surrounding Holstons, Reedy Flat, Ensay North and Timbarra Settlement in East Gippsland were asked to evacuate yesterday after scorching temperatures and wind escalated conditions.

Our secret camp spot is smack bang in the middle of this so will watch. Its still a month away but roads might be closed or blocked or a scorched camps site !

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
Leave has been approved last day of work is the 20th Dec back to work on the 10th Jan. All we need is the fires to be gone and some nice weather for the fav swimming hole.

Beer up boys fun times ahead

Alex (TEQ-80)
Dont forget that tyre tube Kevvy. I reckon we can float a couple of k's down river from the swimming hole :-). Park downstream and drive back up

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
I was planning to float down river on Pauly's mattress mate

Alex (TEQ-80)
Pink ?

Alex (TEQ-80)
I bags the smiley face, you can have the tail.

Allan (allanmac)
Hopefully the fires dont impact on your trip too much Alex, but it looks as though some areas may have restricted access, if any at all. Fingers crossed for you guys.

Alex (TEQ-80)
Hope so Al ! We'll make a fist of it somehow even if it means an extra day or two lazing by the river :-)

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
Should be fun either way Alex, just need to remember to bring a knife to puncture a tire on the river. I wonder who's? hahahaha

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
But it would probably be made wirh carbon fibre

Pauly (Dagy)
Don’t forget payback can be fun for some he he he evil laugh.

Pauly (Dagy)
Don’t forget payback can be fun for some he he he evil laugh.

Alex (TEQ-80)
Due to significant fire damage – and active fire remaining near the road – the Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Doctors Flat north of Ensay is expected to stay shut for at least another week or two

Tree clearing crews started out on site yesterday – and are continuing

Dangerous and fallen trees are being cleared by machinery - but more are falling constantly

Due to the sloping terrain we are finding that trees up to 100 metres above the road are falling down and sliding onto the road surface

Local contractors on skidders, excavators and a harvester, hand fallers with chainsaws, and arborists, are out on site assessing hazardous trees and clearing as they go

The road surface has also been heavily damaged as has road infrastructure like signs and guideposts

We know this will have a significant impact on all communities north of Bruthen already affected by fires and smoke in the area for weeks now – who have also had power and phone services impacted

We are doing everything we can to both fast track the road’s reopening – and also working towards reopening other routes for local access only.

Check out the pics below

ABC Gippsland TRFM CFA Gippsland Forest Fire Management Victoria Vic Emergency Mossi-Tambo Fire Brigade Bruthen Fire Brigade Omeo CFA SES Tambo Valley Unit Macalister Earthmoving Bruthen Bakery SES Bruthen Unit Bruthen Inn Hotel Tambo Crossing, Victoria, Australia Little River Inn Ensay Ensay Bush Nursing Centre Ensay Winery Swifts Creek IGA Swifts Creek IGA Albion Hotel Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre Omeo Caravan Park Golden Age Hotel Omeo Hilltop Hotel Omeo Benambra General Store & Post Office Omeo Benambra Football Netball Club Regional Roads Victoria East Gippsland Shire Council East Gippsland Outdoors. Victoria, Australia. Love East Gippsland

Alex (TEQ-80)
I think we’re beaten by the fires for sure.
How about we do a Mt Wellington trip. Stay anywhere outside Licola Night one, Miller’s hut night 2 and horseyard flat night 3 ?

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
So where we going now?

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
I'm in for that

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
Happy to head up Tuesday morning and grab a spot at Italian flats

Alex (TEQ-80)
We’re beat by the fires no doubt. How about Licola night one Mt Wellington Miller’s hut night 2 night 3 horseyard flat night 4 Dargo area then home suss it from there.

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
Let's do that sounds the plan, where doos we meet?

Alex (TEQ-80)
If that suits I’ll scope it out. What do you other guys think ?

Pauly (Dagy)
Yep sounds like a plan

Allan (allanmac)
Good call to cancel the Deddick due to the fires Alex. Noticed you were considering going to Mt Wellington/Millers Hut etc and just a few things that may help. Mt Wellington Tk is easy, but very slow going; similar to King Billys re roughness. The Sentinals is a good spot to visit to look over Lake Tarli Karng as is Millers Hut, but it does get a number of hikers camping there to do the walk to Tarli Karng. One downside is that Mt Wellington Tk is a dead end, so you have to turn back the way you came, but again is a track to 'tick off'. To be continued.

Allan (allanmac)
Just a suggestion that may appeal, rather than start at Licola. If I was doing similar to what you are planning, I would head to the Dargo area 1st day then make your way back towards Licola. Not sure what the fuel range is for those attending, but if fuel is required, can easily top up at Wonnangatta Caravan Park rather than Dargo, then head to maybe Kinswell Bridge, via Randalls/Crooked River tks for the night. Next day up Billy Goats/Pinnacles then onto Mt Wellington Tk and camp at either Millers of The Sentinals etc.From there on the following day make you way back towards Licola via B1/B2, Chromite Mine etc, or go down Dingo Hill,along Macalister Tk into Licola to refuel if necessary. Anyway, just a thought.

Alex (TEQ-80)
Agenda updated

Alex (TEQ-80)
Thanks Allan we might sneak in the Gable End / Sentinals and the B tracks I still haven’t done lol thanks for the suggestions. Will tell you how it all went 👍

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
Lucky I haven't bought my floaties yet

Alex (TEQ-80)
Gazza will we pick you up at droiun on the way ? Should be there not long after leaving the servo maybe 9.00am ish ?

Pauly (Dagy)
WITHDRAWN from Trip - Reason: Sorry guys not well do you’ll have to pick on big Kev. Hope you have a good time. Take care and HAPPY New Year.

Kevin (riordak_ranger)
Maybe we shouldn't go on the trip because of Pauly's health. Second thought let's go without him. Get well Pauly me old mate. HAPPY New year to you too...