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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: Forum Watagans Trip 19 April 2008
Great stuff and great pics Paul and all.
Am not sure about Watagans but the weather in Sydney held up pretty well today with plenty of sunshine, so I hope you had some of that good weather over there.
What happened with Alex's attempt? Was it too steep, deep or something else?
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19/Apr/2008, 8:05 pm
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Zipidee
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 02-2008
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 322
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Re: Forum Watagans Trip 19 April 2008
Hey there folks,
Well, this was my first Forum trip and I have to say to any of you who are considering taging along, but have yet to do so.......DO IT. Thanks to the guys for providing some great fun and great company through the day.
Last night, the eastern sections of the Watagan mountains copped over 50mm of rain. So, as we pulled up at the Ourimbah rest area....I kept wondering how "easy" this easy trek was going to be. The wish was for mud.....and mud we got.
After some fairly easy travel on the bitumen and formed dirt, we hit a formerly smooth section of hill firetrail up through the Onley State Forest. Some thoughtful soul had run a grader over the road in the past few days and loosened the surface up. Then....last night it rained...a lot. The result.....hills of grey, brown and orange clay....very wet clay.
I went first and proceeded to run out of traction (and then ability). It wasn't a happy place, becuase I had no traction and one side of the track went over a long drop. Eventually, with a bit of common sense and a hell of a lot of wheel spin, I got control and made it to the top. Then the others followed. First was Alex, who slipped and slid, but had very few dramas....proving that A/T tyres are worth every cent you pay for them. Then Chris and Paul made the climb. As you can see....it got a bit hairy!!!!
Check out the wheel angle on Paul's STS......H/T rubber and goop juts don't mix!!
Having made the top, we took stock and shared a few tales of terror.
Then we moved off again. As we climed higher, it soon became apparant that the heavy rain had also cause a wash away or two, leaving a large sandstone step to tackle. After a few false starts, we all made it up.
The photo flattens out the step (as photos do), but a few of us were sweating after completing that one. It was close to the limit of what a standard Exy would do. Alex gave us a knowing look and jumped back behind the wheel of his rig....with 2 inch lifters and A/T tyres. He was in the zone!!!
Then we hit some serious puddles. When I say hit.......
I mean HIT!!!!!! Paul's roof was even muddy by now!!
Then when took a detour down the infamous Old Mill Track. A few scrapes and bumps were had here, but nothing serious. Interestingly, I didn't hit anything at all. I wondered why and then remembered later that I didn't drop tyre pressures before we started. I wonder if that made a difference? Of course, Alex had his 2 inchers and sailed over everything.
Then we found the monster creek crossing and even Alex met his match here (as Paul's photos showed). A huge climb, deep ruts and goopy red clay were too much even for his lifted rig. So, we turned back for Wollombi.
As we slowly made our way off the mountain, we encountered a dude who was the definition of an "optimist". He was slipping and sliding (mainly sliding) up the hill towards the mountains in a little Festiva. He didn't make it....not even close. This was seriously 4WD only. We took a final stop near Laguna to open a paddock fence.
As we motored along the cow pat strewn paddocks, I learnt something very interesting. Paul will spray mud over every inch of his car, but won't run over a cow pat!!!! Go figure???
Anyway, we finished our drive into Wollombi, posed for a few snaps and had a bite to eat and a drink at the pub.
Several Exy's drove past as we chatted and ate, but none looked as rugged nor as dirty as the four forum cars, parked just down the road. It was a good feeling.
So, that was our day. I had a blast and really enjoyed the challenge of the wet tracks. A few points to finish off;
1) Weather counts. It would have been interesting to see how bad the tracks would have been with heavier rain. They were already much harder than they were back in Feb.
2) We needed a chainsaw Jalal!!!! I'm sure one of the group took a pic of the slug infested tree we had to push off the track. Please publish it to back me up.....
3) Exy people are great!!! I was the newbie today and I felt thoroughly welcomed and a part of the trip. It was a pleasure sharing the mud and slush with you guys. Lets' go again soon. You rock!!!!
Last edited by Zipidee, 19/Apr/2008, 9:27 pm
--- Dave X-774(c)
2006 T30 STS Extreme 5 Speed Platinum. Yokohama G012 AT-S
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19/Apr/2008, 9:22 pm
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DingoMouse
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 03-2008
Location: Belrose, Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 317
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Re: Forum Watagans Trip 19 April 2008
Hi Paul,
I didn't know you took video of us doing the muddy hill climb today, thanks for that.
We will post some pic's tomorrow. I think we did well today, given the conditions with three of the cars on road rubber and standard clearance. It goes to show what a standard exy is capable of, though I think we pushed the envelope a couple of times. It was a good example of what a difference A/T rubber can make.
--- Happy Trails,
Chris & Emma,
X804(c), This is our ride.
T30 II ST,2004 Auto, Silver, Bashed Plate, LED Tail Lights
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19/Apr/2008, 10:06 pm
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DingoMouse
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 03-2008
Location: Belrose, Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 317
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Re: Forum Watagans Trip 19 April 2008
Brett,
Paul & I were running at 28 psi, Dave & Alex steyed on highway pressures. I suppose I could have gone a little lower, but then I would compromise the clearance. I am running 15' rims & no lift. As a result I copped the most of the scrapes today, though I don't think there is any note worthy damage.
--- Happy Trails,
Chris & Emma,
X804(c), This is our ride.
T30 II ST,2004 Auto, Silver, Bashed Plate, LED Tail Lights
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19/Apr/2008, 10:29 pm
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