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konazz Profile
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Date Registered: 08-2012
Location: Canberra, ACT
TOTAL POSTS: 479
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Caves-to-Caves April 2013


Finally, after much postponing, we finally got a smallish forum group on the caves to caves trip.

We had Rob and myself, who did the Caves-to-Caves from Wombeyan to Kanangra-Boyd National park on Saturday, and added Ben (griz), Roy and Oliver in the black exxy, Nathan (nathancox) and Anthony in the white exxy, and Michael (emjay) in the gold(?) T30 on Saturday night for the trip on Sunday morning.

Saturday:
Rob and I left Canberra after work on Friday night to stay at Wombeyan (a great off-peak camp ground with fire rings).

This is my setup. Rob carefully placed my maxtrax ready to go, in case I needed an early morning recovery. Thankfully, I did not!
Image
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

After a very athletic game of frisbee with friends from work that were staying at Wombeyan for the weekend...
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

...we got going to the Range Firetrail out of Wombeyan
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

...and on our way to the Oberon end of Caves to Caves
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Getting to the end of Range Firetrail, we turned left and headed to Yerranderrie. Its a long drive of about an hour each way (from Mt Werong to Yerranderrie).

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Yerranderrie airstrip
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

On the way back, we stopped off at the Mt Werong camp area, which is a nice, quiet area. While there are minimal facilities (1 long drop), there is a lovely stone building which can provide refuge for campers during inclement weather
Image
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

After Mt Werong, we headed through Dingo Dell and Kowmung River, but didn't stop as we wanted to make camp at Boyd River before dark and also needed to go into Oberon to pick up some supplies. I'm sure there are photos of the site on someone's camera. We caught up with Griz and Nathan et al. with emjay as a late arrival after dark.

Sunday
After a late night around the fire, we slowly (and groggily) woke up. Someone had 'accidentally' covered my car in toilet paper - around 1-1:30am it seems! drop bears?

Shenanigans and breakfast aside, we left at 10:00am from camp and headed to Kanangra Walls look out.
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Rob took a wrong step, and had to climb back up emoticon
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Obligatory group shot
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Soon after, off to Dingo Dell and onwards. After briefing griz and nathan on how to use the downhill assist (who are big fans of the system now - although i didn't realise early models couldn't switch on DHA on the fly), we got to the Kowmung River - which for many was the first time for a river crossing.

I took Roy over the river, so we could take photos.

Griz:
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Nathan:
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

emjay:
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Mr T-P
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

After the crossing, the ascent up to Banshea Firetrail began. It was also a great time for my radio to stop working for the day (could receive, not broadcast). emjay learnt how much of a difference 4 PSI can make on the loose stuff, comparing the climb from Kowmung to Dingo Dell, and Dingo Dell to Banshea Firetrail

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Finally at Banshea Rd, we headed to Mt Werong via the Colong-Oberon stock route. A sad drive: on the left was the blue mountains national park, on the right clear cut timber deforestation (someone on the radio mentioned it was for new home developments - yep it is for pine plantations, which are used in building those new suburbs; its more apparent closer to Oberon).
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Saying good bye to Ben, Roy and Oliver who had to get back to Sydney, we had a light lunch at Mt Werong and rather than going to Range Firetrail, decided to see whether we could cut across via Parliament Hill Rd. The road escapes the harsher climate of the Boyd Plateu, and drops into a lush green valley.

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Image
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

After about 45 mins from Mt Werong, tt was with great disappointment that we were welcomed by a locked gate at the end... Range Firetrail was less than 1km away. Doubling back, we tried a different crossing through the valley which turned out to be more fruitful.

We did have to squeeze between some properties (literally making 90 degree turns between two property fences - at times, I couldn't even see a road except for the GPS telling me there was one), crossing the Abercrombie River (thankfully we were high up in the water shed, so it was nice and shallow), and arriving at yet another gate. Thankfully, there was no keep out sign, or locks - merely a request to lock the gates and be careful of the property guards.

So we traversed the property
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

and bumped into one of the guards
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

who supervised everyone's journey
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Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

Exiting the property and turning left on to Jerong Rd, we continued until Mt Fatigue firetrail, and onto the Range Firetrail which would take us back to Wombeyan.

There, Nathan left for Sydney, while emjay, Rob and myself enjoyed some banter and a bit of a rest before the journey to Canberra - the hot pot of espresso was welcome. We also decided to settle the argument of who's air compressor is better: mine is by nearly double.

Heading off towards Taralga, the road was very dusty and hard to see because of the dropping sun - which required spacing the convoy out a bit and at times stopping until the dust settled (no wind).
Image
Untitled by konazz, on Flickr

After refilling fuel in Goulburn, we all parted ways.

Hope to have some vids from Rob's go-pro (my go-pro is RIP... battery leaked during a charge) and I know everyone else took heaps of photos.


Last edited by konazz, 14/Apr/2013, 11:21 pm


---
Michael K
2012 X-Trail Series IV Diesel TS
Member X-2600 (C)
Mods: Pedders Lift Kit, Bash Plates, 16" X-trail Steel Rims, 235/70/16 A/T Tyres, Heavy Duty shock absorbers
14/Apr/2013, 11:17 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
cooch t31 Profile
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Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 5966
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Looked like a top day, so that's what everything looks like when it's dry.

---
Tony X-891c

HERE is my D22 Navara
HERE is my old 2008 T31, ST Series1

15/Apr/2013, 5:43 am Link to this post Send Private Message
 
Toddyh03 Profile
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Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Caves-to-Caves April 2013


Great stuff Michael. That deforested area is actually state forest. Everything planted there was done so to be logged for timber. That area has been like that for a couple of years now. Not sure what they are doing as they usually re-plant quicker than that.

---
Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
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15/Apr/2013, 7:41 am Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
NathanCox Profile
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Date Registered: 04-2013
Location: Plumpton, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 55
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Re: Caves-to-Caves April 2013


It was a great weekend and really enjoined meeting everyone. Michael did a great job organising the trip and we all had a blast! Can't wait till the next one!

---
Regards,

Nathan X-3016 (c)
2009 X-Trail ST 2.4L 6sp Manual
Cosmetic mods only... at the moment!


15/Apr/2013, 11:59 am Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
emjayar Profile
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Date Registered: 08-2012
TOTAL POSTS: 30
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^ what he said!

I had a ball and really enjoyed meeting all of you. I eagerly look forward to the next adventure I can join in on.

I also appreciate all the knowledge and help everyone offered me as it was my first time off-roading.

Another big thank you for the organisation and photos from konazz
15/Apr/2013, 9:38 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
Dave Trees Profile
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Date Registered: 03-2013
Location: South Gippsland, Victoria
TOTAL POSTS: 24
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Re: Caves-to-Caves April 2013


Looks like it was a great weekend !

Out of interest, what size & brand is the awning on your Exy ? Looks like it's mounted on the stock roof bars ? I'm thinking of getting one, but most on the market seem to be 2.5m long & I'm concerned that would be too long to comfortably mount on a relatively small vehicle.

Also ... regarding the pine plantation, if you look at the debris on the ground it is also pine - so the previous forest was also plantation and the area was probably last covered in native forest the best part of 30 years ago. Most state forestry departments had pretty much ceased clearing native bush for plantation establishment by the mid-late 1980s, and moved new plantation developments on to purchased or leased farmland.

  (I spent most of my career - about 25 years - working in pine plantation forestry in Vic & SA, up until 7-8 years ago)


---
2007 T30 II ST-S
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15/Apr/2013, 10:01 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
cooch t31 Profile
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Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 5966
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David, there are two common sizes, 2.0m long x 2.5m wide and 2.5m long x 2.0 wide.

---
Tony X-891c

HERE is my D22 Navara
HERE is my old 2008 T31, ST Series1

16/Apr/2013, 5:36 am Link to this post Send Private Message
 
konazz Profile
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Date Registered: 08-2012
Location: Canberra, ACT
TOTAL POSTS: 479
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Re:


Mine is 2m along the car, and 2.5m away from the car. Tigerz11 brand. Picked it up for $160 shipped

---
Michael K
2012 X-Trail Series IV Diesel TS
Member X-2600 (C)
Mods: Pedders Lift Kit, Bash Plates, 16" X-trail Steel Rims, 235/70/16 A/T Tyres, Heavy Duty shock absorbers
16/Apr/2013, 8:32 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
Dave Trees Profile
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Date Registered: 03-2013
Location: South Gippsland, Victoria
TOTAL POSTS: 24
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Re: Re:


Thanks Michael.

---
2007 T30 II ST-S
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16/Apr/2013, 10:00 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 


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