Meeting place was at Janowen Hills 4X4 park camping grounds and there were people who arrived on the Friday some more on the Saturday morning and myself being the last club member to arrive ended up with the trip report.

There were 7 vehicles all up 3 Nissans, 2 Toyota’s, 1 Disco and 1 Ford Courier [who were visitors to the club on there first trip.] After setting up camp we left to try some tracks with extreme Kevin leading the way and as usual he chose some interesting tracks for us to follow. Conditions were dry, dusty and rocky and some times the tracks were not visible due to the dust caused by the spinning wheels of the vehicles. The Ford Courier managed to get hung up a few times and needed to be snatched out and it is surprising how well they can fly uphill while being recovered. It was the Fords first time off road and it did quite well for it’s limited wheel travel and ground clearance.

Compared to last year there were quite a few people at the park but the tracks were not busy and there were no real hold ups. The Suzuki club were there as well as people from Tough Trucks setting out courses for upcoming events.

Saturday night was a quiet night with the usual happy hour and then dinner after that. I borrowed other campers’ fire to make some damper for desert for every one but our visitors missed out, you have to be quick.

Sunday morning saw us off again testing the tracks but this time I went with Marty in the Cruiser so I could take some photos. Kevin led the way and it was not long before dust filled the tracks again, John being recovered in the Ford and Woody loosing rear lights on the Nissan. After lunch it was off to the state forest to pay a visit to Hardy and Cheryl who had a nice camping spot next to an almost dry creek bed.

The afternoon session on the tracks turned out to be very interesting with myself getting a flat tyre on the first track. After changing the tyre I caught up with the rest and we continued on to some challenging tracks but I opted out on some because I had no spare tyre and being a Disco no other tyres would fit if I split the wall on that one. Kevin, Woody and Peter went down some very rocky descents which the rest of us baulked at. Maybe next time when we have lift kits and good tyres [ha ha]. The rest of us went back for happy hour and to get fire wood for the night while Kevin and Peter tried out the tough tracks.

The night was spent around the camp fire with drinks and damper was made again for desert.

This time our guest didn’t miss out on the damper. We all saw in the new year but I departed soon after that. Monday morning was spent packing up and heading off for home. Thanks trip leader for a good long weekend.

John Wiley
January 2007