CRYSTALVALE DAY TRIP   29^TH July 2007

Trip report ~ Tony & Jane Curtis

               We had been advised of the early morning meeting point - BP service station Yatala, 7.00am meet for a 7.30am departure.

               Now, if you knew Jane at all you’ll realise we did well to arrive at 7.03 am. However, we were still the last vehicle to show up, hence me writing this trip report! What a great concept to get people to arrive on time!!

               After a quick breakfast at BP Macca’s and round up of bodies, eleven vehicles in all [5 Toyota’s, 5 Patrol’s and a hybrid ~ more of that later] we all headed down the highway towards Murwillumbah (note to sgt in arms, red patrol in front of trip leader exiting car park). Even though we had one no show from trip sheet we still departed on time.

We arrived at the gate of the park in good time as noted 9.01am with only one casualty, a lorikeet trying to take on a light force spottie at 60k (not advised).

               After a quick round up and morning tea in a well presented camp area and airing down of tyre’s we were urged to hit the tracks by Andrew.

9.39am departing the camp area Neil and Geraldine as trip leaders ran through the convoy rules.

               The ground was dry; the day was a perfect clear winter’s day. We were all keen for a great day on the tracks. The first decent, medium to hard climb was underway when the convoy STOPPED abruptly at 10.05. We were at the top of a ridge enjoying a steam bath from Andrews Patrol/hybrid as it had torn an engine mount and jammed the fan causing an overheat.

               The bush mechanic’s arrived from all corners with advice and manpower, thankfully we were on the fence line and star pickets were available for levers, some trusty fencing wire and a plastic bottle for a header tank.  This all worked well for the patbrid hytrol ……bitza and we moved on.

               11.13 all aboard! Di checking her pants after being startled by a noisy horn J

               Traversing through some interesting tracks alas another patrol thought there was a problem??? ~ All solved when over the CB “I’ve only left my handbrake on”…….. “DAD” said TomJ. Just minor this time.

We eventually arrived at a play area with some hard and difficult hills. Neil leading the way up some dusty climbs with a few trucks requiring additional runs, airing down more on some tyres and some masters achieving the climb without lockers.

               The final climb before lunch had all beat due to a silly little root across the climb at an interesting spot, all tried, all created dust and all went to lunch with tails between their legs L

Having had a good and eventful morning we headed back to the camp area for lunch .arriving and spotting some well dirty Land Rover’s ~ all were excited with the mud covered vehicles.

After lunch we headed for some new challenge‘s and arrived at a muddy playground! The cry went up about how to clean the vehicles – what with the water shortage and all, blocked radiators on previous trips (patrol driver’s I believe), so the lead vehicle’s decided on other challenges in the park.  We did come across another water challenge however, and despite the first three vehicle’s chickening out of the bog hole a white ‘cruiser decided to take on the challenge and ventured in. sadly he went in without following driver training procedure of walking water crossings first, and found what was believed to be the remains of a Pajero which had a very sharp section.  With a spectacular ‘bang’ this managed to slash a “claw “500mm on the side wall of the tyre. A recovery was achieved with complete dignity (Cruiser extracting Cruiser) Repairs were carried out swiftly with a large gallery looking on.

Having had an enjoyable afternoon we all headed for the camping area for debriefing and airing up.  All said and done a very exciting if not expensive for some day was had by all.

A big ‘Thank You’, to the trip leaders Neil and Geraldine for the most enjoyable day.