Along for the trip were:
* Mark
* Louis and Lucas
* Steve and Kim
* Ben, Jane and the kids
* Gilbert and Coby
* Victoria and I
We set off from the BP heading going off at the D'Aguilar Highway and ran alongside Beerburrum Rd. We made our way up toward Smiths St and on to Old Gympie Rd. Travelling a short way down Old Gympie Rd we decided to take a track to the left. The track immediately proved to be interesting as those with limited suspension articulation struggled to make their way up on to the track itself and it wasn't long before the first recovery of many was underway. Gilbert having tried to straddle a large rut on the left side of the track had got a bit too close to the side and it gave way trapping the front left of the car. A few attempts to drive out were futile and Ben positioned himself on the right of the track and after a winch recovery we were back on our way.
Gilbert's Highway
Steve doing some manual labour
Preparing the winch recovery
Having made it to the end of the track we turned right and then right again to find ourselves heading back down Old Gympie Rd. Having seen a track previously we headed back and took the turn left. Immediately it seemed very clear that this track hadn't been used for a while given the length of the grass and this became more clear as we reached a "T" intersection where the right turn seemed to just end. With only the left turn available we headed down the overgrown track. At this point we discovered a number of fallen trees, overgrowth and bog holes along the track. Given that Steve had come down the track and didn't want to reverse (yes, that's the reason and we're sticking with it) we were left with the task of clearing the track of fallen trees and lantana. So out came the chainsaw and we set about slowly making our way along the track clearing trees and scrub as we went. Despite initially looking challenging the first few bog holes were cleared easily by everybody.
Mark at the start of the first bog hole
Steve guiding Gilbert through
Run rabbit, run
Spinning wheels again
We then came along the second set of bog holes and being our fearless trip leader Mark decided to take them head on, but unfortunately he didn't win. The winch claimed it's second victim as Ben had to extract him out backwards. At this point it was decided the best course of action was to go around and so after some further clearing we made our way around. Unfortunately all did not go well as Louis came through and he found himself sideways in the same hole that Mark had originally got stuck in. Fortunately some careful positioning of the MaxTrax and some "carefully applied" accelerator pedal we were on the move again.
Louis stationary
MaxTrax getting some use
Having cleared the overgrown track the skies opened and the rain really started coming down. This didn't stop anybody from hopping out of their vehicles and helping each other out as we made our way back out through an undulating track with everybody needing to have a couple of attempts through the more tricky sections of the track.
Out of the thick stuff and in to the rain
Mark guiding us (which tyre goes where?)
Having done a full loop through the bush we found ourselves back on Old Gympie Rd, not far from where we had originally come off. A short drive further down and we found ourselves at a small playground at which point Ben wanted to give the short climbs a go. The first attempt saw him lose traction very easily and in his haste to reverse back down for another attempt the front wheels dropped in to a hole and the front bar made a loud crack as it bounced down on to a rock. After a quick check and finding no damage, Ben retreated for a slightly more "sheltered" track to the right. Having done the right track with ease of course I had to follow and on the second attempt found myself just below the crest of the hill and without any traction. The problem at this point was that I was too close to the right side (and the impending rocks) to beat a retreat back down the hill. Despite attempts at road building I was never able to build up enough momentum to pull myself over the top and had to submit to a winch recovery to get me over the top.
Checking for damage. Quick cuddle and it will be ok
The "easy" track to the right
Steve doing his Michael Jackson impression
On the way up
So close, yet so far
Having been out and about for a few hours and with midday approaching we made our way to the lunch area for some food, a sit down and some great cake supplied by Kim. The rain managed to hold off just long enough for the kids to have a run about and as we left after lunch the rain was back on again. Heading down Steve Irwin Way and then on to Rapkins Rd we made our way back toward the Bruce Highway. Crossing under the highway we found ourselves back in the thick of it. Again our fearless leader took point and promptly got himself stuck in some very sticky white clay. Struggling for traction and with no way to make a winch available we tried all the tricks in the book to gain more traction including pine cones (which actually worked pretty well!) and after a fair amount of back and forth and endless repositioning of the MaxTrax we managed to get Mark through. Having the benefit of hindsight the only option was made clear to the rest of the troop and that was momentum was the only way to get over the top. Some more "careful application" of the accelerator pedal from the rest of the crew saw everybody through.
Mark leading the way
A bit more weight in the back
Up and out
Taking the direct route
A bit sideways
A bit of momentum
More mud than MaxTrax
Having got everybody through we continued along our journey but it didn't take long to get ourselves in to trouble again. Having reached an intersection Mark came over the radio saying the middle track gave him no problems which of course meant that Ben took the left track for a challenge. In the end it seems the challenge was a bit too much to chew and Ben found himself sideways against the bank but thankfully without any damage to the Golden Gun. Unfortunately Louis mistook the left track for the middle track and got himself hang up only meters short of Ben almost at the same time. With Ben pinned against the side of the track the only option was to bring another car up to act as an anchor for the winch. Using a double line pull Ben was able to pull himself out of the hole and back on to firm ground. In the meantime Steve and Mark had led the recovery of Louis using Steve's winch. Having extricated Louis Steve made his way up the hill and slid in to the ruts of a track and found himself motionless. Using a tree for an anchor Steve had to winch himself up the hill and finally out of the rut. So within 20 minutes and just as many metres the winch had claimed it's final three victims, leaving everybody with at least one recovery on the score sheet.
Two stationary vehicles
Setting up the recovery
Steve's turn
Having spent a couple of hours overcoming the last two obstacles the convoy headed back alongside the motorway and finally back on to the sealed road just before Johnston Rd. At this point it was after 3:30pm and so Gilbert, Coby, Louis, Lucas, Steve and Kim made the decision to head back home while Mark, The Jacksons, Victoria and I decided to do a little more exploring before calling it a day. We decided to go and have a look at a couple of tracks off Roys Rd and so made our way down the Bruce Highway and took the Roys Rd exit. After a short creek crossing we found ourselves at a challenge that basically involved "not falling in the hole". In the spirit of the day we decided to take on this final challenge but once we made it through decided that we didn't want to be wandering around in the dark and so decided to come back down again. Coming down proved slightly more tricky but with a bit of work on the track we managed to make our way through. A few crossings of the creek to wash the underside of the car and we were back on the Bruce Highway and off home for a well deserved hot shower!
Creek crossing off Roys Rd
Mark on his way out
Bit of pedal to get through
Road building
Like a highway
This was meant to be easier than walking...
Thanks to everybody for a great day especially for all the work involved in the recoveries. Special thanks to Mark for scouting the area beforehand and leading the day.
