Glasshouse 8th March 2014

[Capella_Ben]

An overcast sky, a little rain, an unexplored track and some enthusiastic club members are the ingredients for a great trip... and we had all on this trip.

I have been trying to compile a map of as many Glasshouse mountains tracks as I can. I came across the "Watsons Road" track on 4x4 Earth and added it in. What a worthy addition it turned out to be.

So after meeting up at the usual meeting place we took off. In the convoy we had, Capella_Ben, Dave, Cuboid, Boxy and BenJancz. Along with me we had special guest star Tim (Dalmatian) and the trip navigator.

First stop was the Watson Road track. After airing down in a ice shady and sandy part of the track we were right into it. this track starts at the bottom of a hill and simply heads straight up. It wasn't a steep track, but the fun is in the various rocky outcrops that lead to step-ups. Fortunately the rock was only sandstone so it was a little more forgiving.



Mark with a little wheel lift.



Ben doing what Tim says: "Lift the wheel this much"



Ben was spilling a bit of water when pointing uphill. Turned out to be just the washer bottle.



Boxy's running repairs.

We now need someone to come up with an imaginative name for this track.

After having a bite to eat, we headed down to the southern end to PUMPKIN'S PERIL. On the way there we picked up Anthony in his Jimny and he tagged along for the rest of the day. Also on the way we passed what seemed like 100's of 4WD's heading north. No idea what they were up to. Once we got to the start of the track Tim's cousin Scott and his son joined us.

So, on the way to PUMKIN'S PERIL there was a minor incident with a mud puddle. It was such a minor incident that I'm sure no-one will remember it.

Suffice to say it did have an impact on my beloved crusier...



We did PUMPKIN'S PERIL in the reverse direction to last time.



After going over it the first time, I decided to try another track to the summit that I had not done before. I walked the top a little and it looked fine. I looked up from the bottom and it looked fine. However it turns out that right in the middle there is a huge rock step. In fact in places the step was actually a bit of an overhang. After a bit of pointing and moving rocks I got around it then proceeded to get stuck on a smaller rock; D'oh. After seeing the rock step everyone else chickened out.

Best trip ever!

I'll post a video in a few days. Post up your photos and (even better) video!

[Dalmatian]

Special guest star... I like!!

It's nice to see someone else's car get muddy for a change. Usually it's me. It's gonna be a hard event to forget Ben.
I've never seen Ben being recovered before this weekend. (best trip ever)

Even though I was a passenger, it was quite an enjoyable day. Besides the multiple hill runs I had to do being the navi. At least I burnt off a few THOUSAND calories.

Will definitely have to go back again, this time in my own car!

[Dave]

Agree .... one of the best trips ever.
I was really impressed with the Frontera with front and rear autolockers. It did so well. I'll definitely have to put in a front locker (to keep up )

Anyway, Here are some of my photos. The video will come in a few days time.

That first track was really interesting. Would like to try that again. There were some interesting rocks faces to climb.


Yep ... we all drove up this.


And this .... and more.


Then a Patrol was getting tired and wanted to lie down.


I can see my house from here..


There were some good wash-outs to navigate too.


And some good views from the top of the ridge.


In the afternoon we went through a few mud holes. The wheels were clean moments before this.


Others may have been thinking about fishing instead.


Besides, there are no deep mud holes here. Well, maybe only the one.
The passengers left the captain to go down with the ship.


But with the help of a winch, the vehicle was soon out, and free to continue (around that mud hole).


Certainly a great trip.

BTW - what name should we give that first track .... Boxy's basher?

[BenJancz]

What a great trip, I had an absolute ball.
My photographer has not come out with me for a few trips now, I only remembered to take the camera out once so here is the vid. I am in the process of editing my second video and will upload it later.



The exterior and underside of my car have been muddier before but I have never seen so much mud inside my engine bay before. Did anyone manage to catch who recovered Capella_Bens Cruiser, looks really stuck so it must have been an amazing effort to winch a car that size out.

Amazing what a difference an extra locker makes. FYI I have free wheeling hubs on the front to turn the locker on or off when I want. The rear locker is always on but my car is not a daily driver. I have found that due to the lash built into the lockers you need to be careful going around corners, the tail of my car as skipped for a split second a few times already, could be fun in the wet. It also not so smooth on the road when going from acceleration to coast, if backing off in a low gear it seems to skip a bit as well. I thought the guys installing it may have screwed up but it says clearly in the manual that lash is built into the locker. I broke a clutch plate in my LSD at the Springs 4x4 park and my diff has been in Open mode since then. Luckily I did not know it was broken otherwise I would have had it fixed rather than install a locker.

Thanks Capella_Ben, I cant wait to go back.

[krn]

Great pic everyone -no wonder I'm going grey!!!!

[Capella_Ben]

What a great trip, I had an absolute ball.
Amazing what a difference an extra locker makes. FYI I have free wheeling hubs on the front to turn the locker on or off when I want. The rear locker is always on but my car is not a daily driver. I have found that due to the lash built into the lockers you need to be careful going around corners, the tail of my car as skipped for a split second a few times already, could be fun in the wet. It also not so smooth on the road when going from acceleration to coast, if backing off in a low gear it seems to skip a bit as well. I thought the guys installing it may have screwed up but it says clearly in the manual that lash is built into the locker. I broke a clutch plate in my LSD at the Springs 4x4 park and my diff has been in Open mode since then. Luckily I did not know it was broken otherwise I would have had it fixed rather than install a locker.

Good info on the auto locker Ben. thanks.

[Capella_Ben]

There is some pretty good commentary in this one.

[cuboid]

I got a few pictures.

Here are a couple of our navi showing us some new hand signals



The frontera climbing over one of the rock faces


The white cars all made it to the top of the hill - with only some minor wounds


Ben J made this puddle look easy - some one else who shall remain nameless made it look very difficult and required a winch (no photos sorry)


Ben neglected to mention what he said just prior to entering this little bog hole...
"Im not going to check this puddle, I've been through it before." [seconds later] "I need a recovery..... Quickly"


And finally airing up at the end of day, with some of the cars sporting war wounds


Thanks for organising a good day out Capella Ben, shame about the muddy water in your the car

[BenJancz]

The only other video i took on the day. I might need to walk around with a camera next time and not a cup of tea.



toot

[Dave]

I didn't too much video my own car, but I've edited to a 37 second clip. Watching the video, it all looks so easy now.



Here is the direct link to easily watch it in high def.
http://youtu.be/rt279FuHcYs

And there was a highlight at the end of Ben's video. Here is a brief 20sec extract.


Again, below is the link for a higher resolution version.
http://youtu.be/n4FFYZVF9lc