Initially there wasn't anything too difficult, and the vehicles were reasonably clean. Then there was the odd mud puddle on the track, with some tracks getting a little overgrown. This track ended up being badly eroded too, so we had to turn back.
BenJancz decided to take the adventurous path through a puddle on the track, but got caught on the ramp-over angle into the puddle. So the winching for the day started. The vehicle made it into the puddle, when more winching was needed. We then noticed his mud flap behind the vehicle.
But the we fished the mud-flap out, we discovered it was some plastic under-body protection plate that belongs to some other vehicle.
Dave also followed, but due to a problem with engaging a rear locker, was also stuck in the mud puddle. But because the winch line wasn't out, Dave sat in the puddle for several minutes. Thankfully the seals around the doors on the Prado held, and none of the muddy water made it into the car.
Shortly afterwards, there were was another opportunity to take an adventurous section. Capella_Ben and Dave took the chicken tracks, but not BenJancz. Unfortunately more clearance was needed to get into the hole, so more winching was needed.
There is the problem. The weight of the winch cable on the roof was holding the car back.
Shortly after lunch time, there were more tracks that was mud pits. The vehicles were getting fairly muddy by this stage.
Dave found what looked like a little and easy mud pit to cross on a track, but had a very soft base. With a lot of wheel spin, the poor Prado got a good coating of mud. And yet more winching was needed to exit. Here is an action shot.
The CVs were well protected, as they had a thick layer of mud and leaves.
Capella_Ben had another look at an insane climb that he bypassed by time. But this time there was no holding him back.
This is the track, and the photo was taken looking up the hill.
While the spectators held their breath, Capella_Ben drove up the ledges.
The climb went well, and Capella_Ben was overjoyed when he reached the top. Dave and BenJancz wisely decided not to attempt this cliff.
Later that afternoon, we decided to climb a couple of smooth rocks. Dave when first, and due to the slope, decided to attach a winch for safety. It turned out that was a wise decision.
The second smooth rock also required some winching. Capella_Ben then followed, and also winched through the same areas.
Due to the slope, ledges, and lack of large trees, an extension strap was used to minimise the strain on a smaller tree. This worked well, and the vehicles were quickly up the slope.
BenJancz then had clutch issues, and decided to head out before the problems stopped the vehicle. Capella_Ben and Dave also started to head home then.
It was a great day out, with lots of challenges and exciting tracks. And there are still many more tracks to explore. A video or two will be uploaded in the next few days.
