Presto
8th October 2013, 03:03 PM
LCMP 2013!
Despite a huge push, including a full day with Grimace (highly recommended), and some late nights, the Defender wasn't ready, so we reluctantly head off in the D3. At least it's good at towing and comfort! :)
Running as late as us, Grimace met up at the services on the Bruce Highway on Friday night and after some macca's we set off again. A quick fuel stop in Kilcoy, and we got to LCMP in reasonable time to find the office still open!
The weather was fairly kind to us, although very cold on the Friday night. It was the first camping trip for Optimus Prime (my youngest - aka Alistair), but even in the cold, he was well behaved! He was so well rugged up the first night that couldn't move his arms to suck his thumb, but still seemed happy! The middle child (Oliver) however, woke up the entire camp site when we turned up at our usual 10pm and started the 2 hour setup of the tent mahal.
.....Sorry Roger & son!! (they copt it big time as was asleep when we arrived!)
Once setup, I enjoyed a beer around the superb fire prepared earlier by Dave (Busman) & George. In his usual style, Grimace took 2.3 seconds to setup and was already enjoying/creating the banter around the fire. I think got to bed around 2am!
The first morning was a fairly late start (mostly due to Mel) with some itching to get going! We left camp around 9:15 and I led everyone towards TROOPIE TRAIL. There's a nice little downhill section on this track to get everyone warmed up. Nothing too exciting, but enjoyable all the same!
I then decided to divert up the SAHARA SIDE TRACK, which had a simple climb. This connected up to TARAGO TRIAL where we met up with Busman who had gone for a quick run to the office (I think?).
From here we head down to the start of CLAW GORGE, where I tried to drown the D3! Poor line choice had me trying to climb some rocks to get out of the water, but without enough clearance, I found myself backing into deeper water, trying to keep the air intake as high as possible (no snorkel!). A damp drivers side carpet later, and we found the best line was through the middle of the water where it was at least level! The first situation of many where I wish I had the defender! I held the group up a little there, so once we'd finished the rest of the Gorge we head back to camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, the groups split with Grimace leading Dave & George off to do some more difficult tracks (more from Grimace on this later), and I led Roger & Jason on a tour of the park! We went right around the top loop on DAIPER ROAD right the way around to KING ROAD and then diverted up IRONPOT ROAD (spelt IORNPOT ROAD on one of the signs!!). This led us back to the junction with TARAGO TRIAL which we took to get back to camp. There was nothing too testing, but a very enjoyable run!
The following morning, Roger & Dave packed up as they had to head home. We left camp late morning with the plan to take a look at some of the top tracks. Grimace was confident we could get the D3 through the top test track, and I was willing to give it a go! We got half way along the track with very few issues (just some spotting to make sure there were no stupid mistakes). We all got down the first steep/rough section (top left hand squiggle on the map). At this point some Patrols came past us and could be heard revving hard, so Grimace went off ahead to check the terrain. He returned with the verdict that the D3 should turn back! :( ...there was a creek run section ahead which could cause damage, so I agreed and we head back. Jason kindly agreed to escort me, and our first challenge would be to get back up the 'squiggle'! Not an easy task it seemed, as Jason, going first, found that his D2 continued to torque up and could not get enough grip to get up the first section to bring the nose down. He was very pleased to rig up his winch (first use!) and test it out. It worked perfectly and the D2 was the other side of the squiggle! Having watched the D2 struggle and the lack of winch on the D3, I requested that we attached a strap as a safety precaution whilst I tried to drive up. Once setup around a tree and the weight of Grimace and Jason o the other end, the D3 drove straight up and made the strap look like a complete waste of time! Ground clearance it may not have, but it can be a very impressive car at times!
Still wish I'd taken the Defender!
With the group split again, Jason and I head down the BUDDERA BYPASS and found that the map was a little misleading in that area. We eventually found our way back to FOURBY's FREEWAY and head back to camp.
Jason then started packing up to head home, while we had lunch. In the afternoon, I jumped in with Grimace and George followed us through my favorite track in the park - CRUISER CANYON! I was a little disappointed to see that there was very little water in the creek which was easily 12" deep went we went through last year. It was still a great drive and impressive to experience Fluffy in action!
No Grimace, I don't want a Rangie now.......
Wish I'd taken the Defender!
Sorry for the lack of pics!
Thanks all for attending, I hope you had an enjoyable weekend!
Despite a huge push, including a full day with Grimace (highly recommended), and some late nights, the Defender wasn't ready, so we reluctantly head off in the D3. At least it's good at towing and comfort! :)
Running as late as us, Grimace met up at the services on the Bruce Highway on Friday night and after some macca's we set off again. A quick fuel stop in Kilcoy, and we got to LCMP in reasonable time to find the office still open!
The weather was fairly kind to us, although very cold on the Friday night. It was the first camping trip for Optimus Prime (my youngest - aka Alistair), but even in the cold, he was well behaved! He was so well rugged up the first night that couldn't move his arms to suck his thumb, but still seemed happy! The middle child (Oliver) however, woke up the entire camp site when we turned up at our usual 10pm and started the 2 hour setup of the tent mahal.
.....Sorry Roger & son!! (they copt it big time as was asleep when we arrived!)
Once setup, I enjoyed a beer around the superb fire prepared earlier by Dave (Busman) & George. In his usual style, Grimace took 2.3 seconds to setup and was already enjoying/creating the banter around the fire. I think got to bed around 2am!
The first morning was a fairly late start (mostly due to Mel) with some itching to get going! We left camp around 9:15 and I led everyone towards TROOPIE TRAIL. There's a nice little downhill section on this track to get everyone warmed up. Nothing too exciting, but enjoyable all the same!
I then decided to divert up the SAHARA SIDE TRACK, which had a simple climb. This connected up to TARAGO TRIAL where we met up with Busman who had gone for a quick run to the office (I think?).
From here we head down to the start of CLAW GORGE, where I tried to drown the D3! Poor line choice had me trying to climb some rocks to get out of the water, but without enough clearance, I found myself backing into deeper water, trying to keep the air intake as high as possible (no snorkel!). A damp drivers side carpet later, and we found the best line was through the middle of the water where it was at least level! The first situation of many where I wish I had the defender! I held the group up a little there, so once we'd finished the rest of the Gorge we head back to camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, the groups split with Grimace leading Dave & George off to do some more difficult tracks (more from Grimace on this later), and I led Roger & Jason on a tour of the park! We went right around the top loop on DAIPER ROAD right the way around to KING ROAD and then diverted up IRONPOT ROAD (spelt IORNPOT ROAD on one of the signs!!). This led us back to the junction with TARAGO TRIAL which we took to get back to camp. There was nothing too testing, but a very enjoyable run!
The following morning, Roger & Dave packed up as they had to head home. We left camp late morning with the plan to take a look at some of the top tracks. Grimace was confident we could get the D3 through the top test track, and I was willing to give it a go! We got half way along the track with very few issues (just some spotting to make sure there were no stupid mistakes). We all got down the first steep/rough section (top left hand squiggle on the map). At this point some Patrols came past us and could be heard revving hard, so Grimace went off ahead to check the terrain. He returned with the verdict that the D3 should turn back! :( ...there was a creek run section ahead which could cause damage, so I agreed and we head back. Jason kindly agreed to escort me, and our first challenge would be to get back up the 'squiggle'! Not an easy task it seemed, as Jason, going first, found that his D2 continued to torque up and could not get enough grip to get up the first section to bring the nose down. He was very pleased to rig up his winch (first use!) and test it out. It worked perfectly and the D2 was the other side of the squiggle! Having watched the D2 struggle and the lack of winch on the D3, I requested that we attached a strap as a safety precaution whilst I tried to drive up. Once setup around a tree and the weight of Grimace and Jason o the other end, the D3 drove straight up and made the strap look like a complete waste of time! Ground clearance it may not have, but it can be a very impressive car at times!
Still wish I'd taken the Defender!
With the group split again, Jason and I head down the BUDDERA BYPASS and found that the map was a little misleading in that area. We eventually found our way back to FOURBY's FREEWAY and head back to camp.
Jason then started packing up to head home, while we had lunch. In the afternoon, I jumped in with Grimace and George followed us through my favorite track in the park - CRUISER CANYON! I was a little disappointed to see that there was very little water in the creek which was easily 12" deep went we went through last year. It was still a great drive and impressive to experience Fluffy in action!
No Grimace, I don't want a Rangie now.......
Wish I'd taken the Defender!
Sorry for the lack of pics!
Thanks all for attending, I hope you had an enjoyable weekend!