Thread: Mt airlie closed?

Originally Posted by Tusker

Let us know how you go.


Last time I was there with LROC, he was receptive to the idea of 4WD clubs doing some maintenance. It'd be worth formalising somehow - adopt-a-track US style.

Regards
Max P

Good idea, I'm sure interstate members would be in that as well Bob

Originally Posted by Felix

That is such a beautiful area up there. I know it has been said before, but it's hard not to think that all this damage and over use only started happening since that dvd went out however long ago.

Hi Felix,

I asked Col that and his view was that the 4WDA DVD wasn't the problem. It was just that one group of jerks on that one weekend.

Cheers,
John.

The good news is that track work on Mount Airlie has been done to the point where Mt Airlie is now open. LowRanger and I took the opportunity to drive up there yesterday and check it out. Happily, the bog hole that caused the track closure has been fixed, however it remains to be seen how the repairs will stand up to the elements and the test of time.

The bad news is that half of the track from Col's place to Genowlan Point is now a dirt highway that you could probably drive in a RAV4. The grading goes well past the grotto.

The good news is that the last half of the trip out to Genowlan point is as challenging and as rewarding as ever. It is my hope that they have finished and do not intend to continue grading the track.

Before (October 2011):


After (August 2012):


Regrettably they have blocked off the following section of track, enforcing the chicken track which been graded to "dirt highway" status. Photo from the top looking down in October 2011:


Photo from the bottom looking up (August 2012)


Another section of track (August 2012):

My views on this are probably obvious from my post above, but what do you think - have they done good or have they done evil?

I love the tough 4WDing which is what the track was becoming about and also what leads to a lot of wear on the track. I think they did the right thing, now others can go up there to enjoy the place who don't want to risk bending or breaking things.

I'm in several minds over this: one after seeing the DVD thought what a wonderful place to visit, and regret not doing so after being in the area 18 months ago. The other is how the hell does one educate the fools with the small minds who cant see past their nose and own selfish stupidity. The other is typical parks knee jerk response, taking the "safety first" option and deciding to make more people be less responsible, less spirited, and less adventurous and build a dirt highway for more muppets to go and treat the place bad.

in the end however, 10 out of 10 for anyone involved in keeping it open.

thanks

Having been there and seen for myself,all I can say is that this will lead to over use by the hoards of soft roaders,leading to the eventual closure of the track.
I won't go into the ecological vandalism carried out under the masked guise of maintenance

Originally Posted by LowRanger

Having been there and seen for myself,all I can say is that this will lead to over use by the hoards of soft roaders,leading to the eventual closure of the track.
I won't go into the ecological vandalism carried out under the masked guise of maintenance

That doesn't make sense. Softroaders cant have travelled the track in the state that it has been over the last couple of years, so I doubt very much that sheer numbers will close the track. Its damage that will have been caused by more capable 4WD's that could actually access it and then deliberately chop the track out that will cause the track to be shut.

And the ecological vandalism isn't the track being repaired, the ecological vandalism really occured when they put the track in.