Menai Club Trip
Sat 11th July 09
Trip Leader:
Scuba + 1 – GU Ute (on loan from Charles)
Followers:
Ant – GQ wagon
Max – GQ wagon
Kev + 1 – GQ wagon
Luke + 2 – GQ shorty
Glenn & Brad – GQ shorty
Brett & Stevie – GQ wagon
After gaining the required approval during the week from the 4wd Association which gave us legitimate access to Menai and permission to run our trip, we all met up at White Rock at 2:00pm, aired down and discussed in anticipation what Scuba had in store for us.
Using the Gate 8 entry point we had all but made in over the dirt mound and started to drive down the smallest of tiny little rock steps when somewhere amongst our convoy of 7 trucks we hear an almighty BANG! Ant had just successfully torn his left rear shock apart, which in turn allowed his now un-captive spring to wedge itself on a 45 degree angle between the diff and the floorpan! No drama. We all grabbed the side and back of the truck and lifted it up enough for Stevie to reach under and re-seat the spring. All good!
With Ant’s truck now out of 4wding action, a quick reverse into a nice little bush car parking spot and a double check all doors are locked has Ant jumping in with Max to take on navi duties for the remainder on the trip.
Continuing down the track for another 10 minutes or so has Scuba lined up for 80 series steps. With some guidance from the now chief navi Ant, Scuba makes it look too easy as he slowly crawls the GU to the top using the lockers only as a last resort.
Max is up next and shows us how to get a GQ wagon on some really good angles as he tries numerous lines in an attempt to drive the steps. With a little rock packing and directions from Ant he makes it up with a little bit more pace than Scuba.
Kev is next to have a lash and with only a front locker and LSD rear, his tyres are scratching for grip on the slippery rock. After a few more attempts he’s up as well.
Now it’s Glenn’s turn and being a short wheel base we’re wondering if it will be a bigger hindrance of make life easier. Didn’t take us long to find out the answer as Glenn drove the whole of 80 series steps in one smooth, easy go with out any dramas. Nice work Glenn!
Luke now thinks this is going to be easy as he starts to drive up the steps in his shorty. Unfortunately he gets a little off line and, with back and fills a plenty, he manages to get himself semi wedged. So it’s out with the snatch strap and after some careful guidance Luke and his truck are on level ground once again.
After Scuba’s efforts I was hoping to maybe drive the steps unlocked. Wishful thinking that! With Stevie taking over navi duties as a sort of practice for Willowglen routine, I manage to make it up but not after a few attempts and having to put both lockers in.
Continuing on we come across a nice little rock step that has us all driving a few different lines and angles. This time it was Kev’s turn to show us how far a GQ wagon can lean over as he slides along the edge of the slippery rock face. Backing it up and a little adjustment of the steering wheel has him up on the next attempt.
We eventually made it down to Prado Hill just as the last bits of daylight shone through the trees. Once again Scuba is up first and spends a good 20 or so minutes scratching around on the rocks and trees roots in an effort to drive to Hill. With Ant telling him one way and Scuba driving another minimal progress was being made. With the sun setting behind the hill Scuba gives up his attempts and calls on Glenn to have a go. With rock lights a blaze Glenn tries all the different lines available but the slippery rock and his muddy tyres make him unsuccessful in his efforts to reach the top. Max was the next in line. After a handful of attempts, some decent rock packing and a healthy use of the right boot, Max is up!
Kev now eagerly lines up for a go but unfortunately it’s not too long before he pinches his rim and tyre on one of the rocks while reversing back down to try a different line and manages to get a whole heap on sand and grit into the bead of his tyre and rim. We cleaned out as much sand as we could and eventually it slowed the leak down but Kev didn’t want to make matters worse so opted to leave his attempts at the Hill for the next trip out to Menai.
Now it’s decided it’s my turn! So with darkness definitely upon us I edge my truck up to the bottom of the small hill. Trying to make out Ant’s hand signals proved a little difficult as my headlights shone in his eyes at the same time the Narva light he had in his hands pointed directly at me. However, after some detailed and descriptive guidance, tiresome rock packing efforts by the boys and a little right foot action, I had made it up.
With Luke being the last truck to have an attempt we once again positioned ourselves into rock packing and guidance groups and, just like the others after numerous attempts, some nice angles out of the shorty and with rock lights illuminating the track, Luke finally makes it up.
After an uneventful return trip, except for Kev getting his front left wheel wedged between a rock on the decent of 80 series steps and being unable to reverse back up, we made it back to Gate 8 at approx 8:30pm, aired up, checked for damage and headed on home.
Thanks to Scuba for a really enjoyable Menai Trip and thanks to everyone who came along.
Brett