RYDAL PUB 9TH & 10TH AUGUST 2008
Wheel’n the Newnes & Mt Walker areas
Trip Leaders:
Charles & Jenny Bottemanne – GU ute
Followers (Sat):
Brett McCurley (with Paul) – GQ wagon
Dave Brock (with Dave McTagget & Lisa) – 60 series
Kevin Roberts & daughter Luka Bel – GQ wagon
Additional Followers (Sun):
Mark Lenstra & Richard Harrowell – Mark’s Hilux
Mal Van Ysseldyk & Adam Cherry – Mal’s GU ute
Visitors:
Dave McTagget, Lisa & Paul
McDonalds at Richmond is always a good meeting point for any Lithgow trip so at 9:30am we headed off and followed Bells Line Of Rd for the one or so hours drive to the Zig Zag Railway carpark at Clarence.
Airing down in the carpark with my new ARB EZ Deflator was a treat and took about a third of the time it takes with the Staun tyre deflators. At $58 they’re well worth it!
Setting off over the railway lines we followed the dirt Old Bells Line of Road along to the usual tracks. Wombat holes were first with some photo taking then onto the Pipeline track. No issues so far and the weather is cool but nice. Back around for a second attempt at the upper section of the Pipeline found Brocky with a problem. The rubber bushes had torn on his gearbox and transfer case mounts so that everytime he revved the big V8 diesel in his 60 series, the torque of the engine moved the gearbox to one side and knocked the transfer lever out of low range! Dave McTagget tried in vain to push his foot forcefully against the transfer lever as he sat in the passenger seat whist Brocky drove but even he wasn’t strong enough to hold it in place.
We cruised down to the Lost City for lunch and to brave the cold and blustery blue mountains wind. This also gave me a chance to flex my truck up on a large rock and see how well my new Superior Engineering Super Flex Radius Arms worked. I’m very happy with the result!
With no easy fix for Brocky’s gearbox issue he decided to head out to the Glow Worm tunnels for an easy drive and would meet as at the Rydal Pub in the arvo. Meanwhile the rest of us continued on and drove Ranger Bob & Son of Bob then onto the black muddy bog hole section of the Power Lines track. We all tried numerous lines but couldn’t get up the slippery muddy sections. Driving the far right hand side of the bog hole between a tree and stump had Charles up, myself up with a few interesting attempts and angles and Kev needing to be winched up, having only a front locker and just not getting quite enough grip.
Up the top, and a check of the time, we decided the beer was calling so we drove back to the Zig Zag carpark, aired up, said goodbye to Kev as he had to work on Sunday, and headed off to the pub.
After an enjoyable evening at the pub standing around the warm coal fire, enjoying many refreshing beers, rums, a nice pub meal and a good nights sleep, we were unsure if anyone from the AT4 club was going to turn up for the drive on Sunday. As the 9am meeting time came and went we had all but decided that it was going to be a nice drive home with lunch at Katoomba or similar. That’s when Mark, Richard, Mal and Adam turned up!! So our drive was back on!
At this point, Brocky, Paul, Dave & Lisa said goodbye to us as they had to head home. This left the remainder of us to tackle Mt Walker and whatever else we could find. With me sort of leading the way, not exactly sure where I was going and taking a few wrong turns up some really steep and slippery hills, we eventually ended up at the base of Mt Walker eager for the drive to the top of the trig point. This is when it started to snow, that’s right I said snow!!!
With the rocks and boulders instantly becoming slippery as the snow melted on them, it became a bit of a challenge to drive what is normally a fairly easy track. With lockers in we all made it to the top and for some stupid reason decided to have lunch in the as the snow clouds passed by at eye level and the icy cold gale cut straight thru you. Just ask Adam how cold it was – wearing only shorts, as he forgot to bring a pair of long pants, his legs they went from brown to white to blue very quickly!
Over the radios – both UHF and car stereos, Jenny hears reports that the Police are considering closing both the Great Western Hwy and Bells Line Of Rd due to snow and ice. Great, no way of getting home so another night at the pub and more beer – we can handle that.
As we head back down the hills and tracks and make or way back out to the pub the weather clears up and the sun comes out for a short while – roads are now open again.
It’s now that Mal, who is following my truck, calls over the radio that something is wrong my truck as its ‘crabbing’ up the track. A quick inspection reveals that I have completely striped the adjustable thread on my lower rear control arm! Nice! With Adam under my truck and tools in hand he has the arm out in 5min. We assess the damage and decided to throw a short chain around the diff and chassis to stop the arm from coming apart (this worked fine and I made it home with no dramas). With the days drive over and everyone eager for a hot shower and dry clothes, we say our goodbyes and head off home.
A big thanks to Adam, Mark, Richard, Mal & Charles for quickly sorting out my problem so I could “safely” drive home.
Thanks also to Kenno for organising and booking the pub. Phil the owner said we are more than welcome to stay the night at anytime.
Brett