Watagans 30/9/09

[goldeneagle05]

As we spoke at last trip am putting on a trip to Whitemans lane, Farrels 3, and Daniels Road and maybe big diper if time allows, This is an A grade trip so must be prepared with all your recovery gear. This date can go either side if required by those who organised this trip.

[Steve F]

Lockers and winch? minimum tyre size recommended?

Oh and great to see lots of trips :)

Cheers
Steve

[AJ]

I can't make it during the week but definately sounds like a cool trip so next time you head out there on a weekend i'll be in for sure!!

[CraigB]

Ok Olly,
I'm good for 30th Sep. I wont have the 35's on yet, but ready to roll-out the same as Wheeny Creek. Might wack the soft-top on for this one though.
CraigB

[D.K.]

Sounds good, Dude!
Count me in.

Dave

[CraigB]

Hey Olly,
I'll be coming in from Birubi, not from Sydney. Can you give me an RV time and place somewhere mate? My 2 older boys will be with me too.

CRB

[BlakJaK]

Having had my smashed gearbox speed sensor replaced ($400+, Ourimbah damage), I'm ready for Wednesday! Jeep cleaned the outside but not the very dusty inside, which Craig understands, I'm sure.
Ash

[easy_rider]

I cannot go weekdays. :( Anyone who would like to do the same weekend time? E.g. Saturday 10 October? (or Sunday 11 Oct.)

I would like to try this A grade: When coming from Wyong and get to Forrest Rd., stop before the second power lines. A-grade road is on the left side, B-grade on right side. I would not even thing about going down A-grade, however, there is an alternative easy way down under A-grade hill, about 50-70m before power lines on the left side. It goes down (about 100m) down under the hill where it connects right to A-grade power line "road". There is short decline and than steep A-grade climb back to Forrest Rd. It is already some time since I looked at this part, not sure if it is not beyond A-grade.

If you stop before the second power lines, you can also turn right and follow a very nice long B-grade road (my favorite in Watagans, but do not know the name) going down. There is always some mud in the valley (avoid first big mud hole unless at least 35'' tires and 4"+lift) and nice climb on the other side. You can continue till you reach sealed road (and nearby pub). I have done this few times before lifting my Rubi (+on my KTM before). My friends without dif locks struggled a bit on steepest rocky climb on the other side of the valley. I am happy to lead on this one.

Martin

[CraigB]

Yeah Craig knows - I'm an internal dust expert now. Got a dose of external yesterday too - like everyone else. I'll clean up after Menai. No time before then. :)

[D.K.]

Hi Martin,

the first track you describe is generally known as "Big Dipper".
I havn't done it although I once went DOWN it as a passanger in a friends Discovery.
The most serious part of this track, whether you drive up or down it, is a sloping off-camber section near the bottom. Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLgaPlaVkOc

The other track you refer to is "Daniels Point Rd" - very popular. As you say the bottom is now
a maze of bog-holes.

[goldeneagle05]

We will do Farrels 3 and then maybe wave rock road, these are only suggestions can do and look at zig zag or decide on day. Meet at firestation Cooranbong 9am and go from there. Peter

[vhdzine]

I am up for any weekend trip....am hanging out for a zig zag run. :P



V & her spider companion (thanks to Olly :o)

[BlakJaK]

Another radical trip with the the Hardcore Four!
As usual, Ash was the last to turn up at Cooranbong Fire Station, so I'm writing the report again! Olly led, Dave played tail-end-Charlie with the two Unlimiteds looked after in between. Craig brought his two boys, Matt and James. We drove off to Fourways at the Wishing Well, aired down and indulged in a little light rock climbing to warm up. Matt got really brave (he's 20!) and, on his first day of 4wding, attacked a very steep dirt climb. He nearly made it too, but got a bit sideways at the top and had to reverse done. We then did a whole bunch of Grade A-B stuff, down Farrells 2, up Farrells 3 (with me sliding sideways into a tree again), down huge steps on Wave Rock Road, followed by a well deserved lunch at the main picnic area, after which Craig and the boys had to head home. After lunch, with my lone lumbering truck sandwiched between the monster shorties, we drove to the top of Zigzag and walked it (next time, maybe!) and then finally drove Daniels Road with lots of little mud holes and some big ones that are best avoided. Along the way there were lots of big rock steps and ruts, some stunning views from on high and also large areas of stubble from logging.
As you can tell, this is one happy new member!
Ash

[D.K.]

Totally awesome day, guys! :D :D
Being tail end charlie has the distinct disadvantage you know exactly what you are about to recieve.

Zigzag in the watagans before Xmas, boys ;).

[CraigB]

I still dont believe we went up Farrells3. This was an awesome trip. Now I've got to somehow buy two more Wranglers - one each for the boys! We had to duck back up to Stockton after lunch and then home. Anyway, got loads of vids and pics from this one. Will be uploading today - so stay tuned to another sub-albumn under CraigB.

CRB

[goldeneagle05]

Yes great day with great drivers, I also hit the tree as well and the rock and the hole a couple of times but got up and cant wait for the vids. Sorry u have to buy more jeeps Craig but maybe start them on suki's their cheaper to buy by the dozen. Thanks for comming but it makes it harder to top that run so we may have to do big dipper, skull and cross bones next b4 we do zig zag.

[CraigB]

Ye!
In for a penny, in for a pound....the rock-crawling playground is good by itself. A great warm up and/or training run, up or down. That would make a great day for plenty of vehicles by itself. Each of those runs had 2-3 variations. Picnic there and even look at winch/snatch practice. a day trip doesn't have to be a total roam-around all the time.

Look, anyone reading this, if you see a trip-out with DK and/or OLLY - go for it, it's awesome.

CRB

[D.K.]

Just noticed one of the random images called "got grab handles". The shape of the rock step looks very much like steps on zigzag after coming round the tight off-camber corner.
Am I right? Anybody shed some light on this pic? -obviously somebody in the gallery knows.

[CraigB]

66 pics uploaded in gallery from this trip - check it out.

[BlakJaK]

I've checked out those pics and found them to be absolutely fantastic! There's some serious photographic talent in that thar family! The dust flying and wheels in the air certainly tells it like it was. Craig, could you please email me a high quality version of that last one of BlakJak launching?
Thanks and well done boys!
Ash

[goldeneagle05]

Any idea on the vids on youtube and what they under, thanks Peter

[D.K.]

Craig should be able to just paste the youtube videolink url into this thread and it will play from here.

[AJ]

Looks like a great day out!!

http://www.sydneyjeepclub.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3911&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=9816ba8f9e5b24b7e2551a7d9dca3064

Can't wait for the video :D

[CraigB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QDpq3ar3Tk

Here is one video (I hope!).
CRB

[CraigB]

Must have fluked the first one, cant get the others to load now. Spewing.

[CraigB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soLxz8YwsYA

another one...

[CraigB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UB-7gJnfVM

worked again...

[CraigB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAUnm355Dmo

and again!

[CraigB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb62X7u18sc

This is becoming an addiction...

[CraigB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXluuSHw69E

First time on the rocks for Matt - loves it, when I win the lotto (next week), I'm buying my boys a Wrangler each...

[CraigB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66L78Evtuww

part 2...

[goldeneagle05]

Great vids craig and thanks to the boys

[D.K.]

I reckon all the dust that blew in last week made those slabs a bit lower traction than you would expect. Probably swept down from the forest road above the slabs. Thats my excuse and Im sticking to it :D

[BlakJaK]

Great job on the vids Craig!
Ash