EXCEED January/February 2018 Vol 35 No:1 | Page 28

26

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Participants

Mbr

Number

Vehicle Details

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

Stuart Gay– Trip Leader

1521

NM Pajero

After a quick morning tea we headed off to the highlight of the day – Billy Goat Bluff Track. The one they write about in the magazines. Back into low range we snaked our way up to the helipad. Then it was sharply down the other side and on to the serious climb. Careful track selection to place the wheels where they’d have best traction without grounding out on protruding rocks. Passengers hanging on tightly and closing their eyes on the worst sections. Courteous drivers coming downhill pulling over to let us past. I was concentrating so intently I didn’t notice the storm that was coming in till we got to the high narrow pass of the Devil’s Window and saw the lightning flashes over the Maroka ranges to the west. I wonder what it would be like going down this if the rocks were wet and the dirt turned to wet clay. I hope we wouldn’t have to find out.

With the thunder getting closer we took a quick lunch at the Pinnacle car park and a walk to the fire tower for photos of the valleys below and the distant blue mountains and headed back down just as the heavens opened. The howling gale blew the rain horizontal through the narrow ledge of the Devil’s Window as the lightening flashed closely overhead. The storm went as quick as it came and within 30 minutes the sun was back out. We continued our slow creep downward in our long convoy keeping a good distance apart in case someone slipped on the wet track. First gear. Engines revving. Feathering the brakes occasionally on the steepest sections. Up and over the large cut outs. Once again the oncoming vehicles pulled over and stopped for us. Was this due to Peter’s negotiation skills or is everyone this courteous to Pajero Club drivers?

We arrived safely back at camp at around 4 pm for a quick dip in the river to cool down and think about what we’d make for dinner. The thunder and dark cloud was coming in again and an afternoon storm on its way. Time to get under cover.

No one got lost. Nothing got broken. We’d driven some steep tracks and seen a beautiful part of the world that made us feel lucky to celebrate Australia Day in the Victorian High Country.

Thanks to Peter and Stuart and everyone who made the day so enjoyable.