EXCEED MAY 2017 May_Emag | Page 12

TRIP REPORT After lunch Anthony made the mistake of putting me out front as trip leader! I was having a ball being able to blast away and was really enjoying the drive along Newcombe Spur Track when I came to a hill which had two major trees fallen across it. There was a side track to the right of one tree, a drive across the track to the left side then up the hill past the other tree. Sounded good in theory! I made it as far as the start of the left track then no traction. Did I mention the rain earlier? Yes, it had been raining on and off all day and right now the water was running down this track and the ground was saturated. As the rest of the team caught up we had a good chat about how to get around this obstacle as going back wasn’t really an option. We decided to cut the second tree as it was quite fresh and nowhere near the size of the first tree. With six people clearing the branches, it was cleared in less than 20 minutes and Anthony decided that he should be the first to attempt the climb. Our decision proved to be good as he managed to drive the track with some impressive sideways action and wheelspin. While the others were lowering their tyre pressures further than normal, I managed to slide the front of my car around, head downhill until I reached a flatter spot and was able to get to the start of the hill on the right hand side again. From here I also managed to drive the hill and set my car in a position to winch the others if necessary. With low tyre pressure and plenty of encouragement, Paul reached the top also while taking the crown for the most sideways driving. Maybe he used to drive speedway! Tony was next but he required a couple of runs as the rest of us had churned the surface of the track. At the critical point a slight back off meant the end of the run. More discussion and planning resulted in us getting out the Max Trax and placing them under his rear wheels. Fantastic! He was able to clear the crest. This exercise had been a great example of stopping, thinking, determining the best course of action and implementing it. It also showed the benefit of carrying good equipment and knowing how to use it. Back to Mount Sabine Road along Wye River Road and back to Lorne for some fine red wines and a debrief of the day’s drive. It was amazing to see the rapid regrowth in the Wye River area after last year’s fires. Thanks Anthony, another great drive! Episode 3: Tony Lear 1400 Roads Traversed Great Ocean Road Horden Vale Road Red Johanna Road Blue Johanna Road Moonlight Head Road Old Coach Road then into Port Campbell Highlights Superb views from Marriner’s Lookout in Apollo Bay Traipse through the magnificent forest & ferns at Maits Rest Discovering the quiet and beautiful Aire River Camping Ground And the short but sandy drive out and back to a small beach lookout The roar of Johanna Beach The scenic Gable Lookout The arduous 375 steps to walk down to Wreck Beach and the even more arduous 375 steps back up! Driving through a mob of over 100 kangaroos along the Old Coach Road heading in to Port Campbell Driving past several walkers on a shared track that is part of the Great Ocean Walk trail. 10© Vol 34 No. 4 -May 2017