Easter high country 2012

[darrensmall Member Find all posts View Profile Close darrensmall]

Cheers, thanks for the info guys...certainly looking forward to testing the new rear locker up that way.

[darrensmall Member Find all posts View Profile Close darrensmall]

Finally back, 5 day trip. Thanks for the heads up on the tracks. Stayed outside Talbotville campground about 2 river crossings after. Went to Wonangatta station, nice drive especially Hern Spur and Wombat Spur. Sth Bashalt Knob Track... Well, don't try it after rain. It's now on the To-Do-List in the dry. On the Video from BLKd4d, I got to a large rock step at about 1.36 on the Vid, this was with rear locker in and tyres down. Got the front wheel up but not the back, had to winch about 10mtr (but 40mtr short to a good tree) to the mid point (about where u were filming from) and do a 5 point turn then head back down...very hairy. Otherwise, very good trip.
Thanks again. Darren

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

South Basalt is a real corker, I don't think I would be brave enough to try it in the wet. So many good tracks in the high country, especially around Talbotville. Might be a good place for a GTG nudge nudge, wink wink!

Cheers Andrew

[darrensmall Member Find all posts View Profile Close darrensmall]

Andrew,
It was one of those, 'lets go for an afternoon drive so the kids might fall asleep'. The plan was to loop Sth Bashalt with Brewery track.
Had a 100 series following so of course had to show him up...after my attempt, he decided to give it a miss. Have marked a few spots on the gps, and definately be heading back there in nicer weather. Drive4Life was passing through while we were there. Would be a very good spot for a GTG, plenty of campgrounds and good variety of tracks. Are you hosting??

[wastegate Member Find all posts View Profile Close wastegate]

Some other great tracks (challenging and scenic) in the Vic High Country are just north out of Licola along the Macalister River and into the Butcher back country. The few good spots for camping along the various river crossings get taken early so better to plan it as a day trip to other camping outside those tracks.

Around the area there was one small track tagged as a short cut called something like the Barkly or Jeep Trk. Anyway three trucks pull off the main Mainsfield to Licola Rd, aired down we drove past some pretty stunted snow gums and wild flower meadows leading the start of the track. We get out to take a look at what lay ahead. All that could be seen resembling some sort of a track, was akin to dried up waterfall disappearing over a 10m drop. After entering the waypoint comment "gunna need a f%#king big truck" we turned and headed back the longer, but more leisurely route.

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

Darren it's a shame it was a bit wet when you tried south basalt . While I was up there went up twice and down once .
On the vid the guy in the nissan said he was there about 3 years ago an couldnt believe how much harder it was .
Did you manage to do blue rag and billy goat while you where up there .

Might be a good place for a GTG nudge nudge, wink wink! So many good spots up there you could camp and split up into day drives.
We Victorians should get something going !!!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Andrew,
Would be a very good spot for a GTG, plenty of campgrounds and good variety of tracks. Are you hosting??

I had originally planned to lead a trip over that way around Easter this year, but the running of the GTG in SA got in the way of those plans. I think a few of the SA boys are keen to try again next year, it would certainly make my life easier if the GTG was organised for the high country and all I had to do was rock up and follow the leader!

Sorry Darren, hosting 1 national GTG is enough, I would hate to rob someone else of the opportunity to organize one.

Cheers Andrew

[darrensmall Member Find all posts View Profile Close darrensmall]

Nah, missed both tracks...on the list next time. Having family there, we ended up at camp more than I would have liked, but still got a good view of the area and did a nice bit of exploring.