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COBAW - JANUARY 2006
by Robert (Bullet) Lake (#039)
Shunts trip to Cobaw attracted a large crowd that gathered in
Lancefield on a bright and sunny morning. Eagar to get straight
into it, drivers were given a card where the highest number got the
privilege of getting their recovery gear to show off to everyone.
This trips winner was Woody and he produced his freshly washed ARB
snatch strap for all to check out (it’s a wonder it is still in
once piece as it was extensively used the week before at Wombat).
With it all passing the test we hit the road, this time coming in
the front entry to Cobaw and straight into the tracks.
Shunt had some hard tracks that he had put off in the past and
today was the day that he wasn’t going to put them off. Our first
track had a big deep rut straight down the middle which everyone
negotiated very well. With a competent group we were through the
tracks fairly quickly as Shunt wanted to tackle the big hill. We
made our way along Ellis track where we found a tree had fallen
over the track. Woody and Shunt made short work of it with the
chainsaw and gave demonstrations of how to correctly use the
chainsaw (as per the chainsaw course, well sort of). While giving
this demonstration we decided to have morning tea and make the most
of the time we had to wait.
Once back on the road it was less than 10 minutes and we had
another bigger tree blocking the path on Camp track. This time we
had chainsaws out and winches to clear the tree and to block the
route that had been made by other vehicles into the bush. Once this
was cleared we were on our way to Mooney’s and Evan’s track for
lunch under a nice shady tree. Pressure was put onto Shunt to
reveal the happenings of a recent High Country trip, but apparently
what happens on the trip, stays on the trip and that is the way it
should be.
We made our way to the steep section of Evans track, one that
many of us had attempted before but still a challenge. This track
has a very steep section at the start, then a rocks section that is
bumpy and loose and the hill just keeps going. The best part of
this track is where you pull up at the bottom and you can’t see the
top, it looks awesome and frightening at first glance. Everyone
loves this track and we all made it up safely and without any
damage for a change. Chris Knight had a nice bumpy ride up, I don’t
think at any stage all four wheels were on the ground. Matthew did
it the best with a run all the way to the top, amazing what some
kids do for fun.
Our next challenge was just around the corner near the Motor
Bike Loading area which is Alcorn track. We have looked at this
many times before but elected to come down it, today it was time to
go up. Shunt made it up first with little trouble and next it was
time for the Mav. The first part of the trip up was relatively
smooth until the rocky rutted section where the back of the car
slipped off the top of the rut and right into it. After backing
down a little for a second attempt the Mav stepped over that only
to find a deeper one that threw the car sideways leaving no
traction to the front passenger wheel and the back driver’s wheel.
Wedged on top of the rut there was nowhere to go, great for a photo
and finally I got to see it stuck. After a year of him laughing at
me every trip I finally had my revenge and with a video camera in
hand I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. After turning Shunts
truck around and getting the winch out, the Mav only needed about a
meter of help and it drove out by itself. Doesn’t matter it was
still stuck in the first place.
Milton drove up like he was driving down the main street of
Melton, Richards Prado made it up with plenty of power, the Brumby
machine made it up with a different line, the Parish’s cruised up
there, Daniel made it without diff lockers in the ‘Shorty’ after
the hose was ripped out earlier in the day. The Walkers made it up
in the best possible style, both front wheels were at least a metre
off the ground after hitting the rut, the crowd of onlookers gasped
as it kept powering up the hill. This was possible the best thing I
have seen on a trip, pity the video camera had stopped working
about 4 mins earlier and none of us got a picture of it. Mark had a
few attempts at it before finally pulling the winch out, but not
before trying every possible way up the hill, and Woody powered up
it at the end. By the way did I mention that the Mav got stuck at
the start, just in case I forgot that. And I also have a photo.
We made out way out to air up and discuss what a great day it
had been. A fantastic CITYWEST trip and also another example of a
professionally run trip from Shunt. (As always). See you on the
next trip.
Robert (BULLET) Lake | 