NSW: 5-6 Jan 2010 Lidsdale State Forest and Mt Airlie

[subalex]

Okey dokes ladies and gents...
It's on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6h of Jan. Meet at Lithgow Maccas carpark at 8:45.
Driving through Lidsdale State Forest and Marrangaroo National Park on the first day then back northwards to explore what many refer to now as Mount Airly. Camping at Turon River National Park (The Diggings campground) near Capertee.

Tuesday: We're heading to Lidsdale State Forest for the most gruelling day of 4WDing challenges. Then we'll head to the Diggings camp ground to recouperate and have dinner. We've got the go-ahead from the local Ranger to take some firewood from Lidsdale SF if we need some that night.
Wednesday: Leaving the camp grounds for Mt Airly (really, it's marked as "Airly Turret" on the toppos). This will bring some extra challenges the further up we go and I expect some road building would be needed to get to the last stages if we try them at all.

There are some spectacular views from the turret (which is the minumum goal for the trip) so take a wide angle lens for your camera if you can.

Expect some light rain through the day, we might be blessed with a good clear day like today.


Trip leader: Subalex (GQ Patrol - extraction vehicle for any Toyotas coming along:iconwink: + 4 kids)

Definites:
Mr Turbo (turbo Forester)
Apsilon (shorty NT Pajero) (sorry for the earlier mistake Apsilon )
Kevin (slightly kitted out Forester)
Michael (Kluger with some mods)


Wishing they were coming but can't get their boss to let them come out and play:
paffoh

Wishing they were anywhere but Adelaide:
OGJON


If you wish to add your name to the trip please contact me on 0403 223288.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[apsilon]

Looking like I'll be able to make this (in my NT Pajero )

 

[mr turbo]

Trip leader: Subalex (GQ Patrol - extraction vehicle for any Toyotas coming along:iconwink: + 4 kids)
Possible attendees:
Mr Turbo (turbo Forester)

There's no "possible" for me I'm a DEFINATE

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[paffoh]

Unfortunately will be back at work on the 4th Jan...

Have a good trip guys, will look forward to future weekend gatherings.

 

[apsilon]

Do we know what the tracks are like? A mate in his Renault bodied XTrail is thinking of coming but has never driven offroad so is wondering how easy it will be. Also concerned about how narrow it is and bush pin striping.

 

[Kevin]

I was in Lidsdale last Saturday doing my "Drive & Recover a 4WD" Vetab accreditation. There is lots of steep stuff in there but it depends on how we travel through it and there are (longer) alternative routes.
I would be disappointed if it were too easy!:iconwink:

 

[apsilon]

Thanks. Might tell him to come as a passenger and see what he thinks first time out.

5 weeks to go :biggrin:

 

[OGJON]

I would love to join you guys but Bexter & I will be on our way home from the GR8 Ocean Road after spending Christmas in Adelaide

 

[subalex]

Hey there guys...

I've did a reccie a couple of weeks ago and the tracks definitely require all-terrain tyres as a minimum. Not so much a case of traction as sidewall protection of your tyres as those hill climbs have lots of exposed sharp-edged rocks and they gave my BFGs a bit of a cut here and there.

I have to agree with Kevin in saying that there are PLENTY of challenging hill climbs and descents... so many that at the end of my reccie I decided that I need to get out there again to map out the best route that avoids both the easy and the extreme stuff (there's some that really are only possible with huge tyres, big lift and lockers). Don't worry fellas, I'll give you all something to work with.

Apsilon: Your mate's standard Renault Koleos... hmm... yep, I think he would be best to ride in your car this time. We could do a different circuit through there with his Koleos another time. As for the bush "pin-striping"... I have plenty of marks to polish out from the last few trips, including the reccie but I don't think you'll have anything to worry about on this one since I recall the bushes were more around the sections that I wouldn't take you on anyway... big, rocky ruts to negotiate.

OGJON: Sorry that you can't join us. We'd love to see you up here and, after spending Christmas in Adelaide, you'll probably wish you were up here too.

Paffoh: I'm also sorry that we won't see you either. You'd love the tracks we're going on here. Can't get a couple of days off? Come on.:iconwink:

And one last comment to make today... who the heck is Adrian?? I didn't type in him and his funny Jeep v's Nissan joke in my opening post :lol:
Moderators beware... one of you is totally corrupt!:lol:

I'll get out there again in the coming week so keep your eyes peeled for updates.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[apsilon]

Looking forward to it. I have a brand new swag (which is actually a problem. Length of swag = 1150mm, length of boot space = 900mm :lol: ) to use and if all goes to plan I'll have a temporary storage system in the back for it's first field test as well.

 

[Kevin]

And one last comment to make today... who the heck is Adrian?? I didn't type in him and his funny Jeep v's Nissan joke in my opening post :lol:
Moderators beware... one of you is totally corrupt!:lol:

:biggrin: Adrian = son of Kevin

I thought the inference could be drawn from "slightly kitted out"

 

[subalex]

What's he doing with a Jeep? Stick to a Subaru mate!

I did another spot of track driving and noting a suitable treck today at Lidsdale and it's in perfect condition at the moment. A little more rain out that way wouldn't hurt though... it's quite dry. I'm heading out there again tomorrow to finish of the track notes and plot the route and camping location.

There's definitely something for everyone on this trip. Moderate through to extreme if you want to try the optional sections that split off for 50m from the main track.

Not even a week to Christmas... best wishes to you all

Remember, if you need to ask something about this trip, bung a note online here or call me on 0403 223288.

 

[mr turbo]

There's definitely something for everyone on this trip. Moderate through to extreme if you want to try the optional sections that split off for 50m from the main track.

Sounds great, cant wait. :ebiggrin:

Last time I was there, a certain hill got the better of me.
Now it's time to settle the score I say :biggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[subalex]

Well then if you consider an angle of 45degrees and make the length about 100 meters then you'll get the picture of just one of the sections... then add deep ruts, slippery pebbles and dust, a couple of washouts and a bend, then that's a descent first then an ascent straight afterwards... okey dokes?? You'd better not make it look easy since I tried so hard to get you some tracks that are difficult but not difficult enough to break your vehicles. If you want that then I've got some alternatives up my sleeve :biggrin:

You're either drooling or sweating ... I can't tell from here....

Can't wait now

 

[mr turbo]

You'd better not make it look easy since I tried so hard to get you some tracks that are difficult but not difficult enough to break your vehicles. If you want that then I've got some alternatives up my sleeve :biggrin:

You're either drooling or sweating ... I can't tell from here....

I think it's a bit of both.
Bring it on I say. :ebiggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[apsilon]

Looking forward to it. Just about to go and pick up my new roof rack (so I can carry the new swag LOL).

 

[mr turbo]

Okey dokes ladies and gents...
Let's make it the Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6h of Jan. Meet at Lithgow Maccas. Time for meeting up could be later in the morning to allow anyone from the ACT or further away to join us. Either that or distance travellers could camp nearby on the Monday night.

Alex, have you decided on what time on Tues morning we are meeting up at yet ??

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Kevin]

Adrian has to pull out - he's off to Port Douglas to visit his mum.

 

[subalex]

Sorry to hear Adrian can't make it... I don't know about you covering for him though, Kev, with all that mechanical trouble he must really be having with his Jeep. :iconwink:

Mr Turbo, to answer your question... how does 8:45am sound for meeting up at Lithgow Maccas? We don't really need to make it any earlier I don't think since we're not heading back to Sydney that afternoon.

Who's coming up Bells Line of Road like me? I take it that those who don't go that way you'll be coming up the Great Western Hwy?

 

[mr turbo]

Mr Turbo, to answer your question... how does 8:45am sound for meeting up at Lithgow Maccas?

Sounds good to me

Who's coming up Bells Line of Road like me? I take it that those who don't go that way you'll be coming up the Great Western Hwy?

I'll most probably go via the Great Western Highway, not sure yet, just depends on what sort of driving mood I'm in on the day. :biggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo